I may end up doing it just to get the increase in performance.
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I tried playing it online, ragequitted after 30 minutes.
I know it's a demo, I know there are probably tons of people there who've never played L4D before and maybe never even played online FPS before, but c'mon... when I can't move 10 feet before getting incapacitated, when my team mates can't understand the concept of helping me up, when my team mates don't realize friendly fire is on, and when my team mates don't respond to anything I say over the mike, much less talk back, it's just not fun.
Is this the standard of player I can expect to be playing with regularly?
I know it's a demo, I know there are probably tons of people there who've never played L4D before and maybe never even played online FPS before, but c'mon... when I can't move 10 feet before getting incapacitated, when my team mates can't understand the concept of helping me up, when my team mates don't realize friendly fire is on, and when my team mates don't respond to anything I say over the mike, much less talk back, it's just not fun.
Is this the standard of player I can expect to be playing with regularly?
Friendly fire generally isn't too much of an issue unless your playing on Expert or Advanced, but yeah... expect a lot of people who are playing this for the first time. It'll be better once the proper game comes out and your not playing with people who have the demo.
Indeed... this is the first time I've paid launch price for a game in at least 3-4 years. Most people wait for the drop these days.
figmentPez
Staff member
I still haven't tested it for myself, but some posters on the Steam forums are saying that the -lv tag basically sets the game to German/Australian mode, and removes Riot Cops from the game (and won't allow them to spawn in games you join online).
Well, glad I didn't try it, although a 40% increase in performance would be welcome.
You should mess with the demo just to get a feel for the melee weapons. You can get too cozy, feeling like they're the same as a weapon push, and then find out you've shoved a machete into your teammates.
I don't think there's anything else of essential difference that can't be learned as you go. Just if you're a L4D player, the melee friendly fire can throw you off at first.
Hey, you, me, Jay, and Gusto make a D&D L4D game. We can RP!
I don't think there's anything else of essential difference that can't be learned as you go. Just if you're a L4D player, the melee friendly fire can throw you off at first.
Hey, you, me, Jay, and Gusto make a D&D L4D game. We can RP!
Remember, if you guys got the full game to message one of the guys from the Hal 4 UM group to get invited in. OR ELSE YOU MIGHT BE PUGGING IT WITH LOSERS!
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Hal4Um
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Hal4Um
Played a few more games online. It's getting better, but I still find the single player experience to be more fun.
Interestingly though, I seem to have settled into the "bait" role in multiplayer games. Whenever we head to a new area, I leap in first, drawing all the infected to me. My team mates spray bullets into the horde from a distance, while I defend myself with a shotgun, dual pistols, or a melee weapon. I usually get the most infected kills, but I also die lots.
Oh, and I still think this game would be much improved with TF2 weapons. Imagine if the game spawns a swarm of infected, all of them flooding through a chokepoint, only to find... an ubered heavy.
"I AM BULLETPROOOOOOOF..."
If I do get this game, I think I'll mainly be playing single player. It'll definitely be after it's been out a while, and has had its price dropped once or twice though.
Interestingly though, I seem to have settled into the "bait" role in multiplayer games. Whenever we head to a new area, I leap in first, drawing all the infected to me. My team mates spray bullets into the horde from a distance, while I defend myself with a shotgun, dual pistols, or a melee weapon. I usually get the most infected kills, but I also die lots.
Oh, and I still think this game would be much improved with TF2 weapons. Imagine if the game spawns a swarm of infected, all of them flooding through a chokepoint, only to find... an ubered heavy.
"I AM BULLETPROOOOOOOF..."
If I do get this game, I think I'll mainly be playing single player. It'll definitely be after it's been out a while, and has had its price dropped once or twice though.
I just can't see how the game would be fun on single player. I've tried L4D on single and I'm bored as all hell. I guess it's what you look for in a game, but I don't feel like I'm a team with the CPU.
As for Jay's post, YEAH! Anyone here getting it, join the Half 4 Um group. Where the cool zombie-killers are.
As for Jay's post, YEAH! Anyone here getting it, join the Half 4 Um group. Where the cool zombie-killers are.
Mainly because my computer team mates tend to be more competent than human team mates.
For example, in one particular play-through today, we got to that place right before the bus station, where you have to run to the switch to shut off the alarm. We ran, the other three guys managed to climb the ladder, but I got jumped by a Jockey before I could get there. They shut off the alarm okay, but then they stand there and watch while the Jockey drags me into the middle of a zombie horde. I get incapacitated and I'm lying there while infected are beating the crap out of me, and I'm watching them just standing there on the tower. (Okay, to be fair, only two people were standing, the third guy was taking pot-shots at the infected surrounding me with his sniper rifle)
These guys could've easily jumped down and helped me, they had plenty of health and ammo, but they decided to just stand there instead. I have no idea why.
Mainly because my computer team mates tend to be more competent than human team mates.
[/QUOTE]:blue:
You know in traditional horror movies where like, the black guy would fall back and eventually die due to his inability to survive? Where that black guy would die a gruesome death, his arms ripped from his torso, watching as his entestines cut open and eaten as he dies... feeling every bit of succulent pain before the murky darkness envelopes him?
You are the black guy.
What is a drop of rain, compared to the storm? What is a thought, compared to the mind? Our unity is full of wonder which your tiny individualism cannot even conceive?
The simplify what I said is... STOP RAMBOING AND BITCHING WHEN YOU GET OWNED. Stay with your group and NEVER EVER say single player is better than multiplayer or else I swear to all that is holy I will put you on my permanent auto-ignore for being such a NOOB.
GOSH.
PS : I'm not kidding.
You know in traditional horror movies where like, the black guy would fall back and eventually die due to his inability to survive? Where that black guy would die a gruesome death, his arms ripped from his torso, watching as his entestines cut open and eaten as he dies... feeling every bit of succulent pain before the murky darkness envelopes him?
You are the black guy.
What is a drop of rain, compared to the storm? What is a thought, compared to the mind? Our unity is full of wonder which your tiny individualism cannot even conceive?
The simplify what I said is... STOP RAMBOING AND BITCHING WHEN YOU GET OWNED. Stay with your group and NEVER EVER say single player is better than multiplayer or else I swear to all that is holy I will put you on my permanent auto-ignore for being such a NOOB.
GOSH.
PS : I'm not kidding.[/QUOTE]
This, minus the vitriol.
figmentPez
Staff member
Except bots don't use grenades, they use health packs way too early (which makes a big difference later in campaigns) and will still leave you pounced by a hunter when they're 5 feet from you and firing in the wrong direction. Bots can be just as stupid as the stupidest human players, and are never as good as the best human players. I've seen bots with 90+ health refuse to pick up pills, and then take the pills I threw to them.Mainly because my computer team mates tend to be more competent than human team mates.
Personally, I don't really care how skilled my human teammates are, as long as they're polite and are trying. I find the game can actually be far more interesting with players who are a little bungling, but still show signs of knowing what they should be doing. It creates some nice moments of tension, having to save each-other.
That said, it's really something special when you end up playing with a highly skilled group, and I've had that happen in pick-up games. It's really something when a group is working together just like they should. I've had games go like that when not a single player had a mic, though it helps if at least one person does.
Except bots don't use grenades, they use health packs way too early (which makes a big difference later in campaigns) and will still leave you pounced by a hunter when they're 5 feet from you and firing in the wrong direction. Bots can be just as stupid as the stupidest human players, and are never as good as the best human players. I've seen bots with 90+ health refuse to pick up pills, and then take the pills I threw to them.Mainly because my computer team mates tend to be more competent than human team mates.
Personally, I don't really care how skilled my human teammates are, as long as they're polite and are trying. I find the game can actually be far more interesting with players who are a little bungling, but still show signs of knowing what they should be doing. It creates some nice moments of tension, having to save each-other.
That said, it's really something special when you end up playing with a highly skilled group, and I've had that happen in pick-up games. It's really something when a group is working together just like they should. I've had games go like that when not a single player had a mic, though it helps if at least one person does.[/QUOTE]
All this. And also what Jay said, also without the verbal degredation. That's not really how you play L4D.
What I love is that you can get memorable moments out of this game with people you don't know. It's unlike so many other games and I've honestly never stuck with a multiplayer FPS game so much.
I'm gonna go play a round of the demo right now.
So many people don't understand that L4D (and the sequel) are more team based than any other FPS out there. You are not meant to run around and slaughter hordes of infected by yourself. Most of the game should be focused on getting by with as little fighting as possible, never leaving your team, and playing smart. Jumping into crowds to kill all the infected in an area is just not smart. The game isn't designed that way.
In Case you haven't done it already, it's probably a good idea to pre-load Left 4 Dead 2 if you've already pre-ordered it. It's 6.37 gigs, so that's a long fucking download, and the servers are going to be getting hammered on release day.
Just a heads up.
Just a heads up.
Oh I'm not saying I rambo through the game. Definitely not. I understand the concept of teamwork and sticking together. Usually I end up jumping into the fray first because my team mates are too stupid to advance. I'm saying through the mike, "C'mon, let's go, we need to move on." And they'll stand there shooting at some straggling infected in the distance. With a shotgun.
Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to join a team that's not full of people so incompetent they're borderline griefers. But for now, I like the computer bots more.
Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to join a team that's not full of people so incompetent they're borderline griefers. But for now, I like the computer bots more.
Here's a quick run down on the enemy types...I fiddled with the single player demo a bit (never having played L4D1) and I like the frenetic pace of it a lot. But there's still a lot I don't understand about basic gameplay/enemy types/etc.
I r teh nub.
In any case, pre-purchased.
Infected/The Horde: Your basic Zombie. These guys are weak but plentiful. Head shots kill them fast, but you really don't need to worry about going for them. 2-3 body shots will take them out with a pistol/smg, with everything else usually doing it in one. Don't let them get to close an DON'T let them swarm you. Their attacks are weak (1-2 damage a hit on normal), but they will slow you down and can stop you cold if enough of them get on you. Watch out for music cues, as they can warn you of an incoming Horde.
Uncommon Infected: These guys are slightly stronger than normal infected, but do and take more damage. They also have a special trait: Riot Cops are immune to bullets if shot from the front, CEDA Suits are immune to fire, Mudmen hid in the swamp and get muck in your eyes if they hit you, and Clowns summon small Hordes with their squeaky shoes.
Hunter: Hooded guy, usually crouched. This guy is fast but weak. Melee him if he jumps at you, then ether keep it up until he's dead or shot him. If he's one someone else, melee or shoot him off (melee is better at close range). He has the most mobility of the Special Infected, meaning he can jump at you from anywhere and everywhere (and he does more damage with his pounces from greater heights). DON'T let him pounce you, as you'll helpless unless someone saves you. He tell-tale sign is a growling noise.
Boomer: Big fat guy/gal with sores. He spits bile on you that attracts zombies and blinds you. Likes to hide around corners. Don't shoot him if he's close, because he'll explode and do damage + cover you in bile. Hit him with 1-2 melee shoves (right click) to push him away, then back away and shoot him. His tell-tale sign is a kind of bubbling, burping sound.
Smoker: Tall guy with a tongue coming out of his neck, as well as a smokey aura. You usually won't see him until he's got you wrapped in his tongue, which he can fire up to 300 feet. If someone gets wrapped, they are dragged to the Smoker unless they get caught on something. Someone gets caught, you can ether melee them to free them, shoot the tongue several times (this is the worst option), or kill the Smoker. He's pretty easy to deal with, but he does explode into smoke when he dies, which blinds you briefly. His tell-tale sign is a hacking cough and his aura of smoke that follows him.
Witch: Skinny girl with claws, usually crying. During the night she sits in one spot and cries... disturb her and she will chase you down, knocking you down in one hit. During the day she wanders around and will do the same. It's possibly to "crown" the Witch (kill her in one shot) if you sneak up on her and get her with a head shot from a shotgun, but this takes some skill. Avoid her if you can, burn her if you can't. Her tell-tale sign is sobbing.
Tank: 600 pound muscle man. He's a bit slow, but he can knock you down fast and chain you if your not careful. There is really nothing you can do to avoid a Tank, so burn him with a molly/boom him with a bile bomb and then start shooting. Be careful though, as he can knock cars and such around, which will knock you to the ground in a single hit. He can also throw rocks for some moderate damage. The single biggest tell for a Tank is his music: It starts up when he shows up and doesn't stop until he's dead. He also makes a stomping noise.
Spitter: Grotesque looking woman with an elongated face. She spits acid at you, which does damage as long as it's on you or your standing in it. She's basically a Smoker, except when she dies, she spills acid on the ground. Shoot her, don't melee her. I don't think she has a tell... but she's pretty easy to deal with.
Jockey: This a hunched over freak who cackles like mad. This guy is annoying... when he latches onto a survivor, he can steer them into mobs of zombies, Witches, off a cliff... whatever. He's easy to take out and you can resist his commands somewhat, but he's still trouble. Shoot him unless he's jumping at you, in which case you melee him. He's loud though, so you'll usually hear him coming.
Charger: Kind of like a Tank, but with pants and only one big arm. He runs into survivors, grabbing the first he hits and knocking the rest away. Once he hits something, he stops and starts slamming whoever he's grabbed onto the ground, damaging them repeatedly. You see him coming, then run away from the group and start shooting him.
I think that's all of them.
Well the E key is used for pulling up downed team mates, and if you have pills/adrenaline in your hands right mouse gives it to them and if it's a health pack then you patch them up instead of yourself.
The defibrillator (which is new) is used to revive team mates that have died completely, most people seem not to know that yet...
The defibrillator (which is new) is used to revive team mates that have died completely, most people seem not to know that yet...
The defib is only one use though, which I think is sorta underpowered. It takes up a healthpack slot, only brings them back with 15 health, AND goes away after one use? It seems more like an Item you might bring with you into a finale and dump somewhere, at best. It's not worth it unless your making a stand somewhere for multiple waves.
figmentPez
Staff member
I think the defib is mainly there for the new realism mode. For those that haven't heard about it:
- No survivor closets. If you go down it's a defib or nothing.
- Items only highlight when you're really close to them.
- Teammates don't get outlines when you're seperated.
- Infected are more resistant to body shots, so headshots are necessary for easy kills.
- More witches, a half-dozen or more on a map, and they're one-hit kills, not just one-hit knockdowns.
Other than the realism mode, a defib is definitely better than nothing.
C
Chibibar
I do like the defib. I ACTUALLY found one and use it near the end battle. I don't care it only give 15 health (you did just came back to "life" after all) it is an extra person shooting and with care (and pills) you can survive until you hit the safe house (unless it is defend mode then maybe until you are ganked again)
Man, i was hoping for a mode that's harder that way (plus limited ammo and weapons), but also has a fixed number of infected on the map, no spawning out of nothing. Instead of standing still making the AI send a horde after you it could just attract the special infected (which would be more plentiful) to your location etc.
figmentPez
Staff member
I've been thinking (shocking, I know). Last year Steam had a post Christmas sale with L4D for 25%-off, and I think that included the 4-pack. If they did that again, it'd be ~$28.13 for each copy, which is a pretty good deal, but I don't even know a single person in RL who regularly plays FPS on the PC, let alone L4D, and I don't want to deal with setting up pay-pal, or having people I know online send me checks or something.
So, let me bounce an idea off of the forums. I grab the 4-pack, and then let 2-3 forumites donate $30+ to charity (Habitat for Humanity or Child's Play, maybe) in exchange for a copy. Maybe let Dave use a copy as a prize for a monthly contest. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I just going to get taken advantage of, with no way to verify a donation? Would it be better to just skip the idea and set up a Paypal account again? Are there even enough people interested?
So, let me bounce an idea off of the forums. I grab the 4-pack, and then let 2-3 forumites donate $30+ to charity (Habitat for Humanity or Child's Play, maybe) in exchange for a copy. Maybe let Dave use a copy as a prize for a monthly contest. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I just going to get taken advantage of, with no way to verify a donation? Would it be better to just skip the idea and set up a Paypal account again? Are there even enough people interested?
Well, you could give it away to people who donate to HF. Dave could verify it for you, right?
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