Less than a year since I previewed the original, Left 4 Dead 2 has already become available in demonstration form. A lot has been made on whether or not the original needed a sequel so soon. Some say the new campaigns could have just been added as DLC, but after getting my hands on the new iteration in the series, it’s clear that more than just new characters,weapons, and maps were added. Don’t get me wrong, all that stuff is new too, but there’s clearly been an effort to add more detail to this zombie infested world, and now the game feels more fleshed out, and less like a mini-game, which is something I had a problem with in the first game.

The demo starts on a campaign called, “The Parish,” where you start on the docks of a presumably Louisiana town, and try to make your way through the hordes of infected. At first, the game will seem way too similar, but after a few run ins with infected, it becomes apparent that the A. I. has stepped it’s game up this time around. Playing Left 4 Dead 2 (or the original for that matter) on any difficulty under Advanced does the game a disservice, and anyone looking for a challenge with their zombie mayhem, should jump right into advanced. The Director is back to his old tricks, and will capitalize on the mistakes of the survivors, so the second your team breaks down, and starts arguing, or worse, firing on one another, the Director will systematically destroy everything you’ve worked towards. Last year the Director was certainly a factor, but it seems to be much more intuitive in the demo.

The music in the new game seems to add a little twang to the themes from the first game, as well as just adding some newer, more creepy tunes. There’s also a section where you can turn a jukebox on, and it will play a few different songs (most notably “Still Alive” from Portal). I feel like the music adds dread to an otherwise sunny landscape, which is also a nice change of pace. There’s very few “horror” games that take place in the day time (Resident Evil 5, and it’s lack of atmosphere comes to mind), but even in the day time, these zombies are creepy enough to keep players on their toes. The flashlight may seem useless, it being day and all, but it comes in handy in every alleyway you come across, of which, there are plenty. I feel, so far, that the new Left 4 Dead provides a less linear campaign than the last. There seems to be more options on routes to the safe house, as well as more side rooms filled with weapons and equipment. This should go a long way in the replay value department.

After playing through the demo a few times, I can see Left 4 Dead 2 will have a greater assortment of tools to disembowel the infected masses. Melee weapons add a clear change of pace, especially if you want each member of your team rocking different weapons, for different zombie killing roles. For instance, we had a member of our team leading the pack with his Machete, with two guys in the middle rocking silenced sub machine guns (which do not disturb zombies at the proper ranges), and a member in the back with a shotgun, making sure none of those pesky zombies would sneak up behind us. Feels like the assortment of equipment adds almost a class system to the game, which certainly adds depth to the squad aspect. For instance you can delve out equipment, such as boomer bile or adrenaline shots to the guy up front, so he doesn’t get bile on the rest of the group, or just so he will melee at a more rapid pace. Personal preference also comes into the mix, and everyone can play the game their own way now, with more than just 6 guns.

I believe I’ve seen 9 different types of guns, 4 different melee weapons, 3 different projectile weapons, and 4 different healing devices, and this is just the demo. That’s already more of everything that was provided in the first game. Another addition, which I prefer in a game about destroying thousands of zombies, is more blood. Blood on your screen when you melee monsters, or just squirting from the recently relinquished limbs of the infected, there’s just buckets and buckets more blood than in the last game. There also seems to be more zombies per square inch of map, which I’m all for, bring on the infinite horde!

The first game was a zombie fan’s wet dream, and the second one looks to be much improved. There’s new gameplay modes, although they aren’t accessible in the demo. This game is going to be the best co-op game on the system upon release, so you’re doing yourself a solid if you go preorder the game, and get the demo ASAP!

Rating: Go to Gamestop, get your preorder on, and download the demo now!

If you don’t own RockBand, but want to, now would be a good time to make your move. MTV and Harmonix are selling the original RockBand’s bundle, plus a copy of RockBand 2 for $79 dollars even. No shipping, no tax (unless you live in certain areas I’m sure), and it’s delivered straight to your home. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are the only options, but that’s probably the majority of console owners at this point anyway. The site is rockband79.com

Here is my review for the best fighting game I’ve come across since the release of Marvel versus Capcom 2. Without further ado my review of UFC 2009: Undisputed.

Check out my review of NHL 10 over at Game and Player!

Batman: Arkham Asylum: For starters, I just want to say that I’m glad to be back writing for my own blog again. I also want to say that I’m excited to see such an enjoyable game getting free DLC so soon after release. Batman: AA has been one of my favorite gaming experiences in a while, it captures atmosphere like no game I’ve played since my inaugural run through Bioshock. DLC is too commonly used to withhold parts of a game at release, so it can be used for supplemental income for game developers. Rocksteady, Eidos, DC, and Warner Brothers are all coming through in a big way with the release of the Insane Night map pack.

Map 1: Totally Insane

In a break from the normal Freeflow Combo Challenges, Totally Insane isn’t a round-based fighting map, but instead an infinite fighting map. You just plow through piles of enemies until they can take down the Bat. This map doesn’t feature any dangerous weapons like knives, or guns, but does have those little creepy inmates that like to jump on Batman’s back, and they do an awesome job of combo breaking. Be sure not to try and throw these foes, as they can jump over you, and cause you multiplier to fade away. This map is very straightforward, like the rest of this game, and allows you to destroy a glass case or two, as you make your way through inmates.

I found this map to be very enjoyable, and it opens up a lot of combat possibilities. My highest combat multiplier in Batman: AA was around x30 up until I tried this new map. I now have reached a multiplier of x67, which is something I’ve yet to see anyone I know do. As of this writing I’m ranked 1082 in the world on this map with 35090 points… Come get me

Map 2: Nocturnal Hunter

This map is layered in a very interesting way. Enemies may see you, but with so many twists and turns, it seems easier to escape gunfire than most stealth challenges in this game. The three challenges are relatively simple, first they want you to do an inverted takedown through glass. This sounded like a harder concept than it proved to be when executed. Secondly, they want you to kick an inmate down a ladder after he climbs to the top of one. Just about as easy as it sounds, the only hard part is deciding when to do it, so you don’t get caught by nearby enemies. The third challenge is to finish the inmate wearing a red jumpsuit, last. Another simple challenge, that required me to turn my Detective Mode off, which is something I normally don’t do a lot of during challenge maps.

Overall this map took me three tries to accomplish everything, and I’m currently ranked 139 in the world with a time of 3.44.95.

In closing, I’d have to say this is a must download for anyone owning, renting, or borrowing Batman: Arkham Asylum on either system. I personally play on the 360, so that’s where my scores can be found.

Verdict: DOWNLOAD NOW

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you all know about one of the best audio broadcasts on these here Internets, The Mykey and Ghost Show! They interview me, let me plug my Tudors DVD Contest/Twitter Giveaway, and discuss Easter in the ways only Mykey and Ghost can! Check it out, and let me know what you think!

Go here in case you missed the link… Mykey and Ghost Show!

Game and Player posted my article on the best film adaptations in gaming… What are you waiting for? Check it out HERE!

Are you a big fan of The Tudors? Do you just want to get caught up with everyone else who has already been watching? Either way this is a great opportunity to add to your DVD collection, as I will be giving away the first two seasons of this epic series on my Twitter account this Sunday (4/12/09). All you have to do is follow me at Twitter.com/JPLS, and answer the trivia question I post during the show. First one to answer is the new proud owner of The Tudors Season one and two! Thanks to PopTudors for allowing me to hold this giveaway!

This game looks to be more amazing than anything I would have dreamed! Thanks to SkillzinKillz over at 360Junkies for bringing this to my attention…

Hey Game and Player just posted my brand spanking new review of Capcom’s latest entry into the Resident Evil series… Check it out HERE. Any comments can be left here, or you could sign up for the Game and Player forums, and join in on the discussion there.