User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1396 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. HeathL.
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    Pros: Amazing blend of action, horror, co-op, vs, and single player. This game generates an amazing amount of replayability and immersion with the AI director shaking things up with every play through. Each campaign has a different feel and covers a vast amount of ground without letting players get lost along the way. Watching zombies swarm around a pipe bomb and disappear in a mist of Pros: Amazing blend of action, horror, co-op, vs, and single player. This game generates an amazing amount of replayability and immersion with the AI director shaking things up with every play through. Each campaign has a different feel and covers a vast amount of ground without letting players get lost along the way. Watching zombies swarm around a pipe bomb and disappear in a mist of blood and shrapnel will never get old. In the same vein, snagging the last standing survivor with the smoker's tongue just as he reaches a fallen comrade is diabolical in it's hilarity. Cons: The game was wasted on 360 owners, most of whom wouldn't know a good game if it pounced on them and clawed their faces off. Griefing idiots make the co-op experience a considerably less fun. Rare, but incredibly aggravating bugs such as jumping down from a ledge a short distance and having the game think you'll fall to your death, making you hang there until you either die or are rescued. Bottom line: This game is hands down the best multiplayer game of the year, the best co-op game in memory, and may well prove to be one of the best games of the last (or next) ten years. Do yourself a favor, if you have a pc that will run this game, buy a copy yesterday. If you have a 360, pawn your noob-box and get a pc so you can L2 play real games; ones you don't have to pay a fee to enjoy online. Failing that, the 360 version is still a beacon of gaming brilliance in a sea of utter mediocrity. Expand
  2. FlareArmoru
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Game is great.
    Michael G. , if you dont like Valve's games maybe you shouldn't spend your time reviewing the game and find something else to do... writing a long ass review on how much you dislike everything really seems like you need a life...
    Jack T. It's a zombie game. Iuno, maybe the proper way to play such a game is to go up to it and kiss and start talking to
    Game is great.
    Michael G. , if you dont like Valve's games maybe you shouldn't spend your time reviewing the game and find something else to do... writing a long ass review on how much you dislike everything really seems like you need a life...

    Jack T. It's a zombie game. Iuno, maybe the proper way to play such a game is to go up to it and kiss and start talking to it in a Dating Sim kind of way. It's a mature zombie game, rate it 0 if you don't think its a GOOD MATURE BLOODY ZOMBIE GAME, NOT CUS UR A FUCKING CHICKEN SHIT. Go online and play maplestory and stop hating on everything you dont like. Plus, where the fuck u find the time to do that anyway? Get a life.

    Steve S. Buy a good movie. They have the best graphics. You seem like you will love movies over games. Go to blockbuster and rent a scary movie. Dont need to get a life, get a brain.

    skipping Daniel M. cus I have nothing good to say to him.
    Anyway... Game's great. Playing it on Adv and getting killed so baddly w/ my freinds at night. 3 hrs to pass Dead Air. IT WAS AWESOME!!

    Loved the whole team concept. You always goto go and save someone or get saved other every 30 seconds to a min. Only time we had to drop the teamwork was the final run to safty and beating the round, Sacrifice someone since we were all hurt too bad so that the rest could snipe from a good distance. And when theres only like 1 or 2 people left and had to rescuse survivors for backup. It is Awesome~ >_<

    Happy shooting =D Don't get too trigger happy though.
    Expand
  3. MattA
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    Ridiculously fun when played with friends. Almost unmatched. Each campaign is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours long, and changes each time you play. It doesn't get old! It's great to pick up and play one campaign a night in between other games. Versus mode is also a joy to play, as both human or zombie. The true cinematic feel of the game is apparent throughout, and it pays constant Ridiculously fun when played with friends. Almost unmatched. Each campaign is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours long, and changes each time you play. It doesn't get old! It's great to pick up and play one campaign a night in between other games. Versus mode is also a joy to play, as both human or zombie. The true cinematic feel of the game is apparent throughout, and it pays constant homage to the greats of zombie lore. Great game... very fun...enough said. Expand
  4. Matt
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    Look. For anyone looking for a very fun game no matter how long you play it, this is your game. Anyone who says it is short, they are clearly playing on lower difficulties! Once you try going through these hordes with your friend beside you on expert, it becomes a whole new and exciting game. Just buy, play, and have fun!
  5. BoilingOil
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    I've been playing this game non stop since the hour it was released. I can't get enough of shooting zombies through the heart, to watch the full out run come to a staggering halt. The source engine is by far superior to any other on the market - well, maybe rivaled only by the current rendition of the Unreal Engine. In my opinion id has a whole lot to make up for. But anyways I've been playing this game non stop since the hour it was released. I can't get enough of shooting zombies through the heart, to watch the full out run come to a staggering halt. The source engine is by far superior to any other on the market - well, maybe rivaled only by the current rendition of the Unreal Engine. In my opinion id has a whole lot to make up for. But anyways back to Valve's stab at Game Of The Year. Ok i'll cut it short - This is the most fun and most challenging game i've played this year. Expand
  6. JoshK
    Dec 1, 2008
    10
    This game is amazing and fun for replay ability. Those who voted low obviously don't have close knit friends and groups to play with where the lobby and game matchmaking come in for pure joy! Honestly anyone who complains about the graphics on this needs to realize games don't have to have the "best" graphics ever to be one of the most fun games! I just finished another Versus This game is amazing and fun for replay ability. Those who voted low obviously don't have close knit friends and groups to play with where the lobby and game matchmaking come in for pure joy! Honestly anyone who complains about the graphics on this needs to realize games don't have to have the "best" graphics ever to be one of the most fun games! I just finished another Versus run through on Blood Harvest and it remains in my memory still 30 minutes later as it was a total back and forth point lead switchin guns a blazin ZOMBIE FEST! Please also remember this is a ZOMBIE game and you will... get this... face many many many a zombie. GO CHICAGO TED!!!! Expand
  7. ColinH
    Jan 13, 2009
    10
    Describing how to best enjoy this game is simple. If you have Xbox Live and can enjoy multiplayer gaming, purchase this ASAP. It's one of the better multiplayer games I've played in the last few years, and one of the best co-op games I've ever played. Most people I see faulting this game are gamers without an Xbox Live account. Playing single player with only bots would Describing how to best enjoy this game is simple. If you have Xbox Live and can enjoy multiplayer gaming, purchase this ASAP. It's one of the better multiplayer games I've played in the last few years, and one of the best co-op games I've ever played. Most people I see faulting this game are gamers without an Xbox Live account. Playing single player with only bots would definitely get tedious, but as someone with Live I can't fault the game for that. Online it's an absolute blast. And don't be put off the by the thought of only 4 campaigns or the idea of constant co-op gameplay because there's also the fantastic Versus mode. It's possibly even more fun than the standard co-op. The ability to play as the zombies, and the threat of a human zombie team when playing as the survivors adds a whole new dimension to the game that ramps up the fun factor ten fold. Not to mention the fact that Valve plans to keep the game supported for a long time with new DLC content. They've already announced that the first package of downloadable content will be available soon. If you're looking for a shooter with plenty of action, tight gameplay, and absolutely fantastic multiplayer gaming, then look no further than Left 4 Dead. Expand
  8. AlphaKennyOneUp
    Jan 2, 2009
    10
    Best co-op game of all-time. No denying that. If you gave this game any less than a six, than you're an idiot who never played online. IT IS A GAME OBVIOUSLY CENTERED AROUND ONLINE PLAY. IF YOU DID NOT HAVE XBOX LIVE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT THE GAME. All that aside, there will be DLC really soon, so no more of playing No Mercy all the time on Versus.
  9. MikeH.
    Jan 25, 2009
    10
    Let me start off by saying that Left 4 Dead is lacking in the depth--and length--department. Still, it is worthy of many, MANY play-throughs. Fairly, straight-forward, the premise consists of four immune survivors fighting their way through hordes of zombies and towards salvation. Relying heavily on the teamwork mechanic, the game really shines when you're playing it with a others Let me start off by saying that Left 4 Dead is lacking in the depth--and length--department. Still, it is worthy of many, MANY play-throughs. Fairly, straight-forward, the premise consists of four immune survivors fighting their way through hordes of zombies and towards salvation. Relying heavily on the teamwork mechanic, the game really shines when you're playing it with a others over Xbox LIVE. The lack of depth, normally a downfall, actually works in L4D's advantage this time around. The simple but still intense gameplay allows gamers to jump in at any time and have fun. Run, shoot, survive (or die), rinse and repeat. If you're looking for a lot of story and depth, you might want to skip this one. But if you look at it as a fun a way to pass the time, slaughtering zombies by the hundreds and just have fun, you're bound to find this worth your time and money...repeatedly! Expand
  10. PatrickJ
    Oct 2, 2009
    10
    Excellent Game. When I first picked it up on it's release I was worried because it only had 4 maps. My Best Friend and I played through all 4 campaigns in the first 5 hours of the game and I was sitting there like "That's it". So then we upped the ante and started playing on Expert and got our butts handed to us. So with the achievements pounding at the back of our minds (I am a Excellent Game. When I first picked it up on it's release I was worried because it only had 4 maps. My Best Friend and I played through all 4 campaigns in the first 5 hours of the game and I was sitting there like "That's it". So then we upped the ante and started playing on Expert and got our butts handed to us. So with the achievements pounding at the back of our minds (I am a chievo junkie) we continued to play it, initially to get the full 1000. However, once I got the 1000, we still continued to play it (something that I NEVER do). Only then did I realize that Valve really had something there. So what if the 4 maps seem short. With the Versus, Survival, and Campaign, plus the addition of a new Map, this game has still remained fresh, something that is very hard to do. So good job, Valve, my hat is off to you. And for anyone looking to get the game, do it. You will be thankfull Expand
  11. CodyC.
    Feb 9, 2009
    10
    This game is the best I have Played in a while. If isn't just reload shoot shoot shoot reload. It is more then that. You get the fun of being just about killed by a horde of zombies, whats not fun with that. I can say they should just have one big game not four but they are really awesome by them selfs. They game is way better though if you have more then one live player at a time. This game is the best I have Played in a while. If isn't just reload shoot shoot shoot reload. It is more then that. You get the fun of being just about killed by a horde of zombies, whats not fun with that. I can say they should just have one big game not four but they are really awesome by them selfs. They game is way better though if you have more then one live player at a time. They should make a level like Dead Rising were you are stuck in a mall. That would be a good idea for a level for Left 4 Dead 2 if they make one. So overall i like how the game is made and designed. Expand
  12. mattk
    Jun 2, 2009
    10
    This game represents what can be done well with Xbox Live. With its intense multiplayer experience and endless replay value via AI Director. I recommend it to anyone looking for zombie co-op fun.
  13. AlecM
    Jul 14, 2009
    10
    Anton S, how are the graphics ripped from Half LIfe 2? THEIR COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DUMBASS
    This game isn't repetitive, every game is different due to the AI director dumb shit.And there is no need for plot or acting, just look at css!

    Rowan F this game was meant for REPLAYABILITY for fuck sakes, dont say shit if you dont know shit.
  14. AshtonJ
    Aug 8, 2009
    10
    I have done the same missions 500 times and I want to do them 5,000 more! This game is garbage on your own but on Xbox live this is the best game I have yet to play. The satisfaction of blasting away hundreds of zombies with friends and strangers is relentless. The options of customization are few but with such a near-perfect product it is all I could need. If I want to run through I have done the same missions 500 times and I want to do them 5,000 more! This game is garbage on your own but on Xbox live this is the best game I have yet to play. The satisfaction of blasting away hundreds of zombies with friends and strangers is relentless. The options of customization are few but with such a near-perfect product it is all I could need. If I want to run through carelessly blasting zombies Normal or Easy campaigns are perfect. When I want a challenge I play Expert Campaign or Versus. Playing against other people in Versus makes the game so much more difficult but its a challenge you and your team can overcome. Expert campaigns can be extremely hard but I appreciate this challenge. In Expert mode one or two friendly fire shots can cripple your ally and a handful of zombie smacks does the same. This makes the game play much more careful and thoughtful but also gives it some realism. If you shot a friend it would knock the hell out of him. This is a game stripped of anything not needed and it plays beautifully for it. I LOVE this game and highly recommend it. Expand
  15. robb
    Sep 1, 2009
    10
    Quite simply one of the top three games of 2008 and one of the best of all time the graphics even though using an engine that is starting to show its age are billiant and the gameplay is as addictive as crack but alot more fun ok it does not have a story but it does not need one which by todays standards is quite refreshing it is just pure gameplay with a twist and that twist comes in the Quite simply one of the top three games of 2008 and one of the best of all time the graphics even though using an engine that is starting to show its age are billiant and the gameplay is as addictive as crack but alot more fun ok it does not have a story but it does not need one which by todays standards is quite refreshing it is just pure gameplay with a twist and that twist comes in the flavour of the best co op mulitiplayer game ever created.even though l4d only has four missions you could play each one four hundred times over and still find new experiences each time you strap your headset on.if you are on live buy this now and if you are not get on live and buy it anyway. Expand
  16. ThomasL.
    Nov 17, 2008
    10
    Best zombie game yet. Every turn reveals a new futile situation where you think "there's no way we can get out of this!" But, working together, there is always a way out. People who like to run-and-gun or those who go off on their own for points grabbing will not do well in this game. Fight together or die alone.
  17. WillH.
    Nov 18, 2008
    10
    BASED ON THE DEMO: This game was one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. And that was just the demo. The spawn points for enemies, weapons, even the music effects and the like change every playthrough and when you get a good group of guys to play with, this game is amazing. GOTY-quality.
  18. JonW
    Nov 19, 2008
    10
    This is the best instance of Co-operative game play that i've ever experienced. The game is entirely beautifully paced, dramatically dynamic and insanely fun. There have been complaints regarding the length of the individual campaigns but to be totally honest, with the random and variable enemy spawning there is hundreds of hours of gameplay here. It should be noted though that this This is the best instance of Co-operative game play that i've ever experienced. The game is entirely beautifully paced, dramatically dynamic and insanely fun. There have been complaints regarding the length of the individual campaigns but to be totally honest, with the random and variable enemy spawning there is hundreds of hours of gameplay here. It should be noted though that this game is completely dependent on who you play it with. If you have friends in the online community that you trust you will have an excellent experience battling through slogs and slogs of the undead horde. LIkewise if you strictly play through as a pubber you'll feel the frustration of constantly having to rescue and heal incompetent players and greifers. Expand
  19. Kotsu
    Nov 20, 2008
    10
    left 4 dead is freaking awsome! anyone who voted bad on this game doesn't deserve to rate anything ever again. If you have played the "demo" (the full games not even out yet) you would get a "small" taste of what the real game is like. Super fast and super uber zombies keep this game fast paced and always asking where did Bill go?
  20. SMcD
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    Great game indeed. The reviewers here that are giving the game low scores because of poor graphics and sound etc don't have a clue!! this game is based on some old sterotypical cheesie zombie movie and the sound acting and graphics are meant to add to this (which it does).
  21. Left4DeadKing
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    I just bought the game last night. It was worth every cent. I am not big on fighting games, i stick to the sports games, but wow take my advice and get this game. To give you a background of the game here you go. There is 5 different stages and each one has about 5 chapters if i remember correctly. There is 4 different difficulties. I choose the 2nd hardest just to start. I did single I just bought the game last night. It was worth every cent. I am not big on fighting games, i stick to the sports games, but wow take my advice and get this game. To give you a background of the game here you go. There is 5 different stages and each one has about 5 chapters if i remember correctly. There is 4 different difficulties. I choose the 2nd hardest just to start. I did single player and had a blast. The computer plays well with you. Your team mates heal you and protect you like you would expect. The fact that literally 50-100 zombies will come flying out at once unexpected it awesome. Tons of narrow places with zombies waiting. Some of them dont really bother you. In fact i went into a bedroom with a zombie just slamming her head against a wall???? Either way i just went up and owner her soul but still made me laugh. And the witch was a nice touch. (Just dont shine the light on her or its pretty much game over for you). I then played co op with a buddy. We put the difficutly one more up to the third hardest. And that was def hard. Not impossible but def a challenge. Just when you think you have a place under control think again. This game rarely lets you rest. And this is not a game that once you beat it your like "time to trade in". This game will forever be fun. Mark my words. I dont play video games a lot but man this is something im trying to make more time for. I was seriously thinking about calling out of work to play more. haha. anyways hope this gives you a little boost to go out and buy it. Hit me up when online with x box live. USA CHAMPS. later. Expand
  22. JonS
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    All of the naysayers on this board probably played it for an hour or so without trying it on either the higher difficulties, didn't play it with a friend or online, or didn't play the versus mode. It's a BLAST. Anyone who has played it with friends or a good team online will tell you that it is an amazing play experience.
  23. FanboyHater
    Oct 29, 2008
    10
    WOW, stop rating this low you stupid PS3 fanboys. Your so bitter cause Valve hates the PS3 it's kinda sad, get over it. Your gonna get L4D eventually, it's been confirmed so relax & stop attacking this game you losers. I give it a 10 to try & save this game a little till it ACTUALLY comes out so people can insert "REAL" reviews.
  24. MikkoKurkinen
    Jan 14, 2009
    10
    Every1 who says this game sucks are probably idiots who doesent understand masterpiece games like this! Games simple idea of rushing and shooting zombies works very well! It isnt so fun on single player but whit 3 friends, its probably best multiplayer game ever made. BUY THIS GAME if you like zombies and network shooters.
  25. RielC.
    Jan 21, 2009
    10
    Left For Dead is the most fun game on the 360 I have ever played. It is so addicting, and on Xbox Live you cannot stop playing. It is so dang fun, i don't know how to describe it. Andy A is dumb. They limit your health and ammo supply to give the game a challenge. Its not about beating each level, its just doing better than the other team. (First you play as the humans, with the Left For Dead is the most fun game on the 360 I have ever played. It is so addicting, and on Xbox Live you cannot stop playing. It is so dang fun, i don't know how to describe it. Andy A is dumb. They limit your health and ammo supply to give the game a challenge. Its not about beating each level, its just doing better than the other team. (First you play as the humans, with the second team as the zombies, then vice versa the next round) I was having fun even when I wasn't beating the other team. Me and my friend got so addicted, we played until 6:00 AM but then we got the RROD lol. Ohh well. This is a must-have for any Xbox 360 owner. Expand
  26. StevenE
    Jan 24, 2009
    10
    One of the best coop multi-player games out there. You have to actually work with your team and rely on them, which most games lack. This is one aspect of the game that makes it so much greater then "the run around do what you want shoot-em up games" that lack true teamwork. The only downside with this game could be that you absolutely need Xbox Live to enjoy everything it has to offer, One of the best coop multi-player games out there. You have to actually work with your team and rely on them, which most games lack. This is one aspect of the game that makes it so much greater then "the run around do what you want shoot-em up games" that lack true teamwork. The only downside with this game could be that you absolutely need Xbox Live to enjoy everything it has to offer, which is still a minor disappointment if you enjoy just playing on lower difficulties. Expand
  27. JeffM
    Jan 26, 2009
    10
    A team game that focuses on precision, communication, and good squad skills that is also scary! It can be a little disorienting at first but most get the hang of it. Find a sociable group of friends to try it out and don't get too hung up on dying - it will happen. A lot.
  28. StephenR.
    Feb 4, 2009
    10
    Ok, L4D is the premier FPS that has hit the Xbox in a while, and has an online addiction that rivals Halo 3 or even COD4. L4D is beautifully simplistic. Most people bag on the mechanic of the simple run, shoot, reload, shoot, walk, shoot, kill witch, run again, shoot, get saved that is seen in all 4 campaigns, but that's all the players need. If the devs decided to try and mix in a Ok, L4D is the premier FPS that has hit the Xbox in a while, and has an online addiction that rivals Halo 3 or even COD4. L4D is beautifully simplistic. Most people bag on the mechanic of the simple run, shoot, reload, shoot, walk, shoot, kill witch, run again, shoot, get saved that is seen in all 4 campaigns, but that's all the players need. If the devs decided to try and mix in a story and whatnot, the point of L4D would be missed. The whole point of L4D is mindless fun, and it delivers. The game constantly changes the spots where you'll encounter minibosses, bosses, and mobs of zombies in the levels, which is a godsend, if you ask me. Even though there are only 20 levels in the whole game, the fact that the game spawns zombies in different places almost EVERY time you play through them greatly changes the experience every time. If you don't have XBL, i hope you have friends who still play System Link play, because the true soul found in L4D is when you're bashin zombies with 3 human buddies. Oh and as for the graphics? Next time you're mowing down zombies in a dark corridor, after you survive the wave, try and count all of the new details in your environment. Zombie limbs, blood and trash litter the world in L4D, and it's oddly satisfying. Everything about this game enhances the experience of a survival game, and it's not even close to being as scary as Bioshock [for the kids out there]. If i could, i would give this game a 9.99, for one reason only, and thats because [for me, anyways] the weapons seem a little unbalanced. I always stick with the shotgun anyways. With that notion aside, this game is the shiz, and should be enjoyed by all fans of any FPS. Expand
  29. ChristopherT
    Mar 2, 2009
    10
    Exceptional Fun. Rod N, you have obviously completely missed the point of the game. It's not trying to be GOW2 or anything else. You should be comparing this game to other zombie shooters. Take something for your minstral cramps and chillout.
  30. AwesomeZombie
    Apr 26, 2009
    10
    Haha Andy A You're pathetic you just saw what? ONE video of the game and buyers should be aware of the game cause its bat-shit scary and gory I suggest it expecially with the new survival pack and that all the maps can be used in Versus and ALL of the glitches hav been fixed cept the Jesus room.... though the plane is fixed and I am 99% sure that the rock is fixed too plus the Haha Andy A You're pathetic you just saw what? ONE video of the game and buyers should be aware of the game cause its bat-shit scary and gory I suggest it expecially with the new survival pack and that all the maps can be used in Versus and ALL of the glitches hav been fixed cept the Jesus room.... though the plane is fixed and I am 99% sure that the rock is fixed too plus the co-operative gameplay is beautiful the bots ARE really good the zombies actually know what to do whether it's a player or a bot and of course the...WITCH! and I am pretty sure that VALVe said they Were not releasing a storyline just to keep the game fun and the replay value is extremely high so no matter how many times you play the game it will NEVER be the same it is great though I still hate the garage door glitch like Alex D says but yeah you can no longer block rooms (I already tried that) and I've got to say it's mostly bug free I recommend this game to ALL zombie lovers whether its nazi zombie players or dead space it is GREAT expeciall with the SDK engine for the PC its ten times better with custom maps. Expand
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 67 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 67
  2. Negative: 0 out of 67
  1. 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]
  2. 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.
  3. 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.