Spitter + dimly lit area = problem
I originally set out to write about how Left 4 Dead 2 is too hard to enjoy (it still kind of is sometimes), but now I am enjoying myself so much I want to write about that too! I think the tipping point came when I was playing through the Hard Rain campaign, which is an amazing gaming experience that is not to be missed. In a clever level design, you make your way out to a fuel station only to return with fuel on your back for your boat. The problem is, it’s dusk when you start, dark by the second stage and by the end you are in a raging maelstrom. The weather effects are awesome and for the first time in a long time, I was scared because zombies I couldn’t see were popping up right in front of my face. Kudos to Valve for thinking of such an awesome level.
Still, the game is downright evil in parts. There are sections where zombies are coming in waves and you just need to fight through them, I’m convinced the Spitter is married to the devil, and even though the levels are generally shorter, the campaigns still take about an hour to complete just because they are so difficult. Originally I was turned off by the extreme difficulty, but now I find myself enjoying the campaigns so much that I am just looking beyond it. Still, Normal feels like Advanced and Expert is downright impossible. I expect to have to put some serious work into finishing this game.
An illustration: in the Swamp Fever Finale, 3 skilled friends and I set out to make it to the boat rescue. However, this was harder than we had imagined, as we ran into TWO tanks (not one) at the climax of the second half of the finale. We thought we were golden after we killed one, only to find that in pairs we had been fighting two different tanks! The remaining tank managed to incapacitate all of us before going down, save one. As the remaining survivor ran to the boat, he ran into a THIRD tank and we thought it was over. Luckily, the tank PUNCHED HIM 50 YARDS TOWARDS THE BOAT, allowing him to limp on and save himself. It was cause for great celebration, but also cause for concern. Why? This was on NORMAL.
Anyway, I guess Valve wants us to really commit to the killing of zombies. And though I probably don’t have that kind of time, the variety of the campaigns, the cohesive game progression, and unique quirks of different levels are really pulling me back in. Originally, I thought I was just going to play through on normal and call it quits, but maybe I still have something to prove after all…
I do share a similar sentiment to cmfl3x about Left 4 Dead 2. While my initial impressions were somewhat mixed, I’m starting to really feel like I’m coming on board the L4D2 train now – and like cmfl3x, the tipping point for me came when I was going through the Hard Rain campaign with him and a couple other friends the other night. I was really blown away by the weather effects used, and like cmfl3x, that was probably the scariest campaign I’ve played in either L4D1 or L4D2.
My pride is still a little wounded though with the fact that we were able to make it through the first on Expert difficulty, but are barely getting through the sequel on Normal. I’m convinced that the Spitter is the root of all the increased difficulty in the sequel. On Normal difficulty her spit can drop your entire group from full life to barely breathing in only a few seconds if you’re not careful. Well, I guess the spawning of two tanks at the same time on Normal difficulty is a bit much, but we surprisingly handled it. I think the Tanks in this game have more life and take longer to burn to death as well, since they are not falling anywhere as quickly as they did in Normal in L4D1 even with me unloading a full cartridge of sniper rounds or shotgun rounds into them. Still, I think I’m starting to get desensitized to all this increased difficulty, and instead of being in the denial phase, I’m now accepting it all and practically liking it (“Thank you sir. May I have another?”) that I’m already setting goals to beating it on Expert.
Of course, Modern Warfare 2 still calls…
I agree for the most part. Very difficult. But very fun. I end up humming the opening banjo medley at work when I’m bored. The things they have done with the soundtrack are just as impressive as the visuals, the whole game has a “feel” to it that has changed, and remained the same.
I’ll probably play MORE modern warfare 2 this coming year, but I think I’ll have more FUN playing this. I just can’t convince everyone on my friends list to buy it.
I bought it on PC and Xbox. PC graphics are really impressive, especially with the source engine being very old.
Laters,
ILYNH
the first time i played it i thought the advanced is a bit too easy and the expert isnt much different..