Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead

This week sees the release of the latest instalment of furious co-operative zombie kill-fest Left 4 Dead, less than a year after the original shuffled onto the market.

Given that time-frame then, those expecting a major overhaul of the first game's dynamics may be disappointed, but, conversely, those wanting more of the same action, but with all new maps and pick-ups to get their teeth into, will be happy.

As before, Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2 if you prefer!) follows a quartet of survivors - different from the original game, this time set in the Southern US, as opposed to Pennsylvania - working together and trying to survive the zombie apocalypse as best they can.

As ever the emphasis is on co-operative play (something of a rarity these days!), as you journey through an involving, if somewhat linear environment, with the option of having friends play as other members of the group, or, in another scenario, acting as the living dead in all their cannon-fodder glory.

Left 4 Dead

The game also continues its use of the 'Director' system from before, which tailors spawn-points, equipment drops and even the weather, depending on how the players are progressing, so that no level should play the same twice - keeping you on edge, and, also perhaps even creating a certain cinematic feel.

Not revolutionary then, but something to keep you entertained this Christmas - just best not let Grandma see you decapitating zombies with a samurai sword eh?!

Left 4 Dead 2 is released by EA on Friday, 20th November, on Xbox 360 and PC, and is available from Play.com and all good stockists.

As part of the launch, and for those near Shoreditch, you can also visit 'The Severed Arms Pub' (The Old Blue Last) on Great Eastern Street, where, we're told, zombie bar staff will be serving the drinks from the 20th to the 22nd as part of the promotion for the game.

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