Left 4 Dead

leowyatt · 03-11-2008, 13:47

Opening Cinematic

I'll put more info in here a little later.

NokkonWud · 03-11-2008, 14:09

Personally I am torn between really wanting it and being really worried. Firstly, Zombies, Guns and Co-Op is really cool, but Half-Life 2 is one of the most linear, repetitive and boring games I've ever played and I'm worried this could transpire to be more of that.

It's the co-op that has grabbed me because when I saw this at the start of the year on GamerTV it looked bloody rubbish - seeing through walls, bad animations etc... So we'll wait to see. I still have it pre-ordered mind

.

leowyatt · 03-11-2008, 14:14

well from the play through video I just saw you can still see your buddies through walls but for me the coop is the winner for me. After playing Halo 3 I'll take any 4 player co-op games I can get my hands on

loki · 03-11-2008, 14:21

I think the AI for this has been completely revamped from the original HL2 engine. It's worth noting that whilst its been developed on the Steam SDK it's not Valve who are producing it.

One thing that stands out for me is that the AI will tray and split your merry little band up. Essentially you have more power as a group than as 4 individuals.

Quote:

Left 4 Dead uses the latest version of Valve's Source engine, with improvements such as multi-core processor support and 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. 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 greater number of enemies who can navigate the world in better ways, such as climbing, jumping or breaking obstacles. Lighting has been enhanced with new self-shadowing normal mapping and advanced shadow rendering that is important to convey information about the environment and player actions.[22][5] Wet surfaces and fog are used to create mood

I think that you can play as Horde as well makes it more compelling. Really looking forward to it

Streeteh · 03-11-2008, 14:31

From what i've gathered, you create a server with four mates and start playing. This server will then be listed online and up to 10 (last i heard?) people can connect and take control of individual zombies that would have originally been controlled by AI.

Sounds like a great idea to me as it'll give the illusion of the horde 'learning' as you fight them as more people connect. There's also 'super zombies' that players and AI will randomly spawn as, these can be anything from lickers that entangle players with their tongues and leech health from them, to goliaths, huge lumbering beasts that are impervious to damage but gradually lose health over time.

Daz · 03-11-2008, 14:46

I'm really interested in this because the 'AI director' will supposedly punish people that aren't playing like a team, or individuals who try and go it alone. Nailing anything in a team game is immensely satisfying, so put that mechanic on top of an atmospheric, frantic zombie fest puts it firmly on my radar

My last exposure to a Valve online shooter was TF2 and I still adore that, so the fact they're behind it is no bad thing to me

NokkonWud · 03-11-2008, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by loki

I think the AI for this has been completely revamped from the original HL2 engine.

Thank God! I've spent last night and today ploughing through Half-Life 2 to complete it (for the first time ever) and the AI in it was a disgrace at times. Thankfully it's done and I can finally try the episode packs and hope it's an improvement

Daz · 11-11-2008, 18:09

Demo on the marketplace, go go!

Streeteh · 11-11-2008, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by NokkonWud

Thank God! I've spent last night and today ploughing through Half-Life 2 to complete it (for the first time ever) and the AI in it was a disgrace at times. Thankfully it's done and I can finally try the episode packs and hope it's an improvement

Episode 1 is pants in terms of level design, story line and variety. However, each episode is geared towards showing off a new feature of the source engine they plan to utilize in episode 3, Episode 1 showcased HDR lighting and most importantly, improved AI.

Episode 2 is the best gaming really can get imo. It's much more open than the previous two parts, much better looking, much more imaginative, much more varied and has a finale that is just plain mind blowing.

NokkonWud · 11-11-2008, 18:42

Well, it wouldn't be hard IMO to improve upon Half-Life 2. I must really get it started, but I think it'll have to wait for a wee-while til I get through my newer games.

As for Left 4 Dead, I simply can't afford it without trade-ins and there is nothing I can trade other than FarCry 2 sadly

.

03-11-2008, 13:47	#1
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	Left 4 Dead Opening Cinematic I'll put more info in here a little later. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

03-11-2008, 14:09	#2
NokkonWud BD Recruitment Officer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Smogville Posts: 3,880	Personally I am torn between really wanting it and being really worried. Firstly, Zombies, Guns and Co-Op is really cool, but Half-Life 2 is one of the most linear, repetitive and boring games I've ever played and I'm worried this could transpire to be more of that. It's the co-op that has grabbed me because when I saw this at the start of the year on GamerTV it looked bloody rubbish - seeing through walls, bad animations etc... So we'll wait to see. I still have it pre-ordered mind . __________________

03-11-2008, 14:14	#3
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	well from the play through video I just saw you can still see your buddies through walls but for me the coop is the winner for me. After playing Halo 3 I'll take any 4 player co-op games I can get my hands on __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

03-11-2008, 14:31	#5
Streeteh Vodka Martini Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kingston Posts: 862	From what i've gathered, you create a server with four mates and start playing. This server will then be listed online and up to 10 (last i heard?) people can connect and take control of individual zombies that would have originally been controlled by AI. Sounds like a great idea to me as it'll give the illusion of the horde 'learning' as you fight them as more people connect. There's also 'super zombies' that players and AI will randomly spawn as, these can be anything from lickers that entangle players with their tongues and leech health from them, to goliaths, huge lumbering beasts that are impervious to damage but gradually lose health over time. __________________ PSN & Live! ID: Streeteh

03-11-2008, 14:46	#6
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	I'm really interested in this because the 'AI director' will supposedly punish people that aren't playing like a team, or individuals who try and go it alone. Nailing anything in a team game is immensely satisfying, so put that mechanic on top of an atmospheric, frantic zombie fest puts it firmly on my radar My last exposure to a Valve online shooter was TF2 and I still adore that, so the fact they're behind it is no bad thing to me __________________ apt-get moo

11-11-2008, 18:09	#8
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Demo on the marketplace, go go! __________________ apt-get moo

11-11-2008, 18:42	#10
NokkonWud BD Recruitment Officer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Smogville Posts: 3,880	Well, it wouldn't be hard IMO to improve upon Half-Life 2. I must really get it started, but I think it'll have to wait for a wee-while til I get through my newer games. As for Left 4 Dead, I simply can't afford it without trade-ins and there is nothing I can trade other than FarCry 2 sadly . __________________