When Valve announced the sequel to the hugely popular Left 4 Dead at E3 this year, opinion was most definitely split. While many welcomed the announcement, a small but vocal group were disgusted at what they felt was Valve cashing in and dropping the support for L4D after only a year. These groups have gone so far to say that they will boycott L4D2 and anything relating to it.

Quite frankly, these people are mugs.

I for one can’t wait for the game. The action has been taken to New Orleans and placed the player in the shoes of some all-new survivors. The campaigns will be longer, and the co-op and versus modes will return. The original was one of the hits of 2008 and everything that has been released so far suggests that the sequel is going to be even better. Here are the aspects I’m looking forward to most.

Storyline

As good as the original was, the one thing it was lacking was plot. Although I’m not expecting a Bioshock level of depth, it would be nice to have a bit of backstory to go with all the carnage. Valve has taken this on board and promised a deeper narrative experience, with more emphasis on character development.

New special infected

In addition to the returning special infected, Valve has promised 3 new classes of grotesque mutation to fear. The Charger is designed to counter groups of survivors who stick tightly together when moving through the level. The Charger is like a weaker Tank, but uses its giant arm to crash into the middle of the group, scattering the players like nine pins and allowing them to be more easily picked off. The Spitter is designed to combat campers, as she will shoot a stream of toxic goo that will decrease survivor health if they are stood in that area. The third new special has yet to be announced, but I imagine Valve is saving the best ‘til last. One variation of an old favourite has also been confirmed, as the Witch will no longer just sit in the corner crying, but can now also be found wandering the streets during daytime hours.

Even nastier AI director

The feature I’m probably looking forward to most is the improved AI director. Not content with placing enemies at the most inconvenient of places, L4D2 will now adjust the level design for every level. So on your second play thru of a level, you may find that handily placed cover point is nowhere to be seen, and now there’s a Tank waiting for you…………

Melee Weapons

Since Shaun of the Dead, I have been harbouring a strong urge to batter a zombie to death with a cricket bat. Apparently, the L4D2 development team has the same desire as me, as they have decided to include melee weapons alongside the more conventional pistols and shotguns. You will now be able to use frying pans, axes, chainsaws and bats to take out the horde, which should lead to some truly comic moments as head and limbs going flying.

New regular infected  

In addition to the new special infected, certain variants of the special infected will be present. Examples of this include HAZMAT infected whose suits make they impervious to fire, and ‘mudmen’ who will inhabit the swamp lands and are sure to be a massive pain in the ass due to their ability to attack from below.   

The game is released on November 17th for Xbox 360 and PC. Get pre ordering now.