The Best Xbox Game Every Year 2001 - 2024
16. 2009 - Left 4 Dead 2
Like the original, Left 4 Dead 2 was a console exclusive for the Xbox 360, which allowed owners of the machine to gloat that the system could do some of the more complex computing that was more synonymous PC gaming. For the devs, this meant wider reach.
And also like the original, Left 4 Dead 2 was entering a gaming space that was overstuffed with zombie-themed survival games. However, no one did it quite like Valve and Turtle Rock - simple mechanics, incredible sound design, and a player to enemy balance that meant teamwork was a must if you wanted to survive.
On its surface, the game was “more of what you love” - new maps, new characters, new weapons and new special zombie types - but the game in general is a tighter and broader package than its predecessor.
In particular, the AI director under the hood of the original game received a major overhaul. Now not only were repeat playthroughs altered by enemy and weapon spawns, but the locations themselves could change slightly every time, with tweaks to weather, lighting and even layout.
As such, Left 4 Dead 2 - even 15 years later - still gets around 20,000 players a month going to show that it’s never been bested when it comes to group PVE zombie-slaying chaos.