Poll: Left 4 Dead's Story

[Kassad86]

It's unnecesary, like the story of Painkiller or Serious Sam

 

[BillyWentBoom]

I voted but I don't have anything worthwhile to add to this conversation.

 

[Offworlder_v1legacy]

I don't think a story would have suited the gameplay.

 

[Red Right Hand]

I always thought it did have a story, you were 4 people trapped in a city/countryside/whatever surrounded by zombies, having no clue as to why they are there, and only trying to survive by getting to a place where you could be rescued. That is the story right there.

 

[Pietato]

Has anyone heard of atmosphere?

It's a magical thing.

 

[NoDamnNames]

Who needs a story for a zombie invasion really? I mean how many possible causes of a zombie apocalypse are there?

This is what i liked about Dawn of the Dead. It didn't tie you up in knots with political storyline. it was just here are some survivors, they are trying to stay alive. In reality if there were a zombie apocalypse the survivors wouldn't be running around doing linear detective work a'la resident evil, they would be struggling to keep their arses un-eaten.

 

[tyzzni]

it was made to play out like a goofy 50s B movie.
So maybe if they threw in a goofy 50s B movie story
it would have been better


but at the same time the experience of online having to deal with those cutscenes would have been ruined. The opening used to be much longer, but got annoying on replays so they made it shorter and faster

 

[UnwishedGunz]

I like the lack of a story because in a multiplayer game like this, it would only get in the way, especially if done in any sort of cutscenes. Not only that, but you're playing from the perspective of the survivors who don't have a clue about what's going on or what caused it. Their only motivation is the same as yours: try and survive. Try and think of this as the game version of Cloverfield, you're no longer an observer of the scene that knows every detail of what's going on, but rather you're experiencing the action from one perspective, a survivor of the catastrophe/apocalypse, so all you really know is that people are turning into zombies and are coming to kill you.

so far this guy has made the most sencse to me

 

[Dr.Sean]

Once upon a time, in the sprawling metropolitan nation of the United States of Unnamed, there was a parasite that grew to a pandemic level in just 14 days. Those infected with the parasite, hereafter known as "zombies", wouldn't realize they were carrying the parasite until it starts to devour part of the brain, causing insanity. Other symptoms of being the zombie might have include (but are not limited to the following):
A bloated sensation*
Hypersensitivity (being extremely sensitive to loud noises and bright light, possibly even attraction to such things)
Clammy Flesh
Lengthening of the tongue*
Enhanced speed and reflexes*
Frightening strength*

*indicates an exceptional symptom not present in all zombies

 

[spuddyt]

They could have add on material, like bonus movies you earn from achievments, but nothing that you are forced into

 

[Sewblon]

I don't know how they would make a story about it entertaining in its own right.Lack of story > bad story.

 

[Ancientgamer]

The game doesn't need a story, but I'm still waiting for someone to write a good fanfiction prelude.

 

[theSovietConnection]

I realise it's a game intended for continuous multiplayer replay value, but the lack of story does detract a bit for some people. Especially considering this is valve we are talking about, it seems a bit of a waste of a potentially amazing oppurtunity.

A lot of people have said, pong (and other similar games) doesn't have a story line but there is no human aspect to those games. Left 4 dead has 4 distinct characters with names, faces and personalities and the lack of backstory and character development is a dissapointment. Don't get me wrong I love left 4 dead but you can't expect to create characters and have everyone be happy to have so little explanation as to what's going on.

But I get that after the fourteenth bajillion time through the same cutscenes it could get completely agonizingly boring. The idea of a story played out in cutscenes between campaigns is infeasible but there's no reason why they can't have cutscenes exclusive to the single player campaign.

Alternatively why not have an option to create your own character. I mean plenty of games do it these days, all it would take is 20 minutes to make a face and what not and off you go. Because as much as everyone says "make up your own story" if I was going to make up my own story, the characters would be from space, from an underground civilization or similarly bizarre locales and backgrounds. So I mean if you don't want stories don't have such individual characters, but if you want the characters at least give some indication of why we should care enough about them to not let the zombies chow down.

Agreed. At the very least they could've included something optional, like a series of cutscenes or something you can view under a Bonus Materials menu, so that those who want an idea of whats going on can be satisfied, and those who just want to dive in and kill everything that moves can do so. I have to say, a very cynical part of me is getting the feeling that the only reason L4D is getting away with no story is because Valve made it.

 

[Lord Kofun]

its like the only game without a story

You haven't been gaming for a very long time, have you?
There are plenty of games that have absolutely no storyline and still shine.

take gears for instance, awful story, awesome game, sometimes stories can just pollute an experience.

Amen, brother. Thats the only thing dragging that game down for me. So damn cliche..

 

[UnwishedGunz]

They could have add on material, like bonus movies you earn from achievments, but nothing that you are forced into

thats a good idea...

 

[GaM Pancho]

I wouldn't mind more of a story, but as long as it wouldn't be forced down your neck, as in little hints throughout the levels or more writing on the walls to give you a better impression of what the hells going on

 

[StigmataDiaboli]

It does actually have a very quick story. The end of opening movie leads onto the intro of the No Mercy campaign if you noticed. But in reality, L4D is better as a zombie kill-a-thon.

 

[dontworryaboutit]

The game is purposely designed to not have a story. They're not trying to tell some epic tale filled with heartbreak and social commentary. They're making a campy zombie film and handing you a gun.

 

[Time Travelling Toaster]

There is a story technically its not just a written story that has all their backstories, it's their survival story. There is also a story given away by the characters during quite times between attacks etc.