Left 4 Dead

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1396 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,057 out of 1396
  2. Mixed: 110 out of 1396
  3. Negative: 229 out of 1396
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  1. RandyM.
    Nov 22, 2008
    9
    This game has single handedly re-energized my enthusiasm for the FPS genre. Perfectly playable on a wide range of systems, and the gameplay and balance is very well thought out. Right now, this is the most fun you can have online with friends IMHO. And by the way, if you're not playing online with others, you're missing the whole point of the game. The only reason it misses a 10 This game has single handedly re-energized my enthusiasm for the FPS genre. Perfectly playable on a wide range of systems, and the gameplay and balance is very well thought out. Right now, this is the most fun you can have online with friends IMHO. And by the way, if you're not playing online with others, you're missing the whole point of the game. The only reason it misses a 10 is due to the limited number of maps and weapons. But I'm sure Valve will address that soon enough. And to Jack T who gave it a 0 because it's not good for kids... WTF dude? You know it IS rated "M" for mature. You should have to take an IQ test to produce offspring. *sigh*… Expand
  2. mikechabot
    Nov 20, 2008
    9
    While this game does lack in length it is still one of the best games out there to play with your friends. I requires more then the meaningless but sometime fun single player ownage as seen in games like Call of Duty 4/5. It requires you and your friends to work together to survive. This is a great game to have for when you have the guys over and is one that really gets you screamingWhile this game does lack in length it is still one of the best games out there to play with your friends. I requires more then the meaningless but sometime fun single player ownage as seen in games like Call of Duty 4/5. It requires you and your friends to work together to survive. This is a great game to have for when you have the guys over and is one that really gets you screaming at the t.v.… Expand
  3. Idoru
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    Fun, simple gameplay designed for fun with your friends. Not much content but assuming it recieces as much post launch attention as the orange box has then I think we should be OK. Not played enough yet to know wether or not thew AI make huge differance replayability wise. Even if it were the same though I'm sure I'd enjoy it just as much with the difficulty ramped right up.Fun, simple gameplay designed for fun with your friends. Not much content but assuming it recieces as much post launch attention as the orange box has then I think we should be OK. Not played enough yet to know wether or not thew AI make huge differance replayability wise. Even if it were the same though I'm sure I'd enjoy it just as much with the difficulty ramped right up. Simple the most fun I've had in ages over Live.… Expand
  4. RodneyH
    Dec 24, 2008
    9
    I'm glad I waited a while to pass final judgement on this game. I was sucked into the hype and the idea of mowing down zombies was all I needed to pick this up on release day. I fired it up and played through each single player campaign the first day as I have never seen the use of having a live membership. I sat there a bit replaying a level saying to myself "That's it?!" Short I'm glad I waited a while to pass final judgement on this game. I was sucked into the hype and the idea of mowing down zombies was all I needed to pick this up on release day. I fired it up and played through each single player campaign the first day as I have never seen the use of having a live membership. I sat there a bit replaying a level saying to myself "That's it?!" Short campaigns, minimal story, and a small selection of weapons. I had a month card laying around, popped in the code and jumped into a quick match. Entirely different game! The FPS mentality that is so ingrained was immediately tossed. Some moments are down right hilarious. Newer players looking for to run and gun taken down before anyone can get near them. Covering your team mates while they heal and reload. Yes the game can be simple and sometimes easy if played right, but one wrong move or a team mate lost at a desperate time can spell disaster for everyone. I love the director aspect that encourages searching every nook while penalizing you for taking the time to do so. Desperately searching for a health kit? Take too much time and the horde will be unleashed on you. Burn through the level and you will deal with less horde but more chances of running out of supplies at a critical moment. It is extremely well balanced. Yes the lack of weapons is frustrating at first but the deeper you look at them they are all different ways to play the game. I challenge everyone to get with a group of friends on "Dead Air" stick three friends on tail of the downed plane and one with the hunting rifle in the small storage area in the wall of the building. They attract the majority of the attention and leave you free to snipe any specials that may get the jump on them. They may drop a hundred infected, but you easily pop and protect them from 15 specials that could wreck everything. For all the hate the hunting rifle gets, it is hands down my favorite weapon in the game and deserving of way more love than its getting.… Expand
  5. ArjunSingh
    Dec 30, 2008
    9
    Left 4 Dead is a good concept that relies heavily on playing with other people. If one does not have a bunch of friends or xbox live, they're in for a bad experience. While single player isn't bad it's not the most fun thing in the world. The fun is playing with others through the zombie infested campaigns. The only issue with the game is that there are 4 different scenarios.
  6. DanoL
    Jan 10, 2009
    9
    I absolutely love this game. It's addictive, fun, and intense. The expert difficulty setting is extremely difficult and the random spawn of zombie hordes and bosses makes it a new situation every time. The multiplayer is great as well. Finally a game where people actually have to cooperate online in order to win. If you don't cooperate with your team, you will most assuredly I absolutely love this game. It's addictive, fun, and intense. The expert difficulty setting is extremely difficult and the random spawn of zombie hordes and bosses makes it a new situation every time. The multiplayer is great as well. Finally a game where people actually have to cooperate online in order to win. If you don't cooperate with your team, you will most assuredly die. The versus is the most fun I've had online in a while. I will say this about the lack of story, this is a zombie SURVIVAL game, not a STORY zombie game like Resident Evil. Your only goal is to survive, not to figure out why the world is infected or who could have done such an awful thing. It is purely about cooperating with your team and surviving the hordes of zombies that rush at you. For those who love fast paced shooters and multiplayer, this game is definitely for you. For those who crave a plot and story in their shooter, this game is probably not for you.… Expand
  7. GrantR
    Jan 19, 2009
    9
    ummm....well, I have no problem with somebody expressing their opinion, but I want to point out some misconceptions. There is plenty of ammo, seeing how the A.I. director throws some at your team when you are low, also it is unlimited when found so you can keep running back to an ammo pile until you've killed all of the zombies in an area. Next, if there were any more med packs, then ummm....well, I have no problem with somebody expressing their opinion, but I want to point out some misconceptions. There is plenty of ammo, seeing how the A.I. director throws some at your team when you are low, also it is unlimited when found so you can keep running back to an ammo pile until you've killed all of the zombies in an area. Next, if there were any more med packs, then the game wold get way too easy. When I played online my partners were great. You know why? I healed them a couple times and saved them another few. Everybody will get mad at you if you either don't help, or if you--for instance--have a medpack and over half health and decide not to heal your teammate who' s at about 10% health or less. As far as resident evil goes...this game doesn't rip it off. In RE the zombies are slow-moving diseased townspeople who use weapons and retain some human characteristics. In L4D the zombies are more like animals, moving extremely fast and attacking with their bare hands. Lastly there are 6 different types of infected in L4D with unique attacks and traits...so all the zombies aren't the same. I wouldn't get this for single player alone, it's worth it for the co-op and online.… Expand
  8. DomS.
    Jan 20, 2009
    9
    Left 4 dead is one of the most thrilling fun and tense experiencs ive had on a game to date. This game is almost perfect weather your slaughtering thousands of zombies with your freinds in desperatrion to survive, or rampaging around as a mighty tank. The only problem is the campaign story line, or lack of it. At first it is fun playing through the first storyless campaign and seeing the Left 4 dead is one of the most thrilling fun and tense experiencs ive had on a game to date. This game is almost perfect weather your slaughtering thousands of zombies with your freinds in desperatrion to survive, or rampaging around as a mighty tank. The only problem is the campaign story line, or lack of it. At first it is fun playing through the first storyless campaign and seeing the credits at the end like a real movie which its ment to be. Unfortunately this novelty wears of after a while and you start wondering, were the hell is the story on this thing. Hopefully valve will pick up on these flawes and I cant wait for any DLC they will be bringing out for this game… Expand
  9. EricM
    Dec 31, 2009
    9
    One of the best First Person Shooters I've ever played. Not since Halo 3 have I played a game so much!
  10. DylanI
    Jan 26, 2009
    9
    Love this game! Massive hoards of zombies, an excellent assortment of weapons, flawless map design and the best cooperative gameplay I have ever seen (yes, even better that Halo's). The only downside is the limited number of Campaigns but this could be easily fixed by some DLC (Please Valve!) As for Andy
  11. HagenM.
    Jan 7, 2009
    9
    Valve has done it yet again. Arguably the world's best game developer has put out yet another great title. This game takes a completely original look into the survival horror genre. More of a shooter, this game is the best co-op game ever in my opinion. You actaully need to communicate with your team, protect them from harm, and if they die, you die. The AI director is a break Valve has done it yet again. Arguably the world's best game developer has put out yet another great title. This game takes a completely original look into the survival horror genre. More of a shooter, this game is the best co-op game ever in my opinion. You actaully need to communicate with your team, protect them from harm, and if they die, you die. The AI director is a break through in gaming all together. It will change how items spawn, and how the enemies spawn depending on how well you are doing or how well you did in the previous chapter. The online is addictive as it is a challenge for both sides, and you must work as a team even as the infected.… Expand
  12. NajamU
    Feb 17, 2009
    9
    EXTREME! gameplay and shooting.I know dudes that there is no range of weapons like other FPS but why do you need a range of weapons in a shooting game for cryin' out loud.there is no fixed storyline which is a problem.But lets face it despite having no good storyline it's still fun.all of you people who are giving negative reviews are either joking,gone crazy or probably just EXTREME! gameplay and shooting.I know dudes that there is no range of weapons like other FPS but why do you need a range of weapons in a shooting game for cryin' out loud.there is no fixed storyline which is a problem.But lets face it despite having no good storyline it's still fun.all of you people who are giving negative reviews are either joking,gone crazy or probably just don't like shooting.what else do you expect from a shooter without shooting shooting and shooting.… Expand
  13. Austinm
    Feb 4, 2009
    9
    I actually disagree with some of the other reviews, it is just as fun playing split-screeen with a buddy as online. No that's out of the way, this game is great, although there is a lack of levels or story. Me and my friends play for hours ever week. Only lonely gamers shouldnt ppick this up. overall good game PROS: great multiplayer, great sound effects, great balance of weapons I actually disagree with some of the other reviews, it is just as fun playing split-screeen with a buddy as online. No that's out of the way, this game is great, although there is a lack of levels or story. Me and my friends play for hours ever week. Only lonely gamers shouldnt ppick this up. overall good game PROS: great multiplayer, great sound effects, great balance of weapons CONS: gets repetitive, okay graphics, and not good for lonely gamers.… Expand
  14. SamS
    May 16, 2009
    9
    Another outstanding online game from Valve. You join a group of four survivors in a mortal struggle against the zombie horde. One interesting twist is that no two games are ever the same. Positions of special enemies vary from game to game, making these appearances from the larger 'Tank' and lurking 'Witch' nearly always a surprise. It's a real treat to play on Another outstanding online game from Valve. You join a group of four survivors in a mortal struggle against the zombie horde. One interesting twist is that no two games are ever the same. Positions of special enemies vary from game to game, making these appearances from the larger 'Tank' and lurking 'Witch' nearly always a surprise. It's a real treat to play on Xbox Live, especially with friends. It's a game that knows exactly what makes it fun, and succeeds at being so.… Expand
  15. BradS.
    Nov 17, 2008
    9
    This game takes the survival genre and mixes it with amazing environments, game play and online play. The place where the game shines in in its co-op, up to four players attempt to survive this mini zombie-apocalypse. The simplicity of game play, accompanied with a simple awesome finish, make this a great game. AND I WILL USE AS MANY CAPS AS I WANT! lol; sorry there, but this is a great This game takes the survival genre and mixes it with amazing environments, game play and online play. The place where the game shines in in its co-op, up to four players attempt to survive this mini zombie-apocalypse. The simplicity of game play, accompanied with a simple awesome finish, make this a great game. AND I WILL USE AS MANY CAPS AS I WANT! lol; sorry there, but this is a great game. 9/10… Expand
  16. Elliotew
    Nov 17, 2008
    9
    I thought that this game was great. i dont see why it has such a low score from the users. i think that this game was a new experience because your traditional zombie game has slow and boring zombies while in this game the zombies actually run after you...this game reminds of the 28 weeks later flicks but without all the zombies throwing up blood. overall this game is a new experience to I thought that this game was great. i dont see why it has such a low score from the users. i think that this game was a new experience because your traditional zombie game has slow and boring zombies while in this game the zombies actually run after you...this game reminds of the 28 weeks later flicks but without all the zombies throwing up blood. overall this game is a new experience to me and probably to alot of other players too. this game was not a disappointment. great job valve, keep it up!… Expand
  17. ChrisH
    Nov 18, 2008
    9
    Simply amazing, if you want to experience a game that demands teamwork and cooperation- and also wow's its players with amazing graphics, visual effects, blood & gore, cinematic nuances, and raw intensity, get this game. Perhaps the best attribute about L4D is the AI, its impossible to predict whats going to happen. You can play the same level 100 times and never see the same spawn Simply amazing, if you want to experience a game that demands teamwork and cooperation- and also wow's its players with amazing graphics, visual effects, blood & gore, cinematic nuances, and raw intensity, get this game. Perhaps the best attribute about L4D is the AI, its impossible to predict whats going to happen. You can play the same level 100 times and never see the same spawn setups, truely amazing. Perhaps the only flaw with L4D is that the other difficulty levels dont quite deliver the chills and thrills that expert does, it seems to have a sever difference between expert and advanced- so novice fps players may not get the same experience as more seasoned ones.… Expand
  18. Homestar2084
    Nov 21, 2008
    9
    This game is great. I have always trusted Valve to make quality games, and this one does not dissappoint. There could have been a more in-depth story, but the great gameplay distracts from that.

    Even though there's no defined story, the characters have their own personality. While in an elevater, the war-verteran Bill said, "If I start to turn, don't hesitate to shoot."    This game is great. I have always trusted Valve to make quality games, and this one does not dissappoint. There could have been a more in-depth story, but the great gameplay distracts from that.

    Even though there's no defined story, the characters have their own personality. While in an elevater, the war-verteran Bill said, "If I start to turn, don't hesitate to shoot."
    Francis, the biker, replyed, "If your beard starts to turn, can we shoot that?"
    "Shut up, Francis."

    The gameplay is the big point of the game. The AI Director keeps you on your toes by throwing all sorts of twists and changes. While holding out on a rooftop waiting for a helicopter, our team had to holdout a 15 minute zombie swarm. playing on the second-highest difficulty, this was not an easy feat. Constant swarms of zombies combined with random boss zombies thrown in battered us to the point of death. When the helicopter arrived, I immidiatly jumped on. The AI was a bit too focused on killing the zombie horde and the Tank that had just come instead of hopping on the chopper. I had 17 health left, and the rest of my team died.

    Although the AI is smarter than common bots, they are programmed to kill everything first, then complete an objective. It'd be more realistic if the AI would immidiatly run to the objective, rather than stand and shoot.

    I haven't played online yet, But I'm sure it will be incredibly fun, and my experiences with the demo were.    … Expand
  19. TimB
    Nov 23, 2008
    9
    I'd have to say that I am impressed with the game. I play it on PC and have to admit the graphics are a little low-tier, but the reasoning behind that is when you have 60+ models on the screen it tends to slow the action down, especially in a four-player game. The non-repeating mob placement and open-endedness of this game make it very dynamic and different every time you play. It is I'd have to say that I am impressed with the game. I play it on PC and have to admit the graphics are a little low-tier, but the reasoning behind that is when you have 60+ models on the screen it tends to slow the action down, especially in a four-player game. The non-repeating mob placement and open-endedness of this game make it very dynamic and different every time you play. It is a great buy, though maybe not for $60. You really get your money's worth by playing on LIVE/Steam. That is where the fun is. Nothing like swatting a hunter off a friend 500 miles away and blasting him on the headset. GG valve.… Expand
  20. AlexS
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    My favorite game at the moment. keep in mind, this is a MULTIPLAYER game. If you want to enjoy the game make sure you play it online. Hence, there's no story needed. Suprisingly, most players really try to play as team-oriented as possible and many use the built-in voice chat feature. It may take a while sometimes, but once you're in a capable team, this game is just a blast.
  21. KeithB.
    Nov 27, 2008
    9
    Left 4 Dead will be the third game behind Aliens Online and Counter-Strike (before they added radar) that I will play intensely for years straight. I would give it a ten except that two campaigns are missing from the versus mode and because the menu and lobby options are a bit clunky, such as not having a Gears 2-copied "What's Up" feature that I can use from almost any menu. It Left 4 Dead will be the third game behind Aliens Online and Counter-Strike (before they added radar) that I will play intensely for years straight. I would give it a ten except that two campaigns are missing from the versus mode and because the menu and lobby options are a bit clunky, such as not having a Gears 2-copied "What's Up" feature that I can use from almost any menu. It would be very difficult to improve the gameplay, though.… Expand
  22. DavidB.
    Dec 19, 2008
    9
    Left 4 Dead is a "must have" for zombie movie enthusiasts that also love first person shooters. The music, the lighting, sound effects, and graphics all add to the psychological tension as you play. The game is unpredictable in terms of knowing when or where the hoarde will strike next. The two biggest issues I have with it are: 1) the small number of weapons to choose from, and 2) that Left 4 Dead is a "must have" for zombie movie enthusiasts that also love first person shooters. The music, the lighting, sound effects, and graphics all add to the psychological tension as you play. The game is unpredictable in terms of knowing when or where the hoarde will strike next. The two biggest issues I have with it are: 1) the small number of weapons to choose from, and 2) that you can ocassionally see some enemies "clipping" through the walls. It is also worth mentioning that the game is much more fun to play in coop. mode than it is in single player. This game is worth getting, especially if you love to be scared by zombies.… Expand
  23. MattR
    Dec 24, 2008
    9
    A Fantastic game. Yes it is short and there are other valid criticisms but like Crackdown, this is a game that puts the fun first and none of it's faults really matter. Not worth playing as a single player but on Live or even better with mates, this game is Godly Good. For Zombie fans, it is as though Source have harvested all our best zombie film memories and packaged them into one A Fantastic game. Yes it is short and there are other valid criticisms but like Crackdown, this is a game that puts the fun first and none of it's faults really matter. Not worth playing as a single player but on Live or even better with mates, this game is Godly Good. For Zombie fans, it is as though Source have harvested all our best zombie film memories and packaged them into one very polished video game. Recommended, would gib again A+++++… Expand
  24. Kyle
    Feb 14, 2009
    9
    This is a good game, if you leave aside all previous civilization games, but otherwise, civilization did not live up to sandards. The top 5 mistake i found were: 5. Cpu agressiveness - If you aren't recieving a death threat every two turns in this game, you either have a ridiculuosly vast army or you're the guy with the nuke. Its impossible to stay out of war, because even when This is a good game, if you leave aside all previous civilization games, but otherwise, civilization did not live up to sandards. The top 5 mistake i found were: 5. Cpu agressiveness - If you aren't recieving a death threat every two turns in this game, you either have a ridiculuosly vast army or you're the guy with the nuke. Its impossible to stay out of war, because even when you give your hard earned technology, great people, or gold, in 4 turns they demand more. Gets very aggravatiing. 4. No "workers" - You're probably familiar with the worker concept - find the resource, build a road to it, and construct the appropriate contraption for extracting the resource. In CivRev, there are no workers, and resources just float themselves to you i suppose, once you discover them. Which means in PC versions, if you liked being "the guy with all the oil" In CivRev, there is no such title. 3. One way highway on death threats - Not only do they come at you every 2 turns demading everything, but if you're the guy who should be throwing the threats, too bad. From playing the game, i have not been able to find how to threaten other people out of their goods. The closest I've come is kicking some nads so hard they'll pay me 25 gold to stop. When the ball's in your court, this really takes a powerful arsenal out of your repitoire. 2. Diplomacy - Someone enlighten me. How could they have messed up the diplomacy this bad? You start a diplomacy, an your only options are - tech for money, or money for tech - I dont think i need to go into how elaboorate trading was in PC civ games. 1. Game Customization - This is by far the only mistake i have have not been able to overcome. You pick a scenario, or single player, pick a civilization, and you've begun. There's no option on how long you want to game to be, world climate, water level, land layout, barbarian aggressiveness, its ideally the same game every time. You do the math.… Expand
  25. HeathisaWhiner
    Nov 25, 2008
    9
    Heath, I'm praying to 4 different gods that you're 8 years old. That's the only way your comments won't come off as any one of the following adjectives: arrogant, dumb, annoying, idiotic, super-idiotic, or mega-idiotic. "360 owners" and other console owners are not a singular breed of human being. Don't be one of those weird, stereotypical PC nerd/douche bag Heath, I'm praying to 4 different gods that you're 8 years old. That's the only way your comments won't come off as any one of the following adjectives: arrogant, dumb, annoying, idiotic, super-idiotic, or mega-idiotic. "360 owners" and other console owners are not a singular breed of human being. Don't be one of those weird, stereotypical PC nerd/douche bag hybrids who thinks they shit gold because they use all their fingers simultaneously to play Fallout. Ugh, what a twat. Oh yeah! Left 4 Dead is good!… Expand
  26. JustinL
    Nov 29, 2008
    9
    Repetitive fun, you will be able to play these (few) levels over and over, without getting bored of it. I can understand that people don't quite like it because it's not the most varied game, but you will never grow bored of killing hordes of zombies while waiting for someone to save you. I mean, who doesn't love killing zombies!? Best played on Live, or it will not be the Repetitive fun, you will be able to play these (few) levels over and over, without getting bored of it. I can understand that people don't quite like it because it's not the most varied game, but you will never grow bored of killing hordes of zombies while waiting for someone to save you. I mean, who doesn't love killing zombies!? Best played on Live, or it will not be the same experience.… Expand
  27. bobsmith
    Dec 22, 2008
    9
    great game. There could be more levels and weapons, but valve/steam should add those with time (and the users once the SDK is released). Also, more zombie types would make the game better too. The "AI director" really keeps this game from being stale. The COOP aspect of this game is phenominal. I'm a huge coop fan, and there are not enough coop games in my view. This one reallygreat game. There could be more levels and weapons, but valve/steam should add those with time (and the users once the SDK is released). Also, more zombie types would make the game better too. The "AI director" really keeps this game from being stale. The COOP aspect of this game is phenominal. I'm a huge coop fan, and there are not enough coop games in my view. This one really fills that niche.… Expand
  28. Justinavery7074
    Dec 4, 2012
    9
    Zombie games are well, out there. they could be awesome and they could be boring. THis is one of the better zombie games out there. It's fun and at the time, was pretty scary.
  29. starmario123
    Apr 27, 2011
    9
    9/10 = Amazing = One of the best online Co-op/ Versus games to date. Extremely well designed and very fun overall.
  30. hydeks
    Nov 21, 2010
    9
    I don't think Valve can make a bad game...cause this surely isn't one. Everything about this game is fun, especially the different types of special infected. This is a great game to play multiplayer on xbox live with and not ever really get bored of this game, as long as you long killing very fast undead.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
6
#6 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
26
#26 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 67
  3. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    95
    Left 4 Dead's simplicity offers purity of gameplay - the same reason that gamers keep returning to classic arcade games. Come to think of it, with a handful of levels and unpredictable events happening within them, Left 4 Dead has more in common with "Ms. Pac-Man" than just the eating. It's the same thing over and over - but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh. [Holiday 2008, p.32]
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
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