To the dismay of many shooter fans (and fans of Valve in general) Left 4 Dead 2 is only a little over a month ahead of us. Taking the boycotting and claims of it being a glorified expansion pack in stride, Valve asserts that Left 4 Dead 2 is not only a stand-alone game, but one that trumps the original Left 4 Dead in every way imaginable. That in mind, the only definitive thing which can substantiate either side of the argument’s claims is information, and Valve has not left us out in the cold in regards to that.

Though this sequel only comes a year after the first game’s release, it has been fitted with five new campaigns, four new characters, a multitude of new weaponry, a new-and-improved AI Director, a beefed up game engine, and all new types of zombies. Everyone loves more zombies, right? Well Gameonn has a more in-depth look at it all for you.
The new campaigns are probably at the forefront of any prospective buyer’s mind. After all, like the first game, both Left 4 Dead 2’s multiplayer and single player will use the campaigns as their crux. So far the only ones we’ve gotten any information on are The Parish, Dark Carnival and Swamp Fever, which all look as though they’ll contrast each other sharply enough to keep the experience varied as well as set the game apart from its predecessor. For example, Dark Carnival is vastly different from any level in the original Left 4 Dead, all of which took place either in an urban area or in the woods.

The four new characters—Coach, Nick, Ellis and Rochelle—will find themselves wandering somewhat aimlessly down a path from Savannah, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana to escape the horde. The monsters which comprise the horde consist of old friends from the first game as well as three new special infected: the Charger, Spitter, and Jockey. The Charger can best be described as what a pissed off tank would be like… with one arm. The Spitter seems to be similar to the Smoker in that he lies in wait and springs a trap that is usually more annoying than harmful; the Spitter just spews flaming liquid on the ground in order to block off a path for a short time. The Jockey takes after the Hunter in that it jumps out of hiding onto an enemy, but this special infected takes control of its prey in order to steer him or her into the zombie horde.

Aside from the three new special infected, a new species of infected called the Uncommon Common have been added to the game as well. These infected have been aptly named; they’re the same as any common infected, the only difference being that they have certain unique attributes. One example of an Uncommon Common infected would be the Hazmat zombies, which, while immune to fire, prove just as susceptible to plain old bullets. Or frying pans. Or anything, really.

That would bring us to the new armaments. Valve claims Left 4 Dead 2 will pack heat the likes of which most zombies have never been pulverized with before. Amongst these armaments are the American baseball bat, katana, fire axe and frying pan. At first, the idea of dully chopping at a gathering of zombies, especially in Left 4 Dead, may come off as unappealing, but once you get a look at the new in-game engine you’ll quickly come around. Upgraded to better exaggerate the look and feel of hacking into a body and leaving limbs limply hanging by its few remaining tendons, the Source engine looks as though it will be put to its best use here.

Now that all of the important aspects of this sequel have been laid out, all that’s left is for you to decide whether it’s worth purchasing or not. It’s fair to say that both sides of the argument have their own share of critical points to bring, though none of that seems like it will prevent Left 4 Dead 2 from being released this November 17th. We’ll just have to reserve our judgment on the game until then.