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| title = Left 4 Dead
| image = Left4Dead Windows cover.jpg
| developer = [[Valve South]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3760/the_gamasutra_20_2008s_.php?page=20 |title=Features - The Gamasutra 20: 2008's Breakthrough Developers |website=Gamasutra |date=August 13, 2008 |access-date=February 25, 2012 |first=Dana |last=Jongewaard |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222205009/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3760/the_gamasutra_20_2008s_.php?page=20 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|[[Certain Affinity]] assisted [[TurtleValve Rock StudiosSouth]] with the [[Xbox 360]] version of the game.}}
| publisher = [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]
| series = ''[[Left 4 Dead (series)|Left 4 Dead]]''
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| {{Video game release|WW|October 27, 2010}}
}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]] [[Survival Horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| designer = [[Mike Booth]]
| writer = [[Chet Faliszek]]
| composer = [[Mike Morasky]]
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''Left 4 Dead'' uses Valve's proprietary [[Source (game engine)|Source engine]], with four game modes: a single-player mode in which allied characters are controlled by [[game artificial intelligence|AI]], a four-player co-op campaign mode, an eight-player online versus mode, and a four-player [[survival mode]]. In all modes, an artificial intelligence dubbed the "[[#AI Director|Director]]" controls level pacing and item placements in an attempt to create a dynamic experience and increase [[replay value]].
 
''Left 4 Dead'' was well- received by the industry media upon its release, with praise for its replay value, focus on cooperative play, and cinematic feel, although some criticized its limited level selection and lack of narrative. Considered one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games ever made]], the game won several publication awards, as well as distinctions from the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] and [[British Academy Video Games Awards|British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]. As was done with ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'', Valve supplemented the game with free downloadable content. The success of the game led to the development of the [[sequel]] ''[[Left 4 Dead 2]]'', which was released in 2009. In 2012, all ''Left 4 Dead'' campaigns were ported over to ''Left 4 Dead 2'', with cross-platform multiplayer support between Windows and Mac versions of the game.
 
==Plot==
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Like the helicopter before it, this plane also crashes, and the survivors find themselves at the outskirts of the [[Allegheny National Forest]]. Following a series of train tracks, the group finally reaches a functioning but abandoned military evacuation point. After answering a radio transmission (soldier voiced by David Scully), they make their final stand against hordes of infected before a military [[Armored personnel carrier|APC]] arrives to supposedly transport them to Northeast Safe Zone Echo, one of the few remaining safe areas. Instead, they are detained in a military installation,<ref>As seen in ''[[Left 4 Dead: The Sacrifice]]''.</ref> where they learn that they are not immune and are actually [[asymptomatic carrier]]s who have infected most of their rescuers. Meanwhile, the base is overthrown by a mutiny, attracting hordes of infected. The survivors escape via train and travel south at the insistence of Bill, who believes they can find long-term safety on the islands of the [[Florida Keys]].
 
At the portside town of Rayford in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], they find a sailboat but must first raise a [[Vertical-lift bridge|lift bridge]] powered by an aging generator alongside 2two other generators to reach open waters. As the bridge raises, the aging generator gives out. Bill sacrifices himself to restart it so that the others may reach safety. While waiting for the horde to disperse, the three remaining members encounter the survivors from ''[[Left 4 Dead 2]]''. They agree to help the other survivors re-lower the bridge so that they can cross in their car. Louis, Zoey, and Francis then board their boat and set sail for the Florida Keys.
 
==Gameplay==
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===Infected===
The infected (voiced by [[experimental music]]ian [[Mike Patton]] [commons, Smoker, and Hunter] and voice actor [[Fred Tatasciore]] [Boomer and Tank])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323932/ |title=Left 4 Dead (2008) (VG) |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=May 14, 2009 |archive-date=January 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123063722/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323932/ |url-status=live }}</ref> are the enemies of ''Left 4 Dead'', and comparisons have been made with 'zombies' from certain modern films, such as ''[[Dawn of the Dead (2004 film)|Dawn of the Dead]]'', ''[[28 Days Later]]'', and ''[[Quarantine (2008 film)|Quarantine]]''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Ocampo |title=Left 4 Dead Review |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/930/930763p1.html |publisher=IGN |date=November 17, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2009 |quote=''Left 4 Dead is a game that venerates zombie movies throughout the ages, from George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later'' |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212005059/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/930/930763p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cavg">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Rossignol |title=Preview: Left 4 Dead |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=151399 |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |date=December 12, 2006 |access-date=January 20, 2009 |archive-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202130244/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/151399/previews/left-4-dead/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An important distinction from the former is that the infected are, as cited in the game's manual, living humans infected with a [[rabies]]-like [[pathogen]]; more similar to the latter two films, rather than [[undead]] [[zombies]]. While they are never seen eating humans, bite wounds and mutilation are often mentioned. In an interview with 1Up.com, designer [[Mike Booth]] commented on the concept of using a pathogen as an inspiration for the setting:{{cquote|Even though we obviously pushed well beyond the realm of believability with many of our "boss" infected, the core idea of a mind-destroying, civilization-collapsing pathogen is more horrifying to me than magically animated corpses, precisely because it is plausible. Rabies is a good example of a pathogen that can turn a loyal, friendly, protective family pet into a slavering attack machine. It is a virus that reprograms the behaviors of a complex animal&nbsp;– a mammal, in fact. What if something similar happened to humans? ''Left 4 Dead'' is one possible answer.<ref name="1up.com"/>
}}
 
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==Development==
===Pre-production===
Development on ''Left 4 Dead'' started in mid-2005.<ref name="play.tm_gabe_interview">{{cite web |last=Guttridge |first=Luke |title=Valve Software's Doug Lombardi interview |url=http://play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |publisher=Play.tm |date=May 1, 2008 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504134551/http://www.play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |archive-date=May 4, 2012 }}</ref> [[Turtle Rock Studios]] aimed to create a horror film-inspired game that merges single player games' character-driven narrative structure with multiplayer games' social interaction and high [[replay value|replayability]].<ref name="making_of_e3_video" /> The game was first revealed in the Christmas 2006 publication of ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' with a six-page article describing a playthrough at Turtle Rock Studios headquarters. A [[teaser trailer|teaser]] was released with ''[[The Orange Box]]''. The game was first playable at the Showdown 2007 LAN in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] and at [[QuakeCon 2007]]. Turtle Rock Studios announced ''Left 4 Dead'' on November 20, 2006,<ref>{{cite web |title=Turtle Rock and Valve Announce Left 4 Dead |url=http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/112006_left4dead.x |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |date=November 20, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006200800/http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/112006_left4dead.x |archive-date=October 6, 2007 }}</ref> and was acquired by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] on January 10, 2008, because of the game and long-standing relationship between the companies.<ref name="Valve 2008-01-10">{{cite web |title=Valve Acquires Turtle Rock Studios |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/1401/ |work=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=January 10, 2008 |access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118005804/http://store.steampowered.com/news/1401/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game opened up to pre-purchasing on Valve's [[Steam (service)|Steam system]] on October 15, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Pre-Purchase Infection on Now |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/1897/ |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=October 25, 2008 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010053449/http://store.steampowered.com/news/1897/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The concept of ''Left 4 Dead'' had its origins in a [[mod (video game)|modification]] created by [[Turtle Rock Studios]] for ''[[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]]'', which they were co-developing with [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]. This mod, named "Terror Strike", saw four players assigned as the terrorists with the goal to plant a bomb and then defend it from unending waves of counter-terrorists. Turtle Rock also were co-developers of ''[[Counter-Strike: Source]]'', in which they refined the mod, refining the assets to make it more horror themed and having the players fight off zombies. Turtle Rock had attempted to get Valve to publish "Terror Strike" as its own game, but did not gain any traction until Valve writer [[Chet Faliszek]] discovered the project and championed it to Valve's CEO, [[Gabe Newell]].<ref name="kotaku terror strike">{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/pc-gaming-steam-valve-counter-strike-left-4-dead-l4d-1849966662 | title = A Fully Playable Left 4 Dead Prototype Has Been Discovered 15 Years Later | first = Sisi | last = Jiang | date = January 9, 2023 | accessdate = November 24, 2023 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> Both versions of "Terror Strike" for ''Condition Zero'' and ''Source'' eventually were released to the Internet in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-accidentally-leaks-the-earliest-left4dead-prototype-and-it-was-a-counter-strike-mod-all-along/ | title = Valve 'accidentally' leaks the earliest Left4Dead prototype, and it was a Counter-Strike mod all along | first = Rick | last = Lane | date = November 24, 2023 | accessdate = November 24, 2023 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref>
 
With Valve's approval, development on ''Left 4 Dead'' started in mid-2005,<ref name="play.tm_gabe_interview">{{cite web |last=Guttridge |first=Luke |title=Valve Software's Doug Lombardi interview |url=http://play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |publisher=Play.tm |date=May 1, 2008 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504134551/http://www.play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |archive-date=May 4, 2012 }}</ref> and grew significantly larger after Faliszek became lead of the project from Valve's side, bringing in over 100 Valve employees to help expand production.<ref name="kotaku terror strike"/> Turtle Rock aimed to create a horror film-inspired game that merges single player games' character-driven narrative structure with multiplayer games' social interaction and high [[replay value|replayability]].<ref name="making_of_e3_video" />
 
To give ''Left 4 Dead'' significant exposure, Valve financed a $10-million marketing campaign for the game in the United States and Europe, with advertisements appearing on television, print, websites and outdoor placements in many cities. Valve also hosted photo contests called, "Dude, where's my thumb?" offering copies of ''Left 4 Dead'' to people who submitted the best picture involving zombies or the outdoor advertising.<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Available at Retail Worldwide |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/2052/ |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=November 21, 2008 |access-date=November 25, 2008 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010053456/http://store.steampowered.com/news/2052/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
===DevelopmentProduction===
''Left 4 Dead'' uses the 2008 version of Valve's [[Source engine]], with improvements such as [[multi-core processor]] support and [[physics engine|physics-based animation]] to more realistically portray hair and clothing, and to improve physics interaction with enemies when shot or shoved in different body parts.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Left 4 Dead |developer=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=2008 |platform=PC |level=No Mercy: The Hospital (developer commentary) |quote='''Miles Estes''': Since killing zombies is such a big part of this game, we invested a lot of time into making their death animations more dramatic than simple ragdolls. We had a professional stuntman on the motion capture stage perform about a hundred different dying animations from different kinds of weapons and hit from different directions, like from the front or behind. We then combined these mo-cap animations with the physics-driven ragdolls.}}</ref> Animation was also improved to allow characters to lean realistically when moving in curved paths. Rendering and artificial intelligence were scaled up to allow for a greater number of enemies who can navigate the world in better ways, such as climbing, jumping, or breaking obstacles.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Left 4 Dead |developer=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=2008 |platform=PC |level=No Mercy: The Apartments (developer commentary) |quote='''Phil Robb''': We treat the infected horde as a major character in ''Left 4 Dead'', and spend a lot of effort in making their movements believable. This includes hundreds of motion-captured animations that are algorithmically blended with the physics system to create characters that realistically interact with their environment and each other. ... When they see a survivor, they become enraged, taking off at a full sprint, leaning into their turns, jumping and climbing over everything in their way, trying to get to their victim. We wanted to express this rage in their faces as well, so we found efficient ways for each member of the horde to make intense facial expressions.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game |title=Left 4 Dead |developer=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=2008 |platform=PC |level=No Mercy: The Subway (developer commentary) |quote='''Matt Campbell''': Although it sounds ridiculous to talk about advanced zombie AI, we spent a great deal of time on the AI systems for the common horde. First and foremost is their ability to navigate. The environments in ''Left 4 Dead'' are geometrically complex, and littered with breakable and movable objects such as doors or cars. One of the design goals for the zombie horde was that there can never be a place where a survivor can stand that a zombie cannot navigate to. To make this happen required not only robust path-finding code, but also path-following algorithms as well. These path followers have to continuously evaluate the local geometry around them, and decide whether to crouch, stand, jump, climb over, and otherwise navigate nearly arbitrary environmental obstacles.}}</ref> Lighting was enhanced with new [[self-shadowing]] [[normal mapping]] and advanced shadow rendering that is important to convey information about the environment and player actions.<ref name="making_of_e3_video" /><ref name="firingsquad_valve_interview">{{cite web |last=Callaham |first=John |title=Left 4 Dead Interview |url=http://www.firingsquad.com/games/left_4_dead_interview/default.asp |publisher=FiringSquad |date=March 22, 2007 |access-date=September 1, 2008 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118103353/http://www.firingsquad.com/games/left_4_dead_interview/default.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Wet surfaces and fog are used to create mood.<ref name="gamesfest2008-presentation">{{cite web |author=Valve |title=How Valve Connects Art Direction to Gameplay |url=http://www.valvesoftware.com/publications/2008/GameFest08_ArtInSource.pdf |date=July 2008 |access-date=August 2, 2008 |author-link=Valve |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229014448/http://www.valvesoftware.com/publications/2008/GameFest08_ArtInSource.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/07/indepth_how_valve_makes_art_to.php |title=In-Depth: How Valve Makes Art To Enhance Gameplay |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=July 31, 2008 |publisher=GameSetWatch |access-date=October 26, 2008 |archive-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120204628/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/07/indepth_how_valve_makes_art_to.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many kinds of [[Video post-processing|post processing]] cinematic visual effects inspired by horror movies have been added to the game. There is dynamic [[color correction]] that accentuates details based on importance, [[contrast (vision)|contrast]] and [[Unsharp masking|sharpening]] to focus attention on critical areas, [[film grain]] to expose details or imply details in dark areas and [[vignetting]] to evoke tension and a horror-film look.<ref name="making_of_e3_video" />
 
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===Promotion===
Development on ''Left 4 Dead'' started in mid-2005.<ref name="play.tm_gabe_interview">{{cite web |last=Guttridge |first=Luke |title=Valve Software's Doug Lombardi interview |url=http://play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |publisher=Play.tm |date=May 1, 2008 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504134551/http://www.play.tm/interview/17853/valve-software-s-doug-lombardi/ |archive-date=May 4, 2012 }}</ref> [[Turtle Rock Studios]] aimed to create a horror film-inspired game that merges single player games' character-driven narrative structure with multiplayer games' social interaction and high [[replay value|replayability]].<ref name="making_of_e3_video" /> The game was first revealed in the Christmas 2006 publication of ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' with a six-page article describing a playthrough at Turtle Rock Studios headquarters. A [[teaser trailer|teaser]] was released with ''[[The Orange Box]]''. The game was first playable at the Showdown 2007 LAN in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] and at [[QuakeCon 2007]]. Turtle Rock Studios announced ''Left 4 Dead'' on November 20, 2006,<ref>{{cite web |title=Turtle Rock and Valve Announce Left 4 Dead |url=http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/112006_left4dead.x |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |date=November 20, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006200800/http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/112006_left4dead.x |archive-date=October 6, 2007 }}</ref> and was acquired by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] on January 10, 2008, because of the game and long-standing relationship between the companies.<ref name="Valve 2008-01-10">{{cite web |title=Valve Acquires Turtle Rock Studios |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/1401/ |work=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=January 10, 2008 |access-date=January 10, 2008 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118005804/http://store.steampowered.com/news/1401/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game opened up to pre-purchasing on Valve's [[Steam (service)|Steam system]] on October 15, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Pre-Purchase Infection on Now |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/1897/ |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=October 25, 2008 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010053449/http://store.steampowered.com/news/1897/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
To promote the game and provide basic training to players before starting the game, Valve chose to develop a [[Cutscene#Animated cutscenes|pre-rendered]] intro movie. This movie was released on Halloween<ref>{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/5141/ |title=Left 4 Dead Intro |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-date=March 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323224245/http://store.steampowered.com/app/5141 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and shows events prior to the beginning of the "No Mercy" campaign.<ref name="intromovieblog">{{cite web
|title = The Moviemaking Process: Left 4 Dead's Intro Movie
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==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 89/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/left-4-dead/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Left 4 Dead for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821073027/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/left-4-dead |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MCX360">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/left-4-dead/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Left 4 Dead for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106092314/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/left-4-dead |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP = A−<ref name="1UP">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/left-4-dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614174538/http://www.1up.com/reviews/left-4-dead|title=Left 4 Dead for 360 from 1UP.com|work=[[1Up.com]]|first=Thierry|last=Nguyen|date=November 21, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2016|access-date=October 12, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Edge = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360)|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=December 2008|page=82|issue=196}}</ref>
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===Critical reception===
''Left 4 Dead'' received highly positive reviews from critics. At [[Metacritic]], the game received an aggregated score of 89 out of 100 for both Xbox 360 and PC.<ref name="MCX360" /><ref name="MCPC" /> ''[[IGN]]'' stated, "It's almost pitch perfect in how it captures the tension and the action of a Hollywood zombie movie", and went on to describe it as, "quite possibly the perfect co-op shooter."<ref name="L4Dreview-IGN">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/930/930763p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202060737/http://pc.ign.com/articles/930/930763p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |title=Left 4 Dead Review |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 18, 2008}}</ref> [[Giant Bomb]] commented that the Source engine was beginning to show its age, but praised the game's use of lighting and filmic effects that gives the game world, "a desolate, washed-out feeling", as well as the realistic and emotive faces and the engrossing art direction.<ref name="L4Dreview-Giant Bomb">{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/left-4-dead/61-20690/reviews/ |title=Left 4 Dead Review |last=Davis |first=Ryan |date=November 18, 2008 |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |access-date=December 19, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216013910/http://www.giantbomb.com/left-4-dead/61-20690/reviews/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Eurogamer]] concluded that ''Left 4 Dead'' "is another deeply professional, personality-filled and progressive take on the shooter from Valve."<ref name="L4Dreview-Eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/left-4-dead-review |title=Left 4 Dead Review |last=Gillen |first=Kieron |date=November 19, 2008 |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=December 2, 2008 |archive-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531034422/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/left-4-dead-review |url-status=live }}</ref> IGN, [[GameSpot]], and [[1Up.com]] praised the game's replayability, but GamespotGameSpot criticized the "limited map selection" that could "sometimes feel a bit repetitious".<ref name="L4Dreview-Gamespot">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/left4dead/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Left 4 Dead for PC Review |last=Watters |first=Chris |date=November 20, 2008 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=December 8, 2008 |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814030754/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/left4dead/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="L4Dreview-IGN" /><ref name="1UP"/> [[GameSpy]] noted the lack of an overall narrative between the campaigns was disappointing.<ref name="L4Dreview360-Gamespy">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/left-4-dead/930843p1.html |title=Left 4 Dead Review |last=Tuttle |first=Will |date=November 17, 2008 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=November 18, 2008 |archive-date=September 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930044930/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/left-4-dead/930843p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, some reviewers praised its faithfulness to the [[zombie film]] genre,<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Review |publisher=Examiner.com |url=http://theexplodingbarrel.com/?p=2094 |date=November 17, 2008 |quote=''First and foremost, it's probably the most faithful video incarnation of the zombie genre that fans have ever been treated to. Yes, even better than Resident Evil 4'' |access-date=November 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604230016/http://theexplodingbarrel.com/?p=2094 |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Review |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/left_4_dead/b/xbox360/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx |date=November 17, 2008 |quote=The amazing level designs will remind you of every zombie movie ever made |access-date=February 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328044312/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/left_4_dead/b/xbox360/archive/2009/09/22/review.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eight Hands-on: Left 4 Dead Impressions |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/11/04/eight-hands-on-left-4-dead-impressions/ |date=November 4, 2008 |quote=''Over breakfast yesterday&nbsp;– before playing&nbsp;– we were talking about different takes on the zombie game that we'd like to see. One which didn't come up is one which Left 4 Dead grasps completely&nbsp;– its inherent perverseness. Now, it's a constant internet thing to discuss what you'd do in a Zombie Invasion, the implication being that you're smarter than anyone else. Which is fine... but that's not how the genre works'' |access-date=November 23, 2008 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201092410/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/11/04/eight-hands-on-left-4-dead-impressions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including the "deliberately ambiguous" back-story,<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead Preview |publisher=Game.co.uk |url=http://www.game.co.uk/lowdown.aspx?lid=10067 |date=October 15, 2008 |quote=As with the best horror flicks, the back-story is left deliberately ambiguous |access-date=November 26, 2008 |archive-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209015420/http://www.game.co.uk/lowdown.aspx?lid=10067 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the amount of characterization and emotion brought by each of the four survivors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, and Valve |publisher=ign.com |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/936/936221p1.html |date=December 5, 2008 |quote=''Yet it also features four distinct survivors who convey an incredible amount of emotion through their facial animations and the rich amount of voice acting. There's Bill, the grizzled old veteran; Francis, the tough biker; Louis, the everyday dude; and Zoey, the college girl. They're so memorable that you can hear their voices in your mind as clear as day'' |access-date=November 26, 2008 |archive-date=December 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210095941/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/936/936221p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[TeamXbox]] commented that [[clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]] issues hurt the otherwise "incredibly good" visual experience.<ref name="L4Dreview360-Teamxbox">{{cite web |url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1622/Left-4-Dead/p1/ |title=Left 4 Dead Review (Xbox 360) |last=Eddy |first=Andy |date=November 17, 2008 |quote=''The motion-capture animation that makes up the varied zombie behavior is incredibly good, with the visuals peaking when a rushing gray-black mass of zombies are climbing up, over and through the terrain to get at you(...) On the other hand, it's irritating when you come into a room and see an enraged zombie clipping through from the other side of a wall or door'' |publisher=[[TeamXbox]] |access-date=November 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323080021/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1622/Left-4-Dead/p1/|archive-date=March 23, 2009}}</ref> [[Hideo Kojima]], creator of the [[Metal Gear (series)|''Metal Gear'' series]] declared in an interview with ''1UP.com'' that he was "addicted to the game", which was, in his view, one of the "core titles made with movie-industry people that explore the depths of hi-def".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172266 |title=Kojima: "Maybe I Should Quit Being Japanese" |last=Kojima |first=Hideo |quote=There are games everyone can play—maybe calling them 'kids' games' would be inappropriate—but there's also a deep base of core titles made with movie-industry people that explore the depths of hi-def. I'm addicted to Left 4 Dead right now, but people say to me that that game would never work in Japan. |date=January 14, 2009 |publisher=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=January 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122040844/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172266 |archive-date=January 22, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
===Sales===
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===Awards===
''Left 4 Dead'' received recognition as one of the best multiplayer and PC games of 2008 from various organizations and gaming publications. The game was named the Best Multiplayer Game of 2008 by [[IGN]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/pc/18.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220074038/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/pc/18.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |title=IGN PC: Best Multiplayer Game 2008 |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/xbox360/18.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223043456/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/xbox360/18.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 23, 2008 |title=IGN 360: Best Online Multiplayer Game 2008 |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref> [[GameSpy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/multiplayer/10.html |title=Gamespy&nbsp;— Multiplayer Top 10 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222054918/http://goty.gamespy.com/2008/multiplayer/10.html |archive-date=December 22, 2008 }}</ref> [[Spike TV]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/12/15/left-4-dead-wins-best-pc-game-at-spikes-video-game-awards/ |title=Left 4 Dead wins Best PC Game at Spike's Video Game Awards |last=Callaham |first=John |date=December 15, 2008 |publisher=[[Game Daily]] |access-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903030914/http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/12/15/left-4-dead-wins-best-pc-game-at-spikes-video-game-awards/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[NoFrag]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nofrag.com/2008/dec/28/ |title=NoFrag : Left 4 Dead élu FPSOTY 2008 |date=December 28, 2008 |publisher=[[NoFrag]] |access-date=January 5, 2009 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215051759/http://nofrag.com/2008/dec/28/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[BAFTA]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/video-games/nominations,664,BA.html |title=BAFTA Video Game Awards List of Nominations and Winners |date=March 10, 2009 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |access-date=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219071725/http://www.bafta.org/awards/video-games/nominations,664,BA.html |archive-date=February 19, 2011 }}</ref> and as the "Computer Game of the Year" by the [[12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards|Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|(AIAS)]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2009&idGameAwardType=27 |title=AIAS ANNUAL AWARDS > 12TH ANNUAL AWARDS |date=February 19, 2009 |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509191133/http://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2009&idGameAwardType=27 |url-status=live }}</ref> Spike TV, and [[Bit-tech]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2008/12/29/top-10-pc-games-of-the-year-2008/7 |title=Game of the Year&nbsp;– Left 4 Dead |publisher=[[Bit-tech]] |access-date=January 10, 2009 |archive-date=January 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101022006/http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2008/12/29/top-10-pc-games-of-the-year-2008/7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other awards include "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Online Game of the Year|Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay]]" from the AIAS (who also nominated it for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]]"), Best Use of Sound for the PC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/pc/14.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220074018/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/pc/14.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |title=IGN PC: Best Use of Sound 2008 |publisher=IGN |access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref> and Best Shooting<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/overall/8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120044905/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/overall/8.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2009 |title=IGN Overall: Best Shooter 2008 |publisher=IGN |access-date=February 12, 2009}}</ref> game overall from IGN, Father of All FPS from Nofrag, and the best Cooperative Multiplayer<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/special-achievement/index.html?page=19 |title=Gamespot's Best Games of 2008: Best Cooperative Multiplayer |publisher=Gamespot |access-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825122610/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/special-achievement/index.html?page=19 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Shooter<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/genre-awards/index.html?page=9 |title=Gamespot's Best Games of 2008: Best Shooting Games |publisher=Gamespot |access-date=February 12, 2009 |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824164942/http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/genre-awards/index.html?page=9 |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2008 from [[GameSpot]] who also nominated it for Game of the Year.
 
===Legacy===