Sources indicate that Back 4 Blood, the co-op zombie shooter from the creators of Left 4 Dead, already has post-launch content and cosmetic microtransactions planned out. The multiplayer zombie shooter, developed by Turtle Rock Studios, looks to be a clear successor to the developer’s similarly-themed 2008 title. The studio’s latest release was 2015’s Evolve, which featured similar cooperative shooter gameplay but set the action on a hostile alien planet.
Back 4 Blood is being rightfully regarded as a successor to Left 4 Dead, with Turtle Rock Studios taking many ideas from its highly successful 2008 title. Early previews of the game indicate that Back 4 Blood feels similar to Left 4 Dead, although thematically the game has transitioned from surviving the zombie apocalypse to offensively seeking out and destroying the undead hordes. However, the game does improve upon Left 4 Dead in a number of ways, such as featuring a deck-building perk system and brand new varieties of powerful specialized zombies.
Sirus Gaming reports that Chris Ashton, Turtle Rock Studios co-founder and Design Director, recently told PC Gamer UK that post-launch content and microtransactions are already planned for Back 4 Blood. Turtle Rock has previously confirmed that any microtransactions present in Back 4 Blood will be purely cosmetic, meaning that no actual gameplay mechanics will require an in-game purchase to experience. Ashton told PC Gamer that post-launch content, such as new perk cards or weapon skins, is being planned for the game just as it was for the studio’s previous title Evolve.
Following in the footsteps of Left 4 Dead, Back 4 Blood features a number of special infected that are more deadly than a standard member of the horde. However, while the 2008 title did feature some truly iconic monstrosities, Back 4 Blood appears to be pushing the envelope even further. Zombies that spit acid or explode when killed return using new nicknames, but the loud-mouthed Snitch and the huge imposing Ogre stand out from the rest. The game’s various new systems help it avoid being a simple rehash of Left 4 Dead, instead allowing it to act as a natural successor of the classic zombie shooter.
Back 4 Blood is shaping up to be a faithful follow-up to Left 4 Dead, bringing the game’s iconic gameplay into the modern age. Post Launch support for the title will help it to stay relevant after launch, as constantly replaying the same levels over and over turned some players off from Left 4 Dead. While microtransactions are always met with disdain by gamers, if the content is purely cosmetic then it should not have any negative effect on players’ experiences with the game.
Back 4 Blood is set to release on June 22 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
