- Jan 12, 2004
- 11,078
- 11
- 81
Half Life 2 (HL2) is not a game, its an experience. We've all waited a long long time for the release of this game. The anticipation a few days before its release (the real one, not 9/30/03) had reached a fever pitch, and that includes myself (as most of you know).
After playing Doom3 and Far Cry, the expectations for the game were set incredibily higher, especially in the GFX department. This game had alot to live up to. Infact, the expectations for this game were so high for me, I thought that they actually could be be fulfilled. Doom 3 and Far Cry both raised the bar with their incredible graphics and in sheer fun. Sure, all 3 of these games are very different in scope, but when it comes down to it, which one was the most fun to play. For me, its a very simple answer -Half Life.
One more thing. I was so enthralled by the game, I forgot to take some screenshots for the first few hours. Doh! So bear with me please. But all screenies are not resized at all, they're presented in their raw format to preserve the beauty.
The Physics
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The havok engine has been around for years now. The first game that used it and blew me away was Max Payne 2. Being able to pick up virtually any object and manipulate it just made the game more immersive. But, HL2 is the first game to use the havok engine and completely make it practical. Far Cry was close, but it does not pull it off like HL2 does. In MP2, it seems kinda like a gimmick. The pictures above were taken when I picked off a Combine soldier from a distance with the crossbow. In the second picture you can see that the arrow went through his head, and into the billboard behind him, leaving him dangling.
But along with those physics comes along the gravity gun! The Gravity gun is, in my opinion, the single most innovative feature in the game. We've never been able to manipulate the environment to this degree, and also save the day with it. I had so much fan grabbing grenades being thrown at me, mid air, and lobbing them back. What about those explosive barrels? Wow, just.....wow.
The Vehicles
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You know, Valve kept dripping out these videos in Bink format over the last year, and in one of them you were driving along the coast in a jeep. When I first heard about this, I couldnt beleive it. It didnt sound fun, and even after seeing it, just didnt seem to fit the bill for a revolutionary FPS. Well, now that I've had the chance to play through the airboat and jeep levels, I can tell you that its the perfect combination to break up the monotony of a FPS strut. Both these instances are SO action packed, you'll probably forget that you're on a boat or an off-road vehicle. Simply amazing and integrated very well. Not too long or short, just perfect. I normally dont enjoy this stuff, but I had such a blast in both these sequences.
The Beauty in the design!
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Was I the only one who thought the bridge level was incredible. Not just in play, but visually. HL2 is the first game where I was taking screenshots as creative expression, I mean thats how beautiful this game is. I really dont ahve much to say here expect for a few simple things. 1) Simple the most beautiful game I've ever played. Period. 2) The actually design of the world was breath taking. Beyond anything out there. Way to go Valve! But the pictures speak for themselves.
The Bugs
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In the game you eventually get to control several hundred (in my case, I killed atleast that many) bugs. As you can see from the screenshot, they're beautifully rendered on my 6800U. I cannot tell you have damn satisfiying it was to watch these little critters run around and hack the crap outta the combine. The jail level was perfect in legth. Actually, towards the end of the game, I was hoping that the bugs would make another apperance!
The Gore
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None of this disentegration crap! When you start shooting someone, if there is a wall behind them, you will see traces of their blood along the walls. I love it!
Alyx! :heart:
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Ok, so Alyx was a very cool supporting character. Not only did she looks like a regular (but cute) girl without the 35 pounds boobs, she also has a tendency to show off her purple panties. Thanks Alyx!
The Squads!
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Later in the game you will begin grouping up with some of the resistance. When they first see you, they will exclaim with great relish, "oooh! thank god you're here!". It really does make you feel like you're leading a huge story by your every step. I would have to say that grouping with the other soldiers was both satisfiying, and at times frustrating. Yes, they were helpful and when they died (omg, its a massacre really) I got bummed but pressed on. It was fun controlling them, hearing say,"ha-HA! Got one!". They also get chatty with one another just like in the original. But, what I found frustrating was the fact that they're kinda clumsy and get in the way alot. Sure they will appoligize (oh, sorry mr freeman), but there was a few times where they would block a doorway or something when I wanted to hide in order to avoid getting shot, but couldnt because they would move.
The Story
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You know, there is a part in the game where you meet this huge, hulking mass of metal called, "dog". This is, alos, when Alyx introduces you to the Gravity Gun. When you begin playing catch, Alyx runs off to the side, hops up on some metal scrape, and cheers you on. Dog catches whatever you throw at him, then tosses it back. It was at that moment, after everything else before that, I knew this game was revolutionary in many ways, but one of them begin the presentation of the story being told. I found it extremely refreshing to find that some old friends 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 to admit though, the idea of being dropped off, fighting your ass off, saving everyone (except for Alyx, she appears to die at the end), and then immediatley being pulled out of the story and not knowing much about the Combine, who they are, what they do, why they're doing what they're doing, was a little disappointing. I want to know it Alyx really did survive or not. WTF happened! But, some might consider this the genius in Vavles story telling. The enigma behind it all.
A buddy of mine has the book, Raise the Bar. He said the sotry in essence, was this:
"The Combine are an alien race that go from planet to planet taking biological and technological advances and integrating it into theyre society. This is why some of the things you see, like the ships, look like half bug half vehicle. They will force the people of the planet to evolve and change (the white things walking around in the citadel?), and if they dont...they die."
There you have it.
The Sounds!!!
One thing I cannot take any screen caps of, is the music and sounds in the game. They are absolute profection! There are some SFX that make it back (although, redone) over from the first game, which is a really good thing. But the music is so awesome! It doesnt play contantly through the game, its dynamic and will kick in when its intended for a high action sequence or just a dramatic moment. The first time you put on the HV suit, some very familiar music will kick in and just gives goosebumps. Oh! One of my favorite SFX comes from the Stryders! They sounded......alien. What about the gun blasts that fire off in the distance, or if a an explosion goes off in the distance. If its in the city, it will echo. Wow! Best SFX EVER!
In Closing...
OMFG! How do you beat the prison level with the 3 turret guns!?
I've posted this screenshot because this sequence has stumped alot of people, so I thought I would offer the way I beat it. So, feel free to post this screenie if anyone is having trouble and needs a suggestion.
In closing though, I dont have alot to say except for the fact that, for me, this is the single best video game I've ever played! Yes, that includes the MP portion of the game. I'm talking about the package deal! SP + MP. As a package deal, this is it (for me). Sure, I would have loved some vanilla DM (it will come), and sure there are some minor gripes, but honestly. I dont think its possible to make a flawless game. I think there will always be a compromise. Are there gripes? Sure, but its not enough to make me not want to love it completely. Way to go Valve, it was worth the wait. I seriously would take HL3 w/o a visual upgrade if they could get it to use in 15 months. I'm sure there will be expansion packs though. Maybe we will get to play through Alyx's eyes? What about a Combine soliders eyes? Barney? Oh, the possibilites are incredible. BRING IT ON!!
Now, I'm off to play through the game again, but on "Hard".
After playing Doom3 and Far Cry, the expectations for the game were set incredibily higher, especially in the GFX department. This game had alot to live up to. Infact, the expectations for this game were so high for me, I thought that they actually could be be fulfilled. Doom 3 and Far Cry both raised the bar with their incredible graphics and in sheer fun. Sure, all 3 of these games are very different in scope, but when it comes down to it, which one was the most fun to play. For me, its a very simple answer -Half Life.
One more thing. I was so enthralled by the game, I forgot to take some screenshots for the first few hours. Doh! So bear with me please. But all screenies are not resized at all, they're presented in their raw format to preserve the beauty.
The Physics
Picture
Picture
The havok engine has been around for years now. The first game that used it and blew me away was Max Payne 2. Being able to pick up virtually any object and manipulate it just made the game more immersive. But, HL2 is the first game to use the havok engine and completely make it practical. Far Cry was close, but it does not pull it off like HL2 does. In MP2, it seems kinda like a gimmick. The pictures above were taken when I picked off a Combine soldier from a distance with the crossbow. In the second picture you can see that the arrow went through his head, and into the billboard behind him, leaving him dangling.
But along with those physics comes along the gravity gun! The Gravity gun is, in my opinion, the single most innovative feature in the game. We've never been able to manipulate the environment to this degree, and also save the day with it. I had so much fan grabbing grenades being thrown at me, mid air, and lobbing them back. What about those explosive barrels? Wow, just.....wow.
The Vehicles
Picture
You know, Valve kept dripping out these videos in Bink format over the last year, and in one of them you were driving along the coast in a jeep. When I first heard about this, I couldnt beleive it. It didnt sound fun, and even after seeing it, just didnt seem to fit the bill for a revolutionary FPS. Well, now that I've had the chance to play through the airboat and jeep levels, I can tell you that its the perfect combination to break up the monotony of a FPS strut. Both these instances are SO action packed, you'll probably forget that you're on a boat or an off-road vehicle. Simply amazing and integrated very well. Not too long or short, just perfect. I normally dont enjoy this stuff, but I had such a blast in both these sequences.
The Beauty in the design!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Was I the only one who thought the bridge level was incredible. Not just in play, but visually. HL2 is the first game where I was taking screenshots as creative expression, I mean thats how beautiful this game is. I really dont ahve much to say here expect for a few simple things. 1) Simple the most beautiful game I've ever played. Period. 2) The actually design of the world was breath taking. Beyond anything out there. Way to go Valve! But the pictures speak for themselves.
The Bugs
Picture
In the game you eventually get to control several hundred (in my case, I killed atleast that many) bugs. As you can see from the screenshot, they're beautifully rendered on my 6800U. I cannot tell you have damn satisfiying it was to watch these little critters run around and hack the crap outta the combine. The jail level was perfect in legth. Actually, towards the end of the game, I was hoping that the bugs would make another apperance!
The Gore
Picture
Picture
None of this disentegration crap! When you start shooting someone, if there is a wall behind them, you will see traces of their blood along the walls. I love it!
Alyx! :heart:
Picture
Picture
Ok, so Alyx was a very cool supporting character. Not only did she looks like a regular (but cute) girl without the 35 pounds boobs, she also has a tendency to show off her purple panties. Thanks Alyx!
The Squads!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Later in the game you will begin grouping up with some of the resistance. When they first see you, they will exclaim with great relish, "oooh! thank god you're here!". It really does make you feel like you're leading a huge story by your every step. I would have to say that grouping with the other soldiers was both satisfiying, and at times frustrating. Yes, they were helpful and when they died (omg, its a massacre really) I got bummed but pressed on. It was fun controlling them, hearing say,"ha-HA! Got one!". They also get chatty with one another just like in the original. But, what I found frustrating was the fact that they're kinda clumsy and get in the way alot. Sure they will appoligize (oh, sorry mr freeman), but there was a few times where they would block a doorway or something when I wanted to hide in order to avoid getting shot, but couldnt because they would move.
The Story
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
You know, there is a part in the game where you meet this huge, hulking mass of metal called, "dog". This is, alos, when Alyx introduces you to the Gravity Gun. When you begin playing catch, Alyx runs off to the side, hops up on some metal scrape, and cheers you on. Dog catches whatever you throw at him, then tosses it back. It was at that moment, after everything else before that, I knew this game was revolutionary in many ways, but one of them begin the presentation of the story being told. I found it extremely refreshing to find that some old friends 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 to admit though, the idea of being dropped off, fighting your ass off, saving everyone (except for Alyx, she appears to die at the end), and then immediatley being pulled out of the story and not knowing much about the Combine, who they are, what they do, why they're doing what they're doing, was a little disappointing. I want to know it Alyx really did survive or not. WTF happened! But, some might consider this the genius in Vavles story telling. The enigma behind it all.
A buddy of mine has the book, Raise the Bar. He said the sotry in essence, was this:
"The Combine are an alien race that go from planet to planet taking biological and technological advances and integrating it into theyre society. This is why some of the things you see, like the ships, look like half bug half vehicle. They will force the people of the planet to evolve and change (the white things walking around in the citadel?), and if they dont...they die."
There you have it.
The Sounds!!!
One thing I cannot take any screen caps of, is the music and sounds in the game. They are absolute profection! There are some SFX that make it back (although, redone) over from the first game, which is a really good thing. But the music is so awesome! It doesnt play contantly through the game, its dynamic and will kick in when its intended for a high action sequence or just a dramatic moment. The first time you put on the HV suit, some very familiar music will kick in and just gives goosebumps. Oh! One of my favorite SFX comes from the Stryders! They sounded......alien. What about the gun blasts that fire off in the distance, or if a an explosion goes off in the distance. If its in the city, it will echo. Wow! Best SFX EVER!
In Closing...
OMFG! How do you beat the prison level with the 3 turret guns!?
I've posted this screenshot because this sequence has stumped alot of people, so I thought I would offer the way I beat it. So, feel free to post this screenie if anyone is having trouble and needs a suggestion.
In closing though, I dont have alot to say except for the fact that, for me, this is the single best video game I've ever played! Yes, that includes the MP portion of the game. I'm talking about the package deal! SP + MP. As a package deal, this is it (for me). Sure, I would have loved some vanilla DM (it will come), and sure there are some minor gripes, but honestly. I dont think its possible to make a flawless game. I think there will always be a compromise. Are there gripes? Sure, but its not enough to make me not want to love it completely. Way to go Valve, it was worth the wait. I seriously would take HL3 w/o a visual upgrade if they could get it to use in 15 months. I'm sure there will be expansion packs though. Maybe we will get to play through Alyx's eyes? What about a Combine soliders eyes? Barney? Oh, the possibilites are incredible. BRING IT ON!!
Now, I'm off to play through the game again, but on "Hard".
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