We've got our zombified mitts on (and brains into) the Left 4 Dead 2 demo just before it hits Xbox LIVE Marketplace for all, err, you infected zombie-esque gamers. We take a look at what's on offer in the demo and what's left expected of the full game which releases November 17th; which is just less than a year since the original infected our Xbox 360's.
Naturally the L4D2 demo will instantly be familiar to survivors of the prior zombie apocalypse, it very much looks and feels like the same game with a fresh lick of paint, some new levels, weapons, and of course zombies, as well as all new survivors – from down south.
The demo has quite the introduction cinematic video which sets up things nicely and rather somewhat amusingly, giving you an indication of what you (and your LIVE Friend's) can expect from the full game, from anything to a frying pan in the face to revving up those all important chainsaws on the zombies.
The infection has seemingly spread down south, which means we're no longer taking control of Bill, Francis, Louis, nor of course Zoey. Instead at the helm of this survival tale is Nick, Rochelle, Coach and Ellis. From the initial impression of the demo things certainly, while still pertaining L4D's infected roots at heart, have taken a slightly more comedic take on the zombie outbreak; which is no doubt a result of the witty banter amongst the four and the daylight setting the game has embraced. The latter of which takes the spook and tension off somewhat compared to the dark and dreary streets of the original, but bearing in mind the demo only offers up the first two chapters of The Parish campaign so no doubt there should certainly be plenty of darkness in the game's later campaigns, not to mention there's a circus with clowns, as zombies in the full game; as if we needed another reason to hate clowns any more.
The two chapters certainly offer up a good insight into proceedings, but sadly there's no chainsaw to be found in the demo, although there's a trusty frying pan, and a personal favourite of mine the machete, which sends limbs flying off with one swipe in a rather gory fashion; which we like, very much. The demo not only features sprinting hordes of zombies who want to chow down on some brains, but also in the spotlight is the new Special Infected, there's one, the Charger, that at first glance looks like a tank, then just two frying pan hits later, and with it dead, we quickly realized it's not the Tank, and promptly changed underwear. The two other additions are the Spitter and Jockey, one of them surprisingly spits acid all over the place, which can quickly down and finish any survivors off within seconds. The demo also features some familiar infected that are just as much a nuisance (a good thing) in L4D2 as they were in the original.
The demo is set up similar to the demo from the original Left 4 Dead that was available pre-release, as you have the option to couch the campaign chapters on offer via. split-screen, as well as online over Xbox Live, and of course single-player only – but no-one wants to play the solo way, or shouldn't.
The demo offers up a very familiar experience from that of the original. The new weapons, of both firearms and melee variety and even some additions with things such as a syringe that give you a temporary adrenaline rush ensuring you move faster and ever perform actions much quicker such as healing yourself or fellow survivors. Our impressions of the demo are certainly indicative of that of an updated take on a well established formula that lends its disgusting and infected hand all too well in the name of co-operative play.
Certainly the demo offers up that L4D experience that we have come to know and love; the only real concern here is that upon completion the demo reveals that L4D2 will contain five campaigns. Which we hope means a slightly longer play through first-time round, depending on difficulty of course. Limited campaign missions was something that came across as a slight negative in the first game amongst users; although the A.I. Director naturally makes every play through different, we are certainly hoping for lengthier chapters at least.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the Marketplace for the demo, and ultimately let the disc infect your Xbox 360 come the dawn of the zombie apocalypse (again) on November 17th.
Preview By: Wayne Julian
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