Poll: Left 4 Dead 1: Vastly Superior to L4D2

[WrcklessIntent]

Hard Rain, Dark Carnivil, and as you said the passing capture that feeling of Gritty hopelessness almost perfectly. Hard Rain even better at the end cause you can't see ten feet infront of you. Charcters are vastly bette in my opinion because they all have a clearly defined personality and they talk to each other alot more than the survivors in L4d did. I still enjoy the other campaigns none of them stuck out as much as these did for me. As you said mutations have been added to l4d2 and you forgot that the path isn't always the same when you play another campaign. You could go down a different path to get where you need to go instead of knowing where the difficult parts are gonna be.

 

[Zhukov]

I almost completely agree with the OP. Especially regarding the characters. Ellis was great but the rest were crap.

L4D2 wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good.

Then again, I live in Australia. So my opinion is probably invalid.

 

[Aleate]

Also, Left 4 Dead 1's campaigns were unconnected (except for when they released crash course and connected the first two, a mistake in my opinion), something I loved. It was up to our imaginations to decide what happened to the survivors between the campaign. Maybe they were rescued but their military rescue camp was overrun. Maybe the military sent them out to find more survivors. Maybe the campaigns are just 4 potential situations that could face these 4 survivors, and each one let us try a potential one. In L4D2, however, nothing is left to our imagination. We know what happens between each campaign.

Actually, there is a bit of a hint at the beginning of Dead Air about what happened to the rescue vehicle in Death Toll. If you leave the green house, then go to the left (if the right is where the board is) and to the edge of the building, way out in the distance in the water you can see a boat that is suspiciously similar to the one you escaped Death Toll in. But other than that you are right XD

OT: I did like Left 4 Dead 1 a lot better than 2. The gameplay itself is better, but other than the sound everything else went down in quality.

 

[Custard_Angel]

They're basically the same thing...

L4D2 is L4D with a few extra bits and pieces. Theres no radically different gameplay or settings to make it seem any different.

Edit: I didn't like either game very much. Their ok, but lack the fun of other competitive games.

 

[andrewbrownster2]

I live in Australia, so it's pretty simple to me. L4D is just the better game here. Unfortunatly.

 

[HaraDaya]

I agree with everything but the new special infected. I think they're all good additions to the game. Though the jockey in particular is kinda useless with the silhouettes giving away the victim's position. Fixed with realism mode of course.
I wish Coach would trade place with Bill, no racism either, he's just so stereotypical and boring. Bill was badass.

 

[Pegghead]

I enjoy them both but for what it's worth I preferred left 4 dead 2.

 

[Harlemura]

I don't care if Left 4 Dead had better "atmosphere" and "tension" and all that.
Left 4 Dead 2 is more fun for me. End of story.

Left 4 Dead's characters were fun, witty, and had layers and more than 1 dimension.

I don't mean to be picky, but I'm pretty sure Valve admitted that all the Left 4 Dead characters were undeveloped and generic.
That's why Left 4 Dead 2 didn't focus on stereotypes... as much...

 

[oceanwavezero]

There is just so much blind sentimentality, it burns.

Left4Dead 2 has so many modifications to fix issues with the first game that exploited aspects, such as finding a corner when boomed is now met with spit, narrow hallways and ledges have created new tension with the charger (the highest damage special infected), and the Jockey is perfect for prying a team apart in places like buildings where a smoker fails.

The theme of the game may be that of a Zombie Apocolypse, but the atmosphere is decidedly southern, in which a rundown plantation house, an amusement park, an old sugar mill, and a mall all fit well and in and of themselves are unique and stylistically suited to create different atmospheres.

I hate absolutes though, and forums love them, so go on thinking that. But just know, what is vastly superior for you remains your opinion and stating it in a thread doesn't make it more valid than anyone elses or truth.

 

[Slayer_2]

I agree 100%. I think you also forgot to include how the L4D1 music is so much more.. haunting in the first game, where as #2 makes me think of a mob of hippies with banjos.

Don't get me wrong, L4D2 is fun and all, but it's just not as interesting and creepy as L4D1.

 

[Ryokai]

I'll explain it slowly then. Daytime ruins the feel because it kills the no visibility that adds so much to the scary factor.

Yeah, except that the darkness didn't really hamper visibility in Leaft 4 Dead 1. You could still see in most areas without needing your flashlight. It would be annoying and confusing if you always had to use the flashlight to see. You only needed it in certain areas, just like in Leaft 4 Dead 2. So claiming the atmosphere has been ruined because of this makes no sense.

It also makes it feel like I'm on a picnic, only with zombies. The bad dialogue makes the atmosphere forced.

The character dialogue has little to do with the atmosphere, so this point is moot anyways. Far more important things go into creating the games horror atmosphere, all of which are stll present in Left 4 Dead 2. Also, maybe you should explain why it feels like a "picnic" instead of just saying that it does.

The boring locales take away interest in what's around me. The bright colors again take away from horror and make it feel more friendly--which is why kindergartens and nursery schools are painted brightly.

So you're saying something is only scary if it's grim and gritty? That's pretty narrow minded. Valve didn't intentionally make areas of the game brighter. They made them have realistic lighting. If this somehow ruins the atmosphere for you, that's a personal problem.

The boring characters take away immersion, as do the little touches.

The characters are highly subjective so I don't see their as a valid point either.

I believe I've now explained it enough for you.

Not really. Your argument still has nothing to substantial to back it up. When I consider that many of the things from Left 4 Dead 1 that created atmosphere; such as the music and set pieces, are still in Left 4 Dead 2, I just don't see where you are coming from. Your entire argument seems to be based around some of the maps having daylight.

Please stop claiming my argument is "invalid". If you disagree with me, that's fine, but don't just brush aside my points as if I haven't made them. Daylight is simply one point I made. There are others, don't just call them "invalid" and pretend I haven't said them. Claim you don't agree and leave it at that. I have plenty to back it up, you simply don't agree with it. And that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

Also, I feel the music in L4d2 is not haunting, creepy, or scary (there are some exceptions, but not many IMO).

 

[iLikeHippos]

I agree on most of these points, they've just lost their original mojo.

Melee weapons are my highest concern however. They are just so fucking cheap.
I mean, you can take out a special infected in ONE blow (except the witch and the tank, but occasionally the charger) no matter where you aim at them.
And to think the majority of the special infected gets close close to the survivors, you might just be doomed to begin with. It's a pain in the ass on Versus.
Not to mention that if you boom/vomit on someone with a melee weapon, you are just LUCKY if two infected reach a blow on him before they are stunned and/or killed by an instant swing with no real vulnerable cooldown.
It completely defects the scaryness of being "d/boomed" since in Left 4 Dead 1, you desperately pushed away the coming zombies like so many bugs festing at your skin.
Now they are just... Unmovable for 5-7 seconds.


Another concern of mine is the AI. Let me tell you one instance I had.

I was playing Follow the Litter on Mutation and I was playing the spitter.
So I was camping the place where you fill up the tank, on a rooftop (very dark one at that)
when I decided to make a VERY small peek upwards to see a bit.
Before I got to lower my head 0,2 centimeters, which is the length of my head that was popping up, I got "BOOM HEADSHOT" by Nick.
(And no, Nick wasn't anywhere near me and he had an automatic M4)

What... The... FUCK!

 

[Ninonybox_v1legacy]

true...very true

 

[Skobvs]

I love the new stuff of 2 but I have to agree with most of your points. I just can't stand the new characters though, the first had believable characters that were more relateable to me. The bloom in 2... eugh...

If only we could import the new features of the 2nd into the original game...

 

[Ryokai]

I hate absolutes though, and forums love them, so go on thinking that. But just know, what is vastly superior for you remains your opinion and stating it in a thread doesn't make it more valid than anyone elses or truth.

Totally, dude. It's all opinion, I'm just sharing mine to start a discussion on it. If you disagree with me, that's fine. But blind sentimentality? I really tried hard to like L4D2 as much as 1. I don't think that term applies.

 

[chainer1216]

in my opinian, the only thing about L4D that was better than L4D2, was the characters, but thats only a personal taste kind of thing. the L4D characters were steriotypical zombie survivors, people you'd expect to see in a corny zombie movie, tough guy? check. cop/army guy? check. female? check. inexperianced guy? yup, and he's also the black guy!
but in L4D2 you have characters who you'd expect to be dead already, you have a gym teacher, a reporter, a redneck and a drifter, none of which would be esspecially used to this kind of violance. in that respect L4D2 is a much more realistic zombie survival game, the characters are much easier to empathize with, even if you dont like them as much as the last crew.

what i'm saying is that Left 4 Dead is like the original Dawn Of The Dead, where as Left 4 Dead 2 is like the remake. both are good, it just comes down to taste and nostalgia.

 

[Crystal Cuckoo]

I disagree with you about the characters.

Sure, L4D2's survivors weren't very deep, but neither were the first four. We had:

A Vietnam veteran who didn't really display anything but rugged determination.
A grizzled biker who complained a lot.
A hot chick in pink.
A black guy. Seriously, he looks as though he was dropped in to give some sort of diversity to the group.

I should probably mention that L4D never prided itself on its story, which pretty much consisted of "HERE ARE SOME ZOMBIES. SHOOT THEM". It's not necessarily a bad thing, but hardly something to praise.

 

[chstens]

I'll explain it slowly then. Daytime ruins the feel because it kills the no visibility that adds so much to the scary factor.

Yeah, except that the darkness didn't really hamper visibility in Leaft 4 Dead 1. You could still see in most areas without needing your flashlight. It would be annoying and confusing if you always had to use the flashlight to see. You only needed it in certain areas, just like in Leaft 4 Dead 2. So claiming the atmosphere has been ruined because of this makes no sense.

It also makes it feel like I'm on a picnic, only with zombies. The bad dialogue makes the atmosphere forced.

The character dialogue has little to do with the atmosphere, so this point is moot anyways. Far more important things go into creating the games horror atmosphere, all of which are stll present in Left 4 Dead 2. Also, maybe you should explain why it feels like a "picnic" instead of just saying that it does.

The boring locales take away interest in what's around me. The bright colors again take away from horror and make it feel more friendly--which is why kindergartens and nursery schools are painted brightly.

So you're saying something is only scary if it's grim and gritty? That's pretty narrow minded. Valve didn't intentionally make areas of the game brighter. They made them have realistic lighting. If this somehow ruins the atmosphere for you, that's a personal problem.

The boring characters take away immersion, as do the little touches.

The characters are highly subjective so I don't see their as a valid point either.

I believe I've now explained it enough for you.

Not really. Your argument still has nothing to substantial to back it up. When I consider that many of the things from Left 4 Dead 1 that created atmosphere; such as the music and set pieces, are still in Left 4 Dead 2, I just don't see where you are coming from. Your entire argument seems to be based around some of the maps having daylight.

Please stop claiming my argument is "invalid". If you disagree with me, that's fine, but don't just brush aside my points as if I haven't made them. Daylight is simply one point I made. There are others, don't just call them "invalid" and pretend I haven't said them. Claim you don't agree and leave it at that. I have plenty to back it up, you simply don't agree with it. And that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

Also, I feel the music in L4d2 is not haunting, creepy, or scary (there are some exceptions, but not many IMO).

But your argument IS invalid, you simply "back up" your statements with equally "unbacked-up" statements.

 

[Ryokai]

I'll explain it slowly then. Daytime ruins the feel because it kills the no visibility that adds so much to the scary factor.

Yeah, except that the darkness didn't really hamper visibility in Leaft 4 Dead 1. You could still see in most areas without needing your flashlight. It would be annoying and confusing if you always had to use the flashlight to see. You only needed it in certain areas, just like in Leaft 4 Dead 2. So claiming the atmosphere has been ruined because of this makes no sense.

It also makes it feel like I'm on a picnic, only with zombies. The bad dialogue makes the atmosphere forced.

The character dialogue has little to do with the atmosphere, so this point is moot anyways. Far more important things go into creating the games horror atmosphere, all of which are stll present in Left 4 Dead 2. Also, maybe you should explain why it feels like a "picnic" instead of just saying that it does.

The boring locales take away interest in what's around me. The bright colors again take away from horror and make it feel more friendly--which is why kindergartens and nursery schools are painted brightly.

So you're saying something is only scary if it's grim and gritty? That's pretty narrow minded. Valve didn't intentionally make areas of the game brighter. They made them have realistic lighting. If this somehow ruins the atmosphere for you, that's a personal problem.

The boring characters take away immersion, as do the little touches.

The characters are highly subjective so I don't see their as a valid point either.

I believe I've now explained it enough for you.

Not really. Your argument still has nothing to substantial to back it up. When I consider that many of the things from Left 4 Dead 1 that created atmosphere; such as the music and set pieces, are still in Left 4 Dead 2, I just don't see where you are coming from. Your entire argument seems to be based around some of the maps having daylight.

Please stop claiming my argument is "invalid". If you disagree with me, that's fine, but don't just brush aside my points as if I haven't made them. Daylight is simply one point I made. There are others, don't just call them "invalid" and pretend I haven't said them. Claim you don't agree and leave it at that. I have plenty to back it up, you simply don't agree with it. And that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

Also, I feel the music in L4d2 is not haunting, creepy, or scary (there are some exceptions, but not many IMO).

But your argument IS invalid, you simply "back up" your statements with equally "unbacked-up" statements.

What are you talking about? I stated the reasons, explained the reasons to within a reasonable degree. Do you want me to go into why visibility takes away from the unknown fear?
The psychology of why night inspires more fear than day? Why little touches in a game make it more immersive? Why boring environments make me stop paying attention to them, also killing the immersion? How if I don't identify with the characters, then its harder to feel like I'm really "them"? Why bright colors have a psychologically soothing effect?

Is THAT detailed enough?

 

[chstens]

I'll explain it slowly then. Daytime ruins the feel because it kills the no visibility that adds so much to the scary factor.

Yeah, except that the darkness didn't really hamper visibility in Leaft 4 Dead 1. You could still see in most areas without needing your flashlight. It would be annoying and confusing if you always had to use the flashlight to see. You only needed it in certain areas, just like in Leaft 4 Dead 2. So claiming the atmosphere has been ruined because of this makes no sense.

It also makes it feel like I'm on a picnic, only with zombies. The bad dialogue makes the atmosphere forced.

The character dialogue has little to do with the atmosphere, so this point is moot anyways. Far more important things go into creating the games horror atmosphere, all of which are stll present in Left 4 Dead 2. Also, maybe you should explain why it feels like a "picnic" instead of just saying that it does.

The boring locales take away interest in what's around me. The bright colors again take away from horror and make it feel more friendly--which is why kindergartens and nursery schools are painted brightly.

So you're saying something is only scary if it's grim and gritty? That's pretty narrow minded. Valve didn't intentionally make areas of the game brighter. They made them have realistic lighting. If this somehow ruins the atmosphere for you, that's a personal problem.

The boring characters take away immersion, as do the little touches.

The characters are highly subjective so I don't see their as a valid point either.

I believe I've now explained it enough for you.

Not really. Your argument still has nothing to substantial to back it up. When I consider that many of the things from Left 4 Dead 1 that created atmosphere; such as the music and set pieces, are still in Left 4 Dead 2, I just don't see where you are coming from. Your entire argument seems to be based around some of the maps having daylight.

Please stop claiming my argument is "invalid". If you disagree with me, that's fine, but don't just brush aside my points as if I haven't made them. Daylight is simply one point I made. There are others, don't just call them "invalid" and pretend I haven't said them. Claim you don't agree and leave it at that. I have plenty to back it up, you simply don't agree with it. And that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

Also, I feel the music in L4d2 is not haunting, creepy, or scary (there are some exceptions, but not many IMO).

But your argument IS invalid, you simply "back up" your statements with equally "unbacked-up" statements.

What are you talking about? I stated the reasons, explained the reasons to within a reasonable degree. Do you want me to go into why visibility takes away from the unknown fear?
The psychology of why night inspires more fear than day? Why little touches in a game make it more immersive? Why boring environments make me stop paying attention to them, also killing the immersion? How if I don't identify with the characters, then its harder to feel like I'm really "them"? Why bright colors have a psychologically soothing effect?

Is THAT detailed enough?

Fair enough, but I'm going to just scrub it off as your opinion.