A 2015 shooter makes a surprising comeback.

There was a time when Left 4 Dead reigned supreme in the realm of multiplayer gaming. Turtle Rock Studios’ co-op shooter transformed four-player teamwork into a thrilling survival horror experience, pitting a group of survivors against relentless waves of AI-controlled zombies and crafting some of the most unforgettable multiplayer mayhem of its time. It also played a key role in popularizing asymmetrical multiplayer games, where players on opposing sides operate under different rules.

That winning formula has persisted in various forms over the years. Dead by Daylight turned one-versus-four horror into a massive multiplayer phenomenon, while titles inspired by iconic horror films, such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Friday the 13th, and Evil Dead, have each added their unique twist to the concept. Even Resident Evil Resistance attempted to embrace this gameplay style.

Now, one of the more ambitious experiments in asymmetrical multiplayer is making a surprising comeback. A dedicated group of modders has resurrected a long-forgotten 2015 shooter, reviving it with functional multiplayer and its own launcher.

That game is Evolve, Turtle Rock’s follow-up to Left 4 Dead, which debuted in February 2015. Instead of four survivors battling through hordes of enemies, Evolve featured four Hunters taking on a single player-controlled monster. The Hunters had to track down and eliminate the creature before it could consume wildlife, evolve into a more formidable form, and turn the tables on its pursuers.

The Evolve Modded/Archive community is now offering players a chance to relive the experience. Modder SnoreDollar announced on social media that Evolve is available for free download thanks to the community’s efforts. The project also includes a Discord community where players can access the launcher and find guidance on getting the game up and running.

At its launch, Evolve was built around a captivating premise: one player controlled a massive monster while four others collaborated as Hunters. The Hunters were divided into Assault, Trapper, Medic, and Support classes, each with a specific role during the hunt. Meanwhile, the monster could stealthily navigate the map, consume wildlife to grow stronger, and ultimately evolve into a devastating Stage 3 version of itself.

This unique concept was one of the game’s standout features. Evolve received a 76 Metascore on Metacritic, with critics lauding its innovative 4-vs.-1 structure and competitive depth. However, there were concerns regarding its longevity, progression system, matchmaking, and the time players spent searching for the monster instead of engaging in combat.

A review from 2015 highlighted Evolve’s ambitious approach to asymmetrical multiplayer, acknowledging that its four-versus-one format could lead to frustratingly uneven matches. The review ultimately described it as “something different,” even if it didn’t always fully realize its potential.

Despite its dated design, ‘Classic Plus’ aims to provide a more enjoyable experience for both new and casual players compared to the modern iteration.