Gameplay

There are 5 game types including the original Campaign and Versus, the add-on mode Survival, as well as the two new ones, Realism and Scavenger. Realism mode is for people who think expert campaign is too easy; infected take a lot more damage to the body, halos around allies and items are gone, survivors don’t respawn between safehouses, witches can kill with one hit, and so on. Scavenger mode is a more action-packed version of versus, involving the collection of gas cans as in the Dead Center finale. Each team takes turns playing as survivors or infected, and whoever collects the most gasoline in the tank before the time runs out wins the round.

Each of the weapons from last year made a return, but they are joined by several variations on the different types. Pistols are largely the same aside from superficial upgrades that make them look like a Glock and a SIG P220, as well as produce much more of a boom when fired. If you really want to make some noise, though, you can use the Desert Eagle .50. In addition to the Uzi, there’s now a MAC-10 that is mostly identical except for a silencer. There are three assault rifles to choose from, and on a spectrum of power to accuracy they are: AK-47, M-16, and SCAR.

The pump-action shotgun now has a chrome-plated cousin and the SPAS-12 serves as an aesthetic alternative to the classic combat shotgun. The hunting rifle remains the same, but there is another semi-auto sniper rifle that has a larger clip but is less accurate when not zoomed in. The single-shot grenade launcher is in a firepower class of its own – it comes with 31 rounds that you cannot replenish when you run out. Also, you may come across special ammo to enhance one clip of any weapon to deal incendiary or explosive damage, as well as laser sights that will increase accuracy.




With all those new ways to blast holes in your enemies, you might forget about the other major offensive feature of L4D2: melee weapons. Ah, who am I kidding? They’re actually the most fun you’ll have dispatching the infected, slicing off body parts or knocking off heads like you’re playing tee-ball. There are a total of 9, including an axe, frying pan, crowbar, katana, and guitar, each with their own satisfying thunks, clangs, and twangs. Additionally, there’s a chainsaw that allows you to tear through the horde like you’re a marine on Phobos, but it is automatically dropped when you run out of fuel. They occupy the secondary weapon slot, which prevents you from using pistols, but they are invaluable when you’re surrounded.