Like a modern Left 4 Dead, but free: New zombie shooter impresses Steam players

Valve doesn't seem to be in any rush to make a new Left 4 Dead. Fortunately, players looking to mow down zombie hordes with friends may want to check out Codename CURE II, a recently released co-op shooter whose similarities to Valve's classic are hard to miss. The game is completely free to play. The only paid content is an optional $7.99 DLC that adds a new firearm along with a selection of cosmetic items. There's more good news for handheld gamers: Codename CURE II is Steam Deck Verified.

Played from a first-person perspective, the game sends players through areas overrun by the infected, where they must keep one another alive while completing a variety of mission objectives. Unlike Left 4 Dead, however, Codename CURE II doesn't rely on fixed campaigns. Instead, it uses procedurally generated maps, ensuring that every mission plays out a little differently. Locations include forests, sewers, city streets and military bunkers.

Before each mission, players choose one of five classes: Pointman, Support, Assault, Technician or Sniper. During missions, players collect scrap and other resources, which can later be used to unlock new weapons, attachments and cosmetic items. A detailed gore system ensures that every hit leaves visible damage. Limbs can be severed, enemies can be set on fire, and even their clothing and skin gradually burn away. Players who can't assemble a full team will be joined by AI-controlled bots.

The response on Steam has been largely positive so far. Players praise the satisfying gunplay and impactful hit effects, describing the co-op gameplay as highly enjoyable. The AI companions have also earned positive feedback for being surprisingly reliable, making the game a worthwhile option even for solo players. Criticism has focused on the game's relatively limited amount of content and its procedurally generated maps, whose rooms and layouts tend to feel repetitive despite their changing arrangements. So far, the game has received around 180 Steam reviews, 87% of which are positive.