Back 4 Blood review: It’s dangerous to go alone, so take some friends
The elevator pitch for Back 4 Blood is simple: What if the developers behind the very first Left 4 Dead game — a title that arguably sparked an entire genre of co-op survival shooters — made another Left 4 Dead game, but bigger? It would have more zombies to cut down, different weapons that have their own stats, a cast of survivors with their own strengths, and a full-blown card system that would make it possible for players to create builds over the course of their runs. Back 4 Blood has all that and more, wrapping up an evolved version of Left 4 Dead in a bloody, brilliant package. Players can explore the game’s extremely forgettable story — filled with brain-meltingly bad dialogue, of course — and exciting set pieces, slaughtering zombies in one of the most satisfying co-op shooter experiences I’ve ever had. But Back 4 Blood is best played just like that — as a co-op shooter. In fact, it punishes players for daring to play alone rather than shunted into a game with random players. T...
Co-op action is fantastic; Card system offers variety; Levels are distinct and creative; Solid shooting mechanics;
Punishes solo play; Quality-of-life changes needed;