HL2 Demo video's = less than impressive

[Jeff7181]

Has anyone seen these? The "Bink Video" demos? With all the hype about HL2, I was ready for something ground breaking... these demo's however, are not what I was expecting. I believe they are using DX9 because in the docks demo, the water did look quite a bit different than any DX8 games I've seen water in... however, I've seen better water effects in DX8 games such as Morrowind. I must say... unless these were run in DX8 more, or low quality, or SOMETHING... HL2 will be a HUGE disappointment for a lot of people.

 

[1ManArmY]

little premature dont you think.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY
little premature dont you think.

Have you seen those videos? Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield looks to be on par with those demo's I saw...

 

[xSauronx]

the demo vids i saw owned R6: 3
and morrowind

the water in morrowind is cool on top, the shimmering "oooh shiny" look is great

but thats all it has going for it, half life 2 looks much better. the graphics i find look very good, but im more intersted in the physics engine myself, it looks fantastic.

 

[Wingznut]

I guess the question is "What are you expecting?"

The problem is the hype. If you let the hype build up your expectations too high, no game (or movie, or whatever) will be able to meet them.


As for HL2, the physics is definitely "ground breaking".

 

[Jeff7181]

Yes, the physics are nice... like how bodies fall and items can be interacted with (the gun tourets being knocked over and hit the ground realistically)... and I like how objects actually look like they're setting on the floor or ground... in previous games, sometimes things looked like they were floating 1/2 inch above the ground... for example, the 3rd game demo in 3DMark2001.

But I guess I was expecting more visually. Yes, the graphics look good... do they look groundbreaking? Not quite. Maybe it's just because it's a video and the resolution and whatnot had to be lowered to allow the demo to be recorded... but still... other than the effects on the water, it doesn't look like anything I haven't seen before. I guess you're right Wingznut... all the hype has made me expect something visually stunning, which this game might be to some people... but to me, it's just "cool."

*EDIT* Of course to form a final opinion, I'll have to see the actual game in action.

 

[Wingznut]

I think people miss out on a lot of things because of hype. There are people who proclaim that Halo sucks, Matrix Reloaded sucks, etc... And if these things weren't hyped up to unattainable levels, I think a significant number of people would be able to enjoy them much more than they do.

 

[Jeff7181]

I'm considering buying Halo because of how much my friends raved about it on the Xbox... I have no idea what the game is about, like what the storyline is, I've only seen screen shots... but since it's on sale for $40, I might pick it up this week. Also might get a job at Best Buy this week, so then I might qualify for an employee discount

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I'm considering buying Halo because of how much my friends raved about it on the Xbox... I have no idea what the game is about, like what the storyline is, I've only seen screen shots... but since it's on sale for $40, I might pick it up this week. Also might get a job at Best Buy this week, so then I might qualify for an employee discount

Halo is a blast... Just don't expect it to revolutionize your life.

 

[clicknext]

I don't know, but from what I've seen of the game, it far surpasses any current game, especially Morrowind.

 

[DefRef]

It the only thing you see is the water effects, then you're BLIND!!! The scene with Alex in the lab is amazing - acting in games will never be the same. The way she rolls her eyes before looking at the doctor, the way she looks afraid, awesome stuff.

Your complaints sound superficial and like someone who spent a pile buying an ATI card only to find that the bling-bling visuals aren't the whole of a good game. Gawd, the first HL is gruesome visually by today's standards, but still the greatest shooter ever.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: DefRef
It the only thing you see is the water effects, then you're BLIND!!! The scene with Alex in the lab is amazing - acting in games will never be the same. The way she rolls her eyes before looking at the doctor, the way she looks afraid, awesome stuff.

Your complaints sound superficial and like someone who spent a pile buying an ATI card only to find that the bling-bling visuals aren't the whole of a good game. Gawd, the first HL is gruesome visually by today's standards, but still the greatest shooter ever.

Do you have a link to the thing you're talking about? Cause the videos I'm talking about don't have anyone in a lab where you're close enough to see eye movement. The ones I saw looked like screen captures of actual game play... not the normal jazzed up trailers you normally get.

Don't be personally offended that I didn't like these demo's I saw. Also, don't make generalizations based on what my opinion "sounds like." But since you used the term "bling bling" I won't take offense to your generalization.

You can see the video's I'm talking about by going to filemirrors.com and searching for "HL2"

 

[billyjak]

Halo Rocks, I bought it and it's a blast.
Graphically the best program out there now.

 

[VicodiN]

Originally posted by: billyjak
Halo Rocks, I bought it and it's a blast.
Graphically the best program out there now.

Ugh.. Am I the only person who's not impressed with a console port with an added MP mode? The game play is too similar to the likes of UT for my taste.

 

[Shagga]

Try this source BINK video. I'm assuming you have not seen this one. It might change your initial impressions....it did mine. Valve know how good this has to be to be a success, I believe/hope they will not let us down.

[edit]

List of other Bink Videos from 3DGamers

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: VicodiN

Originally posted by: billyjak
Halo Rocks, I bought it and it's a blast.
Graphically the best program out there now.

Ugh.. Am I the only person who's not impressed with a console port with an added MP mode? The game play is too similar to the likes of UT for my taste.

i havent played it, dont plan on it...neither do i wish to spend 50 bucks on a 2 yr old game. i have hl2 and doom 3 and a video card to save up for, ill just frag away at ET (freeeee!) until then

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Shagga
Try this source BINK video. I'm assuming you have not seen this one. It might change your initial impressions....it did mine. Valve know how good this has to be to be a success, I believe/hope they will not let us down.

[edit]

List of other Bink Videos from 3DGamers

Those others that I didn't see are pretty impressive... I like how you can interact with just about everything that you can see.

 

[CubicZirconia]

Originally posted by: billyjak
Halo Rocks, I bought it and it's a blast.
Graphically the best program out there now.

You're kidding right? If you're not....wow. The graphics in Halo are mediocre at best. Not only that but the game runs like crap despite the fact that its visuals aren't any good. Outdated, average, and overrated are a few words that come to mind now that I've had the chance to play Halo. At one point I was seriously considering getting an xbox to play Halo, and now I'm glad I didn't. I guess when no sizable competition in the FPS department exists on the xbox even ordinary games will be very popular. I'll stick to playing Raven Shield for now as I await the release of UT2k4.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: CubicZirconia

Originally posted by: billyjak
Halo Rocks, I bought it and it's a blast.
Graphically the best program out there now.

You're kidding right? If you're not....wow. The graphics in Halo are mediocre at best. Not only that but the game runs like crap despite the fact that its visuals aren't any good. Outdated, average, and overrated are a few words that come to mind now that I've had the chance to play Halo. At one point I was seriously considering getting an xbox to play Halo, and now I'm glad I didn't. I guess when no sizable competition in the FPS department exists on the xbox even ordinary games will be very popular. I'll stick to playing Raven Shield for now as I await the release of UT2k4.

Kinda like Unreal 2? Didn't look amazing, but definately ran like it had state of the art graphics. I remember about 30 FPS max with my "Ti4600"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I think the quality may be higher in the real game because it would be run probably at 1024x768 whereas the video may have been 800x600 or something.