Is there a proper Back 4 Blood flashlight available in the game? Valve’s classic Left 4 Dead series has a flashlight that can be turned on and off, and indeed is used for gameplay purposes such as awaking Witches, so does that series’ spiritual successor Back 4 Blood have a flashlight too? The trailers certainly seem to suggest some sort of Back 4 Blood torch, but it doesn’t seem to be in the beta by default — will it be in the final game, perhaps as an ability card?
Is there a real Back 4 Blood flashlight in the game?
There is a flashlight in Back 4 Blood, which is available by default with nothing to unlock, but it turns on automatically in dark areas and can’t be activated manually as it does in Left 4 Dead.
In Left 4 Dead, like in other Source-engine games such as Half-Life 2, there is a dedicated ‘flashlight’ button that can be turned on and off. This drains constantly when in use, and is cleverly used in gameplay such as startling Witches and attracting zombies. Upon starting Back 4 Blood, such as in the open beta which is currently going on as of the time of writing, players probably noticed that there was no button for the flashlight.
Some fans assumed the light would be available as one of the game’s optional ability cards, as a number of Back 4 Blood trailers clearly show a flashlight in action. However, while there is a flashlight in Back 4 Blood, it’s entirely automatic. As the player enters a dark area it will turn on by default, or if the game activates a Corruption card that plunges the level into darkness. The flashlight has no effect on gameplay.
As mentioned, the Back 4 Blood beta is going on right now and it scratches that Left 4 Dead itch well, despite a lot of differences some fans are upset about, such as the lack of a Versus Campaign mode.
