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For Those Who've Finished Half Life 2

Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
How do we feel?

I feel like I was playing through the game just to find out WTF happened to the planet. Is every city like this? Does every city have a citadel? I saw a newspaper in the black scientist's lab with a picture of a building exploding and a headline reading "EARTH SURRENDERS." So it looks like Earth got dominated by some other species of aliens, and some people, like Dr. Breen, chose to collaborate to enslave the rest of the human race.

I find myself thinking I don't really need spoiler warnings on this thread, because I knew about as much when I got off the train as I did when I took out the Citadel. I was playing to learn what happened, and I never learned anything.

Overall I'd say it was a great game. Probably the best game I've ever played. But it wasn't so great that I would flat out say, Best game ever. It leaves me thinking.... a team of 60 people spent 5 years of their life making this. That's a lot of man-hours. Was it really worth it?

Some things I liked about the credits:
Gabe Newell was listed along in there with all the other programmers. He didn't get any special billing at all. What a guy!

And the "crack legal team" credits were a laugh.

Feel free to post... whatever, in here.
 
Yep, just finished... They don't explain anything about why the world is in the state it's in... kinda frustrating... And yeah, 5 years for 10 hours or so of gameplay, kinda sucks. And yes, short credits is really refreshing for a game these days.

Overall, a great game, but too short and certainly felt too unfinished at the end - the way HL1 ended was much better, at least it had conclusion to that section of the story, HL3 would need to pick up right at the end of HL2. Let's just hope it doesn't take them 5 years to make that too.
 
I was explained before I picked up the game that the story was weak in many reviews. So if anyone spoiled it, it was the gaming sites. I just ended Raven city and now im on the buggy headed towards the prison. I guess after that I hit the streets where the citadel is.

Great game. Is it the best? I like it better than Far Cry, that's for sure. To me, Half Life 2 feels a lot like Max Payne 2 with a soup up'ed engine with a few added lessons of physics. Like they said, HL2 was not revolutionary to the genre, but I still think it was the best FPS made to date. Too bad they dropped out the story in HL2 - seems like this game had no intention of explaining anything.
 
This is the same thing that happened with Halo 2. Seems they're leaving the story unfinished at the end and in Halo 2's case it seems they saved the last parts for the promotion of the next Xbox console or possibly downloads(highly unlikely). Sorry for veering off-topic on this one and just so I am on HL2 topic, How is the online on this game?
 
4/5

The ending sucked... omg, you just finished the job and boom, the G-man comes, you barely get to savor your accomplishment. and the ending was the same as the ending for the first one, only you don't get to choose.

Only about 15 short hours of the most linear gameplay I've ever played. Sometimes, I'm not even sure what my objective is. But just wandering around looking for an exit helps me get through, even if it doesn't look like it makes sense. I didn't know where the hell the horse was, but after 10 minutes, I thought found it. The tall building also looked like a horse.

And you would think story saves it. At many times in the game, I thought, can't wait for the story to unfold... In my opinion Doom3 had a much better story. Sh|t... Doom3 HAD a story.

This game was not worth the 6 year waiting period.

On more positive notes: Source is really nice, some bugs, but expected, and the graphics look nice - best water effects when close to it. Sometimes, metal is too shiny... and the dark graphics just don't complement the light ones.

The good points in the game are: vehicle action, variety of weapons- although a few are not worth using or you get a very short time with them, lots of action, interaction with people, and graphics. This game really feels like it was rushed with some levels being extended to prolong gameplay. Ask me how HL2 was and my answer will be it's OK.

It didn't leave me with a lasting impression of the story, but it had enough action and graphics, that I might just play it again.

Did you feel like all those movies that were shown to use as previews, that they weren't included in the game. The game feels lacking. I want more action and more story.

If you want a better review, I agree with the FiringSquad review.
 
Great game.
Not sure about the ending, but I was definately left wanting more, but I guess that's what Valve want, so they can give you more with HL3 and tell you what the hell is goin gon.
There were many nice touches though, like the Vortigons in the kitchen at Eli's lab, and the crow getting eaten by the barnacle when you first get barnacles appearing.

I still hate the headcrabs, and those superzombies with headcrabs on their backs were a PITA.
The last 2 chapters were very easy though, the super gravity gun rocked.

I think maybe 15 hrs gameplay for me, not too shabby.
Then there's all the enjoyment from mods and stuff.
 
Does every city have a citadel?
Click to expand...

I don't think so, based on what Dr. Breen said in his talk right when you get off the train. I'm thinking there is only one Dr. Breen, and one citadel that he made his home.

So, Earth fell in "7 hours" according to a newspaper in the one scientist's lab. Since a grassroots resistance was able to defeat the Combine, there must've been a greater force from the aliens that instruct Dr Breen that originally took over Earth. They left the trans-human army/Combine in charge and just order Breen around. I'm wondering if they send their own forces to Earth to destroy humanity after what happened.

I'm also wondering that Gman's motive for sending Gordon to back to Earth was. He mentioned the fact that he had offers for other work for Gordon... who offered to defeat the Combine? Did the Gman himself want humanity to be saved?
 
Then there's all the enjoyment from mods and stuff.
Click to expand...
Hopefully there are gonna be some new mods, but my guess is all the old ones are gonna get overhauls and that's that.
 
In the end, I'm not even sure who was right. Breen wasn't lying - he was working to move humanity to the next level, but at the same time, look at the effect it had on humanity(i.e. to move to the next level, the current had to become extinct). It's definitely a thinking game.
 
Great Game. I enjoyed it very much and found it very well done. However, I also felt cheated at the end. I went through the whole game wondering WTFOMGBBQ happened here? Who is the G-man? WHY? WHY? WHY did Gordon end up here and where is he going? It doesn't make any sense because A) they have to leave the plot open-ended to leave room for HL3 and B) they shafted the story. But it was still very good and I love the physics with the gravity gun.
 
I always play games on hard, and Half Life 2 was a pleasure on that difficulty level. I loved the puzzle solving, and the gravity gun is simply amazing; especially at the end! But I did feel cheated with the ending: I wasn't expecting anything great, just some explanations.
 
After playing through, I think it's safe to say that this was definitely the best-contstructed game I've ever seen, bar none. It is much more complete and detailed than any other could hope to be. Without a doubt, Half-Life 2 is the best game yet (it might not be the best story ever, but it's the best interactive presentation ever). I don't see how this point is even debatable.

As far as the story:
I was just dumbfounded by the ending. I literally sat there with my mouth open while the credits started to roll. It was the type of ending I always said I wanted but for which I wasn't really prepared. Honestly, I thought the story was awesome, I just want MORE of it. I really liked the characters (especially Barney and Dr. Kleiner) and want to know more about their stories, too. I think it's safe to assume that Alyx, Eli, and Mossman(sp?) are dead. But... the G-man does have a disturbing amount of control over (time Dr. Freeman?). Hehehe Who knows?

To summarize, I want to know:
Who is this G-man? Where does he get his power? Who wants your services now and how do they PAY for these services?
Who was behind the Combine? What did they want with humanity?
Who's dead? Who's alive? What happens next?


Also, was it me, or did the pistol and machine gun seem to get less effective against the Combine troops in later chapters? I ended up using the pulse rifle and shotgun against them almost exclusively (although I did use the pistol for long-range battles and the machine gun for its grenades). For reference, I played through on medium.
 
Originally posted by: EpsiIon
Also, was it me, or did the pistol and machine gun seem to get less effective against the Combine troops in later chapters?
Click to expand...
Well, I'm glad someone else noticed it. I also agree that the whole citadel area we pretty easy compared to other levels.

Without a doubt the best single player expierence I have ever had, something finally beat out Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for snes

 
Originally posted by: EpsiIon
To summarize, I want to know:
Who is this G-man? Where does he get his power? Who wants your services now and how do they PAY for these services?
Who was behind the Combine? What did they want with humanity?
Who's dead? Who's alive? What happens next?
Click to expand...

I'd also like to know why the vortigaunts are now magically on your side? Are headcraps sentient and where do they come from? What is the other alien race encountered only through brief observations in the citadel and are they enemies of the vortigaunts? and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
 
Ok I just finished it and I'm lost ... I feel as if I spent the entire game trying to figure out who these factions were.. Eli's resistance.. The Combine.. Breen... and then just when it started to get explained.. the game ended and the Gman snatched Gordon up... WTF is going on 😛... The Gman now reminds me of Q from Star Trek when he puts humanity on trial and forces Picard to save it.. When is HL3 coming out? I need resolution!
 
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
 
Originally posted by: elanarchist
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

It's a trilogy.
Did Matrix: Reloaded answer any qyestions? Not really.
Valve seems to be doing a Matrix thing, but better (I hope).
Rlease a game, have a huge, unexpected hit, then release 2 more to make a trilogy, with #2 giving more questions than answers, and everything gets cleared up in #3.
Except the Matrix could have done it better.
 
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: elanarchist
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

It's a trilogy.
Did Matrix: Reloaded answer any qyestions? Not really.
Valve seems to be doing a Matrix thing, but better (I hope).
Rlease a game, have a huge, unexpected hit, then release 2 more to make a trilogy, with #2 giving more questions than answers, and everything gets cleared up in #3.
Except the Matrix could have done it better.
Click to expand...


Very possible analysis. Let's hope it all works out. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: elanarchist
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

It's a trilogy.
Did Matrix: Reloaded answer any qyestions? Not really.
Valve seems to be doing a Matrix thing, but better (I hope).
Rlease a game, have a huge, unexpected hit, then release 2 more to make a trilogy, with #2 giving more questions than answers, and everything gets cleared up in #3.
Except the Matrix could have done it better.
Click to expand...
Yea, but Matrix 2 and 3 were 6 months apart, not 6 years.😛
 
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: elanarchist
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

It's a trilogy.
Did Matrix: Reloaded answer any qyestions? Not really.
Valve seems to be doing a Matrix thing, but better (I hope).
Rlease a game, have a huge, unexpected hit, then release 2 more to make a trilogy, with #2 giving more questions than answers, and everything gets cleared up in #3.
Except the Matrix could have done it better.
Click to expand...
Yea, but Matrix 2 and 3 were 6 months apart, not 6 years.😛
Click to expand...

please lord no matrix influence, nothing good can come from that
 
Originally posted by: Zeke
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: elanarchist
Originally posted by: LordNoob
... and most importantly, what the hell happened to get from the events of HL1 at black mesa to the events of HL2 in City 17!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Click to expand...

Exactly! A short movie at the beginning would have filled in this hole nicely. I finished it with the feeling that the story just had way too many unanswered questions.
Click to expand...

It's a trilogy.
Did Matrix: Reloaded answer any qyestions? Not really.
Valve seems to be doing a Matrix thing, but better (I hope).
Rlease a game, have a huge, unexpected hit, then release 2 more to make a trilogy, with #2 giving more questions than answers, and everything gets cleared up in #3.
Except the Matrix could have done it better.
Click to expand...
Yea, but Matrix 2 and 3 were 6 months apart, not 6 years.😛
Click to expand...

please lord no matrix influence, nothing good can come from that
Click to expand...
No Matrix influence?
Did you SEE the Citadel level? Could it BE anymore ripped?

 
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