![]() This really sets the stage for next months L4D DLC and ties up nicely with the comic books that have been released, synchronising the stories accordingly. It’s also nice to see that Valve have added a few subtle touches such as the original survivors making comments as to their fate and what has happened to them since the ending of Left 4 Dead 1. Also, the environments throughout are different and varied enough that it doesn’t seem as if you’re travelling the same journey for an hour, which is important to me whenever I am playing. I was disappointed that Valve didn’t try to expand the expansion further although each level is large and jam packed with scores of the undead and special infected trying to tear their way into your fleshy form. ![]() ![]() Unfortunately, The Passing has become the shortest campaign in L4D2 with just three levels to make your way through in comparison to the usual four or five. The transition isn’t stunted and the whole process feels very natural. I take my hat off to Valve for the way they’ve put The Passing together as they’ve done a wonderful job. The way Valve have blended these two aspects together is seamless and incredibly clever and The Passing never feels like its trying to jerk the player from one realm into another as is sometimes the case when one reads a cross-over comic book or is sucked into a feature film. ![]() However, as the player progresses, they descend into the darker underbelly, reminiscent of the sewers and dingy places players found themselves in during L4D1. It starts out as many of the L4D2 campaigns do, reminding us of the hot, outdoor environments with mayhem on the open streets and chaos waiting for you around every corner. That said, having played it through, I feel The Passing campaign is cleverly conceived and registers itself among my favourite campaigns in L4D2. Still, you might be surprised to learn that this DLC is sparingly influenced by Francis, Louis, Bill and Zoey. Perhaps in some ways that is a good thing, afterall the name ‘The Passing’ almost suggests that the original survivors are passing the torch over to Nick, Ellis, Rochelle and Coach, putting them in the limelight. However, the time spent with the original survivors is probably not as much as you may have been expecting, considering the hype that has been put into telling us this is a crossover expansion. I won’t say anymore about the story but what I can tell you is that this is a real throwback to Left 4 Dead 1 in terms of feel and effect. The premise of ‘The Passing’ takes place between the events of Dead Center and Dark Carnival and focuses on a crossover between the original survivors and the new survivors with both of them meeting in the middle of a crisis being forced to help one another. The story has also been clearly thought out and created to ‘make sense’, with Valve even going as far as to release a new piece of DLC for Left 4 Dead 1 next month that coincides with ‘The Passing’, giving some further backstory. Left 4 Dead 2 was released in November and only by April we were receiving the first portion of downloadable content. Unlike most other DLC, you can tell from the outset that Valve have spent a considerable amount of time preparing for ‘The Passing’. In this column, TIMJ writers look at the content Valve have produced for their zombie slaying fest and give their impressions on each one individually after the jump. Of course, a person can only play the same content through again and again before tedium sets in, so fortunately for us Valve have announced elaborate plans to broaden L4D2 with further downloadable content. For a full review of Left 4 Dead 2, take a look at TIMJ writer Ray Willmott’s full impressions right here. Regardless, the game still outsold its predecessor, improved on a great many features in L4D1 and added some new ones to boot, including melee weapons and defibrillators. It also promoted the killing of the undead in New Orleans, which was still a sore spot for many individuals in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Left 4 Dead 2 was met with a great deal of controversy upon its release last year due to the speed in its production and releasing a sequel just twelve months shy of the release of the original. Reviews Review: Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing (DLC) ![]()
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