Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment
Release date: October 12, 2021
Available on: PC, PS4 (reviewed), PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
In 2008, developer Turtle Rock Studios set the standard for co-op zombie slaying with Left 4 Dead. Thirteen years later and now we have a spiritual successor in Back 4 Blood. Once more a team of four people (or one person and three bots if playing the solo campaign) must save the world from hordes of zombies and other mutant beasties, this time known as the Ridden. The game also features an 8 player PVP mode along with a Horde mode called Swarm and the four act campaign.
PROS
Levels are varied, offering multiple paths to explore
Campaign can be played solo with bots (mostly)
Weapons are varied and feel good when using them
Loads of customization for weapons and other items players can equip
Cards add a nice layer of strategy, with the ability to customize each deck and create multiple decks to fit multiple scenarios
Good visuals and music
Enemy types are varied in size and abilities
Cross play works well across the platforms
CONS
At times an over reliance of the “threes” (find three items, unlock three gates, etc)
Repetitive game loop
Solo campaign seems thrown in as an afterthought, with no progression, ability to get points for the supply line, and no trophy/achievement support
Occasional technical issues (characters getting stuck on environments, pop in, some frame rate slowdown)
In all, Back 4 Blood proves to be a worthy successor to Left 4 Dead, providing varied levels for your party to seek out and destroy hordes on the undead. While it was a nice nod to solo players to include a single player campaign playable with mostly competent bots (their AI can be hit or miss), it also seemed as if the game was punishing solo players as its focus is more on co-op, with giving no sense of real progression, amassing of points to use in the supply line, or having any trophy/achievement support. Back 4 Blood is a game best experienced with others, and for later missions in the campaign you’ll need a good crew working together to take down the Ridden threat. With eight total characters to choose from in the end, there’s bound to be one to fit all manner of play styles. Completing missions is both satisfying and fun, and the corruption cards can add a suitable layer of challenge, making you to be very aware of your surroundings. The card decks in general give the give a great sense of strategy, as having a well built deck can make the difference between victory and bloody defeat. Solo players may want to wait more for a sale, but for those who have a good co-op crew, Back 4 Blood is easily worth the full price of admission.
8/10 stars
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