- Get to Safe House #1

Swamp Fever - Get to Safe House #1

In contrast to Dark Carnival, Swamp Fever is a confusing morass of water, undergrowth (though there are some village sections) and Infected. The AI director can change the routes and environment a little more noticeably than in the previous levels, and with a similar theme (with few distinguishing features) throughout, it can be hard to keep track of where you are.

You start in a cargo container and can pick up some medkits and primary weapons, but nothing of the melee variety yet. Head out past the petrol station, investigating the warehouse buildings you can access to get your melee weapons. Move along the wooded path, investigating the houses en route if you wish. You may find a second pistol in the first house of the village that you come to.

TIP: Locate the jukebox in the bar building to play some music!

Take note of the Charger that the locals strung up at the side of the swamp – this is a very atmospheric moment. By the water flies are swarming, and it is too deep to cross. This is a set piece, and I strongly recommend exploring all the houses to get the necessary equipment for dealing with the horde, and lots of Special Infected. A melee weapon is advisable. You should be able to find guns and explosives by the water's edge. When you are ready, call the ferry to take you across. This boat moves frustratingly slowly. Using the house for cover can be a good idea against enemies such as Smokers, and the lack of entrances for Infected make it good defensively too. The only problem is that you must take notice of the ferry when it arrives.

If you stay by the water, however, you can of course be confident that you are covered in the direction of the swamp by the depth of the water. All the Infected come from the village and its surroundings. When the ferry arrives, get on board and press the button. A gate will come across that should stop the Infected from getting on.

Hold off the Infected until the ferry arrives.

Follow the wooden walkway. This area is tough as the Infected can come from anywhere

TIP: Stay out of the water! Movement speed is vastly reduced while wading through the swamp.

Head underneath the crocodile sign and up the steps onto a raised walkway. You must try not to fall off once up on the walkway, but there are ladders dotted around to allow re-entry to the path above.

Move through the covered area and you will eventually come to a dead end – surrounded by swamp on all sides. Move down to the right and follow the wooden path that goes precariously through the water.

TIP: If a horde attacks, retreat back to one of the islands so you can move around and dodge out of the way of any Special Infected.

This section is a bit of a maze, and you may get a Witch or Tank to spice things up a bit. It is not that long until the safe-room, however, so find a route going forwards (it is a good idea to remember landmarks in the swamp so that you don't go back on yourself) until you reach the safe room.