Valve are due to release Left 4 Dead 2 in November but they have just updated the original Left 4 Dead with some new downloadable content which is aimed to appease the zombie loving masses. Called Crash Course it comprises a brand new campaign featuring two chapters and best of all, its free.

Before we get into the review, we need to make the point that this expansion is also available for Xbox 360 owners at the cost of 7 bucks - which isn’t sitting well with the console based public. Regardless, Crash Course gives gamers the chance to jump online with their friends and attack the slobbering zombie hordes as it comes with two new Survival maps - the high octane timed arena battle mode added to the Survival pack earlier this year.

As the game starts, the survivors are gathered around the crashed helicopter which was at the end of the No Mercy campaign. The pilot had sickeningly turned into a zombie and from here the group of four (computer AI or human players) start to head through the dark streets of the city walking around destroyed and abandoned vehicles and through various buildings to reach their escape via a vehicle at the end of the map. The map is intentionally claustrophobic with rooftops on all sides and some mildly open spaces to engage the undead hordes. It is a tough expansion with a plethora of weapons on offer from Valve to make the gunplay as fun and destructive as possible.

There is unsurprisingly, nothing that different with the expansion pack and the action follows the same run and gun concept of the original as players try to destroy masses of undead monsters. The creature list is formidable, with pouncing Hunters and vile spewing Boomers still in full force. Tanks will appear in specific spots to throw things at you and make your progress extremely difficult and when you combine the zombie hordes with the devious Witches the level of challenge is intense.


The gameplay methodology still works the same as the original - working in a group earns the highest reward. Covering each others backs and healing when needed means you will last longer than going ‘Rambo’, there are just too many creatures roaming the environments for you to handle them all on your own. There are also two specific defense areas to add interest, and it is up to a survivor to use a howitzer at a barricade to allow progress further into the level. As the shell hits the target however it starts a fire which causes the team to fight for survival until the flames dissipate.  Another of the locations requires the team to power on a generator and defend the territory until the escape vehicle is ready to travel. These areas also become the setting for the Survival modes which are very difficult in the hands of inexperienced players - team work is essential for success. The undead forces relentlessly bombard the group of survivors making it a very challenging process to survive.

Crash Course is nothing dramatically different from the original title but the content is strong, exhilarating and is set to appeal to fans of the genre. The difficulty level is ramped accordingly and although there are only a few new environments the challenge is difficult and replay value is high. The gameplay is still very much team based and players who like to roam the areas on their own will not last very long as they get ripped apart by the forces of darkness. The expansion is set to offer a lot to those waiting on Left4Dead2 and the fact it is free (on the PC anyway) is the icing on the cake.

Gameplay	82/100	More maps and situations to combat the undead hordes.
Graphics	83/100	Runs well on a variety of hardware and is effective.
Audio	86/100	Great ambient noises and gun fire is realistic.
Value	95/100	Its free!
Overall (Not an Average)	85/100	A strong expansion to keep people happy until Left4Dead 2 hits next month.