REVIEWS / PC

Left 4 Dead

22 Nov, 2008, 6:47 pm IST | Nikhil Singh | PC PC



This brings us to the matchmaking system, which is incredibly flawed. The biggest flaw the game sports is the fact that there's no server browser like those in any other multiplayer game. All matchmaking is done randomly, and unless you invite friends to play or are invited by friends to play, you'll have no clue as to whose game you're joining. Also, when you join a game lobby, the game doesn't show your ping, which is a glaring weakness for those of us living in countries with rather inadequate connections. Most of the games I played were hosted on far-east Asian servers, where we don't always get the best ping. The best ping we get on Indian connections is from servers in either Singapore or in the UK, and the fact that we can't pick the server we're playing on, debilitates our ability to have a decent game at all times.


So basically, the only option you have, is to play with friends, and since the game hasn't released in retail in India, the only person I could play with was Nash. All my attempts at joining Versus servers ended unsuccessfully, since I'd either get dropped from the server because of my ping or I'd lag so much that I'd barely be able to make out anything. This means that the game is only a good buy for those of you who've got at least a few friends who play often, since playing with strangers makes for a rather inadequate experience.

Another shortcoming of the game is that there are just four Campaigns to play. While they offer really diverse experiences, and are designed extremely well, there just isn't enough variety and you'll find yourself bored all too soon. There's talk of more downloadable content coming soon, but I can't really say much till it hits the market.


As it stands, Left 4 Dead is the most brilliant co-op shooter out there, but its lack of a server browser is a design move I'll never understand. Its connection issues and lack of variety restrict it from being one of the best games of the year. That said, it features some of the most intense action and since each Campaign takes no more than two hours, it's a great in-and-out game to play to bond with your gaming crew. It's also really impressive looking and since it runs using a modified version of the Source engine, it plays on any system that can handle Counter Strike: Source, which means that it's incredibly scalable. So if you feel the need to indulge yourself in some of the best zombie killing co-op action out there, buy this game - just ensure that you have enough people to play with, else you'll have to deal with the painfully anal matchmaking system. If you wish to find more people who have the game, head over to the GamingIndian.com.

Tags: Left4Dead , Turtle Rock Studios , Valve

Would you buy it?




RELATED STORIES

Game of the Year 2011 - First Person Shooter (FPS)

The best shooter this year is...

Marvel at the visual evolution of Counter-Strike

Download Portal for free

Dead Island now available on Steam

Save big on all Need for Speed games

Hitman and Kane and Lynch sale hits Steam

Buy Prototype off Steam for just Rs. 450

 

How We Test

What do the ratings mean?

Ratings are simple - higher the score, the better the product. A brief listing of the features and what they mean are given below.

1 - 3

The product is bad in almost every aspect. We strongly advise against purchasing this product.

4 - 6

An average product that isn't the best you can buy, but isn't the worst either.

7 - 8

Product with this rating is highly recommended because it's priced sensibly, has a good set of features and performs well.

9 - 10

Exceptionally excellent product with features and performance unlike any we've seen in the past. A must-have for everyone!

What is the Average User Rating?

We at Tech2 take product reviewing very seriously and every product is tested with the utmost care and level of objectivity. The end user who buys a particular product and uses it over an extended period of time has his own take on a product and there might be nuances that he or she can shed light on. The Average User Rating is present to help readers get the complete picture of how good or bad a product is. The Average User Rating is calculated by averaging the ratings by the thousands of readers visiting Tech2.com every single day. To record your own rating of a product, simply click on the user rating bar. If you disagree with our ratings or our community's product rating, please don't hesitate from voicing your opinion in the comments section below the review.

Leaked Images, Availability, Pricing,
Specs, Pre-order

How To: Install ICS on your Galaxy S

How To: Install ICS on your Galaxy S

10 Feb, 2012, 05:23 AM

On video: MSI WindPad Enjoy 10

On video: MSI WindPad Enjoy 10

09 Feb, 2012, 04:50 AM

On Video: Mercury mTab Neo

On Video: Mercury mTab Neo

08 Feb, 2012, 10:18 AM

2.8

MORE VIDEOS

features

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Interview

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Interview

We sit down and talk to producer Mike Jones who assures us that fans have...

By Avinash Bali

6 reasons to get excited for Resident Evil 6

6 reasons to get excited for Resident Evil 6

Not stoked about Resident Evil 6 yet? Here are six reasons that may just...

By Avinash Bali

Asura’s Wrath Hands-On

Asura’s Wrath Hands-On

If you thought Kratos was the angriest dude in video game history, you...

By Avinash Bali

MORE FEATURES

Top 5 Home Theater Mistakes

Ganesh Kumar V

Tue Feb 14, 16:33:38

Logitech ZAAG iPad2 Keyboard Case

Prashant Jain

Tue Feb 14, 15:37:58

IIHT and Microsoft offer "IIHT Certified Cloud Expert"

Evans Chibale

Tue Feb 14, 14:04:55

MORE DISCUSSIONS

Close

More from this Author

Battlefield Bad Company 2