Left 4 Dead - Crash Course Review

Written by: Adam Tewkesbury Posted: 12th October 2009

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Live and let rip

Left 4 Dead Details:

	Survival/Horror
	PC/Xbox 360
	Valve
	EA Games

18+

Out Now

1-4

Left 4 Dead is something of an institution. I am yet to come across anyone who has played it and not become hopelessly hooked, and getting on for a year after release I still find myself regularly indulging in a spot of cooperative genocide - all this from a game with 4 missions, 7 weapons and 5 enemy variants. On paper there is no way so few elements should last long in the memory; in practice the simple act of gunning down rabid hoards provides almost limitless entertainment, with the added bonus of being able to bring your friends along too.

Valve appeared to be quite shocked at the response to the imminent sequel; coming so close on the heels of the original game, the vocal zombie-slaying public voiced strong resistance to an all-new game (with an all-new game price tag) so soon. Despite Valve’s protestations, it is difficult to see how this move can avoid killing off the older sibling, but time will inevitably tell.

So, keen to prove that there is still life in the undead yet, Crash Course provides the original quartet with another 2 chapters of run-and-gun-fun, slipping between ‘No Mercy’ and ‘Death Toll’ in the overall narrative. The chopper that ferried you off the hospital roof has crashed, and guess what? You’re surrounded by flesh-hungry monsters and need to find a way to haul ass to the next seemingly safe place that will inevitably become unsafe pretty quickly. To say too much about the scenario would be unnecessary (if you’re considering giving this a go you’re likely to have played the original to death, and Crash Course does little to mess with what is a ridiculously successful formula) and might spoil a few surprises that are best experienced with a zombie trying to eat your face, but rest assured, this is still L4D, and still a rollicking good laugh. The characters and weapon set remain the same, and truth be told the environments are hardly a huge change from what went before, but nevertheless Crash Course offers enough to fit very happily within the overall game and provide a bit of change for anyone over familiar with what came before.

The thorny issue with Crash Course is price. Not an issue if you own a PC, as Valve provide all the above at no extra impact upon your wallet. 360 owners aren’t treated so handsomely however - having most likely spent more money on the game in the first place, they (as in we) are asked to fork out 560 MS points for the same content. It’s not a huge amount, and is ultimately worth it (it is more L4D, after all) but dwelling upon the injustice of it all can’t help but leave a bitter taste. Or maybe that’s just Boomer bile.