Wednesday, 15 February 2012 19:51

Left 4 Dead 2 Custom map Review – ‘Blood Proof’ by [s2d] Billy

As me and [s2d] Connor (my trusty sidekick for today) loaded the first map, little did we know what treats were in store! Blood proof is not a Left 4 Dead 2 custom map, but more of a complete ‘homage’ to all things left 4 dead.

There are three levels on offer (which as I will get to later - is one of its few weaknesses) , all of which seem to contain little nods, reminders, or even blatant rip offs of the original Left 4 Dead and Left for Dead 2 levels, all of which I must say, I much, much appreciated. From the small park section – De-javu ‘The Parish’ to the little gauntlet run up to switching off the church bell – I’m getting a whiff of ‘Death Toll’ here.

All three sections contain narrow, mazy street sections, which all seem to have multiple routes to explore. Again, all of which seem to have great vantage points for infected classes (would love to play this on Vs). But in stark contrast, there are also open areas which would be hell if you happen to be boomerefied in (is boomerfied even a word I ask?).

Attention to details is second to none, there are no rough sections on this little gem, you really do feel like you are trapped inside a zombie apocalypse, and there are no glitch parts/areas left blank or unfinished, so in my mind, It’s job well done to the creator.
And then there is the finale (part 3), well well well. Again I’m getting the faint aroma of ‘The Parish’ finale. It is, as you may have gathered, a race/gauntlet across the remainder of the town, a bridge section, and an old abandoned train yard, and your reward for making it to the bunker?! Well, your reward is having to wait for the elevator to arrive whilst you are still beating off the undead with your ‘boom stick’. We barely managed between the two of us, but made it in. After giving each other pats on the back, and gushing on how good this custom map was, both me and [s2d] Connor tried to think of any weaknesses that this map may have. We could only really come up with the fact that we were left wanting more from this. Although the campaign took us 47 minutes to complete, with no deaths, as this was only a 3 level campaign, I can only criticise its length. There are allot of good custom campaigns out there, but not many truly great ones, just a few more levels, and this would be up there with the elite I feel.

Rating out of 10:

•    Level Design: 8
•    Playability: 9
•    Excitement: 8
•    Campaign Length: 6
•    Overall: 7.5

By [s2d] Billy

The streets of left 4 dead 2 welcome to the church

Written by Billy

Review: Custom map - Warcelona - By [s2d] Billy

Warcelona left 4 dead 2 review

Warcelona – What a beautiful place! The campaign starts us off in a bleak setting. An old church with other survivors, all of which looking like they are waiting around to die.
Upon making our way up to the top of the church, the level begins as we make our way across a makeshift ‘bridge’ in the shape of a piece of fallen building. We then have to fight off the zombies in close quarters making our way down through the apartments, and outside onto the rooftop of the swimming complex next door. As we make our way into the swimming pool area, you can’t help but take in and admire the beauty of your surroundings. After drooling over the amount of work that has been thrown at this map, we made our way out onto another short street area, into a burning building, then find sanctuary in the form of the first safe room.
The next part of the campaign is just as beautiful and well made, and there was also a nice touch with some zombies wearing the Barcelona football team shirt. Vast areas open areas of Barcelona greet you when have navigated the various street and shops scavenging any equipment we found enroute. The map then takes you down into a subway tunnel, which triggers a heart pumping gauntlet section. You open an alarmed door having to find the off switch over the other side of the subway Navigating a vast canyon in the subway which is crossed by two train cars and some planks of wood!
Moving onto the finale, and what a finale! Again, this is played out in a vast area, which is played out in two stages. The first part is fighting off the hordes and two tanks (The parish finale style) arriving at the opening to the building where the rescue chopper will pick you up. This triggers the second part which is to make your way through the ‘burning maze’ of a building, up to the top whilst being chased by every moving thing without a heartbeat. Here you jump onto the chopper, skip town, and reflect on one of the best Custom maps I have played to date on Left 4 Dead 2.

Rating out of 10:

•    Level Design: 9
•    Playability: 9
•    Excitement: 10
•    Campaign length: 8
•    Overall: 9

By [s2d]Billy

Download the custom Left 4 Dead 2 map HERE

Warcelona left 4 dead 2 review screenshot