First up is a new mode; Onslaught. Usable with any mission and any difficulty, Onslaught uses an 'AI Director' feature similar to that found in Valve's Left 4 Dead franchise. While playing through missions, the 'AI Director' will control alien spawn frequencies, locations, and variety, randomising spawning events based on a number of parameters, such as the squad's stress level, ensuring that no mission plays the same way twice.
Next up is a difficulty increase for those out there who felt 'Insane' just didn't cut it. Hardened players can load up the suitably titled 'Brutal' difficulty for maximum punishment. How hard is 'Brutal'? According to Valve, nobody on the Alien Swarm team has beaten it.
Thirdly we have another difficulty increase, this time in the form of 'Hardcore Friendly Fire'. When enabled, the game will register full damage from weaponry against your own squad-mates. Flamethrowers will instantly ignite companions, and standing in front of friendly turrets will turn you into swiss cheese. 'Hardcore Friendly Fire' mode demands the absolute pinnacle of coordinated teamwork.
Lastly, Valve has added three new IAF Promotion Ranks for those who like to strut their stuff; Platinum Star, Osmium Star, and the Iridium Medallion.
If you happen to be reading this and thinking to yourself 'Wait, what is this Alien Swarm that I have never heard of?', then get clicking over to Valve's Steam website and download a copy of the distribution tool, as Alien Swarm and all its updates can be acquired for grand total of zero dollars.
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