100°

Left 4 Dead: Crash Course Dead on Arrival

Baxy-z describes why the latest DLC for the popular zombie shoot-'em-up Left 4 Dead is a real stinker, and not just because of the rotting flesh. Seemingly rushed out for all the suckers to buy, Valve is really pushing it with this bad job, which Baxy-z considers one of the worst DLC packs ever.

DavidMacDougall5748d ago

There is only 2 parts!? I was playing it thinking there would be a full 5 parts to 1 chapter and it was over so quick! Very disappointing. Why the **** did i think anything good was going to happen to this game, L4D is just that, anything worth while is in the second and i aint buying that after this. Can't even skin my guns :(

Smash Daddy5748d ago

It's a real disgrace how Valve has handled this game and its fans, basically now churning all the money it can out of them for their naivety. Probably all goes into the Feeding Gabe fund.

Greywulf5748d ago

Wait till valve figures out Halo ODST sold for 60.00.

lol..

baxy-z5748d ago

I personally feel it's ridiculous that we have to pay for very little content, especially when the PC got it for free!

caladbolg7775748d ago

I actually really like the layout of the map for competitive play. There are a variety of viable infected setups littered throughout the map. The finale, specifically, is a welcomed change as the survivors are forced to exit their camping location to reactivate the event after the generator loses power (about halfway through the finale). The length of the scenario (two maps) is perfect; rounding in at about 30-45 minutes. This is a significant improvement over the 1hr15 - 1hr45min length of the other scenarios. If you've ever scrimmed L4D, you'd know that by about the 3rd or 4th map, teams are just begging for the match to be over.

However, the sheer number of items that spawn throughout Crash Course is insane and needs to be severely dumbed down. In one game this evening, we counted 3 molotovs in one room, 2 more in the adjacent closet, and 2 pipes in the room directly across the alleyway. In another game, the running joke was that it was almost impossible for the survivors to lose because "50 medkits spawn throughout the level".

I chalk many of these issues up to Valve's stance on quality assurance (they don't have a dedicated QA team), where in the first couple months following a game's release they basically use their playerbase as unpaid beta testers.

Sadly, this latest update feels like L4D's death rattle. Updates have been few and far between (and ill-received). I don't expect many, if any, more significant updates to come for L4D1 by way of Valve. We may see a few more mildly-popular user-created mods, but I'm sure Valve's focus has shifted to L4D2 (which from a competitive gaming standpoint is DEAD IN THE WATER with the release of Modern Warfare 2 on the horizon). I know that within my circle of L4D friends, we've been seriously discussing skipping Left4Dead2, and I can imagine that this is the talk of many of L4D1's competitive teams.

Of course, this is just what I've noticed playing the PC version. From what I have heard, the 360 version probably has similar complaints regarding the DLC... except they had to pay money for it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5748d ago
Pandamobile5748d ago (Edited 5748d ago )

"One could build an argument for Valve here, I suppose. Achievements don’t matter; a shorter campaign aids the ‘human v. zombie’ versus mode and you could disagree on the new features being essentially pointless. The fact that this update is free on PC and Valve’s claims of Microsoft being involved frankly sounding like a lot of boohickey considering all the free DLC that has had achievements [apparently why MS forced them to charge for it] really grinds our gears. I mean, if it can’t be free, fine, but why charge it for so much? I’d rather buy Sonic the Hedgehog than this steaming pile; stay far away!"

Lol, the poor guy had to play the Xbox version.

I personally loved the campaign. It's about an hour long in VS. mode.

mcgrawgamer5748d ago

I guess I'd be upset too if I had the xbox version. Yes its' only 2 chapters and pandamobile maybe you can confirm this for me. did the levels feels a bit bigger to you? Not big enough to encompass 5 full chapters but big enough to extend the play of each level.

Pandamobile5748d ago

Yes, the levels were very long. I was half-expecting two short levels like the first two levels of No Mercy.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Raf1k15748d ago

It's always just the Xbox guys that have a problem with DLC prices. Why not complain to MS instead of Valve? Apparently DLC costs are all down to MS.

GamerSciz5748d ago

I have L4D for PC and not only is it more competitive using a mouse and keyboard, but the DLC packs have all been FREE. Plus the game was only $40 when I bought it so that's another reason to get it for PC. My laptop which was under a $1000 can play it full maxed settings so you can't use the excuse that you don't have a PC good enough.

Regardless, I have heard nothing great about this either. I feel like this is simply to try and hold over the folks waiting for L4D2 which is in just a little over a month now...

Either way, Valve apparently doesn't realize that we gamers enjoy completely new experiences and not recycled ones full of glitches and no achievements. This was a big mistake to have released this DLC right now.

STK0265748d ago

Yoyu can get L4D for 15$ on Steam right now, I really don't see why anyone would bother with the X360 version of this game.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5748d ago
solar5748d ago

i got done playing both the campaign and vs. of the new DLC, and the maps are pretty long. seperated into 2 decent chunks. lots of spots for boomers to spawn, calculated attacks for the infected.

overall the maps are ok. i wouldnt call it worthy of the price that MS is making Valve charge for it. which is fail imo from MS.

plus Valve has the AI Director spawning too many goodies atm for the PC version. which is unacceptable. which, im sure will be patched soon enough.

Kushan5748d ago

What's this? DLC that isn't worth the price? I'm shocked, utterly utterly shocked.

Show all comments (19)
130°

Looking Back At 2008, An Unbelievably Incredible Year Of Video Game Releases

Huzaifa from eXputer: "2008 was home to the likes of Call of Duty: World at War, Dead Space, GTA 4, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and many other hits, which is outright remarkable."

ChasterMies427d ago

Some of these low paid video game “news” writers weren’t born before 2007.

just_looken427d ago

Here here

Those that were around before 2000's i am sure are like me that think we entered a world of non readers or those that follow without question.

I can not wait to see fallout 3 a goty game even though it was about water with non content until you add the dlc/updates then you got the performance/crashing

CrimsonWing69428d ago

I don’t think anything can compare to 2023

lucasnooker428d ago

1998 - the best year in gaming! Metal gear solid, crash bandicoot 3, medievil, half life, ocarina of time, thief, tenchu, resident evil 2, Spyro, tomb raider 3, oddworld abes exodus, banjo kazooie.

It was a different breed of a gaming era. You’ll never understand what it was like back then. The aura of gaming, it was different!

KyRo428d ago (Edited 428d ago )

I second this. Gaming was a lot more varied and fun than it is today. I'm 35 so getting on compared to some here but I got to see all the changes from NES up to now but I've never felt so disappointed in any generation than I have this current gen. I was expecting more from this generation rather than prettier versions of games that came before it. Game mechanics have become so refined that alot of games feel the same and has done for a while now.

Maybe it's time to have a break for a while. I love gaming but I don't feel I get much fun in the traditional sense out of it anymore.

CrimsonWing69428d ago (Edited 428d ago )

Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Abe’s Exodus, and Ocarina of Time are the only things from that list that I liked.

Here’s the 2023 game releases that I personally liked… and big releases that I didn’t care for:

- Dead Space Remake
- Wo Long Dynatsy
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Diablo 4
- Fire Emblem Engage
- Hogwarts Legcay
- Street Fighter 6
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Like a Dragon: Ishin
- Octopath Traveler 2
- Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters
- Final Fanatsy XVI (actually ended up not liking this, but it was still a big deal release)
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Starfield (Ended up hating this one, but big release)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (I’m an old-school Zelda fan, but didn’t really enjoy this game)
- Alan Wake 2

I mean, honestly I’ve never seen a year of major IP releases like that, ever.

Profchaos427d ago (Edited 427d ago )

Isn't it just a generational thing realistically.

I've been gaming since way back and I some of my favourite games go as far back as the late 80s for me each generation has a year or two of game changing releases one after another before an inevitable dry spell.

I kind of agree gaming had a different feel games hit different because we didn't have the internet nothing got spoiled and you really had to put in the effort to beat a puzzle which could set entire groups of people looking for a solution. But most importantly games were experimental and not as cookie cutter as today even basics like controls were not universal today r2 is shoot l2 is ads garunteed you can't deviate from that in a shooter back then it could of been square, R1 or R1 and circle nothing was standard.

But as time moves on a new generation picks up their controller they are going to be interested in different things that PS1 demo disc with the t Rex blew our primitive 16 bit brains back on launch but to kids today it's laughable.
The new gen of kids coming into to hobby seem to value different things to us there seems to be a huge focus on online play, streamers, gaming personalities, and social experiences, convience of digital downloads. To me I value none of that but that's ok like my parents not liking the band's I would listen to its just the natural cycle.

Gameseeker_Frampt427d ago

Just about every year in the 7th generation was great and something we most likely won't experience again.

2009 for example had Assassin's Creed 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dragon Age: Origins, Uncharted 2, Halo 3: ODST, Killzone 2, Borderlands, Bayonetta, and Demon's Souls to name a few.

just_looken427d ago

It still amazes me we got over 7 rockstar games ps2/ps3 but 3 for the ps3/ps4/ps5

Dragon age 1-3 and mass effect 1-3 in 7ish years what a generation.

320°

Most Offensive Video Games That Would Never Cut It Today

Times are changing, and these games would have never been made in today's climate.

Read Full Story >>
wealthofgeeks.com
thorstein465d ago (Edited 465d ago )

Every single time someone uses this phrase whether it's music, movies, books, comics, video games, etc it's always the same claim.

The ubiquitous "they" won't allow it to be made. And every decade these claims are made the claimant completely ignores all the "offensive" material that is published when the claim is made.

In ten years, you can write a new article about how you can't make games like Helldivers 2, Resident Evil VIII, Mortal Kombat I, Dragon's Dogma 2, Alan Wake 2 etc etc etc any more.

MrBaskerville464d ago

Yeah, people wouldn't be constantly outraged if there weren't games that people found enraging. The whole SBI discourse shit wouldn't be a thing if all games were inoffensive. A game like Starfield can make a guy froth at his mouth, so there will always be room for a list like this.

0hMyGandhi464d ago

Normally, I'd be inclined to agree with you, but there are massive caveats.
TV shows like Venture Bros, Ren and Stimpy, and Aqua Team wouldn't/couldn't be made today. Hell, Ren and Stimpy was a *children's* show, same thing with Rocko's Modern Life.

It's not for some arbitrary reason, either. It's branding and IP alignment. Companies are far more risk-averse than they were when I was kid in the 90's. Of course, you have companies coming out of the woodwork to hell spur on similar content, but remember: Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and some incredibly provocative material.

And for movies? it's pretty obvious. American Pie/Wedding Crashers/Eurotrip among many other "raunch coms" have fallen out of style, and are absolutely outside what the modern day film industry is willing to stand by.
Ace Ventura 1 and 2, Dumb and Dumber, Freddy Got Fingered, Rat Race, Harold and Kumar, and Van Wilder follow suit.

Remember: I am not explicitly talking about films put onto streamers. I am talking wide-releases in actual theaters. Same thing goes for games: Carmageddon, Duke Nukem, Manhunt, Six Days In Fallujah (with their original concept), Hatred, and so on and so forth. Of course, I'd be inclined to mention most tactical shooters like Rainbow Six and Joint Ops as well, due to cultural sensitivity regarding *who* you are shooting and why.

And not all of it is bad (obviously). Tastes change, and perspectives change to fit the demographic.
I should add that I'm a lefty, living in L.A. Working in film.

thorstein464d ago

The Boys, Invincible, Jojo Rabbit, Deadpool, Gen V, Last of Us, Banshee... There are plenty of media being made today that people will claim "can't be made today".

Profchaos464d ago

Yeah but if you consider manhunt which was basically a snuff film could you seriously make that game with high than PS2 era graphics.

thorstein464d ago

The Outlast Trials just came out.

But the storyline of Manhunt was that you were executed. But then lived. And if you didn't do as you were told, you'd die. And the people you killed were not innocents.

It was all filmed by a psychopath.

As we speak GTA VI is being finished up for a release. You get to play a Bonnie and Clyde type of protagonist who run up against the law.

Bodycam looks so real.

People are making those games. Articles like this will always exist no matter how incorrect they are, no matter how many times they blame "them" for whatever it is "they" do to prevent "those" games from being made.

ZycoFox464d ago

The UK is the biggest junk country pandering to that nonsense as well, with laws against free speech and expression to match. It got so bad even Rowan Atkinson made a video on free speech about it.

Now the UK raises the age rating on harmless films like Mary Poppins, it's just a load of pansy weak ass nonsense.

MrDead464d ago (Edited 464d ago )

The right wing Tories have been in power in the UK for the 14 years you know the ones that are "anti-woke", blame them for your perceptions.

Killer2020UK464d ago (Edited 464d ago )

Are these snowflakes in the room with us now?

This is more faux outrage designed to get hits. The consequences are unfortunately creating hysteria amongst those willing to buy into it and blame "them" or "the left" or "liberals" meanwhile the left are kicking off about genocide, actual real world abhorrent acts. Nobody is campaigning to censor this shit.

Huey_My_D_Long464d ago

Not too mention the fact that some of these game are controversial for you know, underage porn and encouraging rape.

So either the guy just came in to comment snowflakes without reading anything, or he is calling people snowflakes for having a problem with said titles. Crazy how much brain rot someone can have.

banger88465d ago

Dead Island: "The early PC version of the zombie game swapped the playable character Purna’s Gender Wars skill with a prototype name, which shouldn’t be mentioned directly. The skill name made fun of both Purna as a character and feminists."

"Feminist Whore" lmao

gold_drake465d ago

ill add one more to the list.
drakengard 1.

its ridiculous tho, especially since they'd still be able to find their place in alot of places in the world. except america of course ha. and maybe Australia.

ppl are so sensitive these days. ha. but it is what it is.

Barlos465d ago (Edited 465d ago )

They're not offensive.

And we need another Fat Princess. Fantastic little game!

Some people just have no sense of humour if this sort of thing offends them. They need to lighten up and stop taking themselves so seriously.

Deeeeznuuuts465d ago

Would love a new fat princess game 🤟

CantThinkOfAUsername464d ago

Games literally about sexual assault, mass genocide, bombing civilians, and school shooting. None of which is satirical.

isarai464d ago

Actually it's about fat princesses

Huey_My_D_Long464d ago (Edited 464d ago )

Its crazy that people are fixated on Fat princess when clearly the list is going over controversies, and not all of them are equal. Like way worse examples but pretend the entire list is like that.

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70°

Left 4 Dead Writer Explains The Drawbacks Of Releasing Games In Early Access

He wants to launch all his projects initially through close beta.