Blimey, the Left 4 Dead team doesn’t mess about! Despite Valve’s coop zombie shooter only spending a little over 6 months on the shelves, the next game in the series has already been announced at E3. More incredibly, it’s due to launch on 17 November. Of 2009, that is. It’s not turning into FIFA or something, is it?
Left 4 Dead 2 promises a slew of new characters, new levels, new weather effects, new types of zombie and new weapons. Valve explained that the sheer number of changes being made to the gameplay and the AI Director demanded a whole new game, rather than a patch or expansion pack for the first one.
Even so, some fans are going to be understandably suspicious about Left 4 Dead 2. So many changes in such a short time; the original’s SDK, which will allow players to build their own L4D campaigns, is not even finished yet, and we were very much hoping for some new official maps. Right now, they’re not seeming too likely.
However, there are glowing reports coming from those who have had the chance to try out Left 4 Dead 2 at E3. The most significant addition to the weapon set is the inclusion of melee weapons, including a frying pan, baseball bat and… a chainsaw. Groovy. The new sniper rifle also highlights some of the gameplay challenges, including gauntlet events that resemble a horde attack, only you have to move from A to B before the relentless onslaught will stop.
Left 4 Dead 2 is set in New Orleans this time and each character is being granted a deeper back story, along with greater interaction with the other playable characters so that there’s more of a coherent narrative to the whole game, but still keeping the replayability high.
The AI Director is getting a serious brain boost, being able to control not just zombie waves, but the players’ path through the level and the very weather itself. For the first time, some of the action will take place in direct sunlight.
We also pray to all that is good and holy that Valve manages to sort out the PC version’s server browser, so that we can actually get into a game, with all our friends, in less than half an hour.
Out 17 Nov | £TBA | Left 4 Dead (available on PC and Xbox 360)
