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Back 4 Blood

Thanks to the AI Director, incredible atmosphere and great pacing, Back 4 Blood is a triumphant return for Turtle Rock.
73%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, grinding
79% User Score Based on 61,786 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 73 reviews

Platforms

PCPCP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5WinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SCloCloudEGEpic GamesNGNNVIDIA GeForce NOWPlaPlayStationXboxXbox
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About

"Back 4 Blood" is a cooperative first-person shooter where players fight against a zombie apocalypse. Players can team up with up to three others to clear infested areas and battle powerful enemies, utilizing a wide range of weapons and abilities. The game features a dynamic card system that affects gameplay, adding an extra layer of strategy to the intense action.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
Back 4 Blood screenshot
+1

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 61,859 reviews
gameplay2.2k positive mentions
stability1.1k negative mentions
  • The graphics and sound design are stunning, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, featuring solid shooting mechanics and a variety of weapons that provide engaging moments.
  • The card system adds depth and replayability, allowing for diverse builds and strategies that enhance the overall experience.
  • The story is generally viewed as weak and lacking depth, with many players finding it forgettable and generic compared to its predecessor.
  • The game suffers from stability issues, with frequent bugs, glitches, and performance problems that can disrupt gameplay.
  • Character development is minimal and underwhelming, leading to a perception that the characters feel isolated and lack meaningful engagement.
  • gameplay
    7,448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Back 4 Blood" is characterized by its fast-paced, cooperative action reminiscent of the "Left 4 Dead" series, featuring solid shooting mechanics and a variety of weapons. However, the introduction of a card system for character customization and gameplay modifiers has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the added depth while others find it overly complicated and detracting from the core experience. Overall, while the game offers engaging moments and replayability, it struggles with balance issues, repetitive missions, and a lack of content variety, leading to a polarized reception among players.

    • “At its core, Back 4 Blood delivers moments of adrenaline-pumping gameplay.”
    • “The shooting mechanics are solid, and the variety of weapons, from melee options to firearms, feels satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, offering a perfect mix of strategy and action.”
    • “I enjoy the brainless zombie hordes you get to mow down, but there are some glaring issues mechanically and as a basic game structure.”
    • “The gameplay loop is repetitive and not in a good way.”
    • “The card system is just them trying to hide the fact that there gameplay can't carry itself.”
  • story
    5,820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Back 4 Blood" is generally viewed as weak and lacking depth, with many players finding it forgettable and generic compared to its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." While the game features a campaign structured in acts with various missions, the narrative often feels disjointed and is delivered through repetitive dialogue and cutscenes that fail to engage players. Despite some enjoyable gameplay mechanics and character interactions, the overall storyline does not resonate deeply, leaving many players wanting more substantial content and character development.

    • “I did enjoy that there's an actual story campaign which helps give it world building for what's going on or happened.”
    • “The story is engaging and the characters diverse in skills and personality.”
    • “The story is fine, however there isn't much of it, and mandatory cutscenes every time you play a level, even in multiplayer, is horrendous design.”
    • “The writing is very poor quality, the voice acting feels lifeless and phoned in, and the 'story' is a total nothingburger.”
    • “The story is nothing more than a generic one... go here, shoot mass amounts of 'riddens' and complete a mission.”
    • “The story is so vanilla it feels like an afterthought and none of the attempts at adding some feeling into the story or setting helps.”
  • graphics
    2,937 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Back 4 Blood" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and optimization, with many players noting that the game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware. While some reviews highlight the game's impressive art style and attention to detail, others criticize it for feeling somewhat generic or cartoonish compared to its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." Overall, the graphics are considered a significant improvement, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “The visuals are stunning, and the sound design adds to the atmosphere, making each encounter with the ridden both thrilling and terrifying.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful too and the story is good.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with sound designs that allow one to participate in heart-pounding action.”
    • “The graphics and art style are shockingly bad.”
    • “The game is resource-heavy; I was happy to get an update on graphics, but it's still a fact.”
    • “The graphics are decent, but the game itself feels like someone modified the EA Fortnite clone and called it a day.”
  • replayability
    2,115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Back 4 Blood" is a mixed bag among players. Many praise the innovative card system, which allows for diverse builds and strategies, significantly enhancing replay value and making each run feel unique. However, some players feel that the game can become repetitive after a few playthroughs, especially without a robust modding community or additional content, leading to a perception that its replayability may not match that of its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." Overall, while the game offers substantial replayability through its mechanics and cooperative gameplay, opinions vary on its long-term engagement potential.

    • “The card system adds a good amount of depth, progression, and replayability.”
    • “The randomized cards are a fun challenge too, making the replayability much more appealing to me.”
    • “The card system is a standout feature, adding a layer of depth and replayability.”
    • “While the game's replayability is there, I can't see myself replaying the campaign act more than twice because each level already feels the same as the last one.”
    • “The game rarely surprises the players, the environments are nearly completely static, and the game doesn't have a lot of replayability.”
    • “However, the game has very little replay value once completed, and has been abandoned by the devs.”
  • stability
    1,134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of "Back 4 Blood" has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that can disrupt gameplay. While some users note improvements over time, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck, the game is still described as "buggy" and "unplayable" at times, especially during multiplayer sessions. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential and can be enjoyable, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game runs great, looks great, and is for sure fun especially with some friends.”
    • “It's polished, looks nice, runs great on my setup and it's (mostly) fun with friends.”
    • “Unbelievable game that is polished and bug free on release.”
    • “But the game is still unplayable, it freezes every few seconds.”
    • “I have bought this game twice and both times it has been surprisingly bad, the combination of the game running so incredibly bad (I have a 4090, there should be no issues) and the lack of intriguing content make me question if my purchase of $6 was worth this, I have spent more time troubleshooting than in-game and honestly it has been more fun than the actual gameplay.”
    • “The game is currently still very buggy and occasionally has its moments of utter BS but aside from that it's incredibly fun and rewarding with its card system creativity and strategy that players can bring to the table.”
  • grinding
    953 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the grind for unlocking cards and cosmetics, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making gameplay repetitive and frustrating, especially on higher difficulties. The card system, intended to add depth, is often criticized for being convoluted and requiring significant grinding to access meaningful upgrades, leading to a sense of monotony in gameplay.

    • “The progression is also so well paced, playing through all chapters takes about 30 hours, and during that time you will unlock everything, no grinding, no farming, play the game start to finish and you'll have every card, and a bunch of outfits and camos.”
    • “You quickly get a lot of cards, the game is absolutely not grindy in that regard.”
    • “The guns handle well, the progression isn't too grindy and its deck building gives it a lot more depth than the Left 4 Dead games before it.”
    • “The only real negative to this system is you can't play the harder difficulties without grinding.”
    • “The progression system, while rewarding, also feels very grindy.”
    • “This game is just really not fun and adds too many steps to anything and just ends up tedious to play.”
  • optimization
    746 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, and achieving high frame rates even on high settings. However, some users have reported persistent issues such as stuttering, lag, and bugs that detract from the overall experience, particularly in online play. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized, there are notable inconsistencies and performance problems that need addressing.

    • “The game is perfectly optimized, running smoothly on ultra settings even for medium or lower-spec systems.”
    • “The graphics are good without any real impact on performance, the game runs very well even on older hardware.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs even well on older systems.”
    • “However, the main issue I encountered was the lack of optimization for Iris Xe graphics.”
    • “This game is very badly optimized and honestly wasn't even worth it on sale because of how many times I had to relaunch, had connectivity issues, etc. It was frustrating.”
    • “Game stuttering soon after launching, get into the game and see there's a bunch of special infected with the exact same shape but different functions entirely, stick to using just a couple guns for a map because of independent ammo pools, molotov has worse effects and range than early 3D games let alone a 2020+ game.”
  • music
    741 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Back 4 Blood" has received mixed reviews, with many players comparing it unfavorably to the iconic soundtracks of "Left 4 Dead." While some appreciate the inclusion of licensed tracks in specific missions, like the bar level, others find the overall soundtrack generic and lacking in memorable cues that enhance gameplay. The absence of distinctive musical themes for special infected and the reliance on repetitive background music detract from the game's atmosphere, leading to a consensus that the music fails to evoke the same tension and immersion as its predecessor.

    • “The music in the bar is a banger.”
    • “The game's visuals and audio design are also noteworthy, with impressive graphics, gory dismemberment effects, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack that heightens the intensity of the combat.”
    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
    • “The soundtrack is soulless and does not hold a candle to Left 4 Dead 2's brilliant soundtrack.”
    • “Sound design is poor, character interactions are constant and add no value, enemies are bland, bosses are forgettable with no unique mechanics, music does nothing to play into what's happening around you - everything that made Left 4 Dead a masterclass this game just doesn't have.”
    • “There is also a serious lack of proper action/dramatic music that served as event cues like in Left 4 Dead, so the gameplay feels dull.”
  • monetization
    728 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of "Back 4 Blood" has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a cash grab, particularly due to its marketing as a successor to "Left 4 Dead." While some appreciate the absence of invasive microtransactions, others express concern over the potential for future monetization strategies, especially regarding cosmetic items and DLCs. Overall, the game's pricing and reliance on additional content have left many feeling disappointed and skeptical about its long-term value.

    • “And all that without any predatory monetization or gambling!”
    • “There are great cosmetics in the game, and zero microtransactions!”
    • “The best part is that you don't need microtransactions in order to get these; you just need to play the game and that's really it, and the points are quite easy to get.”
    • “This makes them feel like a blatant cash grab rather than meaningful additions to the game.”
    • “The game also relies too heavily on microtransactions for cosmetics, adding to its sense of being overpriced for what it offers.”
    • “This game is just a soulless cash grab of its predecessor.”
  • humor
    648 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Back 4 Blood" receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it entertaining and funny, especially when playing with friends, while others criticize it as forced and cringeworthy. Many appreciate the humorous banter and character interactions, though some feel it lacks the charm and wit of its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." Overall, the game's humor can lead to hilarious moments, particularly due to bugs and chaotic gameplay, but it often misses the mark with poorly written dialogue and unoriginal character tropes.

    • “The banter between characters is constant but funny too.”
    • “Grab your squad, load up your weapons, and get ready for an adrenaline-fueled experience that will have you laughing, screaming, and cheering all at once!”
    • “In summary, Back 4 Blood is the game that’ll have you screaming, laughing, and questioning your life choices—all in the span of a single zombie chase.”
    • “The writing is cringey and trying to be funny, which does not work for me because the context is so dark.”
    • “In-game, the cleaners spew unfunny, poorly written jokes and one-liners that make no sense half the time.”
    • “Many of them just fall super hard into generic character tropes times 10, god awful monologues, extremely unfunny bad jokes, and just end up being super uninteresting.”
  • atmosphere
    349 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Back 4 Blood" receives mixed reviews, with some praising its stunning visuals and immersive sound design that create intense moments, while others criticize it for lacking the gritty, memorable atmosphere of its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." Many players feel that the game leans too heavily into an arcade-like experience, sacrificing tension and depth for fast-paced action, resulting in a less cohesive and engaging atmosphere. Overall, while there are moments of atmospheric tension, the game often fails to deliver the immersive horror experience that fans of the genre expect.

    • “The graphics and sound design are top-notch, creating an immersive atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into the apocalypse.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is dark, gritty, and oozing with tension, thanks to the stunning visuals and excellent sound design.”
    • “The detailed environments, from desolate city streets to eerie underground tunnels, create a haunting atmosphere that immerses you in the dire survival situation.”
    • “The game is bad, boring, empty and has no atmosphere; extremely bad and cringe characters, not to mention the game feels and plays like an uncompleted beta game.”
    • “The campaign levels are incredibly one-note with no atmosphere whatsoever; so much so that I can barely recall a single level.”
    • “To bring it to the point, Back 4 Blood is lacking in atmosphere.”
  • emotional
    114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding moments of heartwarming connection, particularly with certain characters, while others criticize the lack of depth and emotional engagement compared to titles like Left 4 Dead. Many reviewers noted that attempts at heartfelt dialogue feel forced and that the characters lack chemistry, leading to a less impactful experience. Overall, while some moments resonate, the game's emotional narrative often falls flat, leaving players feeling disconnected.

    • “I have never, and I mean never; found a game that so emotionally drains me that I question the meaning of life and all that follows.”
    • “If one team member is down, it turns into a difficult decision of whether to continue moving forward or leave them due to the sheer amount of zombies; making this emotionally hard to decide as well.”
    • “Some characters can have genuinely amazing lines, a bot got downed because its pathing broke, but hearing an optimistic character slowly lose hope is heartbreaking and I literally had to take my headphones off for a time to continue playing.”
    • “Boring story, no versus mode like L4D1 and L4D2.”
    • “Boring story.”
    • “Boring story and bland characters.”
  • character development
    111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Back 4 Blood" is widely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that while character designs are visually appealing and diverse, the personalities and backstories of the characters are underdeveloped and forgettable. Comparisons to "Left 4 Dead" highlight a significant gap in character interaction and narrative engagement, leading to a perception that the characters feel isolated rather than part of a cohesive team. Overall, while the game excels in character design aesthetics, it falls short in delivering meaningful character development and storytelling.

    • “The game impresses with its wide range of features, such as great character design and various skins, including exotic ones.”
    • “Character design is very good too - they all have their own 'vibe'.”
    • “The character design, weapon handling, and physics are awe-inspiring examples of what a team can create when they truly believe in their product as well as each other.”
    • “The voice acting, interactions, and dialogue between the major and minor characters of the L4D franchise illustrate just how immensely lacking B4B's characters are, as it is glaring the minor to nonexistent character development in B4B's campaigns as they progress compared to L4D's enormous contrast in this regard.”
    • “Also character wise there's not much going on, pretty much non-existent actually whereas in L4D you had some character development going and a story that was being told through said characters; here is not much going on sadly.”
    • “I wish there would have been more character development other than each character having a single line that explains where they came from.”

76%Critics’ scoreBased on 73 critic reviews

Buy Back 4 Blood

25h Median play time
120h Average play time
8-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 500 analyzed playthroughs

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