What I meant about the guns is that you use them all the same. In Halo, at least the plasma pistol was primarily used to take out the shields of the enemies then switch to another weapon to finish it off, saving ammo, being one VERY basic example. I'm not saying HL2 was bad, it was great but I have played it back when it first came out and I got bored before I have beaten it. I'm not picking HL2 apart with today's standards, Halo: CE had more "fun" combat and a story that you could get into deeper, at least I found it did, than HL2. Besides the HL engine, there wasn't anything really "new" from HL2, that's all I'm saying.Ironic said:
Half Life 2
- Thread starter irishstormtrooper
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It's far more overrated than halo. In terms of story, halo is almost on par with half life, in terms of gameplay halo is about equal (you trade of decent puzzles for outstanding vehicle controls, almost usable AI and co-op), the graphics in halo are not too far behind those of half life 2 (given it's a console game that was released 3 years beforehand this is nothign short of amazing). Given that half life 2 has a meta score of 96 where halo has 97 I'd say they are at the very least equally overrated. Half life 2 far moreso than halo on these forums.WorldCritic said:
I still enjoyed half life 2, back when my steam account wasn't hijcacked, but the source engine did spawn lots of mods and left 4 dead as well.
What makes it overrated?
It was a majorly innovative game both by itself and its mods. In 2004 it pushed the boundaries of in game graphics, made ground breaking animation technology, evolved the meaning of three dimensional characters, created one of the most creative modding and sandbox storytelling communities, and made physics an important part of gaming.
The fact that your reviewing this game five years after the fact when it should have gotten stale by default and people argue this fact is testament alone.
The first Half-Life's greatness can be seen because it doesn't hold up well to today's standards. Nearly every single shooter that followed it copied or took cues from it in one way or another.
The second Half-Life's greatness can be seen because five years later, it is measured up with state of the art games such as Killzone 2, Bioshock and Call of Duty 4 & 5.
It was a majorly innovative game both by itself and its mods. In 2004 it pushed the boundaries of in game graphics, made ground breaking animation technology, evolved the meaning of three dimensional characters, created one of the most creative modding and sandbox storytelling communities, and made physics an important part of gaming.
The fact that your reviewing this game five years after the fact when it should have gotten stale by default and people argue this fact is testament alone.
The first Half-Life's greatness can be seen because it doesn't hold up well to today's standards. Nearly every single shooter that followed it copied or took cues from it in one way or another.
The second Half-Life's greatness can be seen because five years later, it is measured up with state of the art games such as Killzone 2, Bioshock and Call of Duty 4 & 5.
I find it annoying when people openly hate on well liked things just to appear intelligent and unique. I've seen it happening way too much, and I hope I'm wrong about people's reasons for doing so. Now, I understand Half Life 2 doesn't tell you much on its own about whats going on, but that's one of the magics of the game. Figuring out what is going on by observing. Once the first level is done, the npc's reveal the story anyway.
Tell me something: when did you play it first? If it was recently, keep in mind that it's "generic" because other games copied it. It was groundbreaking at the time it came out.AvacuumSALESMAN said:
I actually did play it when it not too long afterit came out, and everyone I knew was saying it's the greatest game ever, but when I started playing, it just wasn't that exciting, I'm not saying it was bad, it was fun and had great graphics and physics, but the gameplay wasn't something I haven't played beforeorannis62 said:
How the devil is it deep?MeXR said:
Aliens invade earth.
You kill the aliens.
You are stalked by an odd chap with a briefcase.
If you ask me the Magnum is a really good sniper substitute, with a lot less subtlety than the crossbow. Just go into suit zoom, line up your target, zoom out and fire off your well placed headshot.
Exactly, this review is the definition of beating a dead horse - Half-Life 2 was 5 years ago people, play it//appreciate it//stop whining.SimpsonsParadox said:
/thread
Wow, way to generalise the storyline.WrongSprite said:
Star Wars;
Evil Empire take over galaxy.
Jedi Destroy Empire.
Little bit of incest on the side.
LOTR;
Evil Man wants ring.
Frodo simply walks into Mordor.
Earth Saved.
Donnie Darko;
Kid dreams his own death.
Kid spazzes out.
Kid dies like in his dream.
Half-Life may not have the deepest storyline but its execution is what makes it so original and revered.
When the Half Life series is played in context of its relevant eras they're groundbreaking and compelling.
All that you've stated are true, but it's incredably fun to play. Like every game it has it's flaws and if you want to truly appriciate a game you have to put that aside and look at the good stuff. But a good point to the game though.
I didn't play HL1 prior to buying the Orange Box for 360. I have to admit, the first few levels of the game are a little off-putting on the first play through. Navigation is confusing, there is very little direction as to what you are supposed to be doing, and the weapons suck. Add in the ridiculously overlong boat chase, and you get a rather dull first chapter or so to the game. Not to mention that there is absolutely NO explanation as to why you show up in this city with a huge obelisk in the middle of it, or who that guy talking on the loudspeaker is.
However, once you push through that part of the game, I found the entirety of the 3 episdoes of HL2 to be extremely rewarding both in story and gameplay. Yeah, the controls on the vehicles are a little dodgy, and yeah, some of the puzzles would be served well with some better pacing, but overall, the experience is first rate. The payoffs at the end of each of the episodes are, in my opinion, some of the best in gaming. The strider battle was just . . . excellent. That's the best I can say about it. It was all good. 100%.
I understand the OP's points though. I just thought the good points of the game outweighed the bad by a longshot. I did go back and play HL1 for the PS2 just recently. It is a good game too, even playing it for the first time 10 (12?) years after it originally released.
I think the HL series is a matter of taste. Sort of like how some people like anchovies, and some don't. If you like them, you really like them. If you don't, don't get them anywhere near me.
However, once you push through that part of the game, I found the entirety of the 3 episdoes of HL2 to be extremely rewarding both in story and gameplay. Yeah, the controls on the vehicles are a little dodgy, and yeah, some of the puzzles would be served well with some better pacing, but overall, the experience is first rate. The payoffs at the end of each of the episodes are, in my opinion, some of the best in gaming. The strider battle was just . . . excellent. That's the best I can say about it. It was all good. 100%.
I understand the OP's points though. I just thought the good points of the game outweighed the bad by a longshot. I did go back and play HL1 for the PS2 just recently. It is a good game too, even playing it for the first time 10 (12?) years after it originally released.
I think the HL series is a matter of taste. Sort of like how some people like anchovies, and some don't. If you like them, you really like them. If you don't, don't get them anywhere near me.
I know what you mean. I enjoyed it don't get me wrong. But it wasn't as groundbreaking as I thought it would be.
Finally someone understands
Finally someone understands