Left 4 Dead

[Sandman]

Just played the demo, for the PC and for Xbox 360. I can safely say it is the new benchmark for zombie action games. Hordes of zombies come at you at moments you least expect it, teamwork is a must and the controls are just about flawless. The graphics are way, waaay better for the PC but the 360 does an ok job. It's the little things that the PC version does that caught my attention, like the physics of blowing off individual body parts, the physics of blood splattering on the walls, the detail in the zombies' faces, dust particle rendering, etc. The flames in the PC version are he best I've seen in any game outside of Crysis.

My favorite feature is that it was specifically made with co-op in mind. If you stray from the group, you will NOT survive. You heal each other, you protect them from zombies they can't see or or too occupied to fire at, you free them when they are captured and you work out strategies together. Everyone can use a different weapon out of the 5 or 6 or so weapons and different situations call for different configurations. The AI is fantastic, on both sides.

Anybody on here that has any affinity for zombie themed games (the lot of you Biohazard players) should pick this game up, PC preferably but Xbox 360 is ok too if your comp can't run it.

[Lord Sorgo]

Hordes

YouTube - Left 4 Dead - Hospital Gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFLbm-jJdQg)

[Kadaj]

my god... that vid was crazy... I don't think I have the mental fortitude to deal with that sort of game. But the gameplay looks pretty good. Maybe I'll give it a look.

[Sandman]

my god... that vid was crazy... I don't think I have the mental fortitude to deal with that sort of game. But the gameplay looks pretty good. Maybe I'll give it a look.

It has scared the warm poop out of me more than once. When everything is a little too quiet and you see a lone zombie and you think it's ok to just put one in his head and move on, the gunshot draws another 30 or 40 zombies in a mad rush, surrounding the four of you. Then when your adrenaline finally ceases after all the zombies are dead, you round a corner and a Hunter latches onto you before you can see him and you can't do a damn thing until one of your teammates shoots him off.

I like it better than Resident Evil.

[Lord Sorgo]

It has scared the warm poop out of me more than once. When everything is a little too quiet and you see a lone zombie and you think it's ok to just put one in his head and move on, the gunshot draws another 30 or 40 zombies in a mad rush, surrounding the four of you. Then when your adrenaline finally ceases after all the zombies are dead, you round a corner and a Hunter latches onto you before you can see him and you can't do a damn thing until one of your teammates shoots him off.

I like it better than Resident Evil.

Well, I think I'd still prefer RE because of it's "zombie realism." (Compared to what, I know.)

I don't like the idea that creatures who are apparently dead can sprint when they have rigor mortis. I like traditional, slow-moving, and moaning zombies. I don't like the new running, screaming and smacking ones.

It doesn't mean I won't think it's good but RE is a captivating game due to storyline alone. This game is definitely an MP breakthrough for zombie games but from what I hear, there is no storyline and it's "Go from point A to B with your friends."

[Illustrious]

Sounds intense. I bet it plays really nice with a great set of headphones.

[Sandman]

Well, I think I'd still prefer RE because of it's "zombie realism." (Compared to what, I know.)

I don't like the idea that creatures who are apparently dead can sprint when they have rigor mortis. I like traditional, slow-moving, and moaning zombies. I don't like the new running, screaming and smacking ones.

It doesn't mean I won't think it's good but RE is a captivating game due to storyline alone. This game is definitely an MP breakthrough for zombie games but from what I hear, there is no storyline and it's "Go from point A to B with your friends."

I don't like RE because they are slow moving boring shit zombies.

Dif'rent strokes.

Sounds intense. I bet it plays really nice with a great set of headphones.

Yes, or a good surround sound system. I can't even say how many times it has been too dark to see but the sound allowed me to pinpoint where the threats were coming from.

[Janus]

I've downloaded Steam, but it'll be another century before I can get the demo using my crap internet connection. I might stay up until 3 AM so I can download without the throttle limit and get it done.

This does look to be pretty good, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it either way, but I have to say that shambling zombies >>>> sprinters. Even though the RE series is moving in the direction of sprinters, and I have to admit only 28 Days Later has ever scared me when it comes to zombie movies, shamblers are more true to the Romero ideal and thus by extension, moar uber.

[Sandman]

I've downloaded Steam, but it'll be another century before I can get the demo using my crap internet connection. I might stay up until 3 AM so I can download without the throttle limit and get it done.

This does look to be pretty good, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it either way, but I have to say that shambling zombies >>>> sprinters. Even though the RE series is moving in the direction of sprinters, and I have to admit only 28 Days Later has ever scared me when it comes to zombie movies, shamblers are more true to the Romero ideal and thus by extension, moar uber.

I thought you also had a 360? You can just leave your xbox on until it's done.

[Janus]

I don't, unfortunately. I can't afford all those new fangled toys. My cousin has one, but I haven't been down to see him in awhile.

[Sandman]

Hmm. You can't leave your comp on overnight to DL the demo then? I leave mine on for days at a time.

[Lord Sorgo]

I don't like RE because they are slow moving boring shit zombies.

Dif'rent strokes.



Yes, or a good surround sound system. I can't even say how many times it has been too dark to see but the sound allowed me to pinpoint where the threats were coming from.

*GASP* You fewl!


I don't like watching zombies running after survivors and then them running away. It's amazingly non-suspenseful. If I wanted to see something like that for a wholesome two hours, I'd watch "Run Lola Run."

Now, watching a person get cornered and sweating while scrambling what to do as a bunch of slow moving flesh predators corner him? The shit.

[Janus]

Hmm. You can't leave your comp on overnight to DL the demo then? I leave mine on for days at a time.

I can, but I have to do it in moderation, because with satellite net you have a "throttle" or threshold and when you exceed it they nerf your internet speeds for 24 hours roughly, which effects everyone in the household.

[Lord Sorgo]

Ewwwwwwww. Satellite.

[Janus]

Yep. But I'm gonna try later to get it working. I really want to play this game. I'm getting a bit bored with The Last Stand II, even if it is godly.

[Sandman]

Yep. But I'm gonna try later to get it working. I really want to play this game. I'm getting a bit bored with The Last Stand II, even if it is godly.

hmm, i sent you a bunch of broadband info way back when, none of that helped out? i dont know if i could cope with satellite.

[Janus]

I honestly haven't had the opportunity to really look into it. We're kinda barely scraping by this month on funds.

[Sandman]

After a year? jeez dude. im about to start a charity for you.

[Lord Sorgo]

Yep. But I'm gonna try later to get it working. I really want to play this game. I'm getting a bit bored with The Last Stand II, even if it is godly.

The Last Stand II? What is that?

EDIT: Nevermind. I remember now. I looked it up and it's that zombie survival flash game. I remember it. I haven't played it since the day I accidentally pressed "Back" on my browser.

[Janus]

After a year? jeez dude. im about to start a charity for you.

Well, we're recovering from the vicious gas prices. Me driving 2+ hours a day plus changing shift and not getting the shift differential bonus really cut into my checks. Plus we lost one income, and Hex was hospitalized, so we were spending more money than usual and driving to Bangor every other day. We were behind the eight ball before, but it got worse.

Should turn around though. Gas prices have dropped, and I now work four tens instead of five eights which means less driving anyways. But the bills in this old house are extreme. $400 for electricity the other month.

The Last Stand II? What is that?

EDIT: Nevermind. I remember now. I looked it up and it's that zombie survival flash game. I remember it. I haven't played it since the day I accidentally pressed "Back" on my browser.

Very good game, and I want a sequel soonish. Con Artists, the guy who made it, made a WWI flash strategy game. Try it!

[Sandman]

that sucks dude. hope it gets better soon. if not, there's always male whoring.

[Janus]

I have to admit, reading that made me laugh my ass off!

[Faunus]

This game looks awesome. I shall download the demo.

[Sandman]

I've spent more time playing the demo over and over than I have playing Gears of War 2.

[Janus]

Damn youz. I fell asleep early last night and didn't get to download during 3 am to 6 am, when the download limit is not in place.

[Faunus]

Haha bitch.

And Sandman, I was wondering if you were having the ridiculous matchmaking issues with GoW2. I got onto two games in two hours, and that's all the multiplayer I've played since I got the game. It's absolutely absurd, and I'll make sure to point it out in my review of the game.

I should've bought CoD5. That's what three-quarters of my friends with 360s got, anyway. Gears is fantastic, but I'm not playing through the campaign again; I paid sixty bucks for online, and I don't get to play, so I'm pissed.

[Lord Sorgo]

Awwwwwwww Muffin. I should download the demo myself.

[Sandman]

Haha bitch.

And Sandman, I was wondering if you were having the ridiculous matchmaking issues with GoW2. I got onto two games in two hours, and that's all the multiplayer I've played since I got the game. It's absolutely absurd, and I'll make sure to point it out in my review of the game.

I should've bought CoD5. That's what three-quarters of my friends with 360s got, anyway. Gears is fantastic, but I'm not playing through the campaign again; I paid sixty bucks for online, and I don't get to play, so I'm pissed.

I don't have Gold so I don't know. I was thinking of getting it though for two reasons. One being Horde mode in GoW2 (absolutely worth keeping the game for) and for Left 4 Dead's co-op mode. Maybe CoD5's co-op mode too but I can get that on PS3 for free.

[Lord Sorgo]

Played L4D. Want to fucking buy it now. Will play demo again countlessly.

Scott came. Ugly face so killed him.

[Kadaj]

I don't have Gold so I don't know. I was thinking of getting it though for two reasons. One being Horde mode in GoW2 (absolutely worth keeping the game for) and for Left 4 Dead's co-op mode. Maybe CoD5's co-op mode too but I can get that on PS3 for free.
It's ok... I don't have gold eather... I don't have a job anymore, and when I did, I didn't make enough to keep my gold account going, so I canceled.

[Sandman]

Played L4D. Want to fucking buy it now. Will play demo again countlessly.

Scott came. Ugly face so killed him.

I don't know who Scott is, but I told you the demo was freakin' awesome.

[Lord Sorgo]

I own it. I own it. I own it.

HAHAHAHA!

That was a reference to RE.

[Illustrious]

The full game looks badass.

I should get it for PC.

[Mr Pink]

I don't know who Scott is, b


Resident Evil 1.

edit- Sorgo beat me to it.

[Lord Sorgo]

I have the full game and it is so much damn fun.

Online or offline, this is a great survival horror FPS. I'd recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of a good FPS or zombie games.

Oh, and if you ever hear a girl crying in the distance, turn your flashlight off and walk quietly.

Fuck, this game owns face.

[Sandman]

told ya so

[Janus]

FFS. I'll spend all month downloading this thing if I have to.

I hate all of you with better internets, seriously. Here's a bag full of fuck you.

[Lord Sorgo]

I feel sorry for you because this game is A BAG OF FUCKING AWESOME!

[Janus]

I now have the demo and FTW it runs perfect on my computer. This game is probably the best zombie game ever made, though on Extreme it's damn hard in the subway, with either a Witch at the top of the stairs or the Hulk pwning me with the very floor. The Hordes are ridiculous on Extreme, too, and the AI is good, but not good enough to survive.

I definitely plan to buy the full version when I get a chance.

[Sandman]

I freakin hate the Tank. I hate the Tank more than I hate the Witch. At least the Witch dies. In Advanced difficulty I pumped 200 uzi bullets right into the Tank's face and it did not die. Instead, it punched me to death for my laughable effort.

[Sandman]

Oh, and how do you feel about the running, screaming zombies now?

[Illustrious]

I freakin hate the Tank. I hate the Tank more than I hate the Witch. At least the Witch dies. In Advanced difficulty I pumped 200 uzi bullets right into the Tank's face and it did not die. Instead, it punched me to death for my laughable effort.

In higher difficulties, the witch is a OHKO.

That's when you really start hating the witch.

[Janus]

The Witch isn't much on Easy or Normal, but Advanced or Extreme she just kills members. I imagine that on Impossible she simply teleports across the map and kills your party.

The Tank/Hulk is without a doubt a lot more obnoxious though. In the demo maps, he's nearly impossible to avoid, and he is always strategically placed to fight the survivors in the smallest possible space. Couple that with the fact that every single attack from him incapacitates a teammate and it's a shitfest from there. Leading point, I'm usually the first one encountering him, which either means I get a grisly death from picked up concrete or he bowls me over and then proceeds to manhandle the AI.

Has anyone else lamented about how incredibly inaccurate and non-fatala the M1911s are? Considering the handgun itself is supposed to be accurate and have incredible stopping power, it does little more than annoy them from a distance of more than twenty feet. Even the Uzi has better accuracy at a longer range, which is pathetic.

I've also noticed Boomers can just mess a group up since they're so quick to spew their vomit at you from around corners. I can be doing rather well and all of a sudden a Boomer gets a drop on me and the Horde appears, wrecking my shit up. I usually just backpedal to a niche or corner and melee until it's over.

[Sandman]

I know the witch knocks you down with one hit, but if you can avoid her you can kill her with steady aim and rate of fire (or a teammate can), usually from an assault rifle or auto shotgun. she dies eventually is my point.

the tank took 200 bullets to his face. 50 uzi rounds in a magazine and i reloaded four times and he still kept coming and that isnt counting the fact that my teammates were also shooting him. i understand he's supposed to be overpowered, but holy damn. and that was only advanced, on expert i couldn't get past him and gave up eventually.

[Illustrious]

The With becomes a real bitch at the highest difficulty. She scales up quicker than the tank does. The tank gets progressively higher in HP, but the Witch becomes a royal pain in the ass. If you trip a witch, you basically are fucked. She literally kills in one hit (no knockdown) and moves faster than a motherfucker.'

Tanks are a real pain, but they can be kited along because they don't run any faster than the survivors do.

[Janus]

I have to say the Tank prevents me from passing on Expert more than the Witch though. The chances of her being in an area where she can't be avoided are pretty slim, and you can always trick a teammate into triggering her so that you can find them in a closet shortly after. Unless she's in the final room, in which case it's a good idea to make use of the tons of fuel cans sitting around.

Anyone play the demo on PC? I'm up for a game if a time can be arranged, but I lack a headset.

[Lord Sorgo]

I agree with Illustrious on this one. Me and my friends were playing campaign mode on expert and it was his first time playing expert. He decided to purposely startle the Witch like he does on easy and normal . . .

We kicked him temporarily as punishment. A tank can definitely be handled easier than a witch because it doesn't one shot you most of the time and it's relatively slow. I've backed away from it while it was chasing me and shot it down. A witch? They bolt at you and just ravage you. The only positive aspect is that they can be avoided.

The game is a blast though. It's a small sized game and it lacks a storyline but running around with friends screaming as a horde comes at you is lots of fun.

[Janus]

I must be getting a different AI Director setting than you guys, because the Tanks I fight are always placed in areas where I can't backpedal, and those times when I try either a Horde swarms me and prevents it, or a teammate goes down and we all die trying to save them. The Witch is usually placed somewhere out of the way and I ignore her entirely, shutting of the flashlight and melee-ing all of the infected in my path except for Boomers. I've noticed Louis tends to startle them more than any other AI player though.

[Lord Sorgo]

For the last few times I've played, he was generated near a house and then another by train tracks so I backtracked all the way down the tracks and evaded the blocky bastard.

Tough luck with your director. I've never had him spawn in a place where I couldn't evade it easily.

[Janus]

I've never had him spawn in the first section, only ever at the Y section near the ammo cache in the subway or to the right of the entrypoint of the final room, the bastard. I've also had infected attack me on the rooftop of the first area (They can apparently climb the pipe) and had the right wall of the living room just below broken down by a horde.

[Lord Sorgo]

Yeah, when I went on Versus mode and saw that those walls could be broken when I was a zombie, I threw my hunter right through it.

[Janus]

I just tried again on Extreme. Can't beat it. The Tank is always too fast and put in an area I can't backpedal out of. The first time he was in the final subway car, and managed to tag me with a piece of concrete through a wall, go figure. The next time he was at the top of the stairs just outside of the final room, silent as a ghost, and punched me in the face the moment before I knew he was there. And every time after that he was camping near the door of the final room, ready to kill us in the stairwell where we can't outrun him effectively.

[Lord Sorgo]

Why do you have such covert Tanks? LOL

Mine make big noises and roll out in open spaces, throwing concrete and hurling cars.

[Illustrious]

Yeah, the Tanks I face can be spotted from a mile away. You must be doing something different than what I am.

I played it on expert, tripped a witch, and fuck. Bitch took out the entire group is less than 30 seconds.

[Sandman]

on extreme i get the same situation as janus. raped by the tank every time. i gave up after a while. i think the most damage i ever did on extreme was 16 auto shotgun blasts in the head and chest and i feel like that wasnt nearly enough. the pistols dont do a damn thing to it no matter how much you shoot it.

[Lord Sorgo]

Yeah, the Tanks I face can be spotted from a mile away. You must be doing something different than what I am.

I played it on expert, tripped a witch, and fuck. Bitch took out the entire group is less than 30 seconds.


No kidding. Witches are a force to be reckoned with.

Thirty seconds? Lucky bastard.

[Janus]

I never really have too much trouble with the Witch, even on Extreme. In fact, I've never tripped her except once on Advanced when she was busy sobbing right about the final door (I couldn't see her ass there, so she jumped me and murdered me).

Illustrious/Sorgo: Do you guys rush through the level or take your time? Are there specific places you "hole" up for combat?

EDIT: If you use a fuel can or a molotov, the Tank becomes a big bitch. This time I schooled him in the final room with the molotov, but I had taken so much damage from the "it's been thirty seconds, let's visit again" Hordes, and the ninja Boomers. I found one hiding in the first safe room, and he shot me before i could enter the door, so I had to backpedal into a corner and swipe blindly until I could see. None of my AI comrades came out to help me.

Hunters and Smokers are not very threatening overall, but they seem sneakier during Extreme. Or it could be that I'm always neck deep in regular infected, I'm not sure at this point. Boomers are my mortal bane, and the Tank was too until I learned his weakness. No Witch this play-through. I don't often get one.

[Sandman]

The Tank's weakness? just use fire huh? Boomers are way easy since I hear the gurgling way before I see him and I just look out and pop him before he gets close enough. hunters always scare the shit out of me because im usually shooting up a horde and then i get tackled when i least expect it. same with smokers. but they aren't difficult.

[Illustrious]

Setting zombies on fire is a great way to quickly take them out, regardless of who it is.

The Witch is the main pain because she can kill your whole team in the time it takes for her to die from getting set on fire.

And you have to stay together and move strategically. If you can move safely into an area, you can move safely back out. If you can't, then you didn't move in properly.

[Lord Sorgo]

I never really have too much trouble with the Witch, even on Extreme. In fact, I've never tripped her except once on Advanced when she was busy sobbing right about the final door (I couldn't see her ass there, so she jumped me and murdered me).

Illustrious/Sorgo: Do you guys rush through the level or take your time? Are there specific places you "hole" up for combat?

EDIT: If you use a fuel can or a molotov, the Tank becomes a big bitch. This time I schooled him in the final room with the molotov, but I had taken so much damage from the "it's been thirty seconds, let's visit again" Hordes, and the ninja Boomers. I found one hiding in the first safe room, and he shot me before i could enter the door, so I had to backpedal into a corner and swipe blindly until I could see. None of my AI comrades came out to help me.

Hunters and Smokers are not very threatening overall, but they seem sneakier during Extreme. Or it could be that I'm always neck deep in regular infected, I'm not sure at this point. Boomers are my mortal bane, and the Tank was too until I learned his weakness. No Witch this play-through. I don't often get one.

When the going gets tough, we often find a safe place to hide for a short time. Although if you wait too long in an area, the AI Director throws a horde at you. We often go through carefully at a medium speed. Not too fast or slow. Too fast? Boring game. Too slow? Quick death.

[Faunus]

I fucking missed the demo. The one week I don't touch my XBOX, it comes in and goes out.

I fucking hate Microsoft. And Valve. And GOW2 matchmaking still doesn't work. I got into literally one match after an eight-minute wait, got bitch-sawed by someone who I'd shot twice with the shotgun, and was about to own a sniper when it lagged out and cut the connection.

WHY ARE VIDEOGAMES SO EVIL

[Sandman]

Sounds like your connection is shit. Also, don't hate Valve for being awesome.

[Lord Sorgo]

Faunus, go into the gamertag thread and post yours. I want play wit u and own u.

[Janus]

And you have to stay together and move strategically. If you can move safely into an area, you can move safely back out. If you can't, then you didn't move in properly.

This is harder to do with the AI then with live people on Extreme. The AI is incredibly dumbed down. Its line of sight is decreased, its accuracy and rate of fire is decreased, and they don't follow as well.

Hunters, if you see them, can be easily avoided. Just prevent them from getting a clear straight line of sight at you (Dodge behind a turnstile, wall, pillar, etc.) or just melee them in midair, whichever is easier. Be sure to kill them quickly as they can heal if they disengage.

Smokers are better at ambushes than actual combat, and they tend to run at the first sign of trouble. Mostly they like to hang you from high perches, and if you're running with noobs and/or AI, you'll most likely die on Extreme if there's a Horde to deal with.

Boomers, IMO, are much more dangerous. You can get covered by bile inside of a second once they have a clear line of sight, and they're very mobile. If they explode from leaping off of a building or getting shot, you're still covered, and in Extreme the Horde comes quicker to bile than it does at the random intervals or due to idling. True, they're easy to see, but with simple headphones it's not always clear where they're coming from.

[Faunus]

Sounds like your connection is shit.I do have Strict NAT, but that's not the problem; there are hundreds and hundreds of people complaining about issues with the matchmaking service, and it's something that Epic and Microsoft are looking into. I've never had any problems with Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, or Grand Theft Auto 4 - the three most played games on Live - so this is beyond my control.

[Sandman]

Sometimes I will purposely shoot the car with the car alarm to see just how many zombies will come at me.

The PC version has hundreds of more zombies than the Xbox version.

[Janus]

It does, eh? That's comforting. Could explain why I get my ass kicked. Shooting the car alarm on Extreme is like walking into a prison wearing a wig and stooping to pick up the soap. At that point, they don't even have to try and rape you, they're forced into it.

[Lord Sorgo]

I do have Strict NAT, but that's not the problem; there are hundreds and hundreds of people complaining about issues with the matchmaking service, and it's something that Epic and Microsoft are looking into. I've never had any problems with Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, or Grand Theft Auto 4 - the three most played games on Live - so this is beyond my control.

Phawnass, were iz yoor gamarteg?11

[Sandman]

It does, eh? That's comforting. Could explain why I get my ass kicked. Shooting the car alarm on Extreme is like walking into a prison wearing a wig and stooping to pick up the soap. At that point, they don't even have to try and rape you, they're forced into it.

On Normal on the PC I routinely averaged 120 kills and my AI teammates had around 70-80 each. On normal on the Xbox I maxed out at 90 and my teammates had 50-60 each. I couldn't crack a 120 average until Advanced and even then I triggered every horde I could. I had to play Expert to get PC type numbers.

[Janus]

Yeah, I routinely clean out 80-130 zeds myself since I take point, but the AI rarely holds up those kinds of numbers on Advanced or Extreme. I'll have to replay it on Easy or Normal and see if they're better killing machines.

[Lord Sorgo]

I've hit 130 on Normal during the "No Mercy" campaign.

I don't understand why you have such a lack of zombies on your 360 versions. Do you explore the levels fully?

[Illustrious]

It's simple, you can render more zombies on the PC than on the 360.

[IKC]

I've been too busy with wrath of the lich king in my leisure time, even though I own this game, but I got around to single player last night finally and finished the No Mercy "movie."

On the last level right at the bottom of the ladder leading to the roof and helipad was a witch. With no other choice, I prepped my M16 and threw a pipebomb (didn't have a molotov) at her. Pipebomb didn't seem to bother her but the AI and I eventually took her down.

Is it me, or does she glow red?

[Lord Sorgo]

It's simple, you can render more zombies on the PC than on the 360.

Huh? I was never talking about the PC version.

[Janus]

I've been too busy with wrath of the lich king in my leisure time, even though I own this game, but I got around to single player last night finally and finished the No Mercy "movie."

On the last level right at the bottom of the ladder leading to the roof and helipad was a witch. With no other choice, I prepped my M16 and threw a pipebomb (didn't have a molotov) at her. Pipebomb didn't seem to bother her but the AI and I eventually took her down.

Is it me, or does she glow red?

Her eyes are bright red. Watch the intro movie and you'll see. She's one of the few Infected who doesn't chase the pipebombs, although I have to admit I haven't been able to try one on the Tank.

[IKC]

Well I wasn't trying to get her to chase the pipebomb (I didn't expect her to, to be honest). I made it blow up right next to her annoying crying ass, but it wasn't as effective as I'd hoped. I don't know that it didn't hurt her or what but it's a PIPE BOMB. I don't care what kind of zombie you are, it should knock you on your ass.

[Janus]

Agreed. I've only noticed regular Infected killed by the bomb, and they're all practically squatting on it in the first place. I've thrown some rampantly and failed to kill Infected in a subway car. The molotov is a better grenade type IMO. I've never molotov'd a Witch before, but I bet it's the best way to deal with her. You can also get an achievement for Headshotting the Witch on the Xbox 360.

[IKC]

Achievements are on steam and I read that one. There's also one called "Burn the Witch!" for molotoving her.

On a side note, I love the freaky music you get when there's a witch around, and I love the extra-freaky music played when you fight her.

[Janus]

Hm, I thought those were specific to the 360, since I hadn't seen any evidence of me getting those achievements. Maybe I do not qualify since I'm running a demo?

[IKC]

Demos don't count for achievements.

[Lord Sorgo]

Agreed. I've only noticed regular Infected killed by the bomb, and they're all practically squatting on it in the first place. I've thrown some rampantly and failed to kill Infected in a subway car. The molotov is a better grenade type IMO. I've never molotov'd a Witch before, but I bet it's the best way to deal with her. You can also get an achievement for Headshotting the Witch on the Xbox 360.

The headshot achievement against the Witch is titled "Cr0wned."

It is more difficult than you think. Also, I fluked out once and got a Hunter with a pipebomb. It one shotted him.

[Janus]

Someone told me about the air conditioner skip in the first level, as if that level needed to be any shorter. It's also really bogus to teammates, but it saves health and ammo.

[Lord Sorgo]

I've seen it done via Youtube. It's kind of stupid.

[Janus]

I typically snipe the alleyway zeds there, but I prefer to go through the building myself. Of course, I'm getting ambushed more in the second room by Boomers than previously.

[Lord Sorgo]

There is one particular level in Dead Air where I just sit and snipe for ten minutes before even moving into the level.

[Janus]

I wish I had the full version. Technically, I have it downloaded, I just need to actually purchase it to play the full version. Hopefully this Xmas.

[Lord Sorgo]

That's very close. Maybe one day, you will get a console in the mail from a friend. Who knows. ;)

[Janus]

That friend would be uber cool. I used to be a huge gamer, and I miss it. Keeps the reflexes sharp and it's not often I have genuine ongoing fun while doing something online. Not the same as playing a game that I enjoy.

[Lord Sorgo]

I'm quite a social person so online gaming is quite fun for me. Although I am as solitary as I am social so those old school one player RPGs or Adventure games have my soft spot.

[Janus]

I have my moods. Sometimes solitary, sometimes teamplay. I haven't really played a decent teamplay game in perhaps months, and certainly not with anyone of my level of skill.

I beat it on Extreme through sheer luck. The Witch spawned to the left of the final shutter door, by the gas tank in the dark, and the Tank didn't make a showing at all. I found that if you back up in the corner under the pipes (far right of the shutter door) everyone has to come at you from the front, and you can hold it easily with just melee for the Horde and single shots for the Boss Infected. I've been using the Ruger .22 rifle more often then not for ammo conservation, and it answers rather well.

So after I weathered the Horde and lived with this hidey hole, I then went up top and before I closed the safe room doorway, I sniped the gas canister and burnt the Witch. She was beyond pissed, and she leapt up top, trying to get to me, but I had the door closed with my AI companions outside. They were panicking and shooting, and she wasn't going down, so I let them in and closed the door just in time for her red fiery claws to swipe in and nearly take my nose off. Cue end of scenario. Pwned!

Btw, I use Bill more often than not. Anyone else have a favorite character?

[Faunus]

I'm quite a social person so online gaming is quite fun for me. Although I am as solitary as I am social so those old school one player RPGs or Adventure games have my soft spot.Team Fortress 2?

[Lord Sorgo]

I have my moods. Sometimes solitary, sometimes teamplay. I haven't really played a decent teamplay game in perhaps months, and certainly not with anyone of my level of skill.

I beat it on Extreme through sheer luck. The Witch spawned to the left of the final shutter door, by the gas tank in the dark, and the Tank didn't make a showing at all. I found that if you back up in the corner under the pipes (far right of the shutter door) everyone has to come at you from the front, and you can hold it easily with just melee for the Horde and single shots for the Boss Infected. I've been using the Ruger .22 rifle more often then not for ammo conservation, and it answers rather well.

So after I weathered the Horde and lived with this hidey hole, I then went up top and before I closed the safe room doorway, I sniped the gas canister and burnt the Witch. She was beyond pissed, and she leapt up top, trying to get to me, but I had the door closed with my AI companions outside. They were panicking and shooting, and she wasn't going down, so I let them in and closed the door just in time for her red fiery claws to swipe in and nearly take my nose off. Cue end of scenario. Pwned!

Btw, I use Bill more often than not. Anyone else have a favorite character?

I had two Tanks spawn the other day at the Rooftop finale in No Mercy. I was already in the helicopter but our buddy got pwned to shit. Also, I use Bill most of the time too.

[Sandman]

I also use Bill most often. I don't know why.

[Lord Sorgo]

I don't mind using Louis or Zoey either. I just can't stand Francis.

[IKC]

I don't mind Francis but I also use Bill as my number one choice.

[Janus]

Bill's the man. He has some good voice overs too. Nothing like a "God dammit son of a bitch!" every time you get Boomer'd. I don't mind Francis at all. He's a pretty solid character, although he's a huge target compared to Bill or Zoey.

[Sandman]

I find it odd that I feel the need to play as Bill though, because I'm not old, nor white, nor like berets.

[Janus]

It's because Bill smokes, swears, and kicks ass. He's also the de facto leader of the group, judging by the intro movie.

Plus deep down inside you want to be an old white dude, admit it. The beret thing had you snared.

[Illustrious]

Bill usually.

Zoey too when I like sneaking around. I can't stand Francis; shotguns are just not my style.

[Sandman]

I had the worst luck. I was just leaving the subway when a horde swarm attacked, then a Tank, then a Boomer vomited on me. Cleared out the last room, someone pissed off a witch and I pressed the door button at the same time so we had a witch and a horde with a hunter. a molotov and a gas can couldn't ease the swarm. we got raped.

[Janus]

I don't mind the shotgun on lower difficulties, but on higher ones it's foolish. While its stopping power beats the uzi, it just can't do anything at certain ranges. Also, if a teammate hops in front of a shell, boom. Incapacitated.

When coming up to the subway level, I always take the right path even though the potential for zeds is higher, simply because there's usually a bunch of molotovs on the bench.

[Sandman]

I don't mind the shotgun on lower difficulties, but on higher ones it's foolish. While its stopping power beats the uzi, it just can't do anything at certain ranges. Also, if a teammate hops in front of a shell, boom. Incapacitated.

When coming up to the subway level, I always take the right path even though the potential for zeds is higher, simply because there's usually a bunch of molotovs on the bench.

See, I always take the left because there are always pain pills on that bench.

Also, I began to use the shotgun 100% of the time until I get the assault rifle on any difficulty. I can't kill the tank with the uzi, and when I'm surrounded I need the one hit kill that the shotgun offers. with good aim you can kill two dead with one shell. for range i use my pistols and aim for the head.

[Janus]

I'm pretty good at quick burst shots with the uzi, but you're right - on higher difficulties you can't hope to kill the Tank with the uzi. Realistically, I don't presume to kill him with anything less than a second tier weapon anyways, unless I'm sporting a molotov.

[Sandman]

Last time two of my teammates died flat out from the tank and the third was knocked down pistoling him while i pumped shotgun rounds into him for a good 45 seconds.

I then learned that your AI teammates do actually come back. After a fucking horde twice as large as normal swarms you.

[Janus]

Yeah, they're pretty much disposable. When you find those simple unlocked closets throughout the levels, that's where they spawn after a certain timeframe. You can pretty much let them soak up damage from the baddies while you backpedal, since when you die, you can't come back.

[Sandman]

well i never knew that because they never died that hard before. haha you're bad at zombie games.

[Janus]

What are you on about now? I play it on Extreme every time, and on the PC which as we've noted generates a fuckton more infected. And since they do 10-20% damage per hit, I'd say I'm pretty good for beating it or near-beating it every time. I usually only lose allies to Tanks or Witches anyways, and that's because if one of those is around, it's better off that I'm alive.

[Lord Sorgo]

I got so angry with my online buddies. I got smacked under the dock by a tank in the Boathouse finale and they didn't help me. I couldn't get out because I got mobbed to shit and they sat there and laughed. They waited for me to die and then the escape cutscene played.

I intend to get revenge tonight.

[Janus]

Those kind of buddies suck. It never ceases to amaze me how you can always find a bunch of dicks who play online.

[Sandman]

I'd do that to you Janus, at least once. That shit is funny.

[Janus]

I'll keep that in mind. Just remember I tend to pick up the one-shot weapons and the molotovs. And I'm not afraid to set off car alarms either, since I can backpedal into a corner and live through the rapefest that will come to pass.

[Lord Sorgo]

It's funny, sure, but it's unintelligent. Why play a game if you don't know how? The whole purpose of that game is team work.

I go to help someone else and they leave me behind? Selfish and poor gameplay. I dinged his rep. Bastard.

Don't worry. I'm far too vindictive to just let it go. I'll get his stupid ass back for it.

[Janus]

I'm a big fan of methodical teamplay, and I'm willing to crouch so others can shoot over me or melee the horde back so they can recover. That being said, I'm also the kind of person who hangs at the safe room door, waiting for the last person to get in and covering them.

[Lord Sorgo]

Me too. That's the whole aspect of it though. You against the enemy. One time, a lack of teamwork really bit this guy back in the ass when he ran ahead to get to the safehouse and got jumped by a Hunter. None of us were around to help him so he got pwned.

[Janus]

I don't understand why anyone would play this game and not want to use teamwork. The gameplay all but forces you to consider it unless you're playing on a lower difficulty.

[Sandman]

It's a game dudes. If some shit like that happens once in a while don't take it so personally. It's not the end of the world.

[Janus]

Oh, I don't mind playing around once in awhile. I'm more referring to the online asshats who randomly decide to team kill, or grief their allies and keep it up until booted or the others leave the game, all while giggling like schoolgirls.

[Sandman]

I do have to admit I was a little disappointed to see I couldn't turn off friendly-fire to prevent that kind of stupidity, but oh well.

[Janus]

On the lower difficulties, friendly fire isn't as deadly. So if the group's new or they're complete morons, turn the difficulty down for a bit.

[Lord Sorgo]

It's a game dudes. If some shit like that happens once in a while don't take it so personally. It's not the end of the world.


I think you're misunderstanding me a little here. I don't take it personally. I just don't understand why some players don't use team work and then get angry when OTHERS get angry at them not utilizing teamwork. That is the game's major and primary focus.

[Janus]

That's because 90% of the people who play action games online are complete assholes, 13, or both.

[Lord Sorgo]

ROFL. I'd have to concur.

I have some decent friends who I play L4D though (Thank god) We have a little clan which is why I changed my username.

- Vengeance 71 (Me)
- Vengeance 95
- Vengeance 47 (Very annoying)
- Vengeance 88
- Vengeance 32

[Janus]

I actually have two accounts: Gun Saint and Uber Gun Saint. I created the second one because I forgot the password to the first.

[Mr Pink]

I have two as well, three if you count my Dads.

DeadpoolXIX, Choclat_Thunder, and MrNookie

[Lord Sorgo]

What are we doing? This isn't the gamertag thread! FIENDS!

[Janus]

I still need to buy the whole version of this game.

[IKC]

Buy it on computer imo.

[Kadaj]

I actually have two accounts: Gun Saint and Uber Gun Saint. I created the second one because I forgot the password to the first.
nice one... you know there is a password retrieval process you can go through, even if it's the one you use to connect on your console?

[Lord Sorgo]

He's right, Janus. I've gone through it before as well.

[Janus]

I know, but I was lazy and wanted to game immediately. I think there was something wrong with my security password, but either way I could care less. I don't own the system, and I don't game more than perhaps once or twice a month if I'm fortunate. I do sort of mind that some of my better achievements are on the older one, but I'll deal with that some other day.

[Sandman]

im too lazy to make that gamercard thing.

[Janus]

That is bad. All you have to do is click on the link, put in your gamer tag name, pick a style, and then click on "Forums" where it gives you the link.

[Lord Sorgo]

Exactly. Sandman, why the hell haven't you added me yet? I'm not effing diseased.

[Sandman]

I haven't touched either of my systems since Tuesday. I just got back from Thanksgiving break and had class all day today.

[Lord Sorgo]

I don't care, damn you! I'll give you a Thanksgiving break! Bastard!

I haven't played L4D today. I feel deprived.

[Janus]

I got my dosage in. I found out some nifty stuff.

1. Pipe bombs don't do jack to distract special infected.

2. The AI is unable to retreat back into the first safe room once they climb down.

3. There's a garage off the beaten track in the streets of the first level. If you kill enough time in this area, a horde will appear from behind the boxes. This is the first and only time a Horde has spawned ON TOP OF ME. I was fwned.

4. You cannot trigger the car alarm from long distance visible range with a pistol, even while crouching.

5. Crouching effects pistols aim and helps other aims, but makes no real discernible difference in the Ruger.

6. The intro leaves with the four survivors making it to the room of the apartment building. If you check, you'll notice the fire escape is completely missing from the alleyway, as is the huge hole in the wall the Tank made, or the Tank itself. The small metal stairs and landing that connected the fire escape is missing on the rooftop, although they nailed just about every other aspect down to the two paint cans on the air conditioners.

7. If a Smoker grabs you from the top floor and dangles you directly above your three AI comrades, they'll run in circles and you'll die a horrible, lame death.

8. A Witch cannot hack her way through the subway car doors, but the Tank has no issues ripping through those doors to kill you.

9. On Easy and Normal, the AI are ridiculously hard to team kill even with the rifle, shotgun, or the gatling gun. On Expert you can kill them with a single bullet.

10. There's a U.S. Army Survival Guide on the rooftop of the first level along with the weapons and first aid kits.

[Lord Sorgo]

Number nine doesn't look right.

[Janus]

Try it. You can sink entire clips into the AI players even at point blank range to the head, and they'll survive. On Expert, one headshot with a shotgun or 3+ round burst will incapacitate an AI ally from close to medium range. Nevermind the AR, the Ruger, and the upgraded shotgun, all of which can own an AI ally in less time than it took to type this up.

[Lord Sorgo]

On easy, I can shoot a zed in the hand and it will drop dead. I don't understand what you're talking about.

[Janus]

AI ally/players != zeds.

[Lord Sorgo]

u phail.

[Janus]

No u phail.

[Faunus]

I want this, but there's no way I'm shelling out fifty bucks. Is there any way I can still get the demo?

[Janus]

Sure. Download the Steam app, and then you can download the demo. Once it's finished downloading, the Program files should be on the computer. Go into them, load up "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead demo\srcds.exe" and then double click on the desk top icon. It installs the entire game locked, but the first two levels are playable. Later if you decide you want it, you can simply buy it through Steam.

[Faunus]

God bless you.

[Janus]

*Bows* You're welcome, my child.

[Lord Sorgo]

The demo really is limiting. It is worth it to buy the full version.

[Sandman]

That is bad. All you have to do is click on the link, put in your gamer tag name, pick a style, and then click on "Forums" where it gives you the link.
I made a PS3 one instead. I'm non-conformist.

Ok I made an Xbox one as well. Now I feel like my sig is way too large, but I dont want to get rid of the boobies.

[Lord Sorgo]

Non-conformity is so "last-week-emo-esque" of you. Yeah, I said those string of words.

[IKC]

Fuck the Blood Harvest movie. Trees freaking everywhere, and a tank jumped into the APC with me at the end.

[Lord Sorgo]

That's hilarious. A friend of ours pumped up the difficulty to expert at the end of the "Dead Air" campaign and a Tank fucking spawned in front of me and bitchslapped me across the map. I wasn't pleased.

[Janus]

I've had Hordes spawn on top of me in the Apartment level of No Mercy on Expert. That was perhaps the scariest moment in the game for me. Fwned doesn't even cover it.

[Lord Sorgo]

Yeah, I've had that too. I hate it. Once, I was sniping from a window covering a few teammates and I accidentally dropped out of the window on the other side of the gate. My friends couldn't reach me and a horde spawned directly in front of me. I had a single pistol + Hunting rifle w/ scope.

I was terminated.

[Janus]

Still need the full version. Hopefully by Xmas I'll have it.

[Lord Sorgo]

I hope so too. It's a lot of fun.

I actually just had a rather bad experience. I was surrounded by a horde and I lobbed a pipe bomb and waited for them to scuffle towards it . . . They never did. I was pwned generously. What a glitch.

[Sandman]

I've had Hordes spawn on top of me in the Apartment level of No Mercy on Expert. That was perhaps the scariest moment in the game for me. Fwned doesn't even cover it.

that happened to me after a tank killed two teammates. the teammates respawned in a nearby closet and a whole horde spawned right on top of me and louis. we were very nearly annihilated but i did have the assault rifle.

[Janus]

I just had a fun Extreme experience - Tank and a Witch in the final room of the Subway. I lobbed some molotovs to try and catch one of them on fire because I knew we wouldn't survive a firefight (everyone was busted up from the Hordes we fought every ten seconds en route). The molotov hits her. She shrieks, I shriek, my buddies shriek, I decide I'm going to run like hell towards the beginning. I figure she has to die from the fire eventually, right? Well, the Tank takes exception to this, kills one of the survivors, downs another one, and quite frankly I left them all behind.

It was cowardly, but at 50% health with a flaming Witch after me, they're on their own. So I make it all the way back towards the beginning, and the music stopped. I imagine she burnt to a crisp. He must have gotten bored and went to play Legos. So I leap up haphazardly to the broken floor and try to get into the safehouse room. Crouching in the dark bathroom, I realize that my friends are ALL DEAD and that I couldn't do a damn thing about it. No health left, and while I had full ammo, I didn't know what to do. So I peeked out the door. Nothing. No music. Nadda. I push the door open and take a few steps forward.

The tune plays. HORDE! Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.... So I try to jump in the safehouse and in my panic miss, and then I open the door again and am almost through it when a Smoker grabs me. Drags me in a corner were the largest Horde I have ever seen beats me to death and steals my wallet. KO.

The second time was fun - no Tank spawned, so I was able to beat it on Extreme again. The Witch was sobbing to the right of the final room door, in the darkness. After barely fending off the Horde triggered by the shutter door, we stagger up the stairs to the safe room (I'm at 10% health and move like frozen molasses). Victory was within my grasp, but that wasn't enough. No, I took a potshot at the Witch, and she was engaged! Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck... So I dive into the safe room, giddy from fright, slamming the door on Louis, and then Francis and Zoe go outside to apparently block the Witch.

Bill: That's one pissed off Bitch!

Amen, brother. So I hear a lot of screaming, and gunfire, and loud dramatic music, and then I see the claw coming through the now-opened doorway! Fuckfuckfuckfuck.... and then she drops dead, shot down by the others. Ha! Take that, you bitch!

I almost kicked the body and spit on it, but it cued the end of the demo. Meh.

[Sandman]

I almost kicked the body and spit on it, but it cued the end of the demo. Meh.

In the real game that room is not a safehouse and you would have gotten raped three ways from sunday.

[Lord Sorgo]

Sandman, do you still have your L4D rental? I'd love to play with you and Arias.

[Sandman]

nope. returned it a few days ago.

i discovered only the avatar games and street fighter are free this month though anyway. it wouldnt have mattered.

[Lord Sorgo]

Something interesting happened to me today whilst playing L4D. I was on the rooftop during the final chapter of the "No Mercy" film and I was the last one going into the helicopter. A Tank caught up to me and bashed me. I had 15% of my health left and I thought I was done for. He bashed me, I flew across the helipad, landed in the helicopter and completed the level.

LMAO?

[Janus]

That's awesome. I wish he would do stuff like that to me.

[Lord Sorgo]

I wish you had a freakin' 360. I'd love to play L4D with you among other games. Hell, I wish Arias had L4D too because I think he's the only EODer with Gold.

[IKC]

He isn't the only one with Gold, but I don't play PC games on consoles.

[Illustrious]

PC is the only worthwhile multiplayer platform.

If I have to play one more FPS without a mouse, I'm going to choke a bitch.

[Lord Sorgo]

He isn't the only one with Gold, but I don't play PC games on consoles.

I'd love to play with you sometime if you're implying that you have Gold. I wish I had a better quality PC or else I'd play the PC version.

[Faunus]

PC is the only worthwhile multiplayer platform.

If I have to play one more FPS without a mouse, I'm going to choke a bitch.Haha, you're ridiculously dumb.

[Lord Sorgo]

*Waits for Illustrious to pimp slap the taste out of Faunus' mouth*

[Faunus]

*Waits for Sorgo to DIE*

[Janus]

PC is the only worthwhile multiplayer platform.

If I have to play one more FPS without a mouse, I'm going to choke a bitch.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2r40mxx.jpg
Don't let this bitch die! Stop console FPS production today!

[Lord Sorgo]

*Waits for Sorgo to DIE*

Christ, Faunus. That's heavy.

Even if I die, Jawa Resurrection x INFINITY.

My L4D glitched out badly today and I got stuck in a wall. I couldn't get killed by zeds so it wasn't extremely terrible.

[Illustrious]

Haha, you're ridiculously awesome...

Thank you, I know.

PC > all consoles... combined.

[Lord Sorgo]

I agree. It's just unfortunate I have a shoddy PC. Consoles aren't too bad though. The 360 is a good gaming console and my old SNES rocks the house too.

[Faunus]

Thank you, I know.That you're ridiculously dumb?

[Lord Sorgo]

"Ridiculously" is a bit of an understatement.



Just sayin'.

[Illustrious]

That you're ridiculously dumb?

Not very good at reading quotes?

[Lord Sorgo]

He may just be referring to the pre-edited version.

[Faunus]

I thought I re-edited it.

You admins are evil people. I hope your houses are buried in snow.

[Lord Sorgo]

I had an awful yet funny experience tonight on L4D with my friends. We were streaming through the "No Mercy" campaign on versus with no problems. None of the boss infected were touching us. It was awkward. Suddenly, we get to the door and there is a piano blocking the safehouse. NO ENTRY. We got owned.

Next level? A forklift blocking the door in the warehouse.

Next? Two forklifts blocking the second last level to the rooftop in the hospital.

[IKC]

On steam the boss monsters have already been patched to disallow them from blocking survivor access with objects.

[Lord Sorgo]

Hah. Lucky you.

At one point, we were brutally owning them in the warehouse so they tried to move it for us. It was hilarious.

[Arias]

I wish I could play some L4D right now. I've overplayed RB6V2 and Halo 3 waaaaay too much.

[Lord Sorgo]

I'm playing L4D and FO3 as well. I can see Sandman jamming on FO3 too.

[Sandman]

I'm playing L4D and FO3 as well. I can see Sandman jamming on FO3 too.

it kicks so much ass

[Lord Sorgo]

I know. I love FO3.

I didn't get the chance to play L4D because I got Gears 2 for XMAS! WOOHOO!

[Faunus]

You should've went with CoD5.

[Sandman]

You should've went with CoD5.

played it. wrote the review. its becoming less impressive by the day.

[Lord Sorgo]

You should've went with CoD5.

Yeah, I rented it and if I had gotten it for XMAS, I would have broken it. In half.

[Faunus]

If I don't get FO3, the next game I'm probably going to get is Modern Warfare 2. I'm just pissed at Epic because they released GOW2 with a shitload of multiplayer issues, which is unforgivable.

[Lord Sorgo]

The main issue I have is the fucking huge health everyone has.

Seriously, get FO3. FO3 is amazing.

[Faunus]

I'm considering it. If I can get if for below forty, I'll probably grab it.

[Lord Sorgo]

Either that or grab the title of this thread. Both are very fun. L4D is a grand multiplayer experience and FO3 is just one of my all-time favorite RPFPS.

[Janus]

I'm getting better at this. I can pretty much down Tanks on Expert now, so my biggest problem actually tends to be Hordes, especially those triggered by taking more than thirty seconds in any given area. The timeframe before "OMGHORDERAPE" is pretty low in Expert, so being methodical except in a few places really bites you in the ass.

Call me crazy, but I opt for the shotgun over the uzi every time now. I've found a great way to maintain its effectiveness, and when it comes to crowdstopping it's the best in the game. The trick with the shotguns is, so long as you reload before you hit 0, you don't have to go through the extra cocking action. This means you can reload tactically or while in melee and still have blasts to defend yourself. Also, headshots are not as meaninful. It's all about torso shots. When the hordes come, you have to hold your fire until they bunch up, and then rip lose to take a few out. It works very well, and I don't feel like the shotgun is as bad a weapon as I originally thought. It just requires some work.

Now for the second tier weapons, I usually opt for the Assault rifle because of its precision and power. I'm pretty good at conserving the ammo on it and aiming for the head, even in a shitfest, so it's pretty effective. Next would be the Ruger rifle, because of the precision shooting, the natural tendency to conserve ammo regardless of intent, and the amazing bullet penetration. The auto shotgun is pretty nice and it's basically a shotgun with none of the faults, but the other two weapons are IMO more tempting. Of course, it could depend on the group makeup too. The AI tends to grab the AR and the rifle more than the shotgun, so I sometimes take up the shotgun to help with crowd control.

[IKC]

The only thing I hate about the auto-shotgun is the unfolding animation when you switch to it, takes precious seconds.

[Janus]

Amen to that. It's not as bad as the dual pistol reloading animation though, which totally ruins the benefits of the flashlight and most of your peripheral vision in one shot.

[Janus]

Had some more fun today. I used the director's console, which is essentially a cheat console for dirty bastards. You can make zeds slow or fast, super strong, make tons of them, spawn any creature in the game at the crosshairs, no-clip, god mode, get weapons, third person mode (Which, unfortunately, is a bit broken - the aiming crosshairs are off), and even infinite ammo. You can even enact a permanent horde attack mode with director_force_panic_event 1 and then director_panic_forever 1. Fun stuff.

[Janus]

Well, my darling Hex bought me this for my birthday. I opened it a day early, and have been downloading updates for the past two hours now. It's about done, and I intend to rock it out. Good stuff. Steam ID: JanusoftheDead, btw, if any of you play online PC.

[Sandman]

I'm going to ad you to my steam list, if you ever want to play a game I actually own, like counterstrike or something.

[Janus]

I don't even know if I have Counterstrike. All I have besides this is the original Half-Life, and the two expansions. I never bought Half-Life II, unfortunately.

[Lord Sorgo]

Nice present, Janus. Congrats. Enjoy the full version of that awesome game.

[Janus]

It's hella awesome. I made it from No Mercy all the way through until the Terminal of the third campaign before needing sleep. Lots of differences. The graphics look more polished, the AI is different, the spawns are completely different, there's "squatters", or sitting zeds which weren't in the demo, and so on. I got 19 achievements, starting with the 101 Cremations. Didn't get Cr0wned and Jump Shot, but it's only a matter of time.

[Illustrious]

If you have half life, you can download counterstrike.

[Janus]

I might try it then. I was replaying Blue Shift the other day when I realized why I never beat it - it's impossible to tell where to go next.

As for L4D, I beat the single player mode today. Missed out on the Dead Baron achievement because I started at the Terminal where I left off last night instead of doing the campaign from start to finish. Here's some thoughts on the full game:

1. No Mercy is pretty intense compared to what the demo let on. The extended Subway level was mega win, since I got to play ring-around-the-rosey with a Witch thanks to not knowing where the hell I was after the first "old" safe room, and I got ambushed by a Tank at the first set of turnstiles for the first time ever. After the shutter panic event, I ran through the control room and into the rest of the building. Sitting in a dark office overlooking the brightly lit street, I hear the Witch sobbing. No clue where she's at, so I sneak around a bit, check here, check there. Finally give in to temptation and shoot zeds in the street. She's right below me, and freaks. I hear her cry, and I'm out on the windowsill now, with my assault rifle. She must have ran out of the window six times trying to reach me. Then I get knocked into the street by a Hunter and she owns me.

The Sewers are officially my least favorite level, as they should be on all zombie games, but especially this one. Something about being lost underground in the wet, cold dark, with Tanks and Boomers literally crammed into small tunnels just reeks of suck. I did very much enjoy the carnage scene at the end, in front of the hospital though.

The Hospital itself was creepy. Close, cramped, and loaded with undead. Very labyrinth-like, but I loved the attention to detail. The panic event by the elevator was insane. I didn't expect the walls to come down like that.

The Rescue mission on the top was harder than I had thought. The minigun can't sweep a damn thing, and the Tank is difficult to fight in such a crappy terrain. However, I did have the joy of leaping on to the helicopter while everyone else but Louis died a horrible death.

2. Death Toll was a lot of fun. The Turnpike, the dark woods, the church. Especially the church. I loved the crazy guy, although it sucked to see that he turned insta-Boomer on me. The Boathouse was perhaps the hardest Rescue, harder even than Blood Harvest or No Mercy. I lost everyone there to a Smoker and Tank duo right when the boat kissed the dock.

3. Dead Air was actually a lot better than I expected. The rooftops and apartments were well-implemented, and it was perhaps the longer of the scenarios. The Terminal itself was rather short, but the Rescue Scenario made up for it. I got everyone out alive this time, despite repeated boss zeds and no real cover.

4. Blood Harvest was insane. The mountain path, not being able to see anything, was scarier than the sewers, and the cornfield... well, let's just say fuck all cornfields ever. It's like a clusterfuck of Signs meets Left 4 Dead meets Land of the Dead: Fiddler's Green, and getting bufu'd by the swarm near the tractor was almost too much for me to handle. I spent much of that just getting kicked at from both sides, so it was kind of like reliving a Cannibal Corpse concert. The farmhouse brought back fond memories of Night of the Living Dead, and shame on my comrades for forgetting to close doors and breaking the planks on the windows to get in, those fools. The first time I did this mission I actually died because of poor AI; when the truck arrived I went around the other side of the house, following it, while they went around the opposite side where it would park. A hunter got me, and shredded me, and when I got up I was at 10%, so I limped like a bastard and nearly died from the swarm. By some miracle (I think Jesus himself teleported in-game and allowed me to live) I survived when Zoey, who saved my ass twice despite the Tank and swarms, was being choked by a Smoker just outside of the house near the truck. Moved by personality loyalty, I hobbled out of the truck and aimed. I fired, hit a zombie that was not the Smoker, and was promptly manhandled.

I tried it again, the fun part being that I respawned back in the train car with the propane tank I had lugged through the tail end of the previous scenario. Driven by madness, I rushed most of the level with the same tank, smacking zeds left and right until I had to chuck it at a Tank on the mountain top just before the cornfield.

[Sandman]

It's even more fun with a friend sitting next to you.

[IKC]

Dead Air is probably my favorite campaign, the rescue is imo the easiest to manage single player.

[Lord Sorgo]

It's hella awesome. I made it from No Mercy all the way through until the Terminal of the third campaign before needing sleep. Lots of differences. The graphics look more polished, the AI is different, the spawns are completely different, there's "squatters", or sitting zeds which weren't in the demo, and so on. I got 19 achievements, starting with the 101 Cremations. Didn't get Cr0wned and Jump Shot, but it's only a matter of time.

I got Cr0wn3d. By accident. I just wanted to execute the Witch by auto-shotting it into hell and instead I fluked a head shot.

[Janus]

I'd have to second that Dead Air's rescue is the easiest, although Blood Harvest isn't so bad once you know what you're doing. Death Toll was a rotten bitch.

I'm going to try for Akimbo Assassin tonight and get Dead Baron as well.

[Sandman]

I don't understand how anyone can get the Untouchables achievement.

[Janus]

Probably non-AI play through Easy. Easy is pretty sad. You can blitz through a level without even firing a shot in some cases.

EDIT: Got jump shot, and akimbo assassin, stand tall, and a few others tonight. I also played Blood Harvest online through quick match. I walked in and two guys were blasting a guy on the floor. The door to the safe room was open and we were swarmed. After dying, I voted to kick the guy they where shooting, and once he goes, we get a solid player to replace him, and everyone works together great. It was pretty good. A damn pity that I was lagging so much I couldn't tell when I had hit anything or not. And for every trigger pull, I fired off eighteen shotgun shells too. Wtf.

[Janus]

Played more online. Good stuff. The lag on my end is horrible, so I can't shoot certain guns properly, having to rely on pistols and automatics or risk being lagged into submission. It also ruins my actions as Infected, since I can't properly pounce because when I jump, they've already moved, so I look like a retarded frog, bouncing all over the place. However, I got 3k+ points at the end of one scenario in Blood Harvest as a Boomer when the poor sucker was running to the safe room. My teammates were stunned, since up until that point I hadn't been very effective with the lag.

Good haul for achievements too:

Dec 31You are now friends with EyeKaySee.
You achieved Left 4 Dead: CLEAN KILL, STAND TALL, JUMP SHOT, DEAD BARON, BIG DRAG, DOUBLE JUMP, OUTBREAK, AKIMBO ASSASSIN, GROUND COVER.
Dec 29You achieved Left 4 Dead: FIELD MEDIC, NO-ONE LEFT BEHIND, GRIM REAPER.
Dec 28You achieved Left 4 Dead: DEAD STOP, DRAG AND DROP, BLIND LUCK, MY BODYGUARD, PHARM-ASSIST, HERO CLOSET, HUNTER PUNTER, TONGUE TWISTER, NO SMOKING SECTION, 101 CREMATIONS, TANKBUSTERS, WITCH HUNTER, PYROTECHNICIAN, BURN THE WITCH, TOWERING INFERNO, SPINAL TAP, BRAIN SALAD, MERCY KILLER, TOLL COLLECTOR.

If I ever get better internets, I'm sure I'll do better on some of the infected ones. Or better in general.

[Faunus]

EyeKaySee? I wonder who that might be.

And I'm curious; on a scale of 1 to 10, on Extreme, how hard would you say this game is?

[Lord Sorgo]

I don't understand how anyone can get the Untouchables achievement.

I'm finding "Unbreakable" sort of difficult to obtain as well.

Akimbo Assassin is one of the first ones I obtained. It's fairly simple depending on your playing level.