Half-Life and Portal series, general discussion (v6) - Games

I know probable not going to happen, but I really hope HL3 isn't going to go nonlinear. I love Half Life because its a well designed linear FPS with tight shooting mechanics and lots of variety. Every critic now a days acts like linearity in games is a horrible thing and I'm hoping that valve isn't pressured in to making the game nonlinear because of this.

I wouldn't worry about that, since Portal 2 was linear as it could get and yet it wasn't suffering from it.

What the hell Facepunch? Why u do this? Now I have to add every Valve thread to my bookmarks, instead of one link to subforum. ლ(ಠ_ಠ ლ)

I'm playing Half Life on my PS2 right now, noticed it had some rather interesting updates. Not talking about the "HD" models, but rather the brushwork, it has been updated, too. Like the sliding rail in the intro sequence, that previously used to have z-fighting artifacts on it is now a different smaller brush that slides, and then locks itself into position with a different movement. Or this thing before the test chamber: [img]http://i.imgur.com/rsl2Yho.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/NdpOY4d.jpg[/img] It's good that they're not in Steam's original half life, since the changed have probably been made by gearbox, but it's interesting to explore anyway.

[QUOTE=Spor;46937774]I'm playing Half Life on my PS2 right now, noticed it had some rather interesting updates. Not talking about the "HD" models, but rather the brushwork, it has been updated, too. Like the sliding rail in the intro sequence, that previously used to have z-fighting artifacts on it is now a different smaller brush that slides, and then locks itself into position with a different movement. Or this thing before the test chamber: [img]http://i.imgur.com/rsl2Yho.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/NdpOY4d.jpg[/img] It's good that they're not in Steam's original half life, since the changed have probably been made by gearbox, but it's interesting to explore anyway.[/QUOTE] ive always wanted a copy of the ps2 version of half life, if only to explore the slight and subtle changes that have been made, since as far as i know theres no documentation of the changes other than "a bunch of changes made to the maps" and with the amount ive played half life im sure id notice something new every level

[QUOTE=WillerinV1.02;46938241]ive always wanted a copy of the ps2 version of half life, if only to explore the slight and subtle changes that have been made, since as far as i know theres no documentation of the changes other than "a bunch of changes made to the maps" and with the amount ive played half life im sure id notice something new every level[/QUOTE] The loading time for levels is terrible.

[QUOTE=Killowatt;46934771]I always thought it was through combine relocation.[/QUOTE] I've always assumed it was either because of that, or because they wanted to be close to Breen and the 'main' Combine Citadel (assuming there are others, if there aren't it makes even more sense), so they moved there.

[QUOTE=Zombiespeed;46938258]The loading time for levels is terrible.[/QUOTE] Not really. While they don't compare to PC version, it's still 3-5 seconds. I was surprised.

[QUOTE=tempunary;46936765]You're seriously parroting someone elses [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdNhwb7iuI4"]Bioshock critique[/URL]. I remember this guy complaining about the same things you're complaining about, and you're just quoting him word for word. If you're going to complain about a shitty game at least come up with your own complaints because it's pretty embarrassing.[/QUOTE] That's ridiculous Two people aren't allowed to complain about the same thing? God forbid! Could it be that's how juries reach consensus, focus groups influence development, design teams focus their direction? It's gonna knock your socks off when you find out that all stories are based off one another and nothing in the world is entirely original [editline]16th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Butthurter;46936425]a game from 2003 had this [t]http://gfx.gexe.pl/gallery/418/05264.jpg[/t] read: the swarm of the valve fanboys [editline]15th January 2015[/editline] especially when other parts of hl2 have decent detailing [I]images[/I] and that right pic is from a map made in 2003 and such[/QUOTE] Coming at it from a development/design perspective, comparing a wide shot where the dominant sources of beauty are a nice 2D skybox and the overall colour and composition of the image with a few images from the darkest bits of close-up sections of larger levels isn't really a good comparison. In games is always been easier to compose an overall scene to be beautiful than it is (with hardware restrictions, time required and the difficulty in managing the issue of free exploration of the area) to get beautiful perfected detail in the micro. I haven't played the game in the top image but given the time period and the engines that were floating around in 2003, I imagine once you're up close to those structures it's little more than BF1942 quality stuff. This would probably have been a better comparison: [t]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/83454840/Images/HL2%20City%2017%2001.jpg[/t] [editline]16th January 2015[/editline] oh I just realised I thought you were saying HL2 didn't hold up graphically to the other game you posted. Cos frankly the bulky-ass boxy structure in the last image looks super uggo

I wonder if Valve would use Half Life 3 as their flagship game for Source 2. I just hope that its Half Life 3 , because its Quake decentant gameplay and single player focus makes it prime for single player mods. Also Half Life tends to have a wide range of content for mappers. (Excluding an annoying lack of bright green foliage, but this fits with the theming.) And hey. I liked Elizabeth and Bioshock Infinite. I had fun and enjoyed the setting and charactors. Hang me at the gallows for getting cosy with the intersting world and highoctane gunplay.

[QUOTE=Garfuncle;46936721]Given how Bioshock: Infinite insults the player's intelligence by having regenerating health\[/QUOTE] Did you even play the fucking game unless you mean regenerating health in a sense that it regenerates by picking up health kits instead of leaving you permanently wounded like in a more realistic fashion

[QUOTE=WhyNott;46939401]Did you even play the fucking game unless you mean regenerating health in a sense that it regenerates by picking up health kits instead of leaving you permanently wounded like in a more realistic fashion[/QUOTE] He means the shield I think

[QUOTE=Butthurter;46936425]a game from 2003 had this [t]http://gfx.gexe.pl/gallery/418/05264.jpg[/t] [/QUOTE] Uh, that screen is from SWTOR, which came out in 2011 Full sized image here [url]http://www.cinemablend.com/images/gallery/s20501/star_wars__the_old_republic_12557094699726.jpg[/url] Since you said 2003, I'm assuming you meant to post a Picture from KOTOR 1

looks kinda bad for a 2011 game tbh

[QUOTE=Tuskin;46939911]Uh, that screen is from SWTOR, which came out in 2011 Full sized image here [url]http://www.cinemablend.com/images/gallery/s20501/star_wars__the_old_republic_12557094699726.jpg[/url] Since you said 2003, I'm assuming you meant to post a Picture from KOTOR 1[/QUOTE] Hahaha I searched that image and found that too. Too lazy to post it though.

[QUOTE=WillerinV1.02;46938241]ive always wanted a copy of the ps2 version of half life, if only to explore the slight and subtle changes that have been made, since as far as i know theres no documentation of the changes other than "a bunch of changes made to the maps" and with the amount ive played half life im sure id notice something new every level[/QUOTE] I saw on the PCSX2 wiki that the game runs pretty good. You'll probably need a more high end CPU though. And you'll have to find a copy somewhere and dump it.

okay so after loving portal for a good long time i thought it would be a good idea to play the half life series is it just me or does HL1 just completely shit itself gameplay wise beginning at on a rail? the whole chapter revolves around tedious gameplay where it takes forever to make progress and you're constantly getting your shit fucked up by HECU.

[QUOTE=Slimmy;46941696]okay so after loving portal for a good long time i thought it would be a good idea to play the half life series is it just me or does HL1 just completely shit itself gameplay wise beginning at on a rail? the whole chapter revolves around tedious gameplay where it takes forever to make progress and you're constantly getting your shit fucked up by HECU.[/QUOTE] On a Rail is pretty hotly debated; personally, I hated how long it dragged on and as such the cut-down version in Black Mesa Source is a vast improvement imo.

[QUOTE=Slimmy;46941696]okay so after loving portal for a good long time i thought it would be a good idea to play the half life series is it just me or does HL1 just completely shit itself gameplay wise beginning at on a rail? the whole chapter revolves around tedious gameplay where it takes forever to make progress and you're constantly getting your shit fucked up by HECU.[/QUOTE] If memory serves me right, On a Rail is the worst chapter in Half-Life, imo

[QUOTE=Theuaredead;46941745]If memory serves me right, On a Rail is the worst chapter in Half-Life, imo[/QUOTE] While I remember having lots of fun with the railcarts and the section does have a lot of nice set-pieces, I also remember hours of frustration at getting wrecked by the Solders and just concrete tunnel after concrete tunnels and just blllleeeeeehhh.

[QUOTE=Dom Pyroshark;46936976]I am salty because I woke up at 3am. And I hardly care anymore for HL3 beyond point "If it does come out, cool, I guess." I can't stay hyped for something we have no infos about for several years.[/QUOTE] I'm at this point too to be honest, just stopped in to see what people were even talking about.

I remember a few years ago, before I joined the forums, my family was clearing out my grandparents' house and my grandpa had a few old issues of PC World. I remember there was an issue from 2004/2003 about custom PC designs and the main focus was on one someone made to look like a Strider. Interestingly, the game hadn't come out by then so Valve actually sent the guy reference models and stuff to help him. I'll see if I can dig the magazine out and scan it

[QUOTE=JeanLuc761;46941732]On a Rail is pretty hotly debated; personally, I hated how long it dragged on and as such the cut-down version in Black Mesa Source is a vast improvement imo.[/QUOTE]On a Rail getting decimated contributed to the apparent ovepowerment of the Marines by removing setpices where the Marines take casualties and missing opportunities to show more.

[QUOTE=artDecor;46945532]On a Rail getting decimated contributed to the apparent ovepowerment of the Marines by removing setpices where the Marines take casualties and missing opportunities to show more.[/QUOTE] In addition, it also failed to convey the idea that this chapter is where the soldiers begin to target Freeman specifically. The throwaway line about the soldiers having planned "something fierce" for you, doesn't quite cut it.

This is my first post in half a year. I have since then traveled the world. I've made lifelong bonds with the beautiful people in refugee camps, and hitchhiked across an entire nation without spending a dime. I've gotten a new girlfriend whom I love above all, and I've jumped out of planes. I've seen the sun set over the mountains of Pakistan and heard the chirp of the lyrebird in the rain-forest of Australia. The world is amazing, but every now and then I stop and think... I still want Half Life 3 really fucking bad. :(

I just came back for that post. Now I'm leaving again, bye.

-ehh-

I liked escorting Alyx. I think it somewhat watered down her character and her place in the game world, but I couldn't stand how disconnected Freeman's character and HL2's main story seemed to be, how the only characters that had any real impact on the interpersonal drama were characters that could talk. Being given the task to make sure that the daughter of my mentor's friend got to him safely made me finally fucking feel relevant.

[QUOTE=Spor;46937774]I'm playing Half Life on my PS2 right now, noticed it had some rather interesting updates. Not talking about the "HD" models, but rather the brushwork, it has been updated, too. Like the sliding rail in the intro sequence, that previously used to have z-fighting artifacts on it is now a different smaller brush that slides, and then locks itself into position with a different movement. Or this thing before the test chamber: [img]http://i.imgur.com/rsl2Yho.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/NdpOY4d.jpg[/img] It's good that they're not in Steam's original half life, since the changed have probably been made by gearbox, but it's interesting to explore anyway.[/QUOTE] Oh wow, yeah that is nice. I don't think the dynamic lighting is working in the Emulator. [t]http://cloud-4.steamusercontent.com/ugc/536260454467855259/00F2F2E8086043E4E0EE6E9254FD6482D9C92277/[/t]

Here's an interesting video that shows the changes upclose [video=youtube;NMji-GJQShs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMji-GJQShs[/video]