More than a decade after the creators of Left 4 Dead experimented with asymmetrical multiplayer, fans are bringing their forgotten shooter back to life. A group of modders has revived Evolve, the 2015 title from Turtle Rock Studios, complete with functional multiplayer and its own community-driven launcher.
Announced on X by modder SnoreDollar, Evolve is now available for free download through the Evolve Modded/Archive community. A Discord server has also been established for players seeking the launcher and guidance on getting the game operational.
What Was Evolve?
Evolve, Turtle Rock's follow-up to Left 4 Dead, launched in February 2015 with a distinct premise: four players controlling Hunters would track and defeat a single player-controlled monster. The Hunters were divided into Assault, Trapper, Medic, and Support classes, each with unique roles. The monster, meanwhile, could evade its pursuers, feed on wildlife to grow stronger, and evolve through multiple stages to become a more formidable threat.
At its release, Evolve's unique 4-vs.-1 structure and competitive depth were praised, earning it a 76 Metascore on Metacritic. However, concerns were raised regarding its long-term appeal, progression systems, matchmaking, and the pacing of matches, which could sometimes involve extended periods of searching for the monster rather than engaging in combat.
Polygon's original review in 2015 highlighted the game's ambitious approach to asymmetrical multiplayer, noting that while it offered something different, the lopsided nature of the four-versus-one format could occasionally lead to frustrating matches, even if its potential was not always fully realized.