Facebook – Top 100 FAVORITE Video Games: 34

34: Left 4 Dead (2, in particular) (Various systems)
Developer: Valve Software
Year: 2008/9

Once again I use a series in the place of one ranking on this list. Generally I’d see this as fair, but could also see how people could get angry, asking why I don’t put all the Final Fantasy games in a series entry like this. But, in the case of a game like Smash Bros., the Sims, or – like now, for instance – L4D, I feel these games are so similar, differentiating between the two is really difficult. When all is said and done, L4D and its sequel are so similar, many fans cried “No Fair!” when they saw the second game’s $60 price tag. However, the second one is fantastic, adding enough to the game to merit a purchase, and a place on this list.

In the Left 4 Dead universe you don’t have any real idea what the story is. All you know is that there is a group of four survivors in constant motion from location to location, all with the goal of escape and the freedom to continue to live on their minds. In the first game you play as Bill, Francis, Zoe, and Louis – the second game you have Nick, Coach, Rochelle, and… Ellis? Ellis. I’m sure there are detailed plots about these guys out there (Wikipedia, for example, tells me Louis is a district account manager, but has already be retconned once, so… someone is keeping this stuff in check). All you need to know is – like any good zombie film – these people are grouped together and stick together to fight for survival. Why only one woman is present and these guys aren’t huge ass holes in either game is beyond me. Especially in the second game.

No, what does matter is the gameplay, and what a solid foundation Valve has set for both games. After selecting a campaign to play through, the players must fight and shoot their way through horde after horde of zombies until they can reach a safe room, doing so until the final level in the campaign. Once there, a team of four people (all of whom can be computer controlled outside of the integral Player One position) must do battle in an effort to secure an escape. All of these battles are done with various guns, each one providing either up-close power, distance firing rates, or unlimited (possibly dual) pistol action. In the second game, though, they added the now-essential melee weaponry, something missing from the first game (and feels overly absent when one goes back to play through it). This saves on ammo, but means you’re up close and personal with the various nasty monsters that want to rip your face off.

The level designs in both games are inspired, each one having some real stand out sequences. But, while the first game’s No Mercy hospital map takes the cake in that game, L4D2 has both the mall and carnival levels, with The Passing being one of the best examples of quality DLC I’ve touched, period. On the subject of things L4D2 does better, not only does it have some of the best levels in the franchise, but it introduces all new Special Infected which are fun to do battle with, and even more fun to play as in the PvP modes. In regards to these especially vile creatures, the team did a good job in making the models look overly distinct, making it easy to tell all Boomers apart from all Smokers or Hunters, even finding ways to mix up the looks of some of them in the second game. Speaking of great models, by the way… Zoe is one of the best looking chicks in video games. If I could get stuck with anyone in the zombie apocalypse…

All in all, the Left 4 Dead games provide nearly unlimited hours of fun, all of which can be had online through various methods of play. With new content rolling out, still, and with L4D2’s special modes each week (introducing sinister rules into an already brutal game), and a sequel which will always come around, these games are ones to try out. While there might be smarter, more goal oriented multiplayer shooters out there (of course there are), few reach the level of pure entertainment as Left 4 Dead and its sequel.

Classic Moment:
In a game made entirely on personal experience, Valve’s writing staff created some kick-ass dialogue in both games for these people. All the banter in the world about hating stairs, who the best stock-car racer in the world is, and saying “Zoe.” over and over again is great, but the real treat is the shit written on the walls of the safe rooms, in particular one which reads “No zombie is safe from Chicago Ted” – with all this talk about those stupid rockers from the second game, how is it that the message boards and forums aren’t constantly in an uproar about the lack of info on Chicago Ted? I demand answers!

Why L4D (series) > Sonic 3 (& Knuckles):
The bottom line, here, is that the entire package you get with Left 4 Dead trumps everything in Sonic… both present slick visuals, endless hours of stupid, mindless fun, and the option for sweet teamwork. But Left 4 Dead presents all of them in a nicer, far newer way. Sorry, Sonic.

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Added March 27, 2017
Where’s my fucking L4D3, Valve. Fuck you guys.