Back 4 Blood

A horde of Ridden coming at you is a pretty good reason to keep your feet moving, but Back 4 Blood also asks you to aim fast while the treadmill is bouncing you around. I’d try the campaign on Recruit first, because jogging and being the person who misses every shot sounds like a long afternoon.

Gameplay

The campaign is at its best when it keeps you busy, and this one has a lot of infected trying to make sure you don’t get bored. You’re moving through levels with a team, clearing out Ridden and trying to get to the next safe room, so there’s usually something happening without a big story scene stopping everything. I like that pace for exercise. A little less time standing still is useful when you’re already standing still on a moving belt.

The special Ridden make the action less mindless, which is good for the game and maybe not ideal for your heart rate if you’re already jogging. A Tallboy pushing into the group or a Stinger attacking from a distance means you have to notice what’s happening and turn your attention quickly, and I think that’s fun when you’re sitting down. While you’re moving, it can feel like trying to find the TV remote while somebody keeps asking you to look at the TV.

The card system gives the campaign some variety, since cards can shape your character and how a run feels, but I wouldn’t treat picking a deck like a second game you have to study before exercising. I’d make a simple setup, choose a character whose abilities sound useful, and get into the level. There’s a lot to consider once you start looking closely at the builds, and I don’t know how much of that is going to make a treadmill session better instead of just longer.

The quieter stretches are short enough that they don’t bother me much. You may have a moment to get ready in a safe room or choose cards between sections, but most of the time the campaign wants you moving and reacting. I’d probably play with friends or bots rather than count on strangers to make every run feel relaxed, because four people cooperating can make a bad situation feel manageable, and that matters when you’re splitting attention between the game and exercise.

The competitive multiplayer mode, where players can be human or Ridden, is the part I’d save for when you’re not working out. Playing against other people means there’s more pressure to react quickly, and it’s easier to care about what the other team is doing than whether you’re keeping a comfortable pace. The campaign gives you more room to take a breath. I’d stick with that.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

On a treadmill, I’d keep the pace easy enough that aiming doesn’t turn into a separate athletic event. Full controller support makes this a straightforward setup, but the game still asks for the kind of accurate aiming and quick turning that can get messy when your hands are moving with your stride. I’d use Recruit, keep the camera sensitivity where it feels controllable, and avoid trying to prove anything to a Tallboy.

A bike seems a little easier for the aiming, since your hands can stay steadier, but you still have to watch for sudden attacks and keep up with your group. I wouldn’t use this for a hard interval session where you’re trying to push your pace and watch the screen at the same time. You can do that with games that are happy to wait for you. Back 4 Blood is not especially interested in waiting.

I’d skip the competitive multiplayer while exercising, and I’d also avoid a higher difficulty if you’re trying to make this a low effort session. The campaign can be enjoyable without every encounter requiring perfect aim, and missing a few shots on Recruit is a much smaller issue than missing them while your legs are bouncing. Maybe you’ll be more coordinated than I expect. I’m planning around the version of me who drops a fork when someone talks to him.

I also wouldn’t make your first run a complicated build experiment. Pick your cards without turning it into a big research project, start the campaign, and see how much attention it takes at your chosen pace. If you’re on a bike and can keep your hands steady, you may be comfortable with more action. On a treadmill, I’d keep it gentle and let the game be the thing that gets intense.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

This needs a dedicated graphics card, but the minimum target is an older entry level card rather than a brand new expensive one. I’d look at the graphics card first and expect to use low settings if your computer is near the minimum, which is fine because the Ridden are not checking the lighting.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Back 4 Blood is a fun campaign choice if you want a busy action game and can keep your workout at a pace that leaves room for aiming. I’d play it on an easy treadmill session or a steady bike ride, but I’d save the competitive mode and the harder difficulties for when you’re sitting down.

Overall Score: 2.33 out of 3