RE: Your Brains

I was a little skeptical about Left 4 Dead when I first heard about it. It's a game designed around online play, something I rarely do mostly because I never seem to be playing the same things as people on my 360 friends list. And playing with random internet losers can be dubious at best. So it's a testament to the great job Valve did that I actually really enjoyed this game.

I was asked if I finished the game and the answer is...I guess? There are four unconnected scenarios with the same four survivors of a zombie apocalypse. The story in each is really no more than "Ok we're here, we need to get to that place far away and then we'll be safe. Go." I finished these four scenarios at least once. I think I only completed one of them all the way through with random others online. For the rest I relied on the computer AI to direct the other three survivors with mixed results. The computer didn't seem to get in my way too much but I was definitely voted the leader in this situation. They would never go first or end a chapter without me showing them the way.

Online I played with people that would breeze through the terrain since they'd obviously played it before and I was usually rushing to keep up. When I was able to save somebody it felt really satisfying. You almost get the sense that you're really the last people on earth and you've got to help out your buddies in this crazy situation. The voice chat was there to fall back on if I needed it, but most of the things you'd say to the others were said by the characters automatically anyway. Pointing out ammo, health, or special bad guys were taken care of. All that was left to communicate was strategy. I was told to stay at the top of the map at the end of the No Mercy campaign while we were fighting of endless hordes waiting for our escape chopper. Good advice.

Also, online or off, sticking together is a must. Cooperative play is really emphasized since survivors routinely get incapacitated and need saving. Another part that bears mentioning is the AI Director. If you seem to be breezing through a section, you'll soon have a massive tank zombie attacking or a huge horde coming your way. Often, you get through the chapters by the skin of your teeth, limping and bleeding to the safe rooms that mark the end of chapters. I usually hate not being close to full health when I play games, but in this one it completely fits.

So play this if you can. If you have a group of friends who'll play it with you, then this is a definite must-play.