If you loved the Left 4 Dead series, then you definitely would want to play these handpicked games like Left 4 Dead. The franchise owned by Valve has some of the finest co-op gameplay on the market and it’s filled with zombie mayhem. While picking comparable release, we’ve mainly focused on co-operative gameplay, seeing as it’s the key selling point and you’ll find the undead in most of them. You can expect nothing short of great titles for you and friends to enjoy. So let’s get started:
1. COD: Black Ops:
Call of Duty Black Ops is one of the most enjoyable FPS releases in the franchise. Released back in 2010, the zombie co-op mode is what we’re recommending. Like the L4D games, this one allows up to 4 players (or 2 in split-screen layout) to take on hordes of the infected. There are map packs available for download, namely Rezurrection, Escalation, First Strike and Annihilation, which introduce more content like different types of enemies, weapons and other items.
You’ll also be able to unlock the Dead Ops Arcade which is a retro-style shooter mini-game where the camera is moved to a top-down angle. The goal here is to complete each round by destroying all enemies. The zombie mode was first introduced with World at War, so you might want to check out that release as well.
2. Dead Island: Riptide:
Dead Island: Riptide is the sequel to the original 2011 release and its amazing co-op mode has earned it a spot amongst the games similar to Left 4 Dead. The story takes off from where the first installment left and it follows four survivors that are immune to the infection as they reach a military ship, but wake up stranded on another island crawling with zombies.
The developer has incorporated role-playing elements as well, where you can level up and upgrade specific skills. In co-op mode, you earn cash and experience from other players and it’s a lot of fun to play with friends online. The game has a new playable character, fresh zombies and more. Riptide takes place in an open word island which can be freely explored.
3. Resident Evil 5:
Capcom’s seventh Resident Evil game takes players to the African continent in a frictional place called Kijuju. It’s the direct sequel to Resident Evil 4 and it follows protagonists Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar who are BSSA agents. Either one character can be selected in singleplayer mode or both in online co-operative gameplay. The second player can join or exit the game at any point of time. Where the plot is concerned, the duo are sent to investigate and prevent terrorists from getting their hands on bio-organic weapons.
Enemies here are tougher than before as they’re made faster and more intelligent. On the bright side, you also get new goodies including various new weapons. During the main story, you’ll be presented with various flashbacks of previous releases, so you might want to complete the other games before you get your hands on this one.
4. Dead Space 2:
Next on the Left 4 Dead alternatives is Dead Space 2, a survival horror release from Visceral for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360 systems. This third-person shooter game takes place around 3 years after the events of the first release where you step into the shoes of returning protagonist Isaac Clarke. The engineer falls into a coma and finds himself in The Sprawl, a large space city.
Being hunted and haunted, you make your way through the city killing necromorphs, solving puzzles, flying in zero gravity and more. You’ll have an arsenal of weapons at your disposal and trashing enemies will provide loot. In multiplayer mode, you and your friends can play as humans with specific objectives to complete or necromorphs with the goal to kill all humans.
5. Army of Two: The 40th Day:
Army of Two: The 40th Day is a serious co-op title. Not only is it one of the most enjoyable releases to play with a friend, you won’t be able to complete certain environments or unlock locations without the help of a second player. You play as two mercenaries Tyson Rios and Elliot Salem, who find themselves stuck in Shanghai that’s on the brink of destruction from terrorist attacks. You and a friend fight your way through the chaos to uncover the secret of the 40th Day.
Compared to the previous release, this one has refined graphics and it enables much more customization options. You’ll be able to choose from different masks and also modify weapons. There are multiple online modes as well, where you can take part in co-op 2 vs. 2 Deathmatch, capture locations of interest and fight waves of incoming enemies amongst others.
6. Dead Rising 2:
We’re ending this games similar to Left 4 Dead compilation with Dead Rising 2. While most survival horror releases tend to be scary, this release has a lot of humor. Set 5 years after the events of the original, you play as Chuck Greene as he travels to Fortune City to take part in the Terror Is Reality game show to earn money for medicine to keep his daughter from dying. You’ll also have to clear your name and survive for 72 hours before the military comes to your rescue.
Dead Rising 2 offers immense numbers of zombies. You’ll have huge amounts of them on your screen and to defend yourself, the game allows you to create wacky weapons by combining different objects. There’s also a co-op mode and the 4-player Terror is Reality mode where you challenge others to a gladiator-style duel with zombies.
Conclusion:
Most of these games like Left 4 Dead are available on different systems including Sony’s PS3, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Windows. Do remember while all of the aforementioned releases offer a single player campaign, most of them are design to deliver a more enjoyable experience when playing in co-op. So make sure you and your friends land up getting the same games.