Left 4 Dead: Left Me Wanting More

As the first Valve game I've ever personally played, Left 4 Dead is fast becoming one of my favorites. Great for venting frustrations and a wide range of easy-hard achievements this game has a lot to offer. In this article I'll be going over what makes this game great and what could use improvement. From Graphics & Audio to Character Development I'll rate the game according to my own personal rating system with a final overall total rating at the end. I hope this article helps you in the process of deciding whether or not to buy this game.

Graphics & Audio - The graphics for this game are outstanding. The characters look so real even in live game play, and their interactions are phenomenal. The A.I. could use some work, but that's true of many games. The audio was rather realistic and at times even grossed me out. The Boomers make sounds that could make anyone gag. Play the game enough times and you'll end up really starting to hate the sounds they make. This game gets a 8.5 rating for Graphics & Audio.

Gameplay - For the experienced played of first person shooters, this game is going to be easy in many ways. For those not too familiar with first person shooters the game will prove slightly more difficult. The controls are easy to learn and easy to adapt to. The characters have detailed and differing personalities which makes the game more interesting. Each campaign is detailed and fun. They do get repetitive, however. Thankfully Valve stepped it up by adding Survival mode. Available for free download on X-Box Live. The game is gory, and graphic. It has a Mature rating for a reason. I give the gameplay an 8.5.

Creativity - This game is nothing new to the genre. Survival Horror is not a new genre for games. We all remember games like Doom and Resident Evil. Left 4 Dead changes things up by adding several main characters, and giving a choice of four different campaigns to play through. The weapons are basic and based off of real world weapons so no real creativity there. As for the zombies or (infected) you battle in each campaign the creativity level is basic. It's the special infected that contain all of the creativity. Valve brainstormed and came up with creative and challenging enemies. No real bosses in this game, but plenty of special infected around to make things difficult. Creativity gets a 7.5.

Fun - Play with friends on Live and this game is beyond fun. In Versus mode you can choose to be either a human or a special infected. The game randomly selects which type of special infected you spawn as, and if you're lucky you'll even get a chance to be a tank. With special achievements available only in Versus Mode play this makes the game even more exciting. For those who live for Achievement hunting, this game will prove to be irresistible. The new, even more challenging, Survival Mode will satisfy those who find Left 4 Dead to be too easy. Fun gets a 9.

Final Rating - The game could use work, but overall it's a satisfying game to play. Repetitive? Yes, but that can be true of any game. The fun comes in playing with friends on Live. Overall rating - 8.5.