Valve, in a conversation with Shacknews recently, have revealed a rough release time for Left 4 Dead, their upcoming multiplayer co-op FPS, it’s apparently going to be out “late summer”. We’re presuming this is for both the Xbox 360 and PC versions.
This is a lot later than we personally hoped for but we’re sure it’ll be worth the wait. Reactions from journos upon playing the game have all been more than positive.
The game sets you up as one of four survivors (the others playable by your friends or AI) who must make their way to various extraction points across a multitude of zombie-infested locations.
The game features a nifty idea: the “ AI director”, which ensures no two plays through a level are ever the same. To explain in the most basic way: it’s the computer taking control of zombie distribution. The system should keep the play interesting and we think it’ll be good to see how people cope with this quite dynamic, generative assault from the software. We all know how much easier a level is on the second play and how often you find yourself waiting for enemies to pop out in the same positions they were in the last 15 attempts.
Another feature gives one team of four players the ability to take control of the Infected baddies in an attempt to destroy a team of Survivors.
The game boasts a collection of more than just your average zombies however; with disgusting-looking bosses, who won’t just appear at the end of a level. These big bad boss Infected can pop up at any given moment with a unique special power to make you panic. One ultra-speedy boss zombie has a gigantic tongue able to fire at players from a distance and pull them in to slobbery anticipating jaws.
There’s a lot more than I’m detailing here, with elements of base defense (using petrol canisters), close-calls by saving your friends when they’re on the floor (if they’re knocked down and hurt you’re given a certain amount of time to rescue them) and loads of weapons.
We’re looking forward to it.
Published: Jan 14, 2008 12:00 am