Left 4 Dead 2.

[Lady Siara]

Probably the biggest announcement at E3 for me. I had heard the rumors, but I was expecting a dlc pack or something like that, not a full fledged sequel. It's so unlike Valve to pump out one that fast. XD

Trailer (Shows new tank and melee weapons)
http://www.fearnet.com/news/b15709_left_4_dead_2_trailer_debuts_e3.html

Some gameplay videos (Showing melee weapons, uzi, auto shotty, flame ammo, and a new infected called "Charger")
http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/14352245/left-4-dead-2/videos/l4d2_gmp_alarm_052809.html

Hands on preview
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/06/01/left-4-dead-2-exclusive-rps-preview/

[Nitz13]

Just watched the trailer when I got home. I'm excited for this, but at the same time with it comming out this fast, probably isn't a lot of changes and new stuff. A few tweaks here and there and a couple add-ons.

Still excited to play it though :)

[hawkofva]

They appear to have taken down the "Stop The Alarm!" gameplay video.

I don't really like the visual style of the new one though. I preferred the gloomy horror setting of Left 4 Dead to the bright and vibrant Left 4 Dead 2.

However... dibs on the fat guy. :cool:

[Lady Siara]

Just watched the trailer when I got home. I'm excited for this, but at the same time with it comming out this fast, probably isn't a lot of changes and new stuff. A few tweaks here and there and a couple add-ons.

Still excited to play it though :)

I know what you mean. But I can tell just by looking at it that it's a lot sharper and smoother.

However, I dunno if I like the new art style. It's like, really bright and colorful. Kind of reminds me of Team Fortress 2.


They appear to have taken down the "Stop The Alarm!" gameplay video.

Works fine for me. o_O

[Cpt. Overkill]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2009/06/left_4_dead_the_parish.jpg

Dibs on the big fat black guy.

[Daemius]

Meh Valve, make a few decent games and suddenly they think it's cool to shun a whole console of potential customers. :rolleyes:

[Lady Siara]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2009/06/left_4_dead_the_parish.jpg

Dibs on the big fat black guy.

That's a great looking poster. Leaps and bounds above the ones they made for the original. ._.

[afterstasis]

it looks awful so far.
left 4 dead is probably my favorite game right now (it's definitely my most played) and this just looks like a train-wreck.

[HeyRiles]

Hunters and Smokers look the exact same graphically. However, what is that big biohazard-wearing infected?

[NormanCoxwell]

Dibs on the John Travolta looing character.

[Lady Siara]

Hunters and Smokers look the exact same graphically. However, what is that big biohazard-wearing infected?

Charger, maybe. The ones wearing the yellow suits were just normal infected, I think. No messages popped up when the player killed them.

[hawkofva]

Works fine for me. o_O
Yeah, it's working for me now too. Odd. Stupid internet...

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2009/06/left_4_dead_the_parish.jpg

Dibs on the big fat black guy.

Hey! I called it first!

Regardless, this game unfortunately isn't going to be on my "must buy" list. It doesn't look half as good as the original (I'm talking style here, not gameplay. The gameplay seems almost identical, but without the dark gloomy setting, it goes from awesomely horrific to repetitively irritating).

[FloodOne]

it looks awful so far.
left 4 dead is probably my favorite game right now (it's definitely my most played) and this just looks like a train-wreck.

This for the most part. L4D is pretty much the only reason I pay for XBL

watching the trailers I have to say, I'm not feeling the art style, but the gameplay looks really solid. More of the same, in a good way.

I would have preferred a big time DLC pack instead of a new game, but what can you do?

[Inaudible-Whisper]

You guys should read a bit before judging it. The AI director now has control over the time of day, the weather and even the paths. The levels will look dark and gloomy sometimes, they're just showing off their new daylight engine. Enemies will act differently depending on the time of day (Witches wander about in daylight, for example) plus new enemy types, new weapons, new game modes and 5 new campaigns that are longer and more story driven. Plus the zombies now have internal organs and react properly to damage. You can, for example, chop off a zombies legs with the axe or even it's face. The game is supposedly gory as hell and the zombies have rag doll physics now also.

[hawkofva]

You guys should read a bit before judging it. The AI director now has control over the time of day, the weather and even the paths. The levels will look dark and gloomy sometimes, they're just showing off their new daylight engine. Enemies will act differently depending on the time of day (Witches wander about in daylight, for example) plus new enemy types, new weapons, new game modes and 5 new campaigns that are longer and more story driven. Plus the zombies now have internal organs and react properly to damage. You can, for example, chop off a zombies legs with the axe or even it's face. The game is supposedly gory as hell and the zombies have rag doll physics now also.
My wallet would like a word with you. Sounds like there's actually a good game hidden in there!

[FloodOne]

You guys should read a bit before judging it. The AI director now has control over the time of day, the weather and even the paths. The levels will look dark and gloomy sometimes, they're just showing off their new daylight engine. Enemies will act differently depending on the time of day (Witches wander about in daylight, for example) plus new enemy types, new weapons, new game modes and 5 new campaigns that are longer and more story driven. Plus the zombies now have internal organs and react properly to damage. You can, for example, chop off a zombies legs with the axe or even it's face. The game is supposedly gory as hell and the zombies have rag doll physics now also.

yea, that still doesn't change the art style

I'm just keeping an eye on this game is all.... we'll see if I purchase it

Also, no story was one of my favorite things about L4D... here's guns, there's zombies... SHOOT!!

[afterstasis]

PROS

i dig the setting... new orleans is a PERFECT city for a zombie game, and i've been urging my friends who are into the modding scene to work in some daylight levels.

the "wandering witch" sounds cool, and any other different zombie traits based on daylight/weather could potentially add depth to the game.

more levels are always welcome, of course.

CONS

the graphics look way too cartoony thus far, and the models just have no charm compared to the original.

the melee weapons are something we all laughed at on the steam forums when suggested... a frying pan? i hope you die in a fire, valve.

the level design looks pretty lackluster in what little bit we saw. i'm admittedly more interested in how it compliments versus mode, but i saw absolutely nothing that excited me.

voice acting left a whole lot to be desired, though i'm afraid it will be almost impossible to please me after the fantastic job done with the original.

the weapon models and sounds were embarrassingly bad... seriously worse than the mods being done by the community with the gimped SDK they just gave us.

COULD GO EITHER WAY

i'm not fond of the idea of more special infected, but at least there's potential (unlike the frying pan).

the special ammo types could be a decent addition if kept minimal.
unfortunately, i see this being a real pain in the ass for boomers and smokers, and could potentially make tanks a total pushover.

the updated AID sounds fine, but i'm hardly concerned with it especially in contrast to the need for a "turn off randomness" option for more seriously competitive games.

[TheRedneck38]

cant wait for it

[BuRn7 CaK3]

You guys should read a bit before judging it. The AI director now has control over the time of day, the weather and even the paths. The levels will look dark and gloomy sometimes, they're just showing off their new daylight engine. Enemies will act differently depending on the time of day (Witches wander about in daylight, for example) plus new enemy types, new weapons, new game modes and 5 new campaigns that are longer and more story driven. Plus the zombies now have internal organs and react properly to damage. You can, for example, chop off a zombies legs with the axe or even it's face. The game is supposedly gory as hell and the zombies have rag doll physics now also.

Awesome. Even though the game still looks cartoony

[Spitting_Venom]

I called the big ol' black guy right when I saw him. I think he's the one that would not only survive, but also have a nice lunch once he's done shooting zombies.

[Cataclysmo]

I don't like it. Not one bit.

It looks so uninspired, like they just threw it together. It's gonna be the same thing, just with different characters(who don't look as likeable or memorable as the originals) and DAYLIGHT MAPS, WOOOOOOO.

Nope. Not at all.

[kiggidykev]

So far, it looks like more of the same to me. I don't know that I'd pick it up on day one until I hear more about what's changed or been updated in the game beyond new weapons.

[zack10house]

I LOVE the new graphic style. very TF2-esque, in a good way

[Cpt. Overkill]

I think I'm in the small group of "I like the TF2 cartoony look".

[BevoTheWarrior]

It looks good to me.

[KampfVerein]

Looking forward to it. Not sold on the new characters yet. Applaud change of setting. Art style complaints echo Diablo III ballyhoo.

[Sikaris]

Never actually bought L4D despite loving the free weekend on Steam and playing it at friend's houses on 360. I'll probably just wait and pick this one up now.

[BuRn7 CaK3]

I think I'm in the small group of "I like the TF2 cartoony look".

I agree. As long as the game plays well. Oh well.

[balashotcalla]

looking forward to 2 playable black characters

[moshun]

Soooo coool!! Watching that trailer.. and when I heard that chainsaw rev up I was like YEAHHH!!!

I only played the demo for L4D but it's still so very fun. Ridiculous laughter as I watched a whole train of zombies flying out of a doorway at hyper speed haha. First game to make me scream all girly-like in a while.

[Inapprope]

Looks great so far. The graphic style doesn't bother me at all.

Which platform are you guys getting it for? PC via Steam, or 360?
I'll probably get on PC. There seem to be more people playing online in the original on the PC. Downside is, most of my friends will probably get it for 360.

[Cataclysmo]

How does this look anything like TF2?

TF2 actually has style.

[afterstasis]

i think the best thing that can come of this is they actually release a finished SDK and matchmaker 2.0 so we can mod to our hearts' content.

first line of duty is to update the CEVO config and bring back the old survivors/weapons.

[Irnbruguy]

Woo PC it is..

Shame valve hate PS3...

[daftuprising]

This looks so freakin' amazing..

[Lady Siara]

Someone sent me a link today giving more info. I've only skimmed through it, but it's chock-full of interesting tidbits.

The hazmat suits make the infected fireproof, information on gauntlets, some information about the stories of the characters, wandering witch information, some info about alternative routes, and a charger description. >:U

It's in the original post.

[afterstasis]

yeah, gauntlets are something we've been suggesting forever, so hopefully it'll work out.

the charger is a blatant rip-off of a SI that some folks on the steam forums created, though interestingly most users hated the idea... is valve normally known for taking ideas that were sneered at by it's fanbase and implementing them into future games?

[Mystlyfe77]

I was really hoping it would be called Left 8 Dead.

[moshun]

I was really hoping it would be called Left 8 Dead.

But that would imply there are 8 people playing at one time...? o_O

Oh yeah, and I like that it showed in the trailer there's fighting in daylight. Tired of always playing in the dark. I want to see all the pretty lighting effects and know that it's not safe even when the sun comes up.

[afterstasis]

with a little tweaking on the PC version you can have more than 4 survivors...

my friend lori used to do nightly sessions where they would run 12-16 survivor games often including 4 or more tanks per level.

[Lady Siara]

the charger is a blatant rip-off of a SI that some folks on the steam forums created, though interestingly most users hated the idea... is valve normally known for taking ideas that were sneered at by it's fanbase and implementing them into future games?

I thought I remembered reading through some people's custom infected ideas and Charger was one of the names I remembered. I totally remember the original creators giving it the ability to knock down survivors too.

Good call. ._.

[afterstasis]

the charger itself isn't a bad idea, really...

if we're going to get new SI, then i'd rather it be something that only pops up on occasion (i'm hoping this dude only pops up during events that are regularly corner-camped and on finales) so we can keep the majority of the versus game still focused on the three classic SI (or at least whatever variants we may get on them).

my main worries will always be with versus mode, and some of these new things really look like they'll endanger the fairly good balance we've currently got (CEVO config enabled, of course). i'm already hoping incendiary ammo is left out of versus mode, for example.