Back 4 Blood review

Back 4 Blood captures much of what we all loved about Left 4 Dead while updating it with more modern gaming trends that helps keep the content fresh. But it might not be what some are looking for if you're hoping for a direct sequel to Left 4 Dead 2.

Online co-op is fantastic; Card system lets you really own a character; Campy dialogue and story get it just right; Difficulty offers excellent replay value;

No mod support (yet?); Not the greatest for solo players; Melee combat falls away toward the end of campaign; PvP is fairly underwhelming

Back 4 Blood review: A bloody good time

If you ever enjoyed Left 4 Dead, you really do need to try Back 4 Blood - it's a brilliant successor that makes some smart modern calls and nails the fundamentals by being fun to play.

Great gunplay; Smart card system; Looks nice;

Missing a touch of atmosphere; Systems can be unclear at start;

Back 4 Blood review: It’s dangerous to go alone, so take some friends

The elevator pitch for Back 4 Blood is simple: What if the developers behind the very first Left 4 Dead game — a title that arguably sparked an entire genre of co-op survival shooters — made another Left 4 Dead game, but bigger? It would have more zombies to cut down, different weapons that have their own stats, a cast of survivors with their own strengths, and a full-blown card system that would make it possible for players to create builds over the course of their runs. Back 4 Blood has all that and more, wrapping up an evolved version of Left 4 Dead in a bloody, brilliant package. Players can explore the game’s extremely forgettable story — filled with brain-meltingly bad dialogue, of course — and exciting set pieces, slaughtering zombies in one of the most satisfying co-op shooter experiences I’ve ever had. But Back 4 Blood is best played just like that — as a co-op shooter. In fact, it punishes players for daring to play alone rather than shunted into a game with random players. T...

Co-op action is fantastic; Card system offers variety; Levels are distinct and creative; Solid shooting mechanics;

Punishes solo play; Quality-of-life changes needed;