All images and video copyright Turtle Rock Studios
OVERVIEW
You can't not compare this to Left 4 Dead as it is so blatantly trying its hardest to be the next step to a modern iteration of it. Turtle Rock did have a good hand in developing the original Left 4 Dead games, but Valve clearly made that the gem it is for quality, TRS did the labor. Problem is, it fails to take what worked well in L4D and take it a step further, or even match it.
The level design is so basic, it ignores the vertical level design used in multiple maps in L4D 1&2 which is like forgetting to texture a model, just having a grey character running around. Think of the hospital levels and scaling floors to exit at the top. Another thing Valve did was seeing the end point of where you're going at the start. Good design. Here we have bad and simple design. Not enough thought into the development. Someone will call me out for the one or two maps that have it, but when multiple stages are reused and recycled, it doesn't come off too well.
There are huge problems with AI; bots being useless, no playerbase remaining, and enemy spawning the same special infected multiple times within seconds of where you are, that still remain months after release it's ridiculous. Bots won't shoot at the Evolve-like giant monsters at all nor will they shoot at the final boss. That's a huge problem on multiple maps as you really are solo. Now it's not impossible, but on harder difficulties it nearly will be. I constantly have bots go in front of me when shooting or inside of me, how is that a thing with bots? Seriously. You're wondering why not play with people? Like I mentioned, playerbase has entirely vanished. L4D has more current players than this. Crossplay became a quick hell no with how toxic I found Xbox players to be in this game. So that was an instant switch off.
I will say some positives in that the card system and upgrading weapons does keep things somewhat fresh for each playthrough. I don't hate it like some may. I think having a monetary system in a zombie apocalypse makes little sense though. Why would anyone give a F about using money when humanity is near extinction? It'd be better if the game let you pick your loadout and you just found upgrades in the map/ new and better weapons while playing. Coin system is an F for me as some maps like the "Bar Room Brawl" map don't have that many coins to begin with. It can also completely slow you down and distract you and due to it being "needed" to upgrade/resupply; it comes off poorly in execution.
With all that said, mostly not so great things, it's still an okay game. It's fine. Doesn't do better than its' spiritual predecessor, but isn't unplayable. I find it somewhat entertaining for a quick 30 mins or so as the maps don't feel like they require you to play through as long as L4D did, turning easily into an hour or longer playthrough. So if that seems more appealing to you, then this might be up your alley. This is like fast food. It's fine, does its job, won't be that memorable, may inflict severe stomach pain to you or may not. This is not a fine dining experience, but it doesn't have to be.
STORY & GAMEPLAY* (updates)
Ridden (zombies) overtake Earth. You fight for survival to find a cure/ way to stop the outbreak. So a zombie game. Story elements are at an extreme minimum. A few cutscenes scattered throughout (skipable) and some dialogue from NPCs throughout levels.
This is a (up to 4) player co-op point A to B zombie shooter or attack it solo with Bots to fill out your random assortment of cast-mates. Choose from one of a handful of characters, each with their own unique loadout and skill. Strangely for having so many characters, none of them separate themselves from the pack in being of any interest. There isn't enough game dialogue or much of any story to make you at all interested in anyone. Shoot the zombies (Ridden) and that's all you get.
*Solo online Campaign option added to game. Now can acquire trophies/achievements running all bots along side you. Quite honestly this is your best bet unless you actually have friends to bring with you.
All images and video copyright Turtle Rock Studios
CONTROLS & PERFORMANCE
This was tested on an older system and still performed smoothly on high settings with a 2K monitor (2560x1440) as well as an Ultra Wide monitor (2560 x 1080). Little issues were to be had. There are still times where I've experienced crashing but it is rare and at a minimum. Can be subtle game lag at times, especially when numerous enemies and events are occurring on the screen at a time, but that's uncommon.
Controls are pretty standard FPS with the weapon catalog and accessories being of standard expectations. Nothing felt wrong in feel or weight. I seemingly always have issues with shotguns being too weak at close range in most games nowadays, same thing here. Could use a bit more oomph. L4D had a much wider range of close combat weapons, many of them being humorous and just a pleasure to use. We unfortunately miss out on that here with pretty standard things such as a baseball bat for use. *Melee has been a bit nerfed recently making melee less of a viable option. Other than that, nothing particularly sticks out, for better or worse.
AUDIO
Pretty standard audio and sound effects. This may be something of an area of the game ruined simply because it came second. L4D did it first, and does it all better. The music especially, like the title screen just seeps into your zombie soul instantly and you understand what the feel and mood of the game is. Here is generic and uninspiring. None of it will resonate with you. The bar room brawl stage is about as interesting it gets, but that's due to it using existing licensed music for the jukebox.
SUMMARY
Mediocre. There's nothing this game does better than it's spiritual predecessor. The card system and more modern update to weapons and attachments may be an area that does improve depending on your own personal opinion. I found the audio to be worse, the level design and characters to be a tick worse, and the overall fun with the game to be a shortcoming. With all of that said, this game is still playable if you really dig this genre of gameplay. If you've never played another game like it, I'd still steer you towards papa L4D(1&2) before this. This is fine and if that's good enough for you give it a shot.
SCORE
Prior to Dec Update was a 5.0
6.0 out of 10.0
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Pros
+ Easy to dive into for a quick session
+ Combat and weapon assortment has good variety and feel
Mids
○ The game
○ Card/money systems may not be for everyone
Cons
- Frustrating AI (both team and enemy)
- Chunk of levels are recycled and reused, other levels can be poor in design or mediocre
- *FIXED Lack of single player campaign online option
- Dead playerbase
- The music
- The fact I had to compare every facet of it to the holy grail of the genre (L4D) in everything was annoying but needed because it doesn't stand on its own two legs without it
- Tencent acquired rights to the game post launch, will now become the infected game on your computer shortly.
All images and video copyright Turtle Rock Studios
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