- Jan 12, 2004
- 11,078
- 11
- 81
Half-Life 2
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Vivendi (expired, exception of Steam download), Valve (Steam), EA
Distributor: EA (Windows, Xbox, X360, PS3), Valve (Steam)
Engines: Source engine, Havok physics
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Genre: First-person shooter
ESRB: M
System requirements: 1.2 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, DirectX 7 level graphics card, Internet connection
Release dates:
I'll open with this--HL2 is not just a game, it's an experience. That may sound cliche, but here it's completely true. I consider HL2 (proper), E1, E2 and the soon to be E3 part of the entire HL2 saga, which is what we're here to talk about.
Innovation
I remember the first time I saw Havok in motion with Max Payne 2. It was impressive, but it wasnt implimented like it was in HL2 where it was made to fit practically in every (almost) every instance. It didnt feel "gimmicky" nor did it come across that way. I remember one time I fired my crossbow and the arrow hit a Combine soldier in the head, slamming him into the billboard behind him leaving him dangling.
But the greatest addition to the game that the new physics engine enabled was the ability for Valve to create a unique, never before seen, weapon--the Gravity Gun. This was argueably the single most innovative feature in the game. At that point in gaming (9/2004), we had never been able to manipulate the environment to the degree that these two things (Havok + Gravity Gun) allowed us to. Grabbing grenades in mid-air, grabbing explosive barrels 20 feet away or even grabbing a buzzsaw to use as a pseudo-sword. This kind of ability immediately turned the gravity gun into 47 different types of guns. It was a grenade launcher, and blade launcher, a shovel, a weapon stealer (later in the game) and more.
Vehicles - Screenshot of Dune Buggy
After watching some of the teaser trailers of the vehicles pre-launch I was apprehensive. It didnt sound like it would be a lot of fun or fit the whole HL2 vibe, but once I played through the Airboat and Buggy levels I was convinced that this was the perfect combination to break up the monotony of the FPs strut. Both instances were jam packed with so much action that some might even forget that they're actually dirving a vehicle. I felt that it was not too short or long--it was perfectly paced. This is coming from someone who usually doesnt enjoy this stuff too much.
I remember driving along Highway 17, along the coast, and stopping by ever single house or shanty to inspect for goodies. The atmosphere was amazing.
Bug Bait! - Screenshot of one
How satisfiying was it to watch these little buggers attack the Combine relentlessly. Traveling through Nova Prospect as they hacked the crap outta these guys was SO much fun. Had anything like this happened in a game before where you had control of a horde of razor sharp crickets?
:heart: Alyx :heart:
Alyx smiles for a shot
Yeah yeah, we all nocited this right?
There's not much to say here about Alyx except for the fact that she's--well an amazing sidekick. She addes to the tention, excitment, the joy and the fear with all her comments and experssions. I remember reading one review of HL2:E1 and the journalist commented that he wishes there was a hug button in the game and I think that speaks to the connection we build with her. She even drops a pretty funny joke in E2, remember?
The Squads
Screenshot of one of the squads
Later in the game you begin grouping up with some of the resistance members. When you first meet up with them, their reactions were always a bit commical, "oooh! thank god you're here!" or something of the like. It really made you feel like you're leading a small group of people through a something that was taking place just around the corner. Something huge.
I have to add that that grouping with the resistnace was indeed satisfiying, and but at times also lead to frustration. Yes, they were helpful at times. When one of them died I did feel a bit bummed that one of our few members gave his life for a greater cause. It was fun hearing them comment on a kill,"ha-HA! Got one! Did you see that?!". But the frustrating thing here was the fact that they were kinda clumsy and got in the way...alot. Sure they would apologize ("oh...sorry Mr Freeman). But there were too many times where they would block a doorway when I wanted to hide from incoming fire and they just wouldnt move.
The Story and Character Relationship
We all bascially know the gist of the story, but I was to point out that there is a part in the game where you meet this huge, hulking mass of metal called, "Dog". Every time he jumps into a scene he makes me smile. At the time you first meet Dog, you're also introduced to The Gravity Gun. You begin playing catch with Dog (in-game tutorial) as Alyx runs off to the side and hops up on some metal scraps cheering you on. It was this moment I knew this game had hit a revolutionary mark in many ways. One of them being the in-game presentation of the story much improved from the first game.
Also, I found it extremely refreshing to find that some old friends had come back into the game to help you along the way, especially Barney. This is the first time in my virtual life, that I wanted to hug a character when I saw him.
I have the book "Raising The Bar". It's been a while since I read it, but from what I recall (cannot find the book right now--think I lent it out) the story behind the Combine is:
The Combine are an alien race that go from planet to planet stealing biological and technological features and integrating them into their society/race. This is why some of the things you see, like the ships, appear to be half-bug and half-vehicle. They forces the people of the planet to either join the Combine and assimilate (evolve and change) or die.
Closing
In closing I have to say that back in 2004, this was the single best SP video game experience I ever had! Sure there are some minor gripes about the AI, but honestly I just dont think its possible to make a perfect, flawless game. I think there will always be compromises. Valve deserves all the allocates they've received over the years. It was worth the (looong) wait. Maybe some time in the future, beyond the episodes, we will get to play through Alyx's eyes? What about a Combine soliders eyes? How about Barney again?
Despite the fact that I've played through HL2 (proper) 7 or 8 times, I would still play through it again today. The game might have only one ending and be built completely on rails, but Valve managed to make a game experience that makes you feel like you're part of an epic story that's taking place everywhere. It's beyond each wall that you pass. It's in the eyes of each resistance member you meet. It's in Alyx's smile. Its even in Dr Kleiners pocket protector.
So, what about you guys? what are your thoughts and feelings of this series? Looking back? What will Episode 3 bring?
Developer: Valve Corporation
Publisher: Vivendi (expired, exception of Steam download), Valve (Steam), EA
Distributor: EA (Windows, Xbox, X360, PS3), Valve (Steam)
Engines: Source engine, Havok physics
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Genre: First-person shooter
ESRB: M
System requirements: 1.2 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, DirectX 7 level graphics card, Internet connection
Release dates:
- Windows - EU / NA November 16, 2004 Steam November 16, 2004
Xbox - NA November 15, 2005
X360 - NA October 10, 2007
PS3 - NA December 11, 2007
I'll open with this--HL2 is not just a game, it's an experience. That may sound cliche, but here it's completely true. I consider HL2 (proper), E1, E2 and the soon to be E3 part of the entire HL2 saga, which is what we're here to talk about.
Innovation
I remember the first time I saw Havok in motion with Max Payne 2. It was impressive, but it wasnt implimented like it was in HL2 where it was made to fit practically in every (almost) every instance. It didnt feel "gimmicky" nor did it come across that way. I remember one time I fired my crossbow and the arrow hit a Combine soldier in the head, slamming him into the billboard behind him leaving him dangling.
But the greatest addition to the game that the new physics engine enabled was the ability for Valve to create a unique, never before seen, weapon--the Gravity Gun. This was argueably the single most innovative feature in the game. At that point in gaming (9/2004), we had never been able to manipulate the environment to the degree that these two things (Havok + Gravity Gun) allowed us to. Grabbing grenades in mid-air, grabbing explosive barrels 20 feet away or even grabbing a buzzsaw to use as a pseudo-sword. This kind of ability immediately turned the gravity gun into 47 different types of guns. It was a grenade launcher, and blade launcher, a shovel, a weapon stealer (later in the game) and more.
Vehicles - Screenshot of Dune Buggy
After watching some of the teaser trailers of the vehicles pre-launch I was apprehensive. It didnt sound like it would be a lot of fun or fit the whole HL2 vibe, but once I played through the Airboat and Buggy levels I was convinced that this was the perfect combination to break up the monotony of the FPs strut. Both instances were jam packed with so much action that some might even forget that they're actually dirving a vehicle. I felt that it was not too short or long--it was perfectly paced. This is coming from someone who usually doesnt enjoy this stuff too much.
I remember driving along Highway 17, along the coast, and stopping by ever single house or shanty to inspect for goodies. The atmosphere was amazing.
Bug Bait! - Screenshot of one
How satisfiying was it to watch these little buggers attack the Combine relentlessly. Traveling through Nova Prospect as they hacked the crap outta these guys was SO much fun. Had anything like this happened in a game before where you had control of a horde of razor sharp crickets?
:heart: Alyx :heart:
Alyx smiles for a shot
Yeah yeah, we all nocited this right?
There's not much to say here about Alyx except for the fact that she's--well an amazing sidekick. She addes to the tention, excitment, the joy and the fear with all her comments and experssions. I remember reading one review of HL2:E1 and the journalist commented that he wishes there was a hug button in the game and I think that speaks to the connection we build with her. She even drops a pretty funny joke in E2, remember?
The Squads
Screenshot of one of the squads
Later in the game you begin grouping up with some of the resistance members. When you first meet up with them, their reactions were always a bit commical, "oooh! thank god you're here!" or something of the like. It really made you feel like you're leading a small group of people through a something that was taking place just around the corner. Something huge.
I have to add that that grouping with the resistnace was indeed satisfiying, and but at times also lead to frustration. Yes, they were helpful at times. When one of them died I did feel a bit bummed that one of our few members gave his life for a greater cause. It was fun hearing them comment on a kill,"ha-HA! Got one! Did you see that?!". But the frustrating thing here was the fact that they were kinda clumsy and got in the way...alot. Sure they would apologize ("oh...sorry Mr Freeman). But there were too many times where they would block a doorway when I wanted to hide from incoming fire and they just wouldnt move.
The Story and Character Relationship
We all bascially know the gist of the story, but I was to point out that there is a part in the game where you meet this huge, hulking mass of metal called, "Dog". Every time he jumps into a scene he makes me smile. At the time you first meet Dog, you're also introduced to The Gravity Gun. You begin playing catch with Dog (in-game tutorial) as Alyx runs off to the side and hops up on some metal scraps cheering you on. It was this moment I knew this game had hit a revolutionary mark in many ways. One of them being the in-game presentation of the story much improved from the first game.
Also, I found it extremely refreshing to find that some old friends had come back into the game to help you along the way, especially Barney. This is the first time in my virtual life, that I wanted to hug a character when I saw him.
I have the book "Raising The Bar". It's been a while since I read it, but from what I recall (cannot find the book right now--think I lent it out) the story behind the Combine is:
The Combine are an alien race that go from planet to planet stealing biological and technological features and integrating them into their society/race. This is why some of the things you see, like the ships, appear to be half-bug and half-vehicle. They forces the people of the planet to either join the Combine and assimilate (evolve and change) or die.
Closing
In closing I have to say that back in 2004, this was the single best SP video game experience I ever had! Sure there are some minor gripes about the AI, but honestly I just dont think its possible to make a perfect, flawless game. I think there will always be compromises. Valve deserves all the allocates they've received over the years. It was worth the (looong) wait. Maybe some time in the future, beyond the episodes, we will get to play through Alyx's eyes? What about a Combine soliders eyes? How about Barney again?
Despite the fact that I've played through HL2 (proper) 7 or 8 times, I would still play through it again today. The game might have only one ending and be built completely on rails, but Valve managed to make a game experience that makes you feel like you're part of an epic story that's taking place everywhere. It's beyond each wall that you pass. It's in the eyes of each resistance member you meet. It's in Alyx's smile. Its even in Dr Kleiners pocket protector.
So, what about you guys? what are your thoughts and feelings of this series? Looking back? What will Episode 3 bring?
Facebook
Twitter