Way too many must play games out this season. Just my luck that I happened to be practically unemployed at the moment. Fallout 3, FarCry 2, Brother In Arms: Hell's Highway, Dead Space... the list goes on. Add to that Left4Dead and I pretty much just don't have the money and time to play everything I want to play.
People who've pre-purchased can play the demo now. Anyone checked it out yet?

I tried the demo with lasershock this morning and it was quite cool. I'll play with Entvex tonight... If anybody wants to join us, come on irc we could organize something :)

Yes, there are always a lot of games that bum rush during the fall, winter seasons.
I usually skip quite a few games and get them in the summer the following year (as I plan currently for this year) some games I skip all together, even though they are considered must play games, I usually find that they aren't that great.
Perhaps I'm too much of a crtic, or I'm too critical of these games, but I find that most games that are considered 'must play' are over hyped.
EDIT:
I will get left4dead however, later next year.

L4D rocks big time not had so much fun in a online shooter in donkies

I'm getting nailed by the gimmicks this year. Left4Dead's AI director sounded really cool to me, with adaptive difficulty through amounts of zombies as well as the fact that they have a bunch of spawn points in the levels so that it's a little different. I played the demo, and when you set a car alarm off they come from different places each time so that I was on my toes replaying the demo! That's pretty cool.
Second example: Mirror's Edge. Man, I have played the demo so many times already, because I am so immersed each time in the game. The first person acrobatics are really fantastic, making this game the first game I've pre-ordered since Super Mario Galaxy and before that, Super Mario Sunshine.
Luckily my brother bought Left4Dead and Fallout 3, which really is a big deal no matter how you slice it. Other than these games, I am just excited for the day when GOG releases LucasArts Heaven upon us, as well as buying up most of the catalog that is already here someday.

I'm only saved by the fact my internet does not support multi-player ATM, which limits me to single player only games. Otherwise i'd have no life.

Well, games considered must play by me are usually worth playing. Mainly because I usually have a pretty good idea of what I like by trying not to get sucked into hype. But I try to play all games eventually anyway as long as they're at least decent.
But for an online game like Left4Dead, gameplay is impacted by the flux of players online so timing when you start playing can make a difference to the enjoyability of the experience. Then again, those price drops after a couple of months let me buy more games for less. So torn about what to do...
I'm almost always never disappointed by Valve's projects though, especially these days. As evident with every title in the Orange Box being pretty much gaming perfection.

Yeah, Left 4 Dead is pretty good. It's not as hardcore for me as other shooters, it's a lot more casual, but it's fun. I liked the original look of all the models, especially Zoey, since that's obviously who i'd be playing. The new look isn't as good, but I think we will be able to modify the game eventually, hopefully, since I love making models and maps.

I just tested a new map, alpha of course. But hey this is weird that a demo supports new maps. I don't know how to play in it online, though :(

I was thinking of getting this game, but I'm going to hold off on it for a while. Will probably get it next year after the price drops a bit.

I saw a few new maps too. I'm just waiting for official release, to see the whole game, then I'll get to work on some models (if they allow it) and maps, when I have free time. I play almost every game I can, and this is the first ones that's made me truly excited to map or model for in a long long time. It's very addictive. I also can't wait to try versus mode out. I hope we can play the Witch, but I think they might consider her too strong.

Yes, I tried them out. It's interesting. I saw something on g4, with one of the developers showing off the game, and later in the game it looks like the characters do get those original outfits at some military base they go to and I don't want to spoil anything. I'm not sure though if it's true. The interview was from October though. Ihope it's true. Months later Louis's hair and beard grow out, same with Francis. Then they get some other uniforms. Not sure though. It would make sense though.

I played the demo and understood. This game is so great than I imagined. Thanks Valve for this great game. I played demo for 10 hours, this is just a demo man and I played 10 hours. I can`t wait for the full game. :D

I've played it for 32 hours so far. I'm addicted and this little demo, it's a great game. I think anyone who tries the demo is going to enjoy the game. It's some light at the end of a dark dark tunnel of disappointing games for me. I never felt time move so slow, just waiting for the 18th to arrive so it's released.