Left 4 Dead

 PC
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 4339 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,834 out of 4339
  2. Mixed: 339 out of 4339
  3. Negative: 166 out of 4339
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. DeletedContent
    Apr 5, 2016
    7
    Okay, so by the score I've given, you probably want to crucify me, but please hear me out. This game is the first zombie game of this kind to incorporate the hordes of unique zombies and a squad of players against all odd-... oh what, that's Killing Floor. So yeah, while the game is innovative, it didn't start the genre like people thing, sort of like how people credit COD4 for startingOkay, so by the score I've given, you probably want to crucify me, but please hear me out. This game is the first zombie game of this kind to incorporate the hordes of unique zombies and a squad of players against all odd-... oh what, that's Killing Floor. So yeah, while the game is innovative, it didn't start the genre like people thing, sort of like how people credit COD4 for starting off the modern FPS from WW2, when Battlefield 2 did the same thing 3 years earlier, and COD4 just drew inspiration (as a matter of fact, BF2 was inspired by the Desert Combat mod for BF1942, which technically makes most modern military FPS inspirations of inspirations of inspirations). But back to Killing Flo- I mean L4D. The gunplay is really neat and satisfying, though the weapons can sometimes feel really stiff and the lack of any sort of sights or zoom-in option is kind of annoying in my opinion (noticing a trend here Valve; it was fine for Half-Life and TF2, but it can get annoying in a game like this). The animations are also kind of stiff and the outlines on objects now look laughably outdated, but the textures still hold up for the most part.

    But lets tackle the immediate, the games biggest strength and greatest weakness: the core gameplay loop. This loop is as addicting as it is mind-numbing, and it depends on your style. If you get easily bored by repetition in gameplay, then stay as far away from this game as possible. If you LIKE this sort of repetition, then go ahead and get the damn game. You WILL be happy with your purchase. Ultimately, I managed to squeeze out around 50 hours of gameplay before I got bored and took a long break from the game. The reason I couldn't last as long here when compared to other horde-mode survival games like PAYDAY 2 or Killing Floor is due to the lack of permanent progression. The two games I just mentioned have skill trees, which give you something to work towards from match-to-match, and even when you reach the max level (or in the case of KF, the max level of each class), there is still loads of experimenting to be done with skills and the like. L4D lacks that sort of thing; each new round is a fresh start and the only skills that you retain through the hours are those embedded your head, not in code. Another problem I have with this game when compared to its competitors is the lack of weapons. There are but a few weapons in the game, though to be fair they all play pretty differently (L4D2 fixed this somewhat with new guns, and I'll be reviewing the two games like one, because L4D2 is less of a new game and more of a rehaul pack). However, this lack of initial content is somewhat remedied by the same sort of thing that allowed Half-Life to become the greatest FPS of all time and what allowed me to clock over 1000 hours into Minecraft over around 4 years: MODS!!! The modding community for L4D, while not as substantial as for other Valve games like HL2, is still very very large. These mods add at least 10 extra hours, from making the Tank zombies into giant Kool-Aid men, to all-new maps, weapons, and even the occasional character re-skin or new zombie type. Also the characters are awesome.

    Conclusion: A repetitive, but addicting horde game with a lack of initial content and a "sequel" with the same issues, which is partially remedied by mods which can double the gameplay time. 6/10 without mods, 8/10 with mods. Also, don't get it on consoles, though I'm pretty sure that's a given for a Valve game.    … Expand
  2. Aginagala
    Nov 5, 2017
    7
    A fresh and fun take on zombies in video games as the franchise was seemingly becoming over used and boring this game made it fun again, pure zombie killing fun. You'll find yourself playing 'one more game' more times than you care to admit as this game still to this day has a gigantic fan base with full lobbies even now outshining modern zombie and normal shooters. Moreover a fun andA fresh and fun take on zombies in video games as the franchise was seemingly becoming over used and boring this game made it fun again, pure zombie killing fun. You'll find yourself playing 'one more game' more times than you care to admit as this game still to this day has a gigantic fan base with full lobbies even now outshining modern zombie and normal shooters. Moreover a fun and witty campaign make this game fun for whatever gamer you are.… Expand
  3. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 8, 2011
    7
    Okay gentlemen, what you see here is a FPS zombie killing game that is actually addictive and entertaining (and funny) at the same time. "Left 4 Dead" made me play the single player and the multi player for hours and hours non-stop. The single player, inspired by movie scenarios, is very innovative and fun. The multiplayer is also a big hit for the game. With 3 other partners, you can goOkay gentlemen, what you see here is a FPS zombie killing game that is actually addictive and entertaining (and funny) at the same time. "Left 4 Dead" made me play the single player and the multi player for hours and hours non-stop. The single player, inspired by movie scenarios, is very innovative and fun. The multiplayer is also a big hit for the game. With 3 other partners, you can go out and whoop those **** zombies anytime!! A great must-play!! Hurray for Valve!!!!



    Note: The game gets boring after a few months.    … Expand
  4. Claytality
    Sep 27, 2012
    6
    The main problem is finding reliable teammates. Hunters and smokers (special zombies) can render one character completely useless, so if you're playing a 4v4 online and they have 3 hunters and 1 smoker, they can orchestrate their attack well enough that it will disable everyone on your team. It is very frustrating to sit there and watch your character go from 100 health to dead whileThe main problem is finding reliable teammates. Hunters and smokers (special zombies) can render one character completely useless, so if you're playing a 4v4 online and they have 3 hunters and 1 smoker, they can orchestrate their attack well enough that it will disable everyone on your team. It is very frustrating to sit there and watch your character go from 100 health to dead while your teammates run around like chickens with their heads cutoff. Otherwise it is exciting, scary, and fun.… Expand
  5. MeN.
    Feb 18, 2009
    5
    The game is not bad... It's just so limited. I'm really suprised that so many people like this game. It is fun for 20 mins, but then gets old quickly. Imagine paying 50+ dollars for this game - well I bought it for 30 cents (in China), so I can't complain too much. It's great that they released a game that has zombies in it... it just needs a strong offline mode, and The game is not bad... It's just so limited. I'm really suprised that so many people like this game. It is fun for 20 mins, but then gets old quickly. Imagine paying 50+ dollars for this game - well I bought it for 30 cents (in China), so I can't complain too much. It's great that they released a game that has zombies in it... it just needs a strong offline mode, and of course a longer game length. Valve are starting to lose the plot. 50 bucks! it should be a free download.… Expand
  6. LukeM.
    Nov 19, 2008
    5
    point gun, shoot sums up the game pretty well, there are 7 guns, the pump shot gun, the uzi the pistol, the dual pistol the hunting rifle, the assault rifle, and the shotgun. if you've played any game with all these weapons then you've played this game before, the zombies can withstand about 2 hits from any gun and in versus mode you can't choose what to play as a zombie, point gun, shoot sums up the game pretty well, there are 7 guns, the pump shot gun, the uzi the pistol, the dual pistol the hunting rifle, the assault rifle, and the shotgun. if you've played any game with all these weapons then you've played this game before, the zombies can withstand about 2 hits from any gun and in versus mode you can't choose what to play as a zombie, another generic shooter for counterstrike kiddies to love forever… Expand
  7. Dylanmc12
    Mar 26, 2011
    7
    L4D is a "Co-Op" Game. Not like those other Co-Op titles where your team is a bunch of galooting **** making no difference when you leave the group and finish the level on yourown.

    This gmae says "NO! I'm going to have boss-battles that prevent you from splitting up because they stun-lock you into poistions stopping you from moving and getting your **** chopped off and you need your team    L4D is a "Co-Op" Game. Not like those other Co-Op titles where your team is a bunch of galooting **** making no difference when you leave the group and finish the level on yourown.

    This gmae says "NO! I'm going to have boss-battles that prevent you from splitting up because they stun-lock you into poistions stopping you from moving and getting your **** chopped off and you need your team to help!" What's weird is that if this was tried in any other FPS/Co-Op game, it would fail, Recklessley, but here it runs smoothly and perfectly.

    You have hord attracting zombies, leaving you to the mercy of your team.
    You have the hit and runners, causing your team to quickly get it off you and kill it before it strikes again, ECT ECT.

    Half of the time you'll be walking back and forth, and occasionally sitting down on a box in a locked cupboard because you died. Whenever you die you're sent to a small cupboard where you must wait....and wait... and wait...Weaponless and itemless waiting for your team to help.

    True survival horror Crowd Based madness.
    However it gets a bit repetetive though, but maps are often updates/added, so they're basically spoon-feeding you the same thing but with a different flavour.

    Worth the $12 dollars on steam.    … Expand
  8. MattF
    Dec 13, 2009
    6
    The game is very good, the graphics are awesome. But there is only a problem: you play Left 4 Dead for a month or two and then you'll not play it anymore.
  9. AnonymousMC
    Jan 4, 2009
    6
    A great game overall.
    Pretty good AI and good graphics.
    You get tired of the regular co-op pretty quickly. For the rest of your time you will be playing versus which is basically the same thing except that you play as Infected as well. As for the storyline there is none. I was originally going to give it an 8. But right now there's about 7 exploits for this game which can    A great game overall.
    Pretty good AI and good graphics.

    You get tired of the regular co-op pretty quickly.
    For the rest of your time you will be playing versus which is basically the same thing except that you play as Infected as well.
    As for the storyline there is none.

    I was originally going to give it an 8.
    But right now there's about 7 exploits for this game which can easily be used and is constantly used. But still no patch even though it's been 2-3 weeks since these exploits started.

    Also i didn't like that Valve falsely advertised in their demo with "10 New weapons"
    There's only 5 weapons in the game.
    I don't see how grenades, props and the mounted gun are counted as actual weapons rather than being fire support. That's why i gave it a 6.

    It's a good game but it just feels like Valve could have done better.    … Expand
  10. johnhickton-burnett
    May 6, 2009
    7
    i love the graphics and when you hit an infected it shows but im thinking a mutated strain of rabbies usually rabbies would shutdown alot of your organs other than that it was an amazing thrill ride of blood and gore i got it for christmas and still cannot stop playing it.
  11. DavidP
    Jul 21, 2009
    5
    This is a fun game, no doubt about it. What's most of the reviews fail to mention is that this game has very little content. $50 or $40 is just too much for the amount of content; this game is closer in length to Portal or TF2 than it is to Half Life 2. Of course, it has terrific replay value online, but there are four campaigns, each of which you can finish in about an hour. All This is a fun game, no doubt about it. What's most of the reviews fail to mention is that this game has very little content. $50 or $40 is just too much for the amount of content; this game is closer in length to Portal or TF2 than it is to Half Life 2. Of course, it has terrific replay value online, but there are four campaigns, each of which you can finish in about an hour. All four campaigns contain the same AI, music, enemies, characters and weapons, and they all have the same atmosphere: dark, gray, foggy. While this is perfectly appropriate for a zombie apocalypse, it's not appropriate for $50. I'd give this game an 8 or 9 if it were $25 instead.… Expand
  12. AlexC
    Jul 2, 2009
    7
    I give this game a 7 for many reasons 1st love the team work in the new surrival mode its wonderful very good graphics play it 20 hours in two weeks the only reason i didnt give it a 10 is some tweaks they need to put on 1st everytime i click quit it doesnt quit it crashes so i have to control+Alt+Del evertime 2nd when your playing with people theres no cancel button enough of the bad I give this game a 7 for many reasons 1st love the team work in the new surrival mode its wonderful very good graphics play it 20 hours in two weeks the only reason i didnt give it a 10 is some tweaks they need to put on 1st everytime i click quit it doesnt quit it crashes so i have to control+Alt+Del evertime 2nd when your playing with people theres no cancel button enough of the bad stough good game love it big fan and still play it but,,,,,single player dont know why they have it cause its boring im actually not excited for the new one cause its going to be the same stuff with different levels very good game not worth 49.99 more like worth 29.99… Expand
  13. tysonw
    Aug 6, 2009
    7
    Well lets start of saying i got this game for 20 dollars back in june. its fun for many hours i was addicted to it for several weeks. good graphics, fun multiplayer, i actually feel like im in a zombie apocalypse. sounds great right. the problem is when u get to the lows of the game. lucky i pick it up for 20 online, cause if i paid any more i would be greatly disappointed. the lack of Well lets start of saying i got this game for 20 dollars back in june. its fun for many hours i was addicted to it for several weeks. good graphics, fun multiplayer, i actually feel like im in a zombie apocalypse. sounds great right. the problem is when u get to the lows of the game. lucky i pick it up for 20 online, cause if i paid any more i would be greatly disappointed. the lack of content makes this game one a 1 month thing for me. single player is terriable .ai does not react at all to the fact there are zombies everywhere. well with honestly at all. . i didn't i would ever see such bad in award winning game . the next worst has to be cod world at war. the new one is coming out in a couple of months and im very disappointed it will probably have a 40+ dollar price tag on content that has been promised but will not be delievered for the first one =(. i frown upon making promises and breaking them. which means i probably will wait a couple months to get lfd 2 in the bargain bin for 20 dollars. give it a couple weeks after release. i don't blame people for not supporting lfd2. anyways sorry about venting. but overall this game is fun, enjoyable mulitplayer. but is ruined by ai and lack of content.… Expand
  14. sevologyK.
    Jan 25, 2009
    7
    I am someone who has played this game for hours upon hours, and I have to say that it is a semi - disappointment. I cannot give this game anything above 8 even though I'm not saying it's a bad game. The content is just extremely limited and if you were to run through all the levels without zombies you'd get a sense of how small the levels actually are. Quite the opposite of I am someone who has played this game for hours upon hours, and I have to say that it is a semi - disappointment. I cannot give this game anything above 8 even though I'm not saying it's a bad game. The content is just extremely limited and if you were to run through all the levels without zombies you'd get a sense of how small the levels actually are. Quite the opposite of what valve had written in their game description, boasting about the huge levels. Finding a decent server to play on takes a while due to the general lack of players, unstable dedicated servers, and getting connected to lag-infested servers across the world. They tried to get rid of repetitive play by supposedly introducing an AI director, which spawns zombies and guns at different locations every time you play, but it really doesn't help out. Repetition tends to be alright for most multi-player gaming (like counterstrike), but it's unacceptable for a game like l4d since it's a freaking co-op game. The biggest problem I have with this game is the price that it was sold for. Valve really took advantage of the community by charging $50, releasing a game that can be completed in the same hour range as portal. The biggest disappointment would probably be the versus gameplay. I have never played anything more stupid in my life. Survivors generally have a huge advantage over special infected, and you'll find yourself dying often until you get a tank. If you can't kill them with the tank, chances are they'll win the level. They really should have focused on making the maps larger and introducing vehicles for this game, instead of making the special infected playable. It's fun puking on the survivors as a boomer for the first 5 minutes, then it's just monotony and boredom. By writing this review I am not saying this is a bad game, but it is without a doubt, a VERY INCOMPLETE game.… Expand
  15. BrandonR
    Oct 3, 2009
    6
    Good game for a while. Replay value is surprisingly low, unlike Valve's other online masterpieces (TF2 and CS, namely). Lack of content and lack of variety of maps (especially after being spoiled by TF2) make the game dry up real fast. Additionally, because it's limited to 4 player or 8 player games, the frustration of losing far outweighs gratification of winning. Online Good game for a while. Replay value is surprisingly low, unlike Valve's other online masterpieces (TF2 and CS, namely). Lack of content and lack of variety of maps (especially after being spoiled by TF2) make the game dry up real fast. Additionally, because it's limited to 4 player or 8 player games, the frustration of losing far outweighs gratification of winning. Online players take this to heart, and consequently there are far more gamers in L4D ready to kick someone out of the server because they are new to the game and not a veteran player. This isn't Valve's fault, but a shortcoming of small team online FPS, which could be remedied by (read: MORE CONTENT) larger servers and more than 8-player gametypes.… Expand
  16. RyanJ.
    Jan 5, 2009
    6
    An excellent movie intro that falters in real gaming content. While shooting zombies the first few hours is quite fun and a decent change of pace to the typical FPS, the repetition eventually makes the player a zombie. I was not expecting a co-op only game so I docked points for no single player content or poor decision making single player characters (take your pick). While I find the An excellent movie intro that falters in real gaming content. While shooting zombies the first few hours is quite fun and a decent change of pace to the typical FPS, the repetition eventually makes the player a zombie. I was not expecting a co-op only game so I docked points for no single player content or poor decision making single player characters (take your pick). While I find the expert mode the only challenge for my FPS experience level, the lower difficulties help newbies get their feet wet and can make the game both humorous and frustrating. The server interface is non existent. Way too much reliance on dedicated servers that shut down without warning, crash and glitch often and usually match you with the highest ping server possible. Finding a suitable game often becomes a chore, sometimes sitting in a lobby for 5 minutes waiting for a search to finish. I've found hosting local games more reliable, but the players that get placed are usually on the other coast or out of country which gives them poor pings. Historically valve has done a decent job in patching the multiplayer experience and I hope this is not the exception. Like Return to Castle Wolfenstein multiplayer, the game is heavily reliant on a teamwork environment so having just one weak player usually means restarting levels often fueling the frustration to find better gaming partners. Server hopping seems to be normal. This game certainly does not apply to the Gung-Ho, Rambo style players. The $50.00 price tag seems a bit steep for the overall entertainment value.… Expand
  17. UchinaI.
    Apr 16, 2009
    6
    While the game brings a new flare to co-op games and is slightly addictive graphically, mechanically the game suffers from lack of content. Basically you are buying $50 worth of maps to play in, thats where most of the 7 gig folder size of this game comes from. There are only 7 weapons opposed to the 10 stated in the review: Dual Pistols, Shotgun, Uzi, Ar, Hunting Rifle, Molotov and Pipe While the game brings a new flare to co-op games and is slightly addictive graphically, mechanically the game suffers from lack of content. Basically you are buying $50 worth of maps to play in, thats where most of the 7 gig folder size of this game comes from. There are only 7 weapons opposed to the 10 stated in the review: Dual Pistols, Shotgun, Uzi, Ar, Hunting Rifle, Molotov and Pipe bombs. There are only 5 "boss" (that is used very loosely because there is only one true boss in my mind and thats the Tank) mutations in this game. Really only the Tank can be considered a boss, the rest are just mutations: Boomer, Smoker, Hunter, Witch, and Tank The rest of the game's enemy list is comprised of zombies. There are only 4 scenarios, each with at most 4 map sections. Each play through it will only take an average player that actually plays the game rather then running through the map around 35 to 45 minutes to beat. This means that there is little actual game play time, only around 5 hours. The multiplayer is supposed to be where its at. But verses mode is severely unbalanced and the Co-Op campaigns can easily be ruin by bad players or idiots the run through the map and leave the rest of the team behind in the dust to fend for themselves. Overall, unless the content update in April brings around 2 nre maps to each scenario and 2 new scenarios or ties the current scenarios together and adds new boss infected and new weapons, this is the first game I think i could say shame on Valve for, its a money grabber that leaves us gamers wanting a hell of a lot more then we got or will ever get from valve. In the commentary, forgot where exactly, there is a node where one of the devs says in summery that they skipped out on making lots of content because they wanted the community to make it for them, and that to me is B.S lol.… Expand
  18. CorvinousV
    Jun 14, 2009
    7
    A great game on its own merits, and entertaining the first time through the single player. Obviously however, the multiplayer is where this game really shines. Despite the different game modes, and the ingenious devices that promote a cohesive team, the excitement all wears off pretty quickly. The lack of variety stifles the game. The 16 maps, all grouped into quads of 4 called campaigns, A great game on its own merits, and entertaining the first time through the single player. Obviously however, the multiplayer is where this game really shines. Despite the different game modes, and the ingenious devices that promote a cohesive team, the excitement all wears off pretty quickly. The lack of variety stifles the game. The 16 maps, all grouped into quads of 4 called campaigns, seem small after a few hours of play, and very repetitive. Valve was late releasing a map kit for L4D, and only showed a modding community the love after announcing L4D 2, killing anyone desire to mod the game, and smashing any hope of getting additional content for it. The game is fun however, and is worth getting when it hits the 10 dollar bargain bins.… Expand
  19. SvenR
    Jun 4, 2009
    5
    IF the game starts, its a lot of fun to play it. Untill it crashs. Unfortunately, it crashs almost everytime when you play it, so its just worth a 5/10. This game includes more bugs then Gothic 3 and this us quite unbelievable, didnt think that a game can beat the buglvl of G3, but it happened. Congratz to Valve for this. Support? nothing. Bugfixes? Maybe you have to define for Valve what IF the game starts, its a lot of fun to play it. Untill it crashs. Unfortunately, it crashs almost everytime when you play it, so its just worth a 5/10. This game includes more bugs then Gothic 3 and this us quite unbelievable, didnt think that a game can beat the buglvl of G3, but it happened. Congratz to Valve for this. Support? nothing. Bugfixes? Maybe you have to define for Valve what that means.… Expand
  20. ChristopherB
    Aug 8, 2009
    7
    L4D. I say its a fun game to play due to the Co-op campaign. But Ill give it minus becouse the little choice of guns. Graphics are good 8/10, sound is good. Storyline 5/10. Whell the storyline is like all the other campaigns on L4D, all you have to to is to get extract from the "hot-zone" and then your done. Wich made me abit borred after a while. But if you love zombies you really shouldL4D. I say its a fun game to play due to the Co-op campaign. But Ill give it minus becouse the little choice of guns. Graphics are good 8/10, sound is good. Storyline 5/10. Whell the storyline is like all the other campaigns on L4D, all you have to to is to get extract from the "hot-zone" and then your done. Wich made me abit borred after a while. But if you love zombies you really should get it for 30 bucks from Steam.… Expand
  21. SeanM.
    Nov 20, 2008
    7
    Great game with not enough content. I hope my money helps them add more content for free. More levels.. More weapons... More types of bosses... Would be nice if there were more players allowed per game. How about a vehicle.
  22. Reviewer
    Dec 1, 2008
    6
    Left 4 Dead has the potential to be an 8/10 or even 9/10, but in its current state as of 12-01-2008 - it has been handicapped by a less-than-finished feel & numerous bugs. Luckily, the PC version is maintained through Valve's very own STEAM (http://www.Steampowered.com) - this will undoubtedly provide users with major-updates & content-additions (at no charge) for years to come (JustLeft 4 Dead has the potential to be an 8/10 or even 9/10, but in its current state as of 12-01-2008 - it has been handicapped by a less-than-finished feel & numerous bugs. Luckily, the PC version is maintained through Valve's very own STEAM (http://www.Steampowered.com) - this will undoubtedly provide users with major-updates & content-additions (at no charge) for years to come (Just as Valve has done for many of its other titles). With the additions of these updates (and with the history Valve has with their past titles) it is likely that this game will live up to the 8/9 or even 9/10 score as stated above and by numerous users & reviewers.

    The Flaws:
    ----------------

    A)
    The most noticeable issue for first-time users of the versus mode is simply the lack of content. While there are 4 'Movies' in the Cooperative/Single-Player campaigns - in versus, there are only 2; one of them being the least spectacular of the four (Blood Harvest), the other being that which was previewed in the Demo (No Mercy). While both are entertaining initially - they sometimes become tiring and leave you begging for the other two. Hopefully the addition of the original remaining two ('Death Toll' & 'Dead Air') will be released early 2009    … Expand
  23. AnonymousMC
    Dec 3, 2008
    6
    While the game fails to be original (who hasn't done a Zombie mod?) and is horribly limited in content (4 campaigns?! and 7 weapons?!) it tries really hard to do things not done before. The Director does an excellent job of applying some randomness to each campaign so you have to be constantly thinking tactically. Easy and Normal provide an environment where, unless you are set uponWhile the game fails to be original (who hasn't done a Zombie mod?) and is horribly limited in content (4 campaigns?! and 7 weapons?!) it tries really hard to do things not done before. The Director does an excellent job of applying some randomness to each campaign so you have to be constantly thinking tactically. Easy and Normal provide an environment where, unless you are set upon by Special Infected or a Horde, you can roam the map with impunity, the pinned mechanic works wonderfully and a lot of energy and attention has gone in to the visual and auditory style of the game (on my computer, the game is visually beautiful, in a dark and macbre way.) I don't even mind the fact that we're limited to only 4 skins for the Survivors and 6 skins for the special infected (altho, there are effectively thousands of skins for the horde). The voice acting is excellent also, and there is enough variety that you could probably play for a year and not have heard every line of speech. Where the game really falls down though is in the online multiplayer, which is a crime of epic proportions when you consider that this is a multiplayer game only. Matchmaking is barely functional, matching you to difficulty levels (putting you in an Expert game when you asked for a Normal one) and styles (A Versus game instead of a Campaign) and connection issues (joining you to a full game 4 times in a row) and connection issues (repeatedly timing out even when you've got "4 bars" good latency and matching you to servers on another continent where everyone's latency is "1 bar" bad bad bad.) I play, and will continue to play, and will even look forward to both fan released content and content released by Valve. I won't even hold this title much against Valve, since they purchased the title well in to it's development and had to live with the flaws of it's original developers. But, I am disappointed. 6 our of 10.… Expand
  24. Ricox
    Dec 30, 2008
    7
    This game is really good, I got it on christmas... Firstly, I tough it's gonna be perfect game, when I played 2 days.. I changed my mind, it's full of exploits and glitches... Altought the game is intresenting in my opinion, it still needs story and more campaings... I would rate Versus mode with 9, it's great, just it needs more maps, as there are only 2 campaings. ThisThis game is really good, I got it on christmas... Firstly, I tough it's gonna be perfect game, when I played 2 days.. I changed my mind, it's full of exploits and glitches... Altought the game is intresenting in my opinion, it still needs story and more campaings... I would rate Versus mode with 9, it's great, just it needs more maps, as there are only 2 campaings. This game is way too expensive, but it's somehow worth it.. If valve is going to patch it, then this surely will be great game. They're contiously giving little fixes to it, so it's not so bad.… Expand
  25. manuels.
    Oct 16, 2009
    7
    The game is not bad, unfortunatly i got bored too quickly, after only a week, I stoped playing and came back to COD4. The reason behind this is probably the fact that I purchased the game almost a year after his release, after a year, most of the players lost their interest and i found actually hard to find a server with 3 players to start a campaign.
  26. ScottC
    Oct 23, 2009
    5
    Id LOVE to be able to rate this game higher, the redeeming factor of L4D 2 coming out on Nov 17th does add some excitement, however, the fact its the same thing over and over and the fact that , besides myself, about 20,000 other people who feel the game was incomplete to begin with WILL NOT be buying. dont be cheap Valve, give moneys worth.... sadly disappointed. Oktobor STORM
  27. GeoffC.
    Jan 6, 2009
    5
    I must be the oldest Bill playing this game... I had lots of fun learning the game but now am tired of the struggle: I see no comments about the shortcomings so maybe no one is using the mouse and keyboard like I have to. The frustration is in the crossover reality shortcomings: the weapons are mismatched and the people are as well. Why can't I run faster than the Tank? I should at I must be the oldest Bill playing this game... I had lots of fun learning the game but now am tired of the struggle: I see no comments about the shortcomings so maybe no one is using the mouse and keyboard like I have to. The frustration is in the crossover reality shortcomings: the weapons are mismatched and the people are as well. Why can't I run faster than the Tank? I should at least be on par so I can dodge the stupid thing. And the best gun is the repeating shotgun and the worst is the pump action shotgun. The best weapon Should be the AR-15(M16) but it is not really here except as a visual. I think the programmers should portray it as a pellet pistol because that's all the damage I can do with the game version! The programmers should go out and try some of the guns at the shooting range or at least talk to people familiar with the weapons. I have a problem with the reality of changing the magazine and clearing a dud round etc, but give me a 300 round can and not the 50 round, or give a realistic hit level for the zombies. 4000 hits to take down a Tank!?Way too much. For Example,with the AR-15, I can kill you with less than the 20 rounds in a small clip in about 5 seconds, break every bone in your body and you'd be dead before the 10th round; so 4000 hits without any visible damage and having to change clips at least 20 times in teamwork or depend on fire or something else to stop the attack, is crazy. I also would like to carry more than one pipebomb, trudging around to get another one takes too much time, I would even give up some ammo for the weight. it's too frustrating mixing reality with fantasy, I guess I hate being at a disadvantage with superior firepower, it doesn't make much sense. Last note on weapons; there is a NATO option to have a mix of AP and tracer bullets for the M16, let's get some!… Expand
  28. KC
    Mar 3, 2009
    7
    it's fun for the first two or so times, but it get's repetitive thereafter from the lack of variety in enemies, maps and of course the weapons, which are really basic and plain to say the least. The versus mode online offers some redemption but that's about it, the plot is too thin, and did i mention about the limited weapons?
  29. AegisK
    Apr 29, 2009
    7
    A great game for FPS lovers, Left 4 Dead is a great blend of fast paced action, gripping action sequences and great design. However, the game is let down wi th a lack of content, ridiculously stupid AI, buggy levels and more exploits than your average beta release. The single player modes are quite simply, a pointless feature. It is neigh on impossible to complete any of the "movies" on A great game for FPS lovers, Left 4 Dead is a great blend of fast paced action, gripping action sequences and great design. However, the game is let down wi th a lack of content, ridiculously stupid AI, buggy levels and more exploits than your average beta release. The single player modes are quite simply, a pointless feature. It is neigh on impossible to complete any of the "movies" on the expert campaigns. Whats worse, with the new "survivor mode", world rankings simply haven't been included because of the large number of exploits and bugs in each of the 16 maps, with all but 1 taken from the 4 poorly produced "movies" the game has to offer. Great to play with friends as a team, but its not much different than counterstrike with the same flat appearance. The game also has a lack of strategic weaponry, lack of matchmaking options, and if you want to pay the hefty price of £28 for the game... you'd be better waiting till its at least below £20. Newer players to the FPS genre are also recommended to avoid this game, as the community seems to have adopted a no new player attitude.… Expand
  30. FoxJ
    May 12, 2009
    6
    This is more like a mod then a game with only 4 campaigns and a lack of story. You get two multiplayer modes either campaign co-op or versus. The problem in multiplayer is that one person is the director and while this could enhance the game by spawning infected to make the level harder or challenging, some just play around with players by pushing them off buildings or spawning 30 witches This is more like a mod then a game with only 4 campaigns and a lack of story. You get two multiplayer modes either campaign co-op or versus. The problem in multiplayer is that one person is the director and while this could enhance the game by spawning infected to make the level harder or challenging, some just play around with players by pushing them off buildings or spawning 30 witches in front of the safehouse. The game isn't really that scary you hear the special infected while they are 100 yards away so you know they are coming long before you see them. As for opening doors or looking in dark rooms yes there may be an infected behind the door but 9 out of 10 times they are facing away and just stand there after you shine the light on them. A friend talked me into buying this game and I feel like I just wasted $40 on something worth $10. Also don't get this unless you have friends who also have the game as the average player is aged 13-15 and will boot you from the game lobby if you don't have some experience with multiplayer first which one of my friends learned after being booted from the first 5 games he tried to play.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PC Game of 2008
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
10
#10 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 58 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 58
  3. Negative: 0 out of 58
  1. IGN
    90
    There's absolutely no doubt that Left 4 Dead is one of the most social and exciting multiplayer games that we've ever played. It's almost pitch perfect in how it captures the tension and the action of a Hollywood zombie movie.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpy
    90
    The inventive and highly entertaining competitive multiplayer mode just adds to the experience, and we're looking forward to seeing what Valve's got planned for the game's future. Out of all the titles that have shaped the Year of Living Cooperatively, this may be the best experience of them all.
    Read full review
  3. IGN UK
    92
    One of the finest zombie games ever made, and one of the finest co-op games ever made. The potential for everything to go so, so wrong without warning, or conversely to pull off the most spectacular escapes against all odds, means this is an online shooter you can tell your finest anecdotes about without boring everyone else to tears.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »