I once asked my friend what Half-life was all about, and instead of telling me, he decided to show me. So we went through Half-life together, and it not only intensified my love of grenades, but also developed a fondness within me for crowbars... and Barney.
Barney was the generic security guard that found his way into our hearts through his encouragement and limitless bullets. And then came Half-life 2. He wasn't a bunch of men anymore, he was one legendary man. He made jokes, he gave us crowbars, he shot stuff. His stubbled face graced us with the feelings of security and optimism the savior of a distopian future needed so desperately.
Near the end of Half-life 2's climax, I left the room for a moment. When I returned, I asked what I had missed.
"Barney was impaled by a Strider," my friend said.
"You're lying," I exclaimed.
"Right through the chest," he replied.
"Go back and show me," I said desperately. "You're lying!"
"Can't go back, I just quicksaved."
Luckily, before I could drop to me knees and declare "BARNEY!" dramatically, the man in question told Gordon to 'get back', saving the silent doctor's life as well as my remaining dignity.
"I knew you were lying."
Through this experience I saw that I had formed a bond with this NPC through only two games (haven't gotten around to Blue Shift yet) that was not easily broken. And, one day, as I watched Yahtzee review The Orange Box I saw that I was not alone. There was a poster declaring love for Barney. So, my question is, how many others admire this vest-wearing gunman? How many others repaid his 'Level 3 Clearance'-wielding, handgun-toting, headhumper-hating assistance with adoration and respect?
Who loves Barney?
Barney was the generic security guard that found his way into our hearts through his encouragement and limitless bullets. And then came Half-life 2. He wasn't a bunch of men anymore, he was one legendary man. He made jokes, he gave us crowbars, he shot stuff. His stubbled face graced us with the feelings of security and optimism the savior of a distopian future needed so desperately.
Near the end of Half-life 2's climax, I left the room for a moment. When I returned, I asked what I had missed.
"Barney was impaled by a Strider," my friend said.
"You're lying," I exclaimed.
"Right through the chest," he replied.
"Go back and show me," I said desperately. "You're lying!"
"Can't go back, I just quicksaved."
Luckily, before I could drop to me knees and declare "BARNEY!" dramatically, the man in question told Gordon to 'get back', saving the silent doctor's life as well as my remaining dignity.
"I knew you were lying."
Through this experience I saw that I had formed a bond with this NPC through only two games (haven't gotten around to Blue Shift yet) that was not easily broken. And, one day, as I watched Yahtzee review The Orange Box I saw that I was not alone. There was a poster declaring love for Barney. So, my question is, how many others admire this vest-wearing gunman? How many others repaid his 'Level 3 Clearance'-wielding, handgun-toting, headhumper-hating assistance with adoration and respect?
Who loves Barney?
