Left 4 Dead 2 is a 2009 survival horror first-person shooter video game developed and published by Valve Corporation, and released for Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X, and Xbox 360.  Serving as the second installment in the Left 4 Dead series, the game follows four Survivors trying to survival in world ravaged by the Infected.

Positives:

• Great sound design
• Great modes
• Great game engine
• Good graphics
• Fun multiplayer
• Challenging gameplay

Negatives:

• Lackluster story
• Lackluster characters
• Lacks cinematics
• Highly repetitive gameplay

Campaign:  The campaign can be played single-player (played offline with three AI-controlled bots) or multiplayer cooperatively (up to four human players).  The Survivors must fight their way through five campaigns, interspersed with safe houses that act as checkpoints, with the goal of escape at each campaign’s finale.  Much like the first game, there isn’t any kind of story. The game is set one week after the events of the first game following survivors high-school football coach Coach, con artist Nick, production assistant Rochelle, and mechanic Ellis.  It would be nice for players to have other Survivors they can interact with or go against while fighting the Infected. (3 out of 5)

Gameplay:  Gameplay remains largely similar to it predecessor.  The game is a first-person shooter, there are four survivors that can be player controlled via online or by AI bots, controls are the same, the heavy emphasis on teamwork, and hordes of Infected will come barreling down upon players with a vengeance.  My same argument about the AI controlled bots remains the same.  They could’ve had it to where in single player the AI can be controlled to be more tactical.  There are new special infected introduces as well as melee weapons.  Now, there are three new special infected the Charger (charges players and beats them into ground), the Spitter (spits balls of stomach acid that splatter across an area, eroding player’s health as long as they remain in it), and the Jockey (jumps onto player’s back and steers them into other Infected).  The new melee weapons are nice but they still feel the same.  It would’ve been nice to have the melee weapons that feel more unique. (3 out of 5)

Graphics:  The graphics are good but unfortunately not much better than its predecessor. The textures, lighting, and models are good but surely there could’ve been more detail to the level designs (though they do look good). Should a game like this have better graphics?  It personally the game does suffer from some much needed cinematics to help flesh out the characters, creatures, story, or the environment. (3 out of 5)

Score:  Like its predecessor, the game’s atmosphere is greatly influenced by its great soundtrack.  Some of the game’s best highlights are the creature themes that can instantly put players on alert to an oncoming threat.  Thumbs up to the cast for their good voice performances.  Great attention to the music for the different levels that often make them feel very creepy. (4 out of 5)

Replay Value:  It’s safe to say that the game’s replay value lie in the online multiplayer.  Outside of the main campaign, there are three modes to take part in: Survival (timed challenge where players try to survive as long as possible against an unending onslaught of Infected), Scavenge (4-on-4 mode that requires players to fill up a power generator using fuel cans while being attacked by Infected), Versus (up to four human players take control of various Special Infected to prevent the Survivors from completing a stage), and Realism mode which makes the Campaign and Versus Modes a helluva lot harder.  There is even the Mutation option that basically mods the game, providing both challenges and advantages. It would’ve definitely benefited if there had been collectibles and hidden content. (4 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, Left 4 Dead 2 is actually a pretty fun game.  Yes, it suffers from the same problems of the first game: repetitive gameplay, lackluster story, and lacks unlockable content.  The game does feature challenging gameplay, great modes, fun multiplayer cooperative play, great atmosphere, good graphics, and awesome soundtrack.  Left 4 Dead 2 gets 3 out of 5.