Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 is a survival-horror first-person shooter, where four souls must fend their way through legions of undead to survive, a setting that references cult zombie flicks such as Dawn of the Dead.

You and three other human players (or computer-controlled bots) use whatever weapons are nearby to blow them away in order to reach safety. The sequel brings new maps, a new cast of characters, more weapons such as a grenade launcher and chainsaw, and new types of zombie to the mix. The result is a more polished and enjoyable game than the original.

Rather than a linear progression from beginning to end, the game has five chapters which don't have to be played in order. On the harder difficulty settings ammo is limited, and you cant jump into every situation with all guns blazing.

The game is at its best when you have a good team, ideally calling out the location of weapons and ammo, and co-ordinating strategies to deal with the next wave of infected. You can play on your own but that's missing the point of Left 4 Dead 2, it's probably the best co-operative gaming experience around.

Most zombie games are intensely violent, and Left 4 Dead 2 earns its 18 certificate with blood-soaked walls and dismembered body parts.

The biggest criticism is that the tweaks and extra content feel more like an expansion pack than a full-blown sequel.

It's very much more of the same, but anyone who liked the original will love Left 4 Dead 2.