So I bought HL along with Opposing Force and Blue Shift. The point was to go back and play them again and see how they compare to the new stuff, HL2 and HL2:EP1. I'm also trying to extract the most amount of story I can, to see if The Saga holds some weight.
I've played HL for about one or two hours so far. Let me tell you this, if it wasn't 5AM right now, I could play for much more time. Not only is the level design FAR superior to HL2, but killing aliens is more satisfying, actually interacting with NPCs and having them help you and tell you bits of the story is great, and finally, there is this mystery about Black Mesa that just draws you in.
Even the level itself can attack you! The AI is a little rusty so far: friendly NPCs shoot me, and enemies aren't the most responsive. The friendly NPCs are somewhat realistic, but their voices, although repetitive, are done really good. You can feel the emotion.
So far this game is awesome. The graphics are... not state of the art, but they get get the job done good enough. And this is without that Blueshift pack that makes some things look nicer.
Let me repeat: A big key to the success of HL is the level design, which made sure Black Mesa was always interesting, exploring the various areas. Instead of the SUPER linear level design of HL2, HL actually has: some areas that might be labeled secrets, in which there is a way to get there if you're smart enough; extra hallways, or rooms to explore beyond the main hallway (sometimes holding interesting animations); imagination when it comes to getting from point A to point B, including platform jumping - going not just forward, but up and down as well.
I've played HL for about one or two hours so far. Let me tell you this, if it wasn't 5AM right now, I could play for much more time. Not only is the level design FAR superior to HL2, but killing aliens is more satisfying, actually interacting with NPCs and having them help you and tell you bits of the story is great, and finally, there is this mystery about Black Mesa that just draws you in.
Even the level itself can attack you! The AI is a little rusty so far: friendly NPCs shoot me, and enemies aren't the most responsive. The friendly NPCs are somewhat realistic, but their voices, although repetitive, are done really good. You can feel the emotion.
So far this game is awesome. The graphics are... not state of the art, but they get get the job done good enough. And this is without that Blueshift pack that makes some things look nicer.
Let me repeat: A big key to the success of HL is the level design, which made sure Black Mesa was always interesting, exploring the various areas. Instead of the SUPER linear level design of HL2, HL actually has: some areas that might be labeled secrets, in which there is a way to get there if you're smart enough; extra hallways, or rooms to explore beyond the main hallway (sometimes holding interesting animations); imagination when it comes to getting from point A to point B, including platform jumping - going not just forward, but up and down as well.
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