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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.
Back 4 Blood Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, grinding
71% User Score Based on 21,471 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 61 reviews

Platforms

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Back 4 Blood Game Cover

About

Back 4 Blood is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by Turtle Rock Studios and was released on October 12, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"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
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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
+3
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71%
Audience ScoreBased on 21,471 reviews
gameplay719 positive mentions
stability381 negative mentions
  • gameplay
    2,442 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Back 4 Blood" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its fast-paced, cooperative action reminiscent of the "Left 4 Dead" series, while others criticize its complexity and balance issues. The introduction of a card system adds depth and replayability, allowing for varied playstyles, but some players find it convoluted and detracting from the core experience. Overall, while the gunplay and mechanics are generally praised, the game suffers from bugs, unbalanced difficulty, and a lack of engaging content, leading to a somewhat repetitive gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay itself is very good.”
    • “Great classic L4D-style fun, very good gunplay and core mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is intense, fast-paced, and perfectly captures the essence of cooperative survival.”
    • “One big issue about the gameplay is when you join a match you can't pick your deck; it's just some nonsense.”
    • “The game has many flaws in the basic gameplay and quality of life, which is why it failed, and it has nothing to do with failing as a Left 4 Dead successor.”
    • “The gameplay feels fast, clunky, and unrealistic.”
  • story
    1,957 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Back 4 Blood" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking depth and engagement compared to its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead." While some appreciate the attempt at a cohesive narrative and character interactions, others criticize it for being generic, with flat characters and a predictable plot that often feels tacked on. The missions, though varied in gameplay, frequently reuse environments, leading to a sense of monotony, and the overall pacing and storytelling have been described as rushed or underdeveloped.

    • “The story is well thought out and has a great Left 4 Dead feel.”
    • “This game has a really cool story and is actually really hard to beat.”
    • “The story, honestly I have no recollection of it was that dull I couldn't even guess a character name vs older games like Dead Island and Dying Light.”
    • “The story is bland and after a few hours of gameplay, you get the hang of it but that comes with boredom shortly after.”
    • “The story is tacked on and annoying.”
    • “The story is poor (which I did not expect it to be anything else).”
  • graphics
    934 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Back 4 Blood" have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the modern visual fidelity and detailed environments that enhance the overall experience. While some users noted occasional performance issues and a few graphical glitches, the game's aesthetic is often described as a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead," offering a more immersive and visually appealing zombie apocalypse setting. However, a few critiques highlight that despite the impressive graphics, the gameplay may not fully capitalize on this visual potential, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.

    • “The graphics were pretty good, the zombie models and variety were all creepy and visceral depictions of the typical zombies you expect to see, and some special zombies even had unique properties that could be denoted by subtle differences on their body.”
    • “The game's graphical fidelity and attention to detail further enhance the immersion, making each encounter with the undead a visceral and intense experience.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the gameplay feels so smooth!”
    • “The only thing this game has over l4d2 is graphics but frankly, that never really mattered to gamers.”
    • “It's a cash-grab when graphics are the only polished aspect to draw pre-order sales, neglecting gameplay.”
    • “I wanted this game to be great and was excited for a new l4d series but this game is a garbage version of l4d with decent graphics and not much more.”
  • replayability
    762 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Back 4 Blood" is frequently praised, primarily due to its innovative card system and corruption cards that introduce randomness and variability in each playthrough, making no two runs feel the same. Many players appreciate the depth of customization through deck-building and character abilities, which enhances the overall experience, especially in cooperative play. However, some critics argue that the game can become repetitive over time, particularly after completing the campaign, and that it lacks the same level of replay value as its predecessor, "Left 4 Dead."

    • “The deck building system is a great addition to the overall replayability, along with the corruption cards that the game director will play to counter the players, it makes each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “The game's inherently replayable nature, coupled with a variety of difficulty modes and an engaging progression system, keeps players coming back for more.”
    • “The random corruption cards, the satisfying gameplay, the infinite number of gameplay styles (thanks to the card system), and the epic community all make this game extremely replayable.”
    • “Fun, but after you finish all the game it becomes boring; basically lacks much replayability and there isn't much you can do.”
    • “The base game lacks in both content and replayability, and the promised post-launch 'roadmap' turned out to be way less than they had promised.”
    • “After you beat the game on recruit, the game about loses all replay value.”
  • stability
    401 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has been a significant concern among players, with many reporting a variety of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users have noted improvements over time and find the game enjoyable despite its issues, others describe it as feeling unfinished and buggy, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is seen as having potential but still requires substantial fixes to enhance stability and performance.

    • “Bug free, balanced gameplay with good character, enemy, and level design for both PvE and PvP players, what AAA games should strive to be.”
    • “Unbelievable game that is polished and bug free on release.”
    • “Great game runs great, very few bugs like Left 4 Dead but better; the bots do need some work, sometimes they stand idle and don't shoot.”
    • “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.”
    • “I have spent more time troubleshooting the game than actually playing it.”
    • “This game is a massive disappointment; it just really shows how much Valve carried Left 4 Dead. This is a broken, buggy, terrible mess, and it has nothing good about it other than being occasionally funny.”
  • grinding
    325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and unfulfilling. While some enjoy the card system and the depth it adds to gameplay, others criticize the repetitive nature of grinding for supply points and cards, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as requiring significant time investment for meaningful progression, which can lead to frustration, especially when playing solo or with random teammates.

    • “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, along with a bunch of outfits and camos.”
    • “Nightmare (hard) seems to require a full build and at least some form of coordination in a team. I unlocked all cards around 50-60 hours not playing optimally (not grinding the perfect map, farming, etc.) and unlocked all other supply line cosmetics at about 110 hours.”
    • “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 game is way too grindy; I can't start building effective decks until I dig deep into some of the trees.”
    • “Grinding for points (be it the red ones, the totem ones, or whatever other dumb in-game currency you're trying to get) takes hours, all so I can get a pair of pants to look like a raider from Fallout?”
    • “The grinding is a real problem for me at least.”
  • music
    260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Back 4 Blood" receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the licensed tracks featured in specific levels, particularly the "Bar Room Blitz" mission, while others criticize the overall soundtrack as forgettable and lacking the impactful musical cues that defined "Left 4 Dead." Many reviewers note the absence of distinct audio cues for special infected, which diminishes the game's tension and atmosphere. Overall, while the sound design is considered decent, it fails to reach the memorable heights of its predecessor, leaving players wanting more in terms of musical engagement and thematic depth.

    • “Bar room blitz level and 'Black Betty' song playing is the best thing ever.”
    • “The music, the scenes, the gameplay, the immersive feeling while you're playing the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and at times includes everything from Motörhead to Robert Johnson on the jukebox!”
    • “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.”
    • “The music in Left 4 Dead helped set a convincing horror ambiance which Back 4 Blood lacks.”
    • “The soundtrack is forgettable, with no distinct musical cues to indicate special infected or significant events, making the game feel less engaging.”
  • monetization
    255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits the legacy of Left 4 Dead. While there are currently no microtransactions, concerns persist about potential future monetization strategies, particularly regarding cosmetic items and DLCs that feel like attempts to extract more money from players. Overall, the game's pricing and monetization practices have left many feeling disappointed and misled, especially given the high expectations set by its marketing.

    • “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. The points are quite easy to get.”
    • “One final huge plus for the game is that there are no microtransactions, which I really appreciate the devs for doing.”
    • “There are also zero microtransactions of any sort, and all cosmetics are unlocked by playing the game through the standard progression.”
    • “This was a clear cash grab; the fact that this is a $60 game is literally insulting or, at worst, theft.”
    • “This game is nothing but a cash grab using another game's fame.”
    • “The game is a cash grab and my stupid self paid £50 for it.”
  • optimization
    236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its solid performance and smooth graphics, particularly on mid-range and high-end PCs. However, some users have reported significant performance issues, including stuttering, bugs, and inconsistent frame rates, especially during multiplayer sessions. Overall, while the game is well-optimized for many systems, there are still notable areas for improvement, particularly regarding server performance and certain gameplay mechanics.

    • “Graphics are outstanding and well optimized.”
    • “Very good optimization with little to no performance issues.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs smoothly even on older systems.”
    • “Lol the cutscenes can't even run without stuttering lag on offline mode.”
    • “What really turns me off about this game is the optimization; most of the time I actually have in this game is just 30 minutes, because the rest of the time is me waiting for the menu level to load, crashing, and then me having to reload the game, rinse and repeat.”
    • “Terrible AI, even worse optimization and performance, especially after the last update.”
  • humor
    220 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding moments of genuine hilarity in character banter and unexpected bugs, while others criticize the dialogue as forced and unoriginal. Many reviews highlight the comedic potential of character interactions and chaotic gameplay, especially when playing with friends, but also note that the humor often falls flat compared to its predecessor, Left 4 Dead. Overall, while there are funny moments and quirky elements, the humor is inconsistent and can feel out of place within the game's more serious themes.

    • “The conversations and banter between the cleaners, along with the little details in the environment, such as graffiti and messages left by NPCs, are super funny and believable in a post-apocalyptic setting; things like seeing hordes of toilet paper in a bathroom.”
    • “The banter between characters is goofy and creates funny moments that you can quote later throughout the game.”
    • “The game is hilariously easy once you get a proper build going, leading to some truly funny moments.”
    • “This game is miserable, unfunny, and manages to be disappointing to someone who tried playing it as a joke.”
    • “The characters are bland and unfunny.”
    • “Dialogue is not funny, poorly written, and badly voiced.”
  • atmosphere
    114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its detailed environments and immersive sound design that create a tense and gritty experience, while others criticize it for lacking the depth and emotional weight found in its predecessor, Left 4 Dead. Many reviews highlight the game's vibrant visuals and varied settings, but note that the overall atmosphere can feel inconsistent, with some maps lacking engagement and a sense of urgency. Overall, while the game has moments of atmospheric brilliance, it often falls short of delivering a cohesive and memorable experience.

    • “The detailed environments, coupled with the diverse range of enemies, create an immersive and intense atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is dark, gritty, and oozing with tension, thanks to the stunning visuals and excellent sound design.”
    • “The different acts are nicely done and I have to say the environments were beautifully created and the atmosphere throughout the campaign really was a treat.”
    • “The animation feels stiff and robotic, which takes away from the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The environments are detailed and immersive, with a range of settings that add to the game's sense of atmosphere.”
    • “The campaign levels are incredibly one-note with no atmosphere whatsoever; so much so that I can barely recall a single level.”
  • emotional
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding moments of genuine attachment to characters and their struggles, particularly during intense gameplay scenarios that force difficult decisions about team survival. However, many reviewers express disappointment in the overall narrative and emotional investment, citing a lack of engaging storylines and character development compared to previous titles like Left 4 Dead. While some moments evoke strong feelings, the game's mechanics and design choices often detract from a cohesive emotional experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Play nightmare only if you want to cry like a baby every single time.”
    • “Boring story, no versus mode like L4D1 and L4D2.”
    • “Boring story.”
  • character development
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is widely criticized for being minimal to nonexistent, especially when compared to the Left 4 Dead franchise, which features more engaging interactions and backstories. While the character designs are praised for their uniqueness and visual appeal, players feel that the lack of meaningful dialogue and development leaves the characters feeling flat and unmemorable. Overall, the game is seen as lacking depth in storytelling and character growth, reducing the emotional investment in the characters.

    • “Guns feel good to shoot, cards are fun to mess with, character designs are neat and have unique purpose, ridden (zombies) change as you progress along with the mutations (specials), teamwork and slow play are rewarded more than just zooming on through a level.”
    • “The character designs are really cool and having them all specialized in different things without feeling shoehorned into it feels well done.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is no character development.”
    • “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.”
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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 61 critic reviews
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28h Median play time
134h Average play time
7-116h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 186 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Back 4 Blood is a survival shooter game with horror theme.

Back 4 Blood is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 134 hours playing Back 4 Blood.

Back 4 Blood was released on October 12, 2021.

Back 4 Blood was developed by Turtle Rock Studios.

Back 4 Blood has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Back 4 Blood is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include World War Z, Overkill's The Walking Dead, Earthfall, Aliens: Fireteam, Killing Floor 2 and others.