On July 19 we learned with great pleasure that Valve, in his generosity, placed at our disposal free Alien Swarm on Steam. True to the old slasher film based on an online collaboration, this newcomer has quickly attracted interest within the community. We recall that at the base Alien Swarm was a mod of Unreal Tournament 2004. Subsequently, the modders behind the project development team integrated it from Valve to work on titles like Left For Dead and Portal 2. Above and beyond the pecuniary, interest in the software comes from the fact that it was designed for and by the gaming community. This is not a simple mod that game programmers Black Cat Games, but we offer a truly game mods and all powered by the Source engine, please!
Alien Swarm

First, let’s say it is free in part because it has no single player mode. While there is indeed a practice mode but you can only walk in a single level, requiring you to cooperate with three bots. Simple tutorial, this first part will teach you the basics of gameplay and complementarity between the four playable classes. Thus, you can choose between the officer, versed in the art of command and regroup his troops, the medic (doctor) who will serve you well especially in cases of infection, the tech (technician), without whom you ‘ not go very far and finally Sp Weapons (weapons specialist) with her arsenal against aliens. You will understand, without renewing the genre, Alien Swarm has still a very good multiplayer experience with four characters are really useful and complementary. Moreover, in most levels, weapons and some classes will be mandatory. Take for example the technician, he is the only one able to unlock passages. In this kind of map, it is vital to bring with you a technician who has in the lemon! Add the shotgun from the officer, a medic ready to launch a packtage first aid and a machine gun on a tripod that is currently installing a specialist and you’re ready to face any invasion.

After the tutorial level solo and found the classes, you’re ready to get started in the deep multiplayer. Very quickly we realize, once your party selected from the lobby depending on the desired level and the desired degree of difficulty, there is only one field available. The latter is divided into seven different levels that depict the mission of four soldiers sent in a base overrun by aliens. Our beloved Marine must complete the entire station snow to reach the reactor from the loading platform while passing through residential areas or sewers. The free software is thus explained by the uniqueness of his campaign multiplayer. However, there is a real replayability of the title. A system of experience points that you earn after each level of his participation, you can continuously improve the equipment of your character. You will be able to unlock weapons and equipment of all kinds (flamethrowers, laser blasting, light armor, heavy armor, heavy machine gun on tripod …). The more you play in a higher difficulty mode and more you earn experience points.

Another aspect that reinforces the experience of the game are mission objectives. Beyond having to go from point A to point B, you must follow a precise order of mission: revive a lift, restore power in a station, retrieve flight plans or even eliminate all the nests infectious. So many mini goals that require you to adopt a particular strategy every time. In most cases this will lead to an anthology of scenes where he must keep his composure while waves of aliens can skip to the face. Some scripted actions will ultimately enrich the gameplay, such as triggering an explosion here and there before opening a blocked passage.

The least we can say is that for a free game Alien Swarm is beautiful. Even paying it would still be nice also … There is a very accomplished graphic rendering especially in the management of lights. Indeed, the effects are quite impressive it is a snow storm illuminating swarming alien or a red lantern that swings erratically halo of light in a dark room … The passages are constructed outdoors on an opposition between light and shadow which increases the player’s immersion in this world horror. The level design has a gloomy atmosphere to perfection. On several occasions, one begins to be the hero of a film by Carpenter, including the base side abandoned in the middle of a frozen continent! Periodically the floor is littered with corpses and other trails of dried blood. As we progress to the alien infection is spreading everywhere and the environments suffer. Levels, even if not many are quite varied. Each of them sees himself with a great atmosphere.

The soundscape is no exception. With places as shabby, it had a soundtrack, at least as relevant as the graphics to make us shudder at the slightest detour. Most of the time, the music is quite low and act consistently scary background music. For example, when driving through residential neighborhoods, is a small elevator music in total mismatch with the horror of the situation with you. To this we must add sounds breathtaking. Over time, the sound of your weapons and that of space creatures haunt your nights as much as you may spend countless hours on this title. For even if at first the life does not seem to be so consistent as this, the evolution of your gamer profile and weapons unlocked and articles and invite you to play and replay again Alien Swarm. For all the equipment available, you have to travel several times this station and this unhappiness in several levels of difficulty. Add to that a number of Pharaonic maps made by players and your social life could be summed up quickly to your contacts Steam!

Moreover, at present there is already a large number of levels achieved with the Software Development Kit (SDK) provided with the game because there is the real advantage of Alien Swarm. Programmers have had the good idea to give players an easy and precise to create their own levels. This community aspect is certainly the true value of software. Several teams of modders have already swollen the database by creating new levels and modes, survive as waves of enemies for example. Finally, Alien Swarm is a title designed for everyone. Even if you do not feel the soul of a programmer, some design features are very accessible. It is possible to make such changes directly from the game action best known for now you can change the angle of the camera to turn this into slasher with a good old shooter in first person view. What possibilities within such a small game!