Left 4 Dead

[Velorath]

For those who don't venture into the Steam forum, the L4D demo is now available to everyone on PC and 360.

[NiX]

And those of us who pre-ordered have been loving the hell out of it.

[SnakeCharmer]

What's so special about it?  FPS 4 vs 4 with a (slightly) different skin is all I get out of it.

Pleased to be hearing teh cool.

[schild]

What's so special about it?  FPS 4 vs 4 with a (slightly) different skin is all I get out of it.

Pleased to be hearing teh cool.

I refuse to answer that question as you obviously haven't played it. And if you have, you need to play it on advanced at minimum, expert ideally.

[Modern Angel]

I was all set to give Fallout 3 personal GOTY honors but holy shit L4D. I mean, HOLY SHIT. Also: Chet.

[BitWarrior]

What's so special about it?  FPS 4 vs 4 with a (slightly) different skin is all I get out of it.

Pleased to be hearing teh cool.

Yeah, fuck that shit. And the Olympics is just gym class with a few more people watching. And a Maserati is just like a Ford Focus in a (slightly) different skin.

Fuck, I love being ignorant.

[NiX]

FPS 4 vs 4

You made it so painfully obvious you have no idea what this game is about.

[Ingmar]

So what is so special? Feedback that goes beyond "this is awesome  " would be good.

[Azazel]

It's exactly like World of Warcraft arenas, only it's 4v4 instead of 2v2, 3v3 or 5v5.

Yeah really.

Don't bother downloading the demo to see for yourself. Totally not worth it.

 

[ffc]

I don't have a pre-order so I've been downloading the demo today.  33% done.

In addition to my slow download speed (20ish KB/s average, oh ho look at that 9.2 KB/s now), it randomly times out and I have to "verify integrity of game cache" to get things going again.

My internet tubes are fine, but I'm new to this crazy Steam business.  Are slow speeds / seemingly random time outs typical of release days on Steam?

[BitWarrior]

I don't have a pre-order so I've been downloading the demo today.  33% done.

In addition to my slow download speed (20ish KB/s average, oh ho look at that 9.2 KB/s now), it randomly times out and I have to "verify integrity of game cache" to get things going again.

My internet tubes are fine, but I'm new to this crazy Steam business.  Are slow speeds / seemingly random time outs typical of release days on Steam?

Downloaded it twice today, on my wife's computer with a fresh install of Steam (ie: none of the download had been cached already or whatever...) she was getting a full 1.2MB/s, the full potential of my modem.

Valves servers have been historically excellent, so my first inclination would be to blame your net connection, but I could be wrong.

[Ingmar]

Let's pretend I'm completely swamped in my entertainment time right now with a million other games. What about this should make me take the time to go download the demo and try it? Be specific!

[schild]

Let's pretend I'm completely swamped in my entertainment time right now with a million other games. What about this should make me take the time to go download the demo and try it? Be specific!

Left 4 Dead doesn't need reasons. It's the alpha and omega of zombie games, that's reason enough.

[Morfiend]

Let's pretend I'm completely swamped in my entertainment time right now with a million other games. What about this should make me take the time to go download the demo and try it? Be specific!

Its a free demo. Set it to download while you are playing something else. Sheesh, not like it will take long. All of 45 seconds on Steam.

[SnakeCharmer]

Let's pretend I'm completely swamped in my entertainment time right now with a million other games. What about this should make me take the time to go download the demo and try it? Be specific!

Left 4 Dead doesn't need reasons. It's the alpha and omega of zombie games, that's reason enough.

Says the guy that bought a lifetime sub to...Well, you know where it goes.

So, yah, still wondering why it's so great (while I'm waiting on the demo that says it's going to take 6.2 days to DL).

FPS 4 vs 4

You made it so painfully obvious you have no idea what this game is about.

Which is why I asked the question.  So, either answer it, or continue wasting YOUR time being snarky.  Doesn't matter to me.  Your bandwidth (and time).  And I suppose Schild and Co's, but go ahead.

[schild]

You know what, don't play it. Your loss.

[SnakeCharmer]

Pissy much?

[schild]

Downloading a demo if an EFFORTLESS activity on Steam. Your laziness only robs you of fun. And I have 30,000 posts of snark. You're not wasting my time. I have nothing BUT time.

[ffc]

Downloaded it twice today, on my wife's computer with a fresh install of Steam (ie: none of the download had been cached already or whatever...) she was getting a full 1.2MB/s, the full potential of my modem.

Valves servers have been historically excellent, so my first inclination would be to blame your net connection, but I could be wrong.

Thanks, now I am playing the ol' "disable everything I can and restart 1000 times" game to see if it will increase my download speed.  After this attempt, the last thing to do is unplug Mr. Router.

So, yah, still wondering why it's so great (while I'm waiting on the demo that says it's going to take 6.2 days to DL).

The 6.2 days is how long the demo will last for.  I thought it was the DL time at first too.

(edit: ocd)

[SnakeCharmer]

Heh. DOH!

[ffc]

Holy it was my router holding me down.  Now I'm at a sweet sweet 300 KB/s and rising.

Anyone know what kind of general router voodoo plays nice with Steam?  I'm going to ask Google.

[Morfiend]

Played the demo. While cool, I don't know thats its going to be worth my $45. I can see the coop wearing off pretty quick, and they don't let you play Vs in the demo.

As of now I am undecided on if I am going to buy it or not.

[Yegolev]

Anyone know what kind of general router voodoo plays nice with Steam?  I'm going to ask Google.

I'm sure this depends on the router.  I have a fairly standard setup on a WTR54GL with dd-wrt, no issues.

[lesion]

Played the demo. While cool, I don't know thats its going to be worth my $45. I can see the coop wearing off pretty quick, and they don't let you play Vs in the demo.

Seriously, did you play it with 3 people (friends ideally) on Advanced/Expert? The game lives on Expert, which is kind of dumb, but pansies will whine otherwise. I thought the way you thought until I followed those instructions.

Here is why it is promising so far:
- the randomized crap in every level actually does keep the tension fresh
- your friends suck at this game and now you have another valid reason to berate them
- killing zombies with guns is a basic right of every human being
- features KISS technology, which is what made Portal so delicious
- zombies
- guns
- zombies vs. guns

[Zetleft]

Downloading the demo on the xbox, I have no patience for playing games on the computer anymore.... it's essential a porn and chat box :p

[ffc]

I don't understand how Steam is working so fast for me now after I have things set back up as they originally were.  But hey at least I learned about forwarding ports.  Times like this make me hate my PC and the magical turtles living inside it.  If it wasn't for Diablo 3 (and possibly StarCraft 2 if it really is mom friendly, since mom's are slow and I am slower) I would junk my PC.

Anyway, the intro movie actually made me laugh out loud.   

And in my first game
Everything in this game is geared towards having fun.  With zombies.  And guns.  And zombies.

[NiX]

Played the demo. While cool, I don't know thats its going to be worth my $45. I can see the coop wearing off pretty quick, and they don't let you play Vs in the demo.

As of now I am undecided on if I am going to buy it or not.

If you're really THAT unsure, try a taste of VS by playing a zombie against the AI. Not as easy as you'd think. There's a link to how to do it in the Steam L4D thread.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

I downloaded/ played the XBOX 360 version last night, and played all kinds of it online/offline.. The game is magnificent. I am ALL OVER THIS SHIT.

Seriously the game is super cool. 

[fuser]

Played the demo. While cool, I don't know thats its going to be worth my $45. I can see the coop wearing off pretty quick, and they don't let you play Vs in the demo.

Same, downloaded the demo yesterday and played the two levels 3 times (one solo, one with friends on normal, then advanced). I was really bored with it by the end. With an additional 18 levels I don't think it would hold my interest for long.

The director AI decided to throw one random tank in one spot is all I really noticed.

Edit:
Oh one tech gripe, the "friends only" games. Friends of a friend getting in is freaking annoying. Just allow the lobby leaders friends in, or invite only :P

[Morfiend]

I am boggled that they don't allow customized characters. Hey Valve this isn't 1998. I played coop with one friend, and the AI was driving me insane. My teammates would constantly run right in front of me as I was shooting, and then the tip would pop up "Dont shoot teammates".

[BitWarrior]

I am boggled that they don't allow customized characters. Hey Valve this isn't 1998. I played coop with one friend, and the AI was driving me insane. My teammates would constantly run right in front of me as I was shooting, and then the tip would pop up "Dont shoot teammates".

What? Customized characters? Like what, so you can dress them up like Barbies?

The game extensively uses the fact that you are role playing as some in the game, be it Bill, Louis, Zoey or Francis. They call out their names specifically and obviously have their own voices and lines to deliver. The game counts on the fact that *you are these people*, and it makes it glorious. The only customization would be to dress them up. Sorry, I never personally was into Barbie.

In regards to shooting teammates - don't shoot teammates.

[Morfiend]

I am boggled that they don't allow customized characters. Hey Valve this isn't 1998. I played coop with one friend, and the AI was driving me insane. My teammates would constantly run right in front of me as I was shooting, and then the tip would pop up "Dont shoot teammates".

What? Customized characters? Like what, so you can dress them up like Barbies?

The game extensively uses the fact that you are role playing as some in the game, be it Bill, Louis, Zoey or Francis. They call out their names specifically and obviously have their own voices and lines to deliver. The game counts on the fact that *you are these people*, and it makes it glorious. The only customization would be to dress them up. Sorry, I never personally was into Barbie.

In regards to shooting teammates - don't shoot teammates.

Wow, calling out names. Woop dee fucking do. Read the post. I said they ran right in front of me as I was shooting, not much I could do. This is 2008 not 1998, I am sure they could manage to make the game work with custom characters. Don't be a tool.

[Phire]

I am boggled that they don't allow customized characters. Hey Valve this isn't 1998. I played coop with one friend, and the AI was driving me insane. My teammates would constantly run right in front of me as I was shooting, and then the tip would pop up "Dont shoot teammates".

What? Customized characters? Like what, so you can dress them up like Barbies?

The game extensively uses the fact that you are role playing as some in the game, be it Bill, Louis, Zoey or Francis. They call out their names specifically and obviously have their own voices and lines to deliver. The game counts on the fact that *you are these people*, and it makes it glorious. The only customization would be to dress them up. Sorry, I never personally was into Barbie.

In regards to shooting teammates - don't shoot teammates.

I agree with you on not having customized characters. It allows Valve to give the characters in the game personalities and better voice acting that would be missed out on if they went down the customized character route.

[schild]

You seem to be under the impression that them having personalities somehow makes me gift a shit more about them.

Some games maybe, this one, nah, not so much. Dressup would actually be a step in the right direction. And maybe a list of names we can pick from.

[BitWarrior]

Wow, calling out names. Woop dee fucking do. Read the post. I said they ran right in front of me as I was shooting, not much I could do. This is 2008 not 1998, I am sure they could manage to make the game work with custom characters. Don't be a tool.

Customization is vastly, vastly overrated. Sure, I didn't paint the picture perhaps as clearly as I should have. What would you want to change with the characters? Being that they each have their own unique voices, you couldn't change much of their appearance beyond their clothing, hair style and hair colour. Would that *really* be worth it? Does it even matter?

I can understand customization in a game where there are potentially hundreds/thousands/millions of people around, but just 4 of you? It's not going to make or break any experience. I would suggest the fact they were able to make the game "tight" based on an assumption of a certain look/style and feel of each character is far more engrossing than being able to change Bob's army pants into khakis. And give Louis a different coloured tie. Woop de fucking do.

People might run in front of you, that happens with the AI and with people. Actually if the AI didn't do that I'd suggest it would be intentionally handling the player with kid gloves.