Considering those darlings of the game world at Valve are involved, it's hardly surprising that there is a lot of excitement surrounding the Turtle Rock Studios zombie shooter, Left 4 Dead. It's looking like it could be a lot of fun, but I certainly wouldn't advise people to start expecting the second coming.
The graphics look dated, but hopefully wave upon wave of screaming, rushing zombies should be more than distracting enough. The exclusive GTTV video above shows off plenty of undead genocide to whet your appetites. I expect a very fine shooter indeed, but nothing that will make my head explode with amazement.
Remember when Source was announced, and everyone from Warren Spector on down wanted to make games with it? How many professional studios outside of Valve have used it? Didn't they both more or less go out of business of making these kinds of games as a result?
Valve buying Turtle Rock is no big surprise, given how much work on contract they've done. But this looks like Ravenholm without the headcrabs. I guess this is why they pushed the release date back.
I'm not sure what's "dated" about the looks.
Also, @JtheYellow: You're confusing Steam for Source. Everyone who's anyone is releasing their game on Steam anymore. Source WOULD have a booming license market, except Ritual Entertainment ruined it. Their colossal failure with Sin: Episode 1 soured the market. It doesn't help that Source just isn't as easy or as fast to work with comparatively to Unreal. Source still gets plenty of indie love in spite of that, though, and it's not like Valve's hurting any.
Jetsetlemming: Mostly the character models. While I won't say they look last-generation, they don't look especially current either. I'm no graphics whore or anything, just saying they look a little old, and this game could benefit from making the zombies look as real and grotesque as possible.
This is pretty much perfect game for my group of friends. My lady friend loves the co-op element of TF2, and loves zombie games. That said, the game will need some awesome maps and a really great Director to keep things fresh. I could see it getting stale really quickly otherwise. Without real AI, it could get boring.
"Real AI"? What the hell was I thinking? Not much, it's 3am. I meant to say "Without real people to play against who can get smarter, it could get boring."
Wow that's a whole horde of zombies! It will be fun to tear through this game... I hope. Graphics aren't too great... but I have a Wii too so I'm used to it.
Gameplay looks fucking awesome. Those are huge hordes of zombies.
But the graphics?! come on, aren't they using the source engine, shouldn't it just look good by default? I mean do they have to try to make it pretty? It doesn't even look as good as HL2.. Hopefully they will fix this.
The release date for the game IS in four months, guys.
@ Jim: I can see what you mean a bit, they have visible seams on their shoulders/joints in a couple scenes in the video. I didn't notice that the first time around. I think it's probably a given that they'll be spruced up a bit before it's Gold. The model work in everything else Valve and Turtle Rock has done has been just fine, so I think it's safe to say these are placeholders. The human models themselves don't appear to have any seams or issues. I guess they're done and ready.
And I do agree the graphics look a bit dated but when you have that many zombies running on screen I think its the best way to ensure the game runs at a smooth frame rate.
I'm also creeped out that they run like 28 days later "zombies" and they don't shamble like regular zombies.
This game will be amazing fun. Sub-par graphics or not. When there's THAT much zombie slaughtering fun to be had, I don't think I'm gonna have time to stop and look at anything anyway.
In some interview that was online, one of the developers said something along the lines of all the characters being able to use all the weapons, that nothing was class-specific or anything like that. Based on that, I'd say that it's like any other shooter where you just pick up any ammo you find.
Do you really want super high quality graphics killing your framerate when fighting a mass of zombies at high speeds? I think not. Jim of all people should know you need to sacrifice some quality for quantity in these cases (ahem, Dynasty Warriors...).
And anyways, this is the first zombie mod I've ever seen that has remotely interesting looking movement and animation for the zombies (save for possibly Killing Floor). It looks wonderfully chaotic, and not just like a wall of zombies marching in a line towards you.
This is an instance when the look of the game shouldn't matter nearly as much as the gameplay...and obviously that's what they are focused on. If it wasn't this way..we'd just have another mediocre online shooter that looks pretty aka- UT3.
I was looking forward to it before...but now that's it's a 100% Valve product through and through I'm absolutely stoked. I don't think they would ship a bad title, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it's delayed a bit. It doesn't look nearly up to par as Episode two or TF2, etc.
This game's innovation has nothing to do with visual fidelity. The AI Director, if it works right, will be a new baseline by which all other single player and co-op games are judged.
Maybe I'm a dying breed, but I don't care how good it looks if it plays like shit.
Actually, I wasn't confusing Steam for Source, but I was thinking about Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines: The Game That Broke Troika, and Sin: Emergence: Ritual Gets To Make Casual Games From Now On.
I just wish someone other than gmod makers would make a Source game that doesn't look like a Source game.
TF2 certainly has amazing graphics, it has an excellent sense of style. This game is no exception. I do think they can up the textures a bit, but saying these graphics are terrible is bollocks.
I agree with you 75%. Yes it's far creepier and awesome when zombies are coming at you at a snails pace, but there's certain circumstances where zombies have to run their asses off. Like with 28 Days Later, that movie would've been terrible if they walked slow. Yeah, I know their not technically zombies but who gives a shit, that movie's awesome.
@fyre Yes there is something wrong with you, mowing down zombies is one of the most fun pastimes yet conceived (if you ignore the fact that there has to be a zombie outbreak first, which may make things less exciting).
I quite like fast running zombies as something a bit different. I mean the shamblers are scary in their own right, but the only way to make them tough is to make them take 1000's of rounds, have endless numbers, or pin you in corners constantly. At least fast zombies can chase you down.
All I care about is the co-op. I could care less how fast the zombies run. Do you guys have some secret zombie rule book that says zombies can't run? Last time I checked..... zombies weren't real..... so...... I think if the only issue you have with the "realism" is that zombies can't run, then you might want to rethink that.
Dunno to me this looks...crap, remind's me completely of that fucking horrendous remake they just did of Day of The Dead, screaming zombies: check, running zombies: check, zombies that jump around like howler monkey's on crack: check, now all we need is Mia Sorvino with her thunder thighs and a street smart, jive talking but good hearted black guy. Oh yeah and Ving Rhames.
The graphics are 'meh' as other have stated, but I don't think they're any worse than Half-Life 2 and that's still an extremely enjoyable title. Fast zombies tweak me out, can you not get bitten by them once? That would suck.
Infected was damn fun, arcadey zombie chaos. Did not like unlockable characters, aside from like, two guys from slipknot, just because they had cool masks.
I like fast zombies. Plus it makes more sense from a gameplay perspective. It's easier to draw a few fast zombies than 100s of slow zombies. It's simply a matter of polygon count. :)
... and I really liked the recent Dawn of the Dead movie.
I vote for slow zombies. You'd have to play smart to make sure you don't get overrun. Throw in a little Gary's Mod to build forts to protect your team, create traps, and be creative. Best of all it wouldn't play like every other FPS out there.
im all for zombies slow and fast, just not into the ones that hold like an explosive. those are wack. but yeah Left 4 Dead looks awesome, now i just need to find 3 other friends who want to play with me. cause id rather do multiplayer than just have 3 AI teammates. (www.consolepatrol.com)
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I agree. Looks like a fun romp..we'll see if it's anything more substantial when it comes out.
Yeah, this renewed my hope in Zombie mods for the source engine.
Remember when Source was announced, and everyone from Warren Spector on down wanted to make games with it? How many professional studios outside of Valve have used it? Didn't they both more or less go out of business of making these kinds of games as a result?
Valve buying Turtle Rock is no big surprise, given how much work on contract they've done. But this looks like Ravenholm without the headcrabs. I guess this is why they pushed the release date back.
Looks fun, not interesting, but fun. Can never get enough zombie slaughtering.
This looks like a good game. But......is there something wrong with me if mowing down zombies doesn't excite me?
I'm not sure what's "dated" about the looks.
Also, @JtheYellow: You're confusing Steam for Source. Everyone who's anyone is releasing their game on Steam anymore. Source WOULD have a booming license market, except Ritual Entertainment ruined it. Their colossal failure with Sin: Episode 1 soured the market. It doesn't help that Source just isn't as easy or as fast to work with comparatively to Unreal. Source still gets plenty of indie love in spite of that, though, and it's not like Valve's hurting any.
Jetsetlemming: Mostly the character models. While I won't say they look last-generation, they don't look especially current either. I'm no graphics whore or anything, just saying they look a little old, and this game could benefit from making the zombies look as real and grotesque as possible.
Why would you want more Zombie mods if you can have this?
This is pretty much perfect game for my group of friends. My lady friend loves the co-op element of TF2, and loves zombie games. That said, the game will need some awesome maps and a really great Director to keep things fresh. I could see it getting stale really quickly otherwise. Without real AI, it could get boring.
"Real AI"? What the hell was I thinking? Not much, it's 3am. I meant to say "Without real people to play against who can get smarter, it could get boring."
I hope this game comes out for 360 so it can lag behind PC in terms of updates just like TF2!
Wow that's a whole horde of zombies! It will be fun to tear through this game... I hope. Graphics aren't too great... but I have a Wii too so I'm used to it.
Gameplay looks fucking awesome. Those are huge hordes of zombies.
But the graphics?! come on, aren't they using the source engine, shouldn't it just look good by default? I mean do they have to try to make it pretty? It doesn't even look as good as HL2.. Hopefully they will fix this.
The release date for the game IS in four months, guys.
@ Jim: I can see what you mean a bit, they have visible seams on their shoulders/joints in a couple scenes in the video. I didn't notice that the first time around. I think it's probably a given that they'll be spruced up a bit before it's Gold. The model work in everything else Valve and Turtle Rock has done has been just fine, so I think it's safe to say these are placeholders. The human models themselves don't appear to have any seams or issues. I guess they're done and ready.
I call being the skeezy bearded guy.
I call old man green beret guy!
And I do agree the graphics look a bit dated but when you have that many zombies running on screen I think its the best way to ensure the game runs at a smooth frame rate.
I'm also creeped out that they run like 28 days later "zombies" and they don't shamble like regular zombies.
This game will be amazing fun. Sub-par graphics or not. When there's THAT much zombie slaughtering fun to be had, I don't think I'm gonna have time to stop and look at anything anyway.
Can't wait.
One little thing I loved, the Shotgun seems to use the same sound effect from DOOM!
I wonder how they will do ammo pick ups as it looks like you need one guy on the team to carry around a case of ammo....I want it released NOW!
Can't wait. Will this be part of HL2:ep3 'orange' box?
l4d, portal2, ep3 = $60?
@mix
In some interview that was online, one of the developers said something along the lines of all the characters being able to use all the weapons, that nothing was class-specific or anything like that. Based on that, I'd say that it's like any other shooter where you just pick up any ammo you find.
Still want.
I approve
@diversionmary
No. This is coming out all by its lonesome in June. Don't expect Ep3 and company until 2009.
If this becomes a series, what are they going to call the fourth game?
@Spartacus
Left4Dead 4.
AHHHHHHHHHhh I just get anxiety attacks thinking about this game!
Looks stressing and fun. Not the best graphics on the market, but if the AI is as good as they have promised, the game is gonna rock.
Do you really want super high quality graphics killing your framerate when fighting a mass of zombies at high speeds? I think not. Jim of all people should know you need to sacrifice some quality for quantity in these cases (ahem, Dynasty Warriors...).
And anyways, this is the first zombie mod I've ever seen that has remotely interesting looking movement and animation for the zombies (save for possibly Killing Floor). It looks wonderfully chaotic, and not just like a wall of zombies marching in a line towards you.
Those criers freak me the hell out. EVIL LITTLE CHILDREN FTL.
This is an instance when the look of the game shouldn't matter nearly as much as the gameplay...and obviously that's what they are focused on. If it wasn't this way..we'd just have another mediocre online shooter that looks pretty aka- UT3.
I was looking forward to it before...but now that's it's a 100% Valve product through and through I'm absolutely stoked. I don't think they would ship a bad title, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it's delayed a bit. It doesn't look nearly up to par as Episode two or TF2, etc.
After everything inside the Orange Box was such great quality, I have no doubt in my mind that this game will be good.
@ Wedge
It makes sense that the number of zombies would take away some resources from the graphics.
why are they so fucking fast??
@Sadie
Because people think zombies need to be innovative (read: 16 year olds).
This game's innovation has nothing to do with visual fidelity. The AI Director, if it works right, will be a new baseline by which all other single player and co-op games are judged.
Maybe I'm a dying breed, but I don't care how good it looks if it plays like shit.
Also, Wedge called it out so I don't have to.
Definitely looks better than halo 3.
Actually, I wasn't confusing Steam for Source, but I was thinking about Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines: The Game That Broke Troika, and Sin: Emergence: Ritual Gets To Make Casual Games From Now On.
I just wish someone other than gmod makers would make a Source game that doesn't look like a Source game.
the graphics are fine.... you're all whiny bitches over nitpicky bullshit this game is gonna rock...
TF2 doesnt have amazing graphics but it gets the job done being an amazing game.... stfuajpg!
@JtheYellow:
http://www.destructoid.com/pc-gaming-just-got-f-cked-up-zeno-clash-brings-the-creepy-68865.phtml
TF2 certainly has amazing graphics, it has an excellent sense of style. This game is no exception. I do think they can up the textures a bit, but saying these graphics are terrible is bollocks.
God damn you, Jim Sterling.
I can't believe I said bollocks.
Hah, nice Jetset, I just thought of that when thinking of cool Source games.
Something needs to be said about zombies not being able to run...and I'm just the guy to say it:
ZOMBIES CAN'T FUCKING RUN!!!
George A. Romero is spinning in his grave right now.
...
What's that? He's alive? Well good for George, he's alive and pissed off too.
@brosef
I agree with you 75%. Yes it's far creepier and awesome when zombies are coming at you at a snails pace, but there's certain circumstances where zombies have to run their asses off. Like with 28 Days Later, that movie would've been terrible if they walked slow. Yeah, I know their not technically zombies but who gives a shit, that movie's awesome.
The creators never refer to them as zombies, just infected, so lets keep crying about how zombies can't run.
@brosef
Then don't buy the game if you have that large of a stick up your ass about zombies.
The graphics "look" dated because the game will focus on FPS I suspect.
FPS > bits of textures you don't really pay attention to like in Farcry, for games like this.
@fyre Yes there is something wrong with you, mowing down zombies is one of the most fun pastimes yet conceived (if you ignore the fact that there has to be a zombie outbreak first, which may make things less exciting).
I quite like fast running zombies as something a bit different. I mean the shamblers are scary in their own right, but the only way to make them tough is to make them take 1000's of rounds, have endless numbers, or pin you in corners constantly. At least fast zombies can chase you down.
All I care about is the co-op. I could care less how fast the zombies run. Do you guys have some secret zombie rule book that says zombies can't run? Last time I checked..... zombies weren't real..... so...... I think if the only issue you have with the "realism" is that zombies can't run, then you might want to rethink that.
You guys are fucking retarted. Why would you want slow fucking zombies? This isnt a survival horror game. It's a first person fuck shit up shooter.
Roryzilla: I never said the graphics look "terrible," that's your word.
Dated graphics = not state of the art/cutting edge (i.e. not Gears of War 2 graphics technology).
Terrible graphics =
FACT: Fast zombies are much scarier and more deadly than slow zombies. That's why they're fast. VALVE DOES NOT FUCK AROUND.
The first video of this game that I saw really blew my mind.
You can play on either side, too...Which is a huge plus. Setting up a trap as a killer zombie with a 50 foot tongue = ownage.
Infected looks pretty good for a PSP game..that's a bad call Steel Squirrel..
god damn it. just when i was getting excited for this, along comes this video...
1) zombies are too fast
2) graphics are a little dated
3) too many "types" of zombies (fat zombie, steroid zombie, etc)
Damn it YoshiKa, I was hoping nobody would know what game that was.
Dunno to me this looks...crap, remind's me completely of that fucking horrendous remake they just did of Day of The Dead, screaming zombies: check, running zombies: check, zombies that jump around like howler monkey's on crack: check, now all we need is Mia Sorvino with her thunder thighs and a street smart, jive talking but good hearted black guy. Oh yeah and Ving Rhames.
You're right, the graphics are meh, but the game still looks really fun.
The graphics are 'meh' as other have stated, but I don't think they're any worse than Half-Life 2 and that's still an extremely enjoyable title. Fast zombies tweak me out, can you not get bitten by them once? That would suck.
Nevermind, I just read that you're "immune."
Graphics are fine, lrn2cope plz.
Infected was damn fun, arcadey zombie chaos. Did not like unlockable characters, aside from like, two guys from slipknot, just because they had cool masks.
I like fast zombies. Plus it makes more sense from a gameplay perspective. It's easier to draw a few fast zombies than 100s of slow zombies. It's simply a matter of polygon count. :)
... and I really liked the recent Dawn of the Dead movie.
@Leathersoup
Dead Rising did it.
I vote for slow zombies. You'd have to play smart to make sure you don't get overrun. Throw in a little Gary's Mod to build forts to protect your team, create traps, and be creative. Best of all it wouldn't play like every other FPS out there.
im all for zombies slow and fast, just not into the ones that hold like an explosive. those are wack. but yeah Left 4 Dead looks awesome, now i just need to find 3 other friends who want to play with me. cause id rather do multiplayer than just have 3 AI teammates. (www.consolepatrol.com)