Dial Z

It is no surprise that I am a big fan of video games, even less of a surprise that zombies are near my favourite video game fodder. The list would go,

1.) Nazis

2.) Zombies

3.) Commies

4.) Aliens

5.) Terrorists

So when I started seeing commercials for Left 4 Dead, I knew I was going to enjoy the game no matter the story or lame character back stories. Shortly before the games release the trailers showed a 4 person squad pitted against a zombie hoard to a tune by Elbow, (Grounds for Divorce if you want to download.) I must've watched that commercial about a hundred times, in fact I'm listening to it right now, to keep it fresh in my mind as I write.

Zombies: Check

4 Player Co-Op: Check

Apocalypse: Check

Its the Zombie Apocalypse. Bring Friends.

When I finally got to play this game. Giddy for a holiday game that delivered (I was still regretting my Gears 2 purchase... Actually I still am) I was so happy with the result. The crappy back stories... gone!

Bill - Grizzled Nam Vet

Francis - Biker

Louis - African American, suit type

Zoey - Beautiful girl obsessed with healing team mates and a deadly accurate shot with the hunting rifle

The use of stock characters doesn't hurt the game play in any way. The premise behind their interactions was already established in movies that any fan of the genre knows. The game itself is divided into 4 sections which are basically movies complete with cheesy horror genre tag lines.

No Mercy.

Death Toll.

Dead Air.

Blood Harvest.

In one of my favourite moments in the game, the finale of Blood Harvest takes place in a house that almost mirrors the farmhouse from Night of the Living Dead. I felt that I knew where everything was and what I should be reinforcing for the coming hoards. It shows an attention to detail that only Valve could offer. The co op game play is superb, the AI stand ins are intelligent but won't steal all the kills. This may be one of my favourite games for 360 this year, and most certainly the best game using co operative play to it's true potential.

4 Thumbs out of 3