Like a good zombie flick, sticking together and working as a team is instrumental to survival. The game features several elements that highlight the cooperative dynamic beyond group killing. First and foremost is the ability to heal your buddies whenever they're taken down. A timer pops up next to a player that has been hurt, counting down the moments left for you to rush over an administer first aid. Give your buddy a health pack before the timer runs out and they'll continue the act; fail to get there in time, however, and they'll have to wait until the next act to rejoin the group. In the wait for help, you're granted the ability to shoot at enemies with a pistol in a limited range. Since there are likely to be zombies in the immediate area surrounding a fallen comrade, being able to lob shots and clear the area helps any would-be rescuer.

The cooperative design sets Left 4 Dead apart, but that doesn't restrict it from offering a bit of zombie-driven competition. Without question one of the most exciting features of the game is the ability to play as a zombie against a team of humans. Serving as counterparts to the human teams of survivors, four players can link up as zombie bosses to stop their escape efforts. While we weren't able to test it out, it's certainly an intriguing option. Expect us to give the game a thorough examination this November when it launches on Steam.

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