It’s really perplexing to see another Left 4 Dead game this year. Developer Valve Software is well regarded for taking as much time as possible to ensure their game’s quality is up to snuff. This is why a Left 4 Dead sequel in 2009 is such a rarity, and is such an anomaly to see Valve go with a sequel to a 2008 game, instead of spending more time on something like Half-Life 2: Episode 3. But what you really want to know, is if the game is worth it or not, right?

Well, as an overall game, Left 4 Dead 2 is much better. All of the modes from the first game are back, including the main campaigns, versus, and – originally a download-only mode – survival. Left 4 Dead 2 also features an all new mode called Scavenge, where you and a team of three other people try and collect as much gas cans as possible while the other team of infected try and take you down until time runs out. As an entire package, L4D2 is much more deep. There’s now 5 campaigns instead of only 4, and you can now play versus on every map, and on any chapter.

The barrage of new content doesn’t end there however, as the game is set in an entirely new part of the United States. Now you’ll go through the outskirts of new Orleans, until you actually reach the city entirely. Out of the five campaigns, I really enjoyed Dead Center, Dark Carnival, and the Parish. Their all unique, and all have fun elements to them. The other two campaigns – Swamp Fever and Hard Rain – are pretty cool as well, but not nearly as good as my favorite three.

Left 4 Dead 2 introduces four new characters as well: Ellis – the red-neck trouble maker, Rochelle – the female reporter, Coach – the aging football coach, and Nick – the wealthy dick. L4D2 also presents three new special infected: the Spitter that can shoot pools of acid at you, the Jockey that jumps on your back and steers survivors towards trouble, and the Charger that bowls through zombies, and can slam enemies into the ground repeatedly.

Left 4 Dead 2 is a much more fun game than the original because it keeps the same run and gun style of play, but adds a bunch of elements like melee weapons, defibrillators, and adrenaline shots. While the campaigns are still awesome, and versus is still a lot of fun, the best part of L4D2 is the new scavenge mode. Scavenge lets you play as the special infected, but in a more quick manor. Sometimes a versus game could take a lot of time to complete, but Scavenge is a really quick way to get some good games in, in a limited time. It’s also the most enjoyable mode in the entire game, even if the campaigns will likely take most of your time.

My time with Left 4 Dead 2 is anything but “not worth it”. I can totally understand why someone would feel ripped off considering a very similar game came out the year before. It doesn’t change the fact that Left 4 Dead 2 is a really fun game. Scavenge alone is worth a purchase, but the brand new campaigns, new and interesting characters, and badass new special infected make the game well worth another $60.

Rating: 8.5/10