Review: Left 4 Dead 2

First up is a little game that I've seen a good load of my friends play but I never did until Christmas(Free copy!). I regret having not tried it sooner now(And is feeling a tad bit of guilt for getting it free.)

Left 4 Dead 2 is a first-person 4-play co-op shooter made by Valve. I'm pretty sure most people online would know what it is, though in case there are those who don't, it's not really hard to describe. Survivors, zombies and reaching the objective without dying covers it nicely.

The game focuses intensely on the co-op thing.
Every player has 5-slots:2 weapons(One main, one side arm or melee weapon), a slot for health items, tossing items(Grenades, molotivs etc)and one 'booster' item that grants a health temporary boost or one that grants health AND speed boost.
What this does is that it makes it so players need to work together as they can't carry many things,

As much as some can assume that having an experience in shooter games would overcome the need for teamwork, the game is smartly designed that trying to play hero would only end with dying. Horribly. Cause the zombies can swarm a player VERY fast as they can come from anywhere, not to mention 'Special' zombies that are, of course, more dangerous.Every player will be vital, as levels would need them to stand ground or do certain tasks that require teamwork.

 The progression for the maps are fair, for the most part and in a way, the game could effectively do horror, instilling helplessness when players get overwhelmed by the threats around them.

BUT

Some may notice my statement "For the most part". That is because there are some maps that ramp up the challenge much too quickly(Small maps being guilty of committing this).

Another issue is that because the game is dependent on the 4-players, lag can be a issue that hinders the game terribly if even ONE player's computer is lagging.

Overall, it's a great game to play with friends(In fact, it is best played with friends) and if you were like me who had the fortune to get this free, appreciate it.