Before I begin, I must note that there is something of a spoiler in this topic, so if you're interested in the storyline of the Left 4 Dead universe, go get the L4D2 new map The Passing so you can experience what I say yourself or just read on if you care not
For those who missed it:
This Thread contains a spoiler from 'The Passing' DLC
You've been forewarned.
First, though, I'd like to take a moment and talk about the fact that I really like the campaign/mission added to L4D2. The energy of the characters is different, and the tone/atmosphere of the map is entirely (or mostly I think) different from the almost upbeat and not so scary at all that normally pervades the other missions. I believe, like my roommate that the atmosphere and tone of the original Left 4 Dead was far more tense. I wish I could provide specific examples, but the sad truth is that this kind of thing is very difficult to qualify.
I like the pacing of 'The Passing.' You start off stuck behind a raised bridge and are forced to journey from one side of the river to the other in order to bring your transportation from one side of the river to the other. The tone/atmosphere (though I know those are slightly different) is much darker. Perhaps it's the environment itself what with rain pouring down, or perhaps it's the slightly tweaked sound effects that add an even more ominous feel to the map, or perhaps it's even the feel of the abandoned city complete with a wedding that is now infested with infected and at which the player can turn on a very somber "Midnight Riders'" song and (perhaps joyfully) mow down infected in tuxes and bride's maid dresses. I guess what I'm saying is that there are several little touches to this campaign that make it more interesting and a little more emotionally affecting than the other levels of L4D2. Although you have the original Left 4 Dead characters helping you throughout various stages of the campaign, you still feel utterly alone.
That last line is a nice segue to the other part of the topic and the main reason for the spoiler warning:
You are informed that one of the original four survivors is "down" and another is injured when you talk to Zoe at the very beginning of the level. As you may be able to imagine, I've grown attached to the original four characters. For something of a mindless shooter, they certainly do a good job of making them memorable and interesting. So, you may also be able to imagine that I felt a genuine pang of what can only be described as anguish when I ran across the fallen/crumpled body of Bill in some room in the finale level. I am impressed, first, that I felt that over a character, but I'm also left with the question: What the Hell, Valve? Bill was my favorite character partly because he totally reminded me of a certain badass English professor at my college. And now he's dead.
That's right... Valve killed Bill. I snickered too, it's okay.
Anyhow, just wondering why? Could they not get the voice actor back or did they just need Bill to die? My questions remain unanswered and I can only take solace in the idea that I am completing Bills mission of turning the world back into a state of less chaos by killing each one of those damn things, even if I have to do it with my bare hands, one zombie at a time.
R.I.P. Bill... you will be missed.
Your thoughts? Am I silly for being pained by 'The Passing' of Bill, or do I have a right to feel attached to a fake character? What are your overall impressions of the changes made to Left 4 Dead 2? Was this wall of text totally not worth it? You decide.
For those who missed it:
This Thread contains a spoiler from 'The Passing' DLC
You've been forewarned.
First, though, I'd like to take a moment and talk about the fact that I really like the campaign/mission added to L4D2. The energy of the characters is different, and the tone/atmosphere of the map is entirely (or mostly I think) different from the almost upbeat and not so scary at all that normally pervades the other missions. I believe, like my roommate that the atmosphere and tone of the original Left 4 Dead was far more tense. I wish I could provide specific examples, but the sad truth is that this kind of thing is very difficult to qualify.
I like the pacing of 'The Passing.' You start off stuck behind a raised bridge and are forced to journey from one side of the river to the other in order to bring your transportation from one side of the river to the other. The tone/atmosphere (though I know those are slightly different) is much darker. Perhaps it's the environment itself what with rain pouring down, or perhaps it's the slightly tweaked sound effects that add an even more ominous feel to the map, or perhaps it's even the feel of the abandoned city complete with a wedding that is now infested with infected and at which the player can turn on a very somber "Midnight Riders'" song and (perhaps joyfully) mow down infected in tuxes and bride's maid dresses. I guess what I'm saying is that there are several little touches to this campaign that make it more interesting and a little more emotionally affecting than the other levels of L4D2. Although you have the original Left 4 Dead characters helping you throughout various stages of the campaign, you still feel utterly alone.
That last line is a nice segue to the other part of the topic and the main reason for the spoiler warning:
You are informed that one of the original four survivors is "down" and another is injured when you talk to Zoe at the very beginning of the level. As you may be able to imagine, I've grown attached to the original four characters. For something of a mindless shooter, they certainly do a good job of making them memorable and interesting. So, you may also be able to imagine that I felt a genuine pang of what can only be described as anguish when I ran across the fallen/crumpled body of Bill in some room in the finale level. I am impressed, first, that I felt that over a character, but I'm also left with the question: What the Hell, Valve? Bill was my favorite character partly because he totally reminded me of a certain badass English professor at my college. And now he's dead.
That's right... Valve killed Bill. I snickered too, it's okay.
Anyhow, just wondering why? Could they not get the voice actor back or did they just need Bill to die? My questions remain unanswered and I can only take solace in the idea that I am completing Bills mission of turning the world back into a state of less chaos by killing each one of those damn things, even if I have to do it with my bare hands, one zombie at a time.
R.I.P. Bill... you will be missed.
Your thoughts? Am I silly for being pained by 'The Passing' of Bill, or do I have a right to feel attached to a fake character? What are your overall impressions of the changes made to Left 4 Dead 2? Was this wall of text totally not worth it? You decide.
