So in the previous posts on Left 4 Dead 2 the one question that hasn't been addressed so far is perhaps the most basic one for a video game, is it fun? Yes it is. Some of the elements that can make the game fun to play will be shown below along with some discussion of similar items that make the game an enjoyable experience.

(Weren't you on a rocket the last time I saw you?)

L4D2 is definitely a Valve game and continues Valve's tradition of putting tongue-in-cheek humor into the game. In none of the movies is this more apparent than in Dark Carnival. Three achievements in the level relate to playing carnival games. The most Valve like of these is the Guardin' Gnome achievement, where you win a gnome for scoring high enough on a shooting game then have to carry the gnome around through the remaining scenes and help it escape at the end. This is of course homage to The Little Rocket Man achievement from Half-Life 2: Episode 2.

I have always shunned attempting The Little Rocket Man achievement in Half-Life 2. It seemed rather pointless and out of character for that series. But on an easy run through (PC version) of Dark Carnival I decided to pick up the little guy and see if I could get him to the end. There was something rather unique, and fun, about carrying the gnome through the map and beating clowns to death with it (and yes Moxxi, that probably does make me a little twisted). Maybe I'll have to make another run through HL2:EP2.

Ellis is clearly the comic relief of the characters and his Keith stories will live on in gaming memory. But even the other characters have their moments, like Nick noting that brains come out of suits easier than swamp water (just don't ask him how he knows that), or Coach's open love for food courts, cotton candy, and peach cobbler, or Rochelle's way pointing out supplies ("Nothing to see here") combined with her soft heart ("I picked this up just for you"). But Ellis' stories are what will make you want to hang around the safe room for a few extra minutes. 

(Something tells me I'm not going to be cutting down Whispering Oaks.)

Of course, the gnome is not your most satisfying means of wrecking havoc on the infected that stand between you and safety. In homage to an even older game than Half-Life L4D2 reintroduces the chainsaw to the first person shooter. While you cannot carry it with you continually do to a limited amount of gas in the tank the chainsaw will cut through just about any special infected you find including the witch and the tank. With these latter two you need to be an opportunist or they may slap you silly but it can be done.

(The ground will Quake when I use this thing.)

L4D2 also has a grenade launcher. While not quite as satisfying as the grenade launcher in Quake where you could bounce the grenades around corners, it is great fun in destroying large groups of infected. There is even an achievement (Dismemberment Plan) for killing fifteen or more with a single grenade. On the lower difficulties it is a great asset to limiting the number of infected that you have to deal with up close and personal.

(Mr. Tank meet the sharp side of my sword.)

Of course, should you need to deal with the infected up close, the old shove technique from L4D has limited usefulness as the versus mode timer is now in effect for all modes. In it's place is a host of melee weapons including an axe, a sword, and for those that pre-ordered the game, a baseball bat. Melee weapons deal a lot of damage and on easier difficulties can be effective even against the biggest of enemies - yes, I mean the tank. Catch a spot where the tank has to come up to you, as in the picture above, and you can take him out before he has the chance to deal damage. Now in expert runs I'm all about lighting the tank on fire and running (ask anyone that plays with me). But in the lower difficulties you can stand toe to back (I don't recommend being in front of him) with the tank and come out the winner.

(Just a nice peaceful stroll on the Screaming Oak.)

Other elements in the game make it fun. One element that is used in Dark Carnival a couple of times is that of being on a slope where you are on the verge of falling but still have limited control. This is true for some parts of running the coaster. All of these are things that I think build on the fun that was already there in L4D. Some of these probably should be avoided in an expert run unless you are extremely careful but on normal runs they provide a fun variety to the normal weapons and tactics from L4D. Getting Gerry the Gnome (okay, Gnome Chompski) through the coaster is a trip.

So yes, the game and in particular many of the added/changed elements are fun. Of course fun is a subjective thing so your impressions may vary. I love the expert runs. They are more serious and require more cooperation and coordination. But sometimes it is nice to put the game on easy and just blow some stuff up (only Nick doesn't say stuff).

Now excuse me, but nature calls.

Then again, maybe I'll just wait for the next stop.