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Left for Dead 2 is (thumbless) hands-down one of the best co-op multiplayer shooters ever, improving on virtually every aspect of the original game -- and if that's not enough of a recommendation, then consider this: zombie-clowns and chainsaws.
Discover L4D all over again
It would have been easy to take the original Left 4 Dead and just toss in some new weapons, maps, and enemies and call it Left 4 Dead 2. But Valve did more: they reinvented, refined, and reworked the game play of the original to such a degree that L4D2 almost feels like a completely new and different game.
L4D2 introduces five new campaigns, new boss infected, and the new and improved AI Director 2.0 to fundamentally re-write L4D strategy, forcing you to figure out entirely new tactics and relive all the thrilling, zombie-wrecking fun that goes with it.
Because of this, NOW is the best time to begin playing Left for Dead 2 (if you aren't already), so you can experience the thrill and fun of fighting in new and unknown territory. You don't need to be concerned with being a "Noob" right now because many (if not most) players still are. In time it's almost guaranteed that die-hard players will figure out optimal strategies (and possibly exploits) that will gradually disseminate among the L4D2 community and dampen some of the thrill of discovery (which will probably involve you dying. A lot.). If you can afford the $50 for L4D2, do it now.
New challenges, new tactics
Aside from the new maps, a big part of L4D2's improvement comes from behind the scenes courtesy of the new "A.I. Director 2.0". The Director, which is essentially the 'mastermind' behind the game in co-op mode, is much smarter than the original game's, both in providing new challenges and, if need be, scaling challenges to the skill of the players.
One of the first, most immediately noticeable differences is that the boss infected (new and old) generally work together, which makes them much more effective and challenging. Although still not as devious as a well-coordinated team of human opponents, the new (and old) Boss infected have definitely stepped up their game.
The Director can also use L4D2's new new weather and environmental effects to change pace. You may find yourself in a sudden rainstorm that reduces visibility, for example. Some maps also use the new environmental effects. For example, in the 'Mall' campaign you have to work your way through a burning building, complete with vision-obscuring smoke.
Fortunately, while the AI Director can turn up the heat on skilled players, it can also make the game easier if it thinks you suck. For example, you may find a few extra health packs, ammo, or other items to aid you, and the Boss infected may not attack quite as frequently.
Multiplayer is still king, but single-player is much better
Left 4 Dead 2's five new campaigns have a more tightly interwoven story than the first game, which makes L4D2 a much better single-player experience than the original. L4D2 is still at its best played as a multiplayer game, but it definitely stands on its own better than the original L4D.
More tactical options for blowing stuff up
L4D2 adds a whole slew of tactical options -- including more than 20 weapons (10 of which are melee weapons) to your arsenal to help you deal with the new challenges. New firearms include the grenade launcher, a magnum pistol, and a variety of shotguns and rifles, each with their own destructive characteristics. There are melee weapons galore, from guitars to frying pans to katanas -- and of course, the 'Excalibur' of zombie movie melee weapons, the chainsaw. All of the melee weapons have their own characteristics too -- the attack rate, damage inflicted, and even the blood splatter caused is different from weapon to weapon.
New weapon modifications and grenade weapons are also available. Incendiary ammo, explosive shells, and laser sights can all be picked up and added to your firearm of choice for greater punch and accuracy. Bile jars are a new grenade item you can chuck to divert the horde. Boxes of fireworks add yet another flammable item to deploy and ignite to burn up the horde -- try not to 'ooh' and 'ahh' too much.
Aside from the weapons, there are also new health items available: the adrenaline shot makes you move faster for a short while, and the de-fib paddles can be used to revive a fallen comrade.
Out with the old
L4D2 changes the basic L4D formula in ways to get players moving and playing the game differently. The new campaigns, the new Boss infected, and the new maps all force you to keep moving. Instead of just pushing a button and 'cornering up' -- a frequent strategy in L4D -- you generally have to remain very active and keep pushing forward. The result is a more difficult -- but more fun -- overall experience. Because you can't just fall back on a single, dominant tactic, L4D2 feels like a whole new game.
In addition, the new campaigns have some very innovative objectives and end-game fights. For example, one sequence forces you to run through a maze of construction fences and climb a scaffold to reach an alarm shut-off (forget about 'cornerning up' -- the horde just keeps coming until the alarm goes off). The end of the Mall campaign tasks you with collecting gas cans scattered around a large, multi-level supermall so you can fill up a stock car and drive to safety -- again forcing you to move and stay busy instead of just holing up.
New maps
In addition to the four new campaigns, Left 4 Dead 2 includes a new 'realism' (read: really hard) mode, as well as Survival maps that pit you and four buddies against a never-ending horde in an effort to survive as long as possible. Scavenge mode is a special versus mode that tasks the Survivors with keeping a gas generator running by filling it with gasoline (similar mechanics to the end-game of the Mall scenario).
Overall
Left 4 Dead 2 is about as perfect as it could be, building upon and surpassing Left 4 Dead in virtually every respect. More than just L4D in new clothing, L4D2 is a whole new and even more thrilling zombie-blasting experience than its predecessor -- and the best gaming homage to the zombie-movie genre ever released. BUY IT.
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