Back 4 Bloodhas gotten a lot of attention as a successor toLeft 4 Dead,and for good reason. Both games were developed by Turtle Rock Studios, and a lot of the gameplay inBack 4 Bloodcan bring up memories ofLeft 4 Dead. Both are zombie shooters that take players through linear yet challenging levels with secrets spread throughout their worlds. At the same time,Back 4 Bloodhas more character choice and a sense of realism that more recent technology allows, making it feel like a mix between bothLeft 4 DeadandPayday 2.
WhileBack 4 Blooddoesn’t need too much help getting its name out there, the marriage ofLeft 4 DeadandPayday 2is a great selling point. The traditional zombie killing that many are used to is complimented by a weapon system that allows players to customize their builds and find what fits them best. This is a major step up from what classicLeft 4 Deadfans had, and helps to round out the player experience in a similar fashion asPayday 2.
RELATED:Back 4 Blood Smashes Left 4 Dead All Time Steam Concurrent Player Record
Diverse Weapons
With each run able to have different weapon builds, consumables, and a shop for players to use at the beginning of each section, loading in feels a lot like preparing for a heist inPayday 2. Players won’t find themselves robbing different banks and trying to infiltrate one of the most well-protected places in the world, but they will find extra loot and copper, the currency used inBack 4 Blood, is stashed throughouteach ofBack 4 Blood’s acts.
Some doors, like the vaults inPayday 2, will need extra equipment to get through, but these unique spaces also provide instances of risk-reward management. The copper players have maintains its value throughout the run, and the options to refill ammo, upgrade weapons, or fill health at a safe house become more serious decisions the longer a run goes. This planning stage before the Cleaners leave a safe house can have consequences throughout the entire section players are in. Much like being unprepared for a heist inPayday 2,being ill-prepared for a level like The Crossing inBack 4 Bloodcan result in the whole team going down.
In each area, the option to take a tool kit and open locked doors for extra loot can be tempting, but having a defibrillator to get teammates up faster could be the difference between dying to the horde or making it out alive. Similarly, while restarting a mission inLeft 4 Deadcould be a chore, failing a run inBack 4 Bloodfeels more like failing a heist inPayday 2.Beginners inBack 4 Bloodwill likely find themselves reevaluating what gear they brought with them and what changes need to be made to make their next attempt a smoother experience.
The Ridden
As important as preparation is for each section, the unique Ridden inBack 4 Bloodalso bring with them their own challenges. Building on many of the concepts used inLeft 4 Dead’s Infected, the Ridden act as somewhat evolved variants with Special Ridden featuring their own classes and skills. The abilities of these Special Ridden have noticeable similarities to the Special Infected, but tend to appear more often and can become overwhelming. Their numbers are part of what helps them to stand out, acting more as constant threats than isolated members of the horde. Someplayers might not love this aspect ofBack 4 Bloodas it reaffirms the threat Ridden pose.
Thinking through levels,Back 4 Blood’s cards, and which of the Special Ridden will pose the biggest problem is what helps join the aspects ofBack 4 Bloodthat feel inspired byLeft 4 DeadandPayday 2. It generates a cohesive game that has built on a solid foundation. The gunplay feels as rewarding and responsive asPayday 2, while the Ridden feel like the natural evolution ofLeft 4 Dead’s infected. In these waysBack 4 Bloodhas taken some of the best aspects of two well-loved titles to provide an updated experience for a familiar genre.
Back 4 Bloodis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
