Pokemon Black  Review for the Nintendo DS

.                    The Pokemon series is back in Black and it just got serious. Do Pokemon truly benefit from being captured, trained and pitted against one another? Are the relationships between trainers and their Pokemon symbiotic or are Pokemon being subjugated and abused? Team Plasma, the latest antagonists in the Pokemon series think so. In Pokemon Black its up to you to stop Team Plasma from freeing all the Pokemon as you explore the Unova region and attempt to fill your Pokedex which can now contain a whopping 649 entries!

.                   Philosophically it seems Team Plasma may have a point, after all Pokemon battles are startlingly similar to dog fights when you think about it. Pokemon Black sidesteps this irony by gradually revealing more sinister motives behind Team Plasma as the game progresses. Raising this ethical objection to training and battling Pokemon is refreshingly thoughtful for the series. Unfortunately the game chooses to attack a straw man in the form of  Team Plasma’s disingenuous goals rather than engage in this moral argument head-on.

.                    Narrative logic aside, this is the most heartfelt and well-told story in the series. Pokemon Black pushes the player to see the value of accepting the differences of others. The plot and themes in Pokemon Black are good if not a bit heavy handed.

.                   Pokemon Black follows the original Pokemon game formula closely. You catch wild Pokemon, battle gym leaders, and collect badges. Many of the locations and Pokemon in the game are reminiscent of those in the original Pokemon games. For instance, near Mistralton City there is a tower filled with ghost-type Pokemon similar to the tower in Lavender town from Pokemon Red and Blue. However, there are no Pokemon to catch from previous games until after the credits roll. Instead there are 156 new Pokemon to collect during the main story. This keeps the story feeling fresh because every Pokemon you encounter is new. This approach extends to other content like sidequests and encourages the player to keep playing long after the main storyline.

.                    Pokemon Black has a steeper learning curve than previous Pokemon games. The first gym pits you against Pokemon that have an element advantage regardless of what starter you chose. If you choose a fire Pokemon as your first Pokemon then you will have to face strong water-type Pokemon early in the game. It is harder to get away with using Pokemon of only one type than it was in the past. This forces you to train several Pokemon and pay close attention to their types and the elemental attributes of your foes.

.                   Routes between towns and other game locations are far shorter than in previous Pokemon games. However, each route is aesthetically distinct and each usually explores a unique gameplay twist. For instance, one route has narrow wooden walkways that allow the player to bypass grassy areas as long as you don’t misstep. Pokemon Black also features fewer minigames and places to explore than previous entries to the franchise.

.                   The real focus of Pokemon Black is its competitive multiplayer battles. The addition of triple and rotation battles as well as 2-on-2 matches give battles greater variety. The game makes it very easy to challenge players all over the world. Pokemon Black has the most impressive multiplayer suite of any DS title with numerous features and superb balancing.

.                   Touch controls seem underutilized in this title. Hardly anything in the game requires you to use the touch screen nor can you move your character with touch controls. This is a minor gripe but worth mentioning. Pokemon on your side of the screen still look pixelated during Pokemon battles. This is another minor complaint against what is otherwise a visually stunning DS title.

.                   Game Freak and Nintendo refuse to rest on their laurels with Pokemon Black. While not without its quirks Black exceeds expectations and makes numerous refinements to the series. Pokemon Black’s high difficulty and focus on competitive multiplayer make it hard to recommend to casual gamers or newcomers. But for returning players that have never explored the multiplayer aspects of Pokemon this is by far the best entry point to date.

Immersive – 9 – The deepest story in the series and highly addictive gameplay despite underused touch controls.

Technical – 9 – Possibly the best looking game on the DS which makes the pixelated sprites all the more out of place.

Value – 9 – Shorter and more linear story than previous Pokemon games but Pokemon Black has content and replayability in spades.

Average = 9/10

Crysis 2  Review for the PC

.                    Is playing a game like Crysis 2 for the storyline and character development like expecting substance in a Michael Bay film? Yes, but even a paper-thin storyline should serve to heighten the experience of a truly great action game. Crysis 2 is a lopsided experience; its impressive graphical presentation is ultimately undermined by a weak sense of purpose and poor storytelling. The question is, do the jaw-dropping visuals and the gameplay make up for this shaky foundation?

.                    Any extended thought on the game’s plot will lead to frustration. When playing, it seems that entire segments of the game are missing because the storyline lacks continuity. There is so much wasted potential here, and it is disappointing that all of the technical horsepower behind Crysis 2 wasn’t used to tell a more interesting story.

.                    The fact that the core plot of Crysis 2 is cliched is only the beginning of its storytelling woes. The cliches could be forgiven if it weren’t for the poor delivery of the story in almost every respect. The music, graphics and gameplay come together to create a compelling package. These elements reflect a level of mayhem and urgency that doesn’t always extend to the dialogue. Mission objectives given between missions are often boring and lack meaning. The voice actors deliver these lines in a very over-the-top fashion that simply isn’t supported by the poor writing. Most missions seem to end with Alcatraz passing-out and begin with him regaining consciousness. The game has a meager cast of characters that can be counted on one hand, and the plot has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.

.                   Despite all this it’s hard not to enjoy such an action packed adventure. Smooth controls and gameplay that allow for stealth and aggression interchangeably keep the ten-hour campaign feeling fresh.

.                   A good sequel improves upon the original, trimming fat and playing to the previous entry’s strengths. Crysis 2 is more of a console-friendly re-imagining of Crysis than a sequel. EA has given console users an impressive looking game but they’ve sold their PC fanbase down the river in order to do it. Four-year-old gameplay, and an underwhelming story are not enough to distinguish Crysis 2 from the slew of FPS games being released.

Immersive – 6 – Poor storytelling prevents Crysis 2 from being memorable.

Technical – 8 – A technical marvel on consoles but in several ways a step backwards for PC users and for the franchise.

Value – 7 – High production values but anemic voicework, writing and a shorter more linear campaign than the original take their toll.

Average = 7/10

Golden Sun:  Dark Dawn  Review for the DS

.                    Some of you may recall spending hours with strained eyes and sweaty palms while playing the original Golden Sun games as a kid. With only two entries in the series the critically acclaimed Golden Sun franchise is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the Game Boy Advance catalog. Expectations of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn as the third chapter in the series and its first outing on the DS were sky high. Does this long awaited sequel mark a new beginning for the series and can Dark Dawn live up to its pedigree?

.                    Golden Sun: Dark Dawn takes place thirty years after the last game. You play as the children of the previous game’s heroes. Your parent’s past actions have ushered in a new era. The flat disk-like world of Weyard has been saved from a slow death but their actions are not universally acclaimed. Weyard has entered a period of drastic change. Settlements have been destroyed and areas that were once ruins or small villages have become thriving countries.

.                   Each area in the game feels distinct. The different architecture and use of color in each town give a sense of cultural diversity. Enemies and bosses are also varied and detailed as are the backdrops for battles. The game’s difficulty has been curbed which relieves much of the tedium of the past games.

.                    As in previous Golden Sun titles you spend your time  exploring, solving puzzles and fighting enemies. As Adepts your characters each wield one of four elemental powers. These powers are called Psynergies. A growing arsenal of Pynergy abilities are used to solve puzzles as well as damage foes.

.                   The puzzles and combat of Dark Dawn are varied and dynamic. There are many options while in combat including the use of: Psynergy, items, Djinn and summons. These systems are co-dependant. Djinn are elemental creatures that can be captured and assigned to different members of your party. The Djinn you have equipped determine your character’s class which enables different Psynergies. Djinn can also be used in combat for a variety of effects. Some Djinn attack or defend while others can heal or revive downed allies. You can also learn summon spells that combine the powers of Djinn to cast impressive attacks that display on both screens.

.                    Collecting Djinn and assigning them to different characters is addictive and rewarding. The Djinn system manages to avoid pifalls that games like Pokemon continually endure.  Namely that every Djinn remains useful from the the moment you first obtain it to the end of the game. This is achieved by the class, psynergy and summon systems all working in tandem and all making full use of every Djinn you have.

.                    The menus are intuitive and combat targets can be selected simply by touching them. In fact, the entire game can be played using the stylus. Button controls are also available.

.                   Dark Dawn introduces several new systems that unfortunately fail to add much to the game. The emoticon system can be funny and it seems like a good idea. Unfortunately what your character will actually emote when you pick from one of four faces is far too unclear and often results in unintended reactions. Another system that could use some work is the encyclopedia. The concept is great and the drawings in many of the entries are a nice addition. However, most of the entries don’t teach you anything new if you read the dialogue.

.                   This is one of the best looking games on the DS. Graphics are great across the board and frequent use of camera angles and panning both during cutscenes and gameplay set this game apart from its competitors.

.                   The only flaw with Dark Dawn that surpasses the level of a minor gripe is its dialogue. For such a beautifully detailed and imaginative game it’s a shame that the dialogue disappoints. Conversations often become tedious and long-winded. The characters seem to lack anything interesting to say. Overall however, there is a surprisingly wide vocabulary that intentionally educates the player at times. The four wise men in the town of Passaj who each use a different synonym for thinking come to mind. Overall the dialogue is like a leaky boat that struggles to stay afloat yet somehow manages to get its crew ashore.

.                   These flaws do little to detract from Dark Dawn which proves to be well worth playing and stands out from the competition despite the system’s crowded catalog of role playing games.

Immersive – 8 – Smooth gameplay and an imaginative setting overshadow weak dialogue.

Technical – 10 – A graphical benchmark for the system with refreshing use of camera.

Value – 9 – High production values but harder difficulties and modes would have been nice.

Average = 9/10

Metal Gear Solid:  Peace Walker  Review for the PSP

.                    Were you outside with friends or working all Summer? If so, shame on you. You missed the release of one of the most ambitious handheld games ever made, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. And you could have taken it with you!

.                    The game is set in Costa Rica. It is soaked with culture, politics, economics; the entire history of the region. Everything from authentic birdsong and realistic topography to local legends and regional conflicts immerse you in the experience. This is the kind of game that has the potential to teach you about the world and about yourself.

.                    In Peace Walker you play as Big Boss, best described as a less idealistic semblance of the famous Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara. Big Boss A.K.A Snake has teamed up with Kazuhira Miller to assemble his army. Snake and Miller are forming an army without borders and without nations, a Militaires Sans Frontieres. It is a revolution not for political or economic reasons but rather for soldiers themselves.

.                    Professor Galvez, who has extolled the virtues of peace for years from the comfort of his classroom arrives at Snake’s doorstep on a rainy night. He is accompanied by a young and idealistic student named Paz. They beg Snake to aid them in the conflict between the Sandinistas and the CIA’s off-the-record forces. Snake senses that there is more to Galvez than meets the eye. However, he is moved by Paz’s youthful sincerity. Together with Kazuhira and his ever growing army of deserters, brainwashed soldiers, volunteers and Sandinistas he plans to construct an offshore plant to serve as a base of operations.

.                    The expansion of Mother Base and your army is something the player becomes deeply involved in. Not only can you capture and recruit vehicles, choppers and soldiers but you can deploy them in skirmishes. You can research  numerous weapons, items and upgrades as well as assign your soldiers to different departments and positions. You can even develop and deploy your own Metal Gear, a nuclear-equipped walking battle tank.

.                    It doesn’t hurt that this game is also a blast to play. There are 33 missions in the main campaign with varied gameplay and streamlined controls. There are also 128 extra missions. Cutscenes look fantastic and are often interactive. Combat is also thrilling and engaging, especially the boss battles.

.                    There is an unprecedented amount of content here.  Hours of intellectually stimulating dialogue present moral dilemmas , bend gender roles and provide a powerful exploration of the human condition. None of this takes you out of the action if you don’t want it to. Most of the dialogue in the game takes the form of audio tapes that are categorized by character and subject-matter. These can be accessed at your leisure through the game’s menu.

.                   Polished tactical-espionage-action gameplay with impressive visuals and unparalleled voice acting make this a must-buy title for the PSP. There are also innovations in cooperative gameplay that are years ahead of their time even by console game standards. Peace walker is a landmark title for handheld gaming. This is the kind of game that should make you consider purchasing a PSP if you haven’t already.

Immersive – 10 – Gameplay is streamlined and the characters and setting draw you in.

Technical – 10 – The craftsmanship of the gameplay and plot are unrivaled.

Value – 10 – There is an absurd amount of content and replayability here.

Average = 10/10

Infinite Space  Review [550 words]  – CallsignHUSKER

.                    Infinite Space is a sprawling space opera produced exclusively for the Nintendo DS by Platinum Games. This is the first handheld game from the makers of the critically acclaimed Okami and Bayonetta franchises. The result is one of the most divisive titles of 2010. Infinite space is a love-it or hate-it Japanese Roleplaying Game (JRPG) due to its steep learning curve and high difficulty. These qualities are counterbalanced by a superb storyline and an astounding depth of gameplay.

.                    You play as Yuri, a young boy who dreams of exploring the ‘sea of stars’. You are rescued from your oppressive home-world by Nia, a female heroine whose charisma and colorful past echoes the classic scifi hero Han Solo but with several twists. Yuri is soon embroiled in wars, piracy and political intrigue. In a surprising second-act twist the game fast-forwards 20 years and lets you play Yuri as a grown man and criminal who is hell-bent on escaping imprisonment.

.                    Infinite Space has an unprecedented amount of customization options. Over the course of the game you progress from being captain of one ship to commanding a fleet of up to five ships ranging from cruisers and destroyers to battleships and carriers. All of these vessels can be thoroughly customized with modules, weapons and fighters.

.                    There are hundreds of modules to buy in the game that must be organized and fitted to each ship’s unique layout. This is achieved by moving tetris-style blocks around on a blueprint of your vessel.

.                    There are dozens of star systems with hundreds of planets and locations to explore. Characters in the game are highly original and varied. They often say or do very surprising things. Yuri’s sister Kira seems to be romantically interested in Yuri. This is actually a source of humor in the game as Yuri never seems to notice Kira’s advances.

.                    The crew of your fleet can also be customized. Characters join Yuri frequently and they can all be assigned to different crew departments and divisions. Crew members have different stats and abilities that add yet another layer of strategy to customizing your fleet.

.                    Infinite Space is not without its aggravating quirks. The game encourages you to talk to the same character multiple times to see all of their dialogue. Sometimes this is even required to progress through the storyline. This is not a significant detriment to the game but it is a perplexing oversight.

.                    The game starts slow and space battles can be brutally difficult. You will want to utilize every strategy and modification to give you an edge in battle.

.                    Infinite Space lives up to its namesake; it is one of the lengthiest handheld games in existence. A first play-through of the game can easily last 60-80 hours. If you take your time to smell the roses or make frequent mistakes the game can take 100 hours or more to complete.

.                    Infinite Space is meant for gamers who are looking for a game that they can really sink their teeth into. Infinite space is a long and difficult adventure but the well-wrought storyline, deep game mechanics and extensive customization can make the game highly rewarding. A head-to-head multiplayer mode and the New Game+ option add significant replay value.

Immersive – 9.5 – An expansive and nuanced storyline but no retry option after battles.

Technical – 9.0 – Looks superb overall but combat animations weren’t impressive enough.

Value – 10 – Great game-length is kept fresh by evolving plots and game mechanics.

Average = 9.5/10

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat  Review [575 words]  – CallsignHUSKER

.                    Ukranian developer GSC Game World brings us their latest installment in the S.TA.L.K.E.R. franchise, Call of Pripyat. The title’s acronym stands for, Scavenger, Trespasser, Adventurer, Loner, Explorer, Robber. At a glance Call of Pripyat appears to be just another iteration of the now commonplace post-apocalyptic roleplaying-game. In fact Call of Pripyat’s most compelling feature is its unique setting.

.                    You may not have known that Pripyat is a real city and yes it really is abandoned, decaying and full of radiation. In 1986 the Chernobyl Nuclear power plant famously had a meltdown; the worst in human history. Two days later, the Soviet Union evacuated the 50,ooo inhabitants of Pripyat among many others and formed the ‘Exclusion Zone’ or ‘Zone of Alienation’. Looting plagues the zone to this day. It is in this no-man’s-land that the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games take place.

.                    GSC has recreated Pripyat with eerie precision. Recent footage of the crumbling city is remarkably similar to what can be seen in-game. Call of Pripyat maintains the series’ reputation for creating a compelling atmosphere.

.                    S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat is generally a good-looking game. It is one of the first games to support DirectX 11. The landscapes, sky and weather effects are some of the best in any game. Character models and some textures are disappointingly rough but Call of Pripyat can give even high-end gaming rigs a run for their money.

.                    There isn’t enough voice-acting in the game and what little it has fluctuates between decent and downright obnoxious; the deafening ‘hey bro’ and ‘later dude’ of a Hawaiian merchant in the game comes to mind. It’s a good thing that you spend much of your time exploring the game’s three expansive areas and searching for loot.

.                    Nuclear anomalies pepper the landscape. Anomalies range from vortexes of wind that can tear you apart to deep chasms containing unnatural swirling fires. You can search these with a cruddy sonar-like detector for bizarre objects created by nuclear fallout called artifacts. These can be sold to merchants or other Stalkers for piles of roubles or even worn to gain unearthly bonuses.

.                    Although there is a central storyline it is less interesting than the people and places you find while exploring. This is a sandbox game that encourages you to choose for yourself where you want to go or what you want to do next.

.                    It’s worth noting that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky released in 2008 is a larger and fuller game with more characters and many of the same innovations as Call of Pripyat including a similarly impressive graphics engine. In some ways Call of Pripyat is a step backward for the franchise. For instance, the faction system that allowed the player to join with one of several ideologically opposed groups vying for control of  the zone has been largely removed.

.                    However it is the first in the series to offer a multiplayer component. The multiplayer isn’t very innovative but it works well.  The ability to buy new gear throughout a match is a welcome addition.

.                    Call of Pripyat is a very atmospheric survival horror game with an iconic setting. This is a great game for people who like to expect the unexpected and go exploring.

Immersive – 8.5 – Intriguing setting is offset by a lackluster storyline.

Technical – 9 – If you can crank up the settings you will see some gorgeous sunsets.

Value – 8 – Not nearly as fleshed-out as Clear Sky but multiplayer and a low price tag help.

Average = 8.5/10

Mass Effect 2 Review [500 words]  – CallsignHUSKER

.                    Let’s face it: video games are sometimes a shallow form of entertainment, lacking imagination, depth, or artistic merit. Even good games may only improve slightly upon their predecessors. But every once in awhile a game is released that redefines its genre, sets a higher standard for future games and even moves video games forward as a medium. This is exactly what Mass Effect 2 accomplishes.

.                    ME2 picks up wherever you left off in Mass Effect. You play as either John or Jane Shepard, hell bent on saving human- and alien-kind from extermination.  Your decisions, relationships and experience from the first game can follow you via your saved game. This serves to further personalize a game that is already one of the most personal games ever created.

.                    Divergent plot lines present themselves often and your decisions have far-reaching consequences. These crossroads define who Shepard is for you. The freedom you have with Shepard’s actions and dialogue is not a gimmick. Two people playing ME2 can have very different experiences. From who you choose to recruit to your crew to the places you explore, you get what you put in.

.                    The star-studded cast of voice actors draws on exemplary talent from Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer and Michael Hogan, Star Trek’s Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis, The Matrix’s Carrie-Anne Moss, Martin Sheen, Seth Green and many others. The sheer variety of personalities you can meet and environments you can explore conveys a relentless impression that the world of ME2 is alive and complex.

.                    ME2 improves upon its predecessor in every way. The combat in ME2 is greatly improved. Squad commands are streamlined as is inventory management. Cover mechanics are more fluid. Level design encourages improvisation and a variety of tactics.

.                    If you neglect the side quests in this game you will miss out on hours of some of the best character development and action in the game. You can learn much more about your companions who all turn out to have quite compelling stories of their own. The universe is just more full in this sequel. There is more to explore and more to do.

.                    The art design in ME2 is fantastic. ME2 is the kind of game where you see things and go places that are visually stunning, so much so that you may find yourself stopping simply to look around.

.                    Additional downloadable content is already available for ME2 with more on the way. Flexibility of narrative and numerous decisions also bolster replay value.

.                    ME2 is as epic in its scale as it is nuanced in its design. Masterful storytelling combine with finely tuned gameplay mechanics to create a truly immersive experience.

.                    Mass Effect 2 is a landmark storytelling achievement in the video game medium with over 90 voice actors portraying 546 distinct characters that speak, grunt and digitize more than 31,000 lines of dialogue. Even if you’ve never played a role-playing game or you prefer other genres, you should still check out this mind-blowing accomplishment.

Immersive – 10 – ME2 is absorbing and moving and it will leave you wanting more.

Technical – 10 – Graphics and gameplay have improved in every way from the original.

Value – 10 – The production values of Bioware’s ME2 make other developers look like swindlers.

Average = 10/10

Borderlands Review [550 words]  – CallsignHUSKER

.                    It’s tempting to go easy on Borderlands merely because of its genre, or lack thereof. There aren’t many first person shooters that combine vehicular combat, fast paced cooperative action and an expansive loot system. Did I mention that Borderlands also lets you modify your character’s abilities as you gain experience and level up one of four unique character classes?

.                    This all sounds like a gimmicky attempt to mix disparate styles of gameplay with the obvious pitfall that these elements won’t complement one another. However, this is where Borderlands gets it right; the mix of high octane shooter action combines well with a loot system and gameplay that echoes action rpg exemplars like the Diablo franchise and it actually works! But what has 2k games done with this match made in heaven?

.                    Guns, guns, guns! Borderlands developer 2K Games alleges that the game has ’87 bazillion’ guns in it just waiting for you to collect and use in devious ways. Liars! Fine, they may not be far off in their estimate but this is certainly a half-truth. Most of the weapons in Borderlands differ only slightly from one another and there are only a handful of item types in the game; pistol, rifle, smg, rpg, shield and a few others. These weapon types may be sufficient for most shooters but in a game driven by loot and not storyline the variety in firearms leaves much to be desired.

.                    The stylish cell-shaded feel of the graphics distinguishes Borderlands from similar games. However, the post apocalyptic setting of Borderlands is underwhelming. The landscape and set pieces are often uninteresting or repetitive.

.                    These flaws are all the more glaring due to the wild popularity of Fallout 3 released nearly a year ago. If you are looking for a post apocalyptic adventure that oozes character and originality and can do without the multiplayer there is no reason to get Fallout 3′s ugly sister Borderlands.

.                    Borderlands has decent sound design and the most important thing, the guns, sound great. However, the soundtrack is forgettable and there isn’t enough voice work to make the game world come alive.

.                    Enemies are easily recognizable and the combat overall feels good. It’s what you do outside of combat that can be frustrating. The game’s scattered save points makes it cumbersome to save your progress.

.                    Borderland’s bosses are anticlimactic and ironically they tend to yield worse weapons than the average dumpster. Quests are usually mundane tasks that require you to kill a certain number of a specific enemy or fetch something. Again, the items you are rewarded are usually worse than those you find wandering around.

.                    The New Game+ option allows you to play through the entire game again with tougher enemies and better loot which adds replay value to the game. Borderlands is a game best played with friends. Having some players join you makes enemies more formidable and livens up the pace of the game. If you have some friends that can look past flawed gameplay elements and a bland setting you can go gun crazy with Borderlands.

Immersive – 6.0 – The setting is generic and uninteresting but Borderlands can be addictive.

Technical – 5.0 – Graphics are mediocre and gameplay lacks refinement.

Value – 8.0 – Replay value and engaging multiplayer help make up for the guns they owe us.

Average = 6.25/10

Left 4 Dead 2 Review [550 words]  – CallsignHUSKER

.                    Left4Dead 2 was the target of one of the largest fan boycotts in gaming history due to its suspiciously swift development and release just 1 year after the first game.  Yes this game would have been more appealing if it had been a free expansion to Left4Dead.  That said, Valve fans have been spoiled by the astounding value of many of Valve’s previous products.  The Orange Box comes to mind as it was possibly the best $ value for a new game release ever.  The fact is that Left4Dead 2′s value point exceeds most games released this year.  Perhaps this is paralleled by the fact that some of the most bitter supporters of the boycott bought Left4Dead 2 on the day of its release!  The recent announcement of a massive free expansion to the game that includes a new multiplayer mode, weapons, and a new campaign further bolsters the game’s value.

.                    Left4Dead 2 adds a new multiplayer mode called ‘scavenge’ that is possibly the best part of the game.  Scavenge matches are quite short and exciting; survivors scramble to gather gasoline and protect their buddies while the infected take advantage of the predictable areas that the survivors must enter in order to score points.  This mode promotes more complex cooperative play than Left4Dead’s cower-in-a-corner with your team and don’t stop shooting gameplay and is a significant innovation.

.                    The characters in Left4Dead 2 are more interesting than those in Left4Dead but that’s not saying much as the characters in both games seem to have just met and appeared out of thin air on the roof of a building.  The perplexing nature of weapons procurement in the game (weapons are found in neat piles as if someone has scouted areas ahead of you) among other things pulled me out of the experience and felt contrived.  Valve made a point of trying to expand the storyline and believability of the franchise with Lef4Dead 2, and I think they failed miserably.  My instinct is that the design team was split between people who didn’t see the need for deeper characters etc.. and people who wanted a more immersive game world.  The end result was that Left4Dead 2 didn’t make me feel like I was in an alternate reality but in a comic and over the top fiction where the specifics often feel contrived.

.                    That said, the game world is varied and original.  The monsoon-like episodes of the hard rain campaign were especially engrossing and overall the level design is a big improvement over the first game.  The meticulousness with which the new infected zombies were designed results in neat combinations such as when a bedeviled jockey type zombie jumps on you and steers you into a pool of acid spit laid by another player using the spitter.  The new weapons and special infected unquestionably deepen the gameplay.  The true accomplishment of Left4Dead 2 is this masterful level of balance between the infected and the survivors.   I would recommend this game not only to fans of the original but also to new players.

Immersive – 7.5 – The design mentality that storyline just gets in the way is readily apparent.

Technical – 8.0 – The weather effects and atmosphere are great and the graphics are adequate.

Value – 8.5 – This game is so multiplayer centric and full featured that it almost never gets old.

Average = 8/10