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.
Half Life 2
- Thread starter irishstormtrooper
- Start date
Recommended Videos
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
Don't bash Half-Life 2's story just because it wasn't given to you on a silver platter. The story in HL2 is only as deep as you care to look for. By exploring your surroundings and taking note of curiosities within Half-Life 2 you begin to piece together what has transpired while you were being held in limbo.
And Guido I must disagree with what you've said about the weapons. Old games like doom had the Plasma Gun, BFG, and a Rocket Launcher that works entirely differently then that in Half-Life 2's. The only weapons that are remotely similar are the chaingun, shotgun and pistol. Half-Life 2's weapons tend to focus more on real world weapons with sci-fi twists added to them. You have the Pistol, SMG, and Shotgun which were pretty standard for the day. Beyond that the weapons in Half-Life were pretty new for their day. The Rockets in HL1 were nowhere near like the ones found in Doom or Quake.
And Guido I must disagree with what you've said about the weapons. Old games like doom had the Plasma Gun, BFG, and a Rocket Launcher that works entirely differently then that in Half-Life 2's. The only weapons that are remotely similar are the chaingun, shotgun and pistol. Half-Life 2's weapons tend to focus more on real world weapons with sci-fi twists added to them. You have the Pistol, SMG, and Shotgun which were pretty standard for the day. Beyond that the weapons in Half-Life were pretty new for their day. The Rockets in HL1 were nowhere near like the ones found in Doom or Quake.
I had never played the previous gmae and I had no problem understanding what was going on. I found the soryline and characters much more interestin than something like Halo.
I ddid find some of the weapons a bit poorly designed and/or limited in their use (magum, crossbow, 'launcher).
Some bits did get a bit repetative, particularly the gunships (how many of them do you really need to take out in one game), but there were loads of intersting parts aswell.
Impressed that the AI was up to understanding that not all the bad guys were on the same side to such a level.
I ddid find some of the weapons a bit poorly designed and/or limited in their use (magum, crossbow, 'launcher).
Some bits did get a bit repetative, particularly the gunships (how many of them do you really need to take out in one game), but there were loads of intersting parts aswell.
Impressed that the AI was up to understanding that not all the bad guys were on the same side to such a level.
I have to disagree for its time HL2 was a groundbreaking title. And all of those "standard" weapons came about because of games like HL and HL2 (but not just them).
The HL series has a great storyline, it just isn't shoved down your throat like in some games. You are left to discover it, you have to listen to people, look around like you would have to in real life. You don't get to see what Breen is saying to the Combine Advisors, you don't get to see what is happening hundreds of miles away, you see exactly what Gordon sees, and I loved that about it.
Episode 2 really improved on the AI an some of the other problems you stated. I thought, gameplay wise, it was as good if not better than the original HL2.
The HL series has a great storyline, it just isn't shoved down your throat like in some games. You are left to discover it, you have to listen to people, look around like you would have to in real life. You don't get to see what Breen is saying to the Combine Advisors, you don't get to see what is happening hundreds of miles away, you see exactly what Gordon sees, and I loved that about it.
Episode 2 really improved on the AI an some of the other problems you stated. I thought, gameplay wise, it was as good if not better than the original HL2.
First off, I have to say I hated this bit to hell. Took me about 40 minutes to figure out.irishstormtrooper said:
Anyway, You are judging the game by the standards of modern FPS. Hl2 was released in 2004. Also, most of the problems you mentioned in the game were fixed in ep1 and ep2, especially the AI, which I must admit isnt all that great.
In garrys mod the AI seems to be a bit smarter though, for some reason. Taking cover etc.
As for no stopping power to the guns, meh. If you want the guns to do something to do the enemy...hold down the mouse until they fall down. Easy enough. The rod-crossbow was also an original gun, by the way.
And the story is awesome...If youve played HL1 anyway.