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We’ve been having a great time with the Left 4 Dead 2 demo since it went live for fans who pre-ordered the sequel last week. But it’s time to stop and smell the zombies. Every area has tons of details that are easy to miss when you’re busy bashing brains in with a frying pan. Now that the demo’s available for everyone on Xbox LIVE and Steam, we figured it’d be fun to collect some of the details and Easter eggs you may have missed while playing through this very sweet sample of Valve’s highly anticipated sequel.
Bienville Parish
The Left 4 Dead 2 demo takes place in Bienville Parish, which is located in the northwest of Louisiana. It’s most famous for being the place where Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed.
Above: The real Bonnie and Clyde (left). Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty (right)
Above: A sign welcoming you to the Bienville Parish park
Gramercy Bridge
At the beginning of the demo, Coach suggests that you and your fellow survivors head for the bridge in the distance. By the time you reach the last safe house in the demo, you can clearly see a sign for the Veterans Memorial Bridge. There is a Veterans Memorial Bridge in Louisiana, which is also known as the Gramercy Bridge. But the real bridge crosses the Mississippi River far from Bienville Parish, in the southeastern section of Louisiana.
Above: Look to your left before entering the last safe house to see the Veterans Memorial Bridge
Above: Judging from the trailer, you’ll probably be on this bridge during an air strike
Above: By the way, if you haven’t seen the demo’s trailer yet, it’s awesome. Check it out
CEDA and FEMA
As you explore the demo, you’ll see official notices and warnings on the walls posted by the U.S. military and a government organization called the Civil Emergency and Defense Agency (CEDA). The horde of zombies roaming the streets speaks to the effectiveness of CEDA’s efforts. CEDA’s failure to contain the infection and protect the population seems to be a straightforward reference to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its response to the hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005.
Above: A CEDA trailer. Notice that Disease Emergency Assessment Dispatch spells out “D.E.A.D.”
Above: CEDA body bags line the street
Above: There are several reminders to stay in your group, which is good advice for any Left 4 Dead survivor
Above: An informative warning sign with deliciously dark humor
