2. Left 4 Dead/Left 4 Dead 2

Developer: Valve
Release: Nov 17th 2008/ Nov 17th 2009
Metacritic Score: 89/89
Format: PC, Xbox 360
Sales: 2.7million/2.6million

How many FPS games feature team play? Modern Warfare, Gears of War, Halo, Killzone etc. Now how many of them actually reinforce it? Just try and go it alone in Left 4 Dead and you’ll not only be killed but most likely kicked from the session as well. Don’t have a mic? Wander into a lobby and the chances are you’ll be asked to speak, if you don’t you’ll be removed.

Although some of the community nuances seem a little harsh, they are justified. While most games suggest players work together, L4D and the sequel absolutely demand it. Communication is key to survival, comrades need to know if there’s a spare medi kit, partners need to be warned of the smoker on the roof waiting to drag an unsuspecting survivor away from the group. If you hear the gurgle of the boomer, then say so, because failure to let your team mates know what’s  around the next corner could lead to the demise of the team.

One of the survivors getting tongued

Similarly the infected need to work together fluently. Particularly in the sequel where the Jockey and the Spitter need to be used with the other infected to maximise their potential. A well organised team of infected will utilise their tools. Using the Boomer to vomit on unsuspecting survivors, thus blinding them, then riding one of them off a cliff with the Jockey is joy to behold.  

The L4D series isn’t just renown for its excellent co-op mechanic. Like several other titles in this list it manages to tell a story without resorting to intrusive cut scenes.  The narrative is in the scenery -Valve’s trademark graffiti tell stories of past survivors; from something as simple as, “ Entire city is infected, get out” to “Karen and I are held up in recycling plant. Have plenty of food and water. Look for the hollow ontainer. Love you, Jason.” Each scrawl furthers the authenticity of the zombie apocalypse.

Chigaco Ted makes a very bold statement

The action is dictated by the AI director who controls which of the special infected are spawned and where helpful items appear, amongst other parameters. This is L4D’s greatest narrative asset, stories are crafted through gameplay, as opposed to through exposition. Look to forum message boards for painful examples of how teams of survivors have the safe room in sight; then have been denied escape at the last minute by a tank, by a witch in the saferoom door, by a survivor accidentally setting off a car alarm, by an untimely wave of zombies sent by the AI director, by a badly thrown Molotov cocktail that accidentally burnt their own team mates, by a smoker that dragged a straggling survivor to their death…their team mates refusing to leave the saferoom to help, in fear for their own lives because of the audible snarls of the  hunter waiting to pounce. If you’ve played L4D the chances are that several of those scenario’s will sound familiar.

L4D made co-operation a necessity via the medium of the zombie apocalypse. One of Valve’s unsung trademarks is impeccable balancing, everything works more effectively in unison. Witnessing the gradual demise of an opposing team of survivors thanks to a well conceived plan is ever so rewarding. That’s why this writer believes L4D has made it so surprisingly high in this list. Most games offer team work; Valve have prioritised it and encased it in an absolute riot of a game. 
 

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