The release of L4D2 is just on the horizon and I still couldn't care more. In fact, the game better come with a blowjob or I'm not buying on day 1.

While the "official" boycott may be over I am still an obstinate skeptic given the lack of content in the sequel. The fact that most people cite the new competitive modes as a reason to justify purchase is dissembling around the real issue or what I consider the real issue: the campaigns. To me, what made L4D attractive was its very own premise: co-op campaigns and not necessary the more competitive versus mode. However, the greatest question was always the replay value of L4D given the short length of the campaigns and the mutability of the "Director."

In my experience, the game was short and the replay-value was highly dubious given the extraordinary lack of support for the title. What I was looking for in a sequel were not cosmetic changes like dynamic weather, a few pointless guns, etc. I was looking for a more robust campaign experience that ought to have been doubled in quantity. I considered 4 to be short, and 5 isn't really an improvement. L4D2 appears to be the same cake with a few extra layers of icing.

The "new" realism mode is nothing but an added nuance of difficulty, not a radically different experience that some might argue. Basically, it's artificial difficulty adjustment, not new gameplay. I think playing on "Expert" would be a challenge in of itself. Realism mode is just at its core, a superficial add-on.

Looking back I can say that L4D was an overpriced tech-demo. But, I was willing to believe and support the idea granted more content would be added at a later date. Sure, extra content came, almost a year later and it was halved in length compared to what was shipped with the original title. Although I have been loyal in buying DLC, maxing the achievements, I can say I am pretty disappointing right now. Unless there is more quality DLC following launch, I wont be buying at full price.



Above, Left 4 Dead 2 girl and promises sold separately sometime next year.