1-on-1: Modern Warfare 2 vs Left 4 Dead 2

Can Valve’s grab-bag of southern comfort and zombie goodness overturn Infinity Ward’s steamroller of an action blockbuster? Click on for our pre-release feature face-off.

By Edwin Evans-Thirlwell, October 25, 2009 (1) comments

Running the gauntlet.

#5 Maps and Level Design

With only one category to go, it’s up to Left 4 Dead 2 to drag the proceedings back to even Stevens. Fortunately, that emphasis on refinement and replayability is likely to work in Valve’s favour here. The campaigns feature new “Gauntlet” sections, gruellingly protracted stretches which are endlessly restocked with Infected, to bring the familiar stew of elevations, crannies, open areas and dimly-lit interiors to boiling point. There will be, no doubt, be tremendous satisfaction to be had tackling levels “in reverse” when you slip into the Infected’s shoes during Versus mode, digging further idiosyncrasies out of the terrain.

Snowmobiles. Modern Warfare 2's Achilles Heel?

Not that Modern Warfare 2 should come up short on this front either. Its competitive multiplayer maps will doubtless rival those of Halo 3, with no defensive location impenetrable and no angle of attack beyond repulse, and its single player campaign has already displayed its share of memorable moments (the airfield stand-off in Cliffhanger being a prime example). But as a broader and more piecemeal game, there will probably be duds to accompany the highlights. We’re not sure snowmobile racing is all that preferable to a good old-fashioned shoot-out, for instance.

Final Score:

Modern Warfare – 3
Left 4 Dead 2 – 3

And so the conflict peters out into a highly anti-climatic draw. Boo hiss. Stop back in a week or two for the definitive FPS Gamer verdict on both titles, and be sure to let us know if there are two shooters, old or new, you just can’t choose between.