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Now and then I play a video game instead of engaging in the improvizationally creative social endeavor that is role-playing gamemastering - even God rested one day.

I checked out the new first person shooter (FPS) Left 4 Dead on X-Box 360 and found it to be pretty good.

…  Hmm? … You want to know why?

Getting to slaughter hordes of infected zomies is cool in its own right and a staple of the genre as we discussed in Dominion Cast 9. The thing that separates L4D from say the Resident Evil series is that it doesn’t forget that it’s a game. There aren’t overabundant cutscenes to set the tension nor weird camera angles that let you hear but not see and target the abominable threat five feet away. Dont get me wrong. Those are excellant techniques - kudos to the failed film students that design many of these games - but this game will still give you adrenaline-fueled shit squirts.

Sound is a strong factor in the game given that different types of enemies have distinctive gurgling and burbling sounds that you can hear down the hall. This is enhanced by another feature in the lighting hiding these creatures. They do give you a flashlight but it pays to turn it off since the infected are attracted to light and sound. Shoot a car with an alarm and you’re fucked. Plant your ass against a wall, swallow some pain pills and hold your weapon at crotch level - what guy would exchange brains for balls? Hard to see health and ammo? They point out goodies and plot devices with icons and arrows so even the most beginner level gamer can figure it out. Run out of ammo? You’ve got a pair of 9mms that never run out. Training wheels sold seperately.

The “4″ in the game title refers to the four person cast of the story. Grizzled vet Bill, tough biker with comically gay name Francis, sensibly dressed Lara Croft chick Zoey and average guy in a fucked situtation whom happens to be Black Louis. Ofcourse I chose to play Louis cause I’m proud of my people and expected to be dead soon. I would’ve been if not for the AI of my teammates, whom were actually helpful in giving me healing and keeping monsters from raping my avatar. It’s lonely at the top, so I wasn’t able to get enough buds to co-op with me but the emphasis on teamwork is undeniable.

I dislike zombie flicks, but I like this game. Still, taking out the living is a bit more satisfying … in games.

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