Greetings programs! On this estrogen fueled issue of GeekintheCity Radio, Aaron is joined by Kristen Bowie and the Lovely Jenn while Scott fights Andorian Antenna Flu. First, Kristen Bowie talks about life in the employed world while Aaron just nods with confusion. Next, the Lovely Jenn steps in to review And Another Thing, the sixth book in the increasingly misnamed Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. Can Eoin Colfer fill the frood shoes of the late, great Douglas Adams? Then, Aaron and Kristen dive into uber game nerdality with their reviews of Modern Warfare 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. Only on GeekintheCity Radio!
Without question, Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the most anticipated games of the year. Even more so from my fellow zombie horror fans. Folks that pre-ordered the game at Gamestop got to play the demo a few days ago. Us regular XBox Live Gold members got to take a trip to the Ghoulish South today. So, what can we expect?
The Groovy!
It Is Pretty - Valve really stepped it up in the graphics department. Location details are crisper than the original Left 4 Dead and the characters (survivors and undead) definitely benefit from greater expressions. Unlike the previous Left 4 Dead, we have more the 5 or 6 “standard” zombies. In the two-stage demo I counted at least 8 different “standard” undead. Playing the first two levels of The Parish, I had to put down one of the new “Half-Special” zombies. A SWAT cop in full combat armor. Gonna’ take more than a shot to put that rottin’ fuzz down! What of the Special Infected? Our good friends the Boomer, Hunter, Smoker, Witch (that now roam in “daylight” levels), and Tank are back to cause us survivors grief. But this time they’re joined by the wholly nasty Charger, Spitter, Jockey, and trap-setting Director. The Charger didn’t do much in terms of the “oh crap” factor, but both the Spitter and Jockey can cause all kinds of death and chaos. (Spitter drawing inspiration from the original Resident Evil game, leaving acid pooling on the ground. While the Jockey can pull a character away from the group and into waiting death). Each of these characters come to life in gory delight!
Sounds Dope - Not a lot of changes in this department. Valve created a fantastic aural world in the first Left 4 Dead, and Left 4 Dead 2 is no different. The music works for the levels the demo provided. Voice acting is strong and each character interacts with the environment and other characters in a realistic manner. Weapons, groans, and various effects all fit seamlessly into the game. And, there is something wonderful about the sound of a frying pan bashing in the brains of a zombie.
Bring It - The long-awaited ability to put down the Zeds with melee weapons. A fun addition to the game, it does add an extra visceral enjoyment to the game. I mean, who doesn’t love to watch undead body parts fly at your hands?! I do wonder how many people will go for the bragging right of “game beaten with melee only”. (Hell, I’m already assuming that’s gonna’ be an XBox Achievement).
The Ah Man!
Wave Your Arms - Control doesn’t feel as tight as the first Left 4 Dead. More than a few times I had the flesh-eaters (un)dead in my sights; only to miss them and face their unholy bashing! This goes doubly so with the melee weapons. It feels like the game has a sweet spot and unless your attack falls within the sweet spot, you are gonna’ miss. I will freely admit my lack of FPS playing in the past month doesn’t help in the control department.
That Seems to Work, Ow - The addition of a melee weapon is very fun. Strike that. Extremely fun. But, I wish I could drop the melee weapon in favor of my pistol. While I am glad Left 4 Dead 2 doesn’t allow for machete in the left and pistol in the right, it would be nice to say “frak this police baton, gimme ma’ Smokewagon”.
You Mean That Was It? - Granted this was the demo, but these first two levels within Pariah felt extremely short when compared to the levels in Left 4 Dead. Then again, the action came fast and furious, so I could chalk up that short feel with “Damn, do they ever let up”?!
Still, those gripes are small change when held against the pure thrill that comes from playing Left 4 Dead 2. Valve seems to have a winner here and November 17 can’t come fast enough.
