I love it but steer clear of it if your child is 12 and under since this game shows loads of blood and gore.
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Left 4 Dead
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Combines multiplayer shooter with gory survival-horror.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Left 4 Dead was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know this game contains graphic violence and gore not suitable for young players. It is a first-person shooter in which the player is fighting zombies and other mutated creatures. Gamers can blow off enemy heads and limbs using a variety of weapons and see blood-splattered or streaked floors and walls. Characters will utter profanity.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about genre fusing. Does a game like Left 4 Dead successfully combine two different genres to create an all-new experience? Or should game makers only stick to one genre and make it as good as possible? Also, would this game be as effective with considerably less violence and gore or is it very much part of the appeal (and thrill)?
More on Left 4 Dead
What’s the Story?
We've seen "survival horror" video games, pitting man against deadly creatures in scary environments, and we've seen multiplayer-focused first-person shooters with an emphasis on co-op play. Now there's LEFT 4 DEAD, a new zombie thriller that combines both genres into an intense – yet mature – action experience. Published by Valve, the creators of Half Life and Counter-Strike, comes this modern-day survival horror game that challenges four "survivors" to stay alive despite attacks by hordes of the undead and mutated creatures. By working together and coordinating efforts, players will traipse through dangerous locations – such as a subway tunnel, countryside, airport, loading dock and hospital – and will need to help each other to stay alive (example: only a teammate can help another survivor if taken down by a zombie). Players can also heal each other and save their progress at safehouse spots and rescue points.
The main game is divided into four scenarios, each lasting about 60 to 90 minutes or so, but the time it'll take depends on how the survivors -- the attractive Zoey, a biker Francis, an army vet Bill and an average guy Louis-- tackle the level as a few alternate routes and objectives can extend the adventure. While this doesn't sound like a long game, gamers can play Left 4 Dead solo, with artificial intelligence (A.I.) handling the other survivors (called 'bots), or better yet, with 2 or 3 other online players for both the PC and Xbox 360 versions of the game. In fact, playing with real people is preferred as you can better strategize and work together instead of the A.I. teammates merely following your lead (and if you're hurt, you can't request to change formation with 'bots as you can with human players). Zombies can move slowly, like Night of the Living Dead, or quickly, a la 28 Weeks Later. Then there's creeps like The Smoker with its frog-like tongue that can strangle those out to harm it.
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Is It Any Good?
Left 4 Dead will surely satiate fans of co-op shooters, such as Counter-Strike, Call of Duty and Halo 3, with its cooperative multiplayer modes, as well as provide some creepy moments for those who are into "survival horror" games. A co-op focused game isn't for everyone, but Left 4 Dead certainly succeeds in trying something new with this hybrid thriller.
For those wanting to give the online co-op play a try, consider the single player experience as a practice round. Another plus is that other game modes exist, too, along with nearly two-dozen maps, such as a "Versus" option that allows gamers to assume role of a "Boss Infected" enemy instead of a human survivor, which proves to be a fun alternative if you have some friends who are up for it.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 11/17/2008, price $44.99 - $54.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language )
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language )
Our Members Say
See all 42 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
The iffy
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
Perfect for anybody 13 and older!!
This is one of the best shooters ever made! Enybody older then 13 should be okay. The violence is not very bad, it's no worse then enything you will find in a 14A movie, the same goes for the language.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Valve has another hit! I love it, especially for Free!
Really great game! I played it nonstop for a few days! Its pretty realisitc too with writing on the walls of previous survivors that have gone through and scribbled tips on the walls. You run around as 4 survivors trying to find some way out of the zombie infested area. The achievments and different campaigns will keep the game lasting for a long time. I love this game! Especially since I got it FREE just by signing up at www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=1231439 and filling out a few surveys. Seriously, this game is great!
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
cool game!
I'm 16 , compared to 50 cent blood an sand this game is not that bad, BUT THIS IS AWSOME only a lot of blood and nothing els.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
i enjoyed this game the only problem was the dismemberment
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Ratings at a Glance
| 60% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 60% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 40% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 40% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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