Left 4 Dead Online Comic

A few months back, Valve released "The Passing" for Left 4 Dead 2.  This new downloadable content was the first time we were treated to the crossing of paths of survivors from both Left 4 Dead games.  The follow-up to this DLC will be released on October 5th.  "The Sacrifice" will be will tell the tale from the point of view of our first group of survivors.  This new content is somewhat of a prequel and shows us the events that lead up to The Passing.

In preparation of this new story, Valve is releasing a digital comic book.  There will be a 40 page release each Tuesday leading up the launch of The Sacrifice.  Already released, The Sacrifice Part One can be seen... HERE.

The Zombie Game That Should Have Been

I was reading an article about cancelled video games that mentioned a zombie shooter I'm sure we would all love.  Division 9 is a first person shooter that looks similar to Left 4 Dead.  Division 9 was under development by Irrational Games and it featured survival horror game play in a city infested with zombies.  This Xbox and PC game to me looks even better than L4D.  I'm dying to get my hands on a zombie game where the dead are modeled after the Romero model.  I always loved the first levels of Resident Evil games for this reason.  Then they would get all sci-fi monster and ruin it for me.  Whatever happened to Zombie Island that we mentioned here before?



From Co-Optimus:

But this game wasn't just a straight up shooter, that's all fast action like Left 4 Dead. Instead the game offered base building mechanics as well as strategy with ammo, rescues and weapons for survival. The game would even offer branching options throughout play. An example is one mission might have you rescuing a doctor, if you fail or choose not to do it, you wouldn't get the bonuses that come with that - namely the healing he can provide.

Left 4 Dead Tank Statue

Gaming Heads is teaming up with Valve to bring us a line of high-end collectibles from one of our favorite games. I'm assuming you have read the title of this post so the cat's out of the bag. So, yes, we can expect a statue of Left 4 Dead's Tank.

The Gaming Heads site states that this is the first of their Left 4 Dead series. First? Unfortunately, they give us no clue as to who is next or when we can expect them. The regular edition is limited to 750 pieces and will set you back $299. For an extra $25, you can get the exclusive edition that comes with a shotgun and is limited to 300 pieces.

The Tank has been faithfully recreated, posed having just smashed through a reinforced door. Its eyes have been painted with luminous paints that glows in the dark giving him a frenzied infected look.

In order to create the most accurate statue, we have used the actual game files. He measures approximately 15 inches tall, including the base. Comes packed in a foam interior full colored box with a validation card which ensures your product is genuine. Cast in high quality poly-stone, the statue is hand finished and hand painted to exacting standards.

Left 4 Dead 2 Boomer Plush

For those wishing for a 13" Left 4 Dead 2 Boomer plush doll, you're in luck! The bonus? It makes 10 different in-game sounds. Designed by Alexandria Neonakis who was responsible for the Left 4 Dead holiday cards, Boomer is confirmed to be followed by moire special infected.

Boomer sells for $49.99 at the Valve Store. I'm not certain, but I think you can receive free shipping for orders over $50.

Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing

Most of you L4D2 gamers out there probably know already but just in case... The Passing downloadable content is now available for download.

The Passing brings the original cast of Left 4 Dead south for a meeting with the survivors from Left 4 Dead 2. The download also delivers new single and multi-player gameplay. There will also be week-long "mutations" of new gameplay modes. These new gameplay modes range from "Realism Versus" mode to "Chainsaw Massacre," which gives all players unlimited gasoline-filled chainsaws. There are over 20 Mutations planned, each playable on all L4D2 Campaigns. In addition, The Passing offers a new "uncommon common" zombie class (the fallen survivor), melee weapon (golf club), and firearm (M-60).

The Passing is available for 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360 and free on the PC.

Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing

Valve has released some screen shots and the poster for The Passing. This will be the long-rumoured content where the paths of both games' heroes cross. New zombies and new weapons will be heading our way in March.

Left 4 Dead - The Movie

We all know it's only a matter of time before Hollywood makes a movie based off of one of the greatest zombie-slaying games ever. Unfortunately, that time is not now. That's not to say we don't have a sweet looking fan-made movie to look forward to in the meantime.

A group of talented international artists have joined efforts to begin creating a Left 4 Dead movie. The trailor looks great and this is definitely something I'm excited to see. Head over to the film's official site to learn more and contribute to the making of the film.

Until it's finished, we can enjoy the official trailer and movie posters that have been released so far. Images were taken from the film's Facebook page.

8-Bit Left 4 Dead

The time has come. Remember that post a while back about the 8-Bit Left 4 Dead game? Too lazy to click the link? Well, Pixel Force and Eric Ruth Games have launched their first game remake that is a throwback to the old Nintendo Entertainment System.

This version of Left 4 Dead features all four survivors as they would have appeared back in the '80s. What could possibility make this remake better? How about if it were free? Rejoice zombie game geeks! Follow this link to download and play Pixel Force's masterpiece for free.

Thanks to Andy for the heads-up.

Mercy Hospital Reviews

Yes, more Left 4 Dead news. Well whaddya expect? Left 4 Dead 2 was released yesterday. I do have my copy but it's still sealed and sitting on my desk (damn real paying job). So, to tide me over until this weekend when I can stay up all night drinking Red Bull and playing games until my eyes bleed, I will post more L4D related news.

So, apparently, there is a real Mercy Hospital. You know, the hospital in Left 4 Dead. Where is it? Where else but the zombie capital of the world, Pittsburgh! Looking for reviews will bring you to numerous "reviews" of Mercy Hospital. Unfortuneately for the real Mercy Hospital, most of the reviews are for the game's version. This is definitely good for a laugh.

I went to this hospital to have my chronic headaches treated or at least diagnosed. Upon entering, I asked the receptionist for some help. Instead, she lept over the counter and started clawing at me. But there just happen to be some guns on the seats. I sadly had to kill her in self defense. Knowing the cops were soon to follow, I proceeded to go up. I wasn't thinking, just going up. On the way up, I had faced many disgruntled patients and workers. One patient was polite enough to vomit all over me. While I was blinded, his posse (i am assuming he is a gang leader of sorts) started running at me and beating me. After successfully escaping, my headaches have only gotten worse. After consuming large amounts of pills, I stumbled my way onto the roof, where a man possibly being treated for a steroid overdose was waiting for me. After tossing me off the building, I almost lost my life. I was thankfully recovered by some strange African American man claiming to have his pills. I am home safe now. But no amount of pills and medpacks will cure my emotional and physical pain.

• Pros: The pills were here.

• Cons: So was the tank.

Left 4 Dead Holiday Cards

Can you have too much Left 4 Dead? I didn't think so. Valve doesn't think so, either. That's why they are offering a package of 10 Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 Holiday Cards for $15.95. If I made it on anyone's zombie Xmas card list, you can email me for my address.

8-Bit Left 4 Dead

I have fond memories of my original Nintendo Entertainment System just like the next guy. What I don't have is the patience and know-how to recreate one of my favorite next gen games to look and play like an NES game. Introducing Left 4 Dead the way we would have seen it as kids. Or maybe how I and some others reading would have seen it as kids.

Eric Ruth and PixelForce NES are responsible for this new vision of Left 4 Dead. There are images and a trailer available to wet your appetite now and we can expect to see a full version in January.

Left 4 Dead's Conspiracy Theory

Reading all of the graffiti in the safe houses was one of my favorite things to do while playing Left 4 Dead. Not only has the fun literature returned in Left 4 Dead 2, but it looks like a type of conspiracy theory has evolved from it all. It is being reported that not only are there “carriers” of the zombie virus who are immune to changing, but that our original four heroes from L4D may actually be spreading the plague! There’s a great write-up about this theory over at Destructoid with some very thorough and well-thought arguments.

Evidence points to the wall writings with talk of “immunes” in the first installment. This may have been included throughout the game to lightly explain why our heroes can be attacked and bitten but never change. On the walls of L4D2, we are told that “Some people are carriers” and "They're immune but they can spread the infection"

More evidence to support the claim that original four are carriers refer to the man in the church changing as well as the helicopter pilot. Could they have been bitten prior to the survivors arrival? Yes. But what was it about the presence of our survivors that caused them to change immediately?

A great read for anyone who enjoys the Left 4 Dead saga. Visit Destructoid to read the full article in its well-thought-out entirety.

The Evil, Walking Left For Dead

Vindrewski's Button Emporium is back for a second offering! They're giving you the chance to win the button set of your choice!

There are three different sets to choose from: The Evil Dead, Left 4 Dead, and The Walking Dead. Entering is simple. Email me at buttons@zombiesandtoys.com. In your email include your name, address, and button set you would like to win. A winner will be selected at the end of November.

If you can't wait, head over to Vindrewski's Button Emporium and snag your sets early.

The Evil Dead

Left 4 Dead

The Walking Dead

Yum... Delicious Zombies

Huge props to Traci for emailing me a picture of what is possibly the greatest wedding cake I have ever seen.

Here's a description from the Flickr page: "This was our Zombie Wedding cake made by Mike's Amazing Cakes in Seattle! They're awesome! They made the Bride and Groom on top look like us down to the tux and dress, and the zombies matched our wedding party too!It was red velvet, in case you were wondering :)"

While we're on the topic of zombie snacks, I uncovered some yummy looking brain cupcakes recently over at technabob. The cupcakes are red velvet raspberry cake with French vanilla cream cheese frosting. The brains on top are actually made from chocolate formed in tiny brain molds. Full details can be found on the creater's Flicker page - xsomnis.

Finally, let's not forget about the yummy cookies featuring our favorite zombie hunters. These were featured in an earlier post but deserve to be seen again. Behold, the Left 4 Dead cookies.

Thanks to Traci for sharing her zombie wedding cake discovery. If you have any news that is good for the order, drop me an email at zombiesandtoys@gmail.com.

Sooth Your Baby With Zombies

That's right! I'm doing my darndest to desensitize my youngins to the horrors of the walking dead. I'm not doing too bad if I do say so and those who have been hanging around to witness all the pics of my son can attest to that. But this... this takes it a step further.

Etsy seller Salty and Sweet is making some very cool mobiles with the silhouettes of zombies. Does it get any cooler? Well, actually, yes it does. They are also available with the images of the crew and infected of Left 4 Dead. There are some other cool ones as well but does it really get any better than zombies? I didn't think so.

Win Your Choice Of A Button Set!

We are fortunate enough to be able to offer you two contests this month! The fine folks at Vindrewski's Button Emporium are offering you the button set of your choice!

There are three different sets to choose from: The Evil Dead, Left 4 Dead, and The Walking Dead. Entering is simple. Email me at zombiesandtoys@gmail.com with "Buttons" as the subject. In your email include your name, address, and button set you would like to win. A winner will be selected on November 1st.

If you can't wait, head over to Vindrewski's Button Emporium and snag your sets early.

The Evil Dead

Left 4 Dead

The Walking Dead

Left 4 Dead Crash Course DLC Available Today

Just a quick reminder that the downloadable mission, Crash Course, is available today. Look for me online tomorrow night poppin' some caps. Give me a yell, "xnoybis zombie"!

"Left 4 Dead's Crash Course starts with our Survivors right after their rescue helicopter from the No Mercy campaign crash lands on the outskirts of town. This two chapter campaign includes Co-op, Survival and Versus action, and ten new achievements."

Dead Rising 2 News ...LOTS of Dead Rising 2 News

So I hear the folks over at Capcom were becoming jealous of all the attention Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 has been getting on Zombies & Toys. As a result, they have dropped a ton of Dead Rising 2 news to report on. Okay, so maybe Capcom doesn't know ZT even exists. But, hey, I still have a ton of Dead Rising 2 news to report!

First, is the official announcement that DR2 will have multiplayer. So, once zombies invade the entertainment hub of Fortune City (think, Las Vegas) what else is there to do but capitalize on it? Bring in the television show, "Terror is Reality". This show allows you and three friends to compete in a series of zombie killing challenges. Sounds like fun but a multiplayer story mode would be nice, too.

The goal of the challenges is to slay more zombies than your opponents. Winning will give you a large paycheck and allow you to come back for more prizes. The challenges are over the top and consist as fun romps like running over zombies in giant hampster balls, riding through hordes of undead on a motorcycle with chainsaws on the handlebars, and putting buckets on the zombies' heads. You'll even have the opportunity to see slow motion replays on the jumbotron screen!

Check out the new screen shots below and check out the additional news that follows.

This next bit of news comes from GamePro and I must admit, I thought it was a hoax. It looks like Frank West from from the original Dead Rising will be featured in a Wii exclusive fighting game, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.

It looks like Frank will use basic fighting moves. What's really exciting are his special moves. He has a baseball bat Grand Slam, golf club Giant Swing, and (of course) some zombie moves. He can summon zombies to throw, one that will grab an opponent from the opposite side of the screen, and even a zombie horde.

Left 4 Dead Downloadable Content and L4D2 Demo

Now, don't get me wrong, I likes me some Left 4 Dead. But I'm tired of reporting on Left 4 Dead news so I'm keeping this on brief.

The new downloadable mission, Crash Course, will be available on Tuesday, Sept 29th. I should be up late gaming on Wed the 30th, so if anyone wants to join me look for "xnoybis zombie". Make sure to mention Zombies & Toys if sending a friend request. This new mission will also bring us a total of 60 achievements.

Also announced is the Left 4 Dead 2 demo will be available on October 27th. I was hoping to have it sooner but, hey, I'll still check it out!

Speaking of Left 4 Dead 2, don't forget to vote on our first poll in the margin.

Valve Makes Friendly With Boycotters

Nothing huge to report other than the show of goodwill from Valve but you can read the article here.

Co-Optimus reported some words from the small group who went to Valve HQ. The most vocal of the boycotters said that L4D2 “seemed balanced and 'tight' and did not feel like a rushed job.” There is also news of more downloadable content for the original game soon and that it will be ongoing.