Despite the title being released in 2008, theLeft 4 Deadseries has always been considered to be one of the top zombie co-op shooters of all time. Fighting against hordes of zombies solo or with friends always proves to be an exciting time as you struggle to stay alive. Not only that, but the variety of game modes that it has to offer can also spice things up.
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A big part of what made Left 4 Dead amazing was its art and map designs. Each one is different from the others as they aesthetically fit the post-apocalyptic environment.
10Crash Course
Crash Course isn’t a bad map, it’s just extremely short. What’s interesting about it is the map features the highest density of Special Infected enemies and items that can appear at the same time. Despite its length, this is what makes Crash Course one of the most chaotic maps in the series.
While the campaign isn’t the most replayable thing, playing the map in versus mode against real players can prove to be a challenge considering how small it is. Having the right team of infected can take down a team in seconds. It creates a close-quarters environment filled with intense moments.
9Hard Rain
Hard Rain is designed exactly as the title suggests. In the earlier stages, it starts off raining lightly and gets harder as you progress through the map. It’s an interesting concept since it creates a tense atmosphere keeping you on edge.
The rain gimmick itself is what brings the map down on this list. The first time playing through it is fun, but after several runs, it can get old fast (real fast). Considering that the only thing you see is rain, it’s near impossible to thoroughly enjoy the scenery because of the constant downpour. Veteran players would probably rank this map lower depending on how many times they’ve played it.
8The Passing
The Passing is only one level longer than Crash Course, but it brought new additions to the game. The M60, the golf club, and the Fallen Survivor creating new ways to play. It’s visually pleasing as you travel throughout a suburban town in Georgia.
The best part of the map is the survivors of Left 4 Dead 2 have a run-in with the original Left 4 Dead survivors (minus Bill). It creates a unique line of dialogue between the two groups. Even though their roles are minor, it’s still nice to see some of our favorite characters from the first game again.
7Swamp Fever
Swamp Fever is aesthetically pleasing as it has you traversing through the bayous and swamplands. It’s dark, depressing, and enjoyable to play through. Just like Hard Rain, there’s also a gimmick at play here. Your movement speed is slowed as you constantly walk through the mud. While some like to speedrun through a map you’ll have difficulty doing so here.
The map adds a new common infected known as Mud Men. Whenever they hit you, they slow you down and cover the screen in…well…mud. There’s an appreciation for the challenge that it creates making you think about the actions and routes you make.
With Dead Center being the 1st map in Left 4 Dead 2, it’s a perfect starting level for players. It doesn’t do too much to stand out above the other maps making it pretty average. The mall level is what makes up for it tough as it gives off aDead Risingvibe.
It has great pacing allowing you to take in the beautiful scenery it has to offer. From the city streets to the shopping center everything screams Savannah, Georgia. The finale is enjoyable as it has you finding gas cans to fill up the getaway vehicle. The higher the difficulty, the more cans you need to find.
5Blood Harvest
Blood Harvest is a level that can be appreciated the more you play through it. The entire map will have you second guessing your movements as it’s easy to get lost. The scenery is dreary as it puts you in a pitch black forest along with putting you in a field of corn.
Unlike Swamp Fever and Hard Rain, the gimmick with this map is only effective on players who haven’t played on it often. If you’re a veteran player you may still have difficulty, but not as much as a casual. Regardless, Blood Harvest is unique and provides some type of entertainment.
4Dark Carnival
The main attraction of Dark Carnival is the visuals, and you guessed it, the carnival theme. With everything taking place in an amusement park it gives off a Zombieland (2009) vibe. There are even clown zombies that honk when you push them back.
Throughout the level, you can even interact with certain attractions such as roller coasters and even carnival games (Who can forget about Gnome Chompski?). The finale itself has you putting on a concert to signal for help. The whole entire map is just a blast with all the bright lights, sounds, and games. Even without friends, it’s one of thebest levels to play in single-player.
Dead Air is a map that has a lot going on around it. Despite it implying it being surrounded by airplanes, you actually have to do quite a bit to get there. You have to traverse a rooftop, an office building, and a construction yard before making it to the airport. It may seem like a lot, but each level is interesting as the scenery keeps changing.
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There’s nothing but constant explosions happening all around you. The airport section itself is big creating moments of separation between you and your teammates. Dead Air is amazing and has high replay value.
2The Parish
The Parish is the final core campaign in Left 4 Dead 2, and it finishes the game out with a bang. Everything about the map is amazing from the level design and the colors. It fits the New Orleans setting as you traverse the city streets.
The best part about The Parish is the bridge finale as it has you race across to a helicopter on the other side. Along the way, bombs are constantly being dropped around you, and you can barely hear anything. Having such an intense moment fills you with adrenalin and is exciting no matter how many times you finish the level.
No Mercy is the best map in the entire series. Not only is it the first map in Left 4 Dead, but it is highly replayable due to its pacing, finale, and environment. The hospital portion of it really immerses you as it perfectly depicts the several narrow hallways and doors that can be explored.
Each of the five levels has something to offer you whether it’s in the sewers or the subway. The finale has you fighting for your life as multiple waves of zombie swarm you while waiting for the helicopter evacuation to arrive. With how amazing these maps are, it’s disappointing thatLeft 4 Dead 3 isn’t currently in development.
