So I just played this game, Half-Life 2, you may have heard of it

Henroid

Specifically, I just finished Episode 2 after marathoning it yesterday morning and stopping at the frustrating last level. I've had the game for a long time but neglected ever doing much with it aside from seeing the first stage. Now then, on to the spoilers that extend tot he end of the game.

Okay, so I didn't see the ending coming as it did. And I forgot about those bloated sacks of shit that apparently kill everyone and anything they come across. 'Cept Gordon and Alex. For a while, I was certain that the jerkass doctor introduced in this episode was going to do something to zomgbetray us.

I don't like the idea of this ship all of a sudden being a problem. Seems like a random injection of giving Gordon something to do. I'm guessing that Episode 3 will cover it. And I'm guessing that Eli and Dr. Glassesface having differing opinions on the ship mean that we'll have an ending that gives us a choice, like the first one. Though I'm sure it'll be more elaborate. That said...

When the hell is episode 3 coming out?

Edit - Confusion; Yesterday morning the last level pissed me off. 15 minutes before this thread I made the credits scroll. So yes I beat it. :P

Renzo

Wait, you haven't finished Episode 2?

Henroid

Yeah believe it or not, I'm late to the party.

BahamutZERO

What choice did you get in the first one? I don't recall any choices.

Renzo

I just finished Episode 2 after marathoning it yesterday morning and stopping at the frustrating last level.

So did you finish Episode 2 or did you stop at the last level?

Henroid

I stopped yesterday morning, and just now, like 15 minutes ago, watched the credits scroll. :P

Renzo

Henroid wrote: »

I stopped yesterday morning, and just now, like 15 minutes ago, watched the credits scroll. :P

Ah okay. Brilliant ending.

DrunkMc

I just want GladOs to be in Episode 3. And I want Episode 3 to come out.

Panda4You

DrunkMc wrote: »

I just want GladOs to be in Episode 3.

No godammit

Both are excellent games, amongst my top 5 evarrr for sure, but keep them apart. Have a little cross-referencing for curiosity's sake, but I don't want some DC-esque Valve Universe™.

And I want Episode 3 to come out.

More than world peace and puppies for everyone.

I've been thinking of replaying Ep. 2 these days anyway, kinda bored right now and I've got fond memories of the level designs.

EspantaPajaro

I haven't heard ANYTHING about episode 3 period so I guess its safe to assume it wont come out anytime soon. Then again its Vavle , did you expect anything different?

UnbreakableVow

Every once in a while I try to pick up Half-Life 2 and the Episodes in The Orange Box, but...Jesus, I get so damn bored.

I eventually slogged my way through HL2 but couldn't get through Episode 1. Seems it's a good thing though, if they're never gonna make Episode 3 anyways.

Synthesis

I'll take world peace first, because I think it's coming before Episode 3.

Plus, you know, world peace, but that's just one of the factors involved.

I personally thought the episodes were a bit of a step down from the original game, but they are all quite good, all the same.

Italax

Synthesis wrote: »

I'll take world peace first, because I think it's coming before Episode 3.

Plus, you know, world peace, but that's just one of the factors involved.

I personally thought the episodes were a bit of a step down from the original game, but they are all quite good, all the same.

Really?

I mean, I can agree that Episode 1 felt like a bit of a step down but I thought Episode 2 was just as good, if not better in places, than the original.

Silas Brown

I just started Half-Life 2 on Sunday, and so far it's a solid game. I'm impressed with all the option the physics engine seems to give me. I haven't gotten far: I hear there is a certain gun that allows me to really utilize the engine to its fullest.

Some of it really takes me back to the original Half-Life. I mean, obviously there's stuff like headcrabs and vortigaunts, but more importantly, I'm talking stylistic concepts. Physics-defying experiments gone awry, transporting around like a madman only to get the wrong kind of attention.

Also, I just about panicked when the alien was about to charge my suit. The animation was painfully similar to his attack move from the original Half-Life.

Zzulu

Both are excellent games, amongst my top 5 evarrr for sure, but keep them apart. Have a little cross-referencing for curiosity's sake, but I don't want some DC-esque Valve Universe™.

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Panda4You

Some latter parts of Ep. 1 got this really boring milieus (city streets, abandoned hospital corridors) that's really grating to play through As a whole it feels kinda rushed but it does set up the scene for Ep. 2, which on average was a return to true HL2 form

Zzulu

I didn't mind Episode one. Lots of streetfights there. Episode 2 was better because it expanded the story, whereas Episode 1 was just "the escape from city 17" and nothing else.

I did hate the antlion tunnels in episode 2 though. Just tedious.

Sceptre

Maybe we can convince LaCabra to wrangle some Episode 3 details out of Gabe. Threaten them with horrifying Australian wild life or something.

Septus

Episode 2 is probably my favorite FPS experience ever, it is shit-hot. Episode 1 was weakish but I had no problems getting through it, mostly because it was so short. I could most understand someone getting stuck in the base game because it has longer periods of less excitement.

Opty

Zzulu wrote: »

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

DarkPrimus

It's taking so long for Episode 3 to come out because Valve is having Adam Foster make the whole thing.

Professor Phobos

Opty wrote: »

Zzulu wrote: »

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

It's not implied, it's explicitly related to Aperture Science.

DeMoN

Opty wrote: »

Zzulu wrote: »

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

Where the hell is that scene in the game anyway? I played through twice but only remember seeing it once.

Aumni

DeMoN wrote: »

Opty wrote: »

Zzulu wrote: »

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

Where the hell is that scene in the game anyway? I played through twice but only remember seeing it once.

The funny thing is that location is the place where Beta version of HL2 starts.

I love stuff like that.

Synthesis

Italax wrote: »

Synthesis wrote: »

I'll take world peace first, because I think it's coming before Episode 3.

Plus, you know, world peace, but that's just one of the factors involved.

I personally thought the episodes were a bit of a step down from the original game, but they are all quite good, all the same.

Really?

I mean, I can agree that Episode 1 felt like a bit of a step down but I thought Episode 2 was just as good, if not better in places, than the original.

Episode 2 was better than Episode 1, but even then, I felt they were both somewhat weaker than the original package. It might have been the expectations built up, it might have been because I really do like like HL2's underground sections, with few exceptions.

Faffel

Aumni wrote: »

DeMoN wrote: »

Opty wrote: »

Zzulu wrote: »

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

Where the hell is that scene in the game anyway? I played through twice but only remember seeing it once.

The funny thing is that location is the place where Beta version of HL2 starts.

I love stuff like that.

What, the area with the giant pachinko machine?

Witchsight

I still consider myself a HL newcomer, having only played HL2 for the first time 2 years ago, and within that time playing HL1 and replaying 2 and its eps again.

But goddamn... I thought it was amazing. The story while not robust, is just told so well, and the gameworld in HL2 has got to be one of the most engaging and realized ive ever played in.
For some reason the Highway 17 section still sticks out as my favorite part. Except when i lugged that stupid gnome along... but that was my own fault.

Sakeido

Episode 2 was so intense, I was extremely excited for Episode 3. It has been two years with not one word or screenshot of episode 3 at all.. and I'm still extremely excited. Although it better be longer than both Ep1 and 2 put together. It should probably be longer than HL2, actually.

Monger

Zzulu wrote: »

Both are excellent games, amongst my top 5 evarrr for sure, but keep them apart. Have a little cross-referencing for curiosity's sake, but I don't want some DC-esque Valve Universe™.

They're already in each others universe though. Aperture Science are direct competitors with Black Mesa. And then there were all those references about shit hitting the fan outside the complex, indicating that it's post 7-hour war.

I doubt Valve thought too long and hard about where to take Portal before it was released, but now that it is a resounding success, it wouldn't surprise me if they expanded the Portal universe a little bit. It would not surprise me if it ties in with the Half-Life universe either.

Actually, they planned it in-universe from pretty early on, it seems. There was an interview with Marc Laidlaw at some point where he mentioned that putting together Portal's story allowed them to fill in a lot of blanks in the backstory bible about what some people had gotten up to between HL1 and HL2. I may see if I can hunt it down.

Aumni wrote: »

DeMoN wrote: »

Opty wrote: »

Isn't there implications that the Aperture Science boat we see at the end of Ep 2 was in the arctic due to a portal mishap, or am I just crazy?

Where the hell is that scene in the game anyway? I played through twice but only remember seeing it once.

The funny thing is that location is the place where Beta version of HL2 starts.

I love stuff like that.

Well, they went to the trouble of visiting and mapping a whole real ship, so they were pretty determined to fit it in somewhere at some point.

And yes,

The Borealis is property of Aperture. That's about all we know, though, other than some bad shit went down/is going down/will go down there.

Henroid

ProfMoriarty wrote: »

I just started Half-Life 2 on Sunday, and so far it's a solid game. I'm impressed with all the option the physics engine seems to give me. I haven't gotten far: I hear there is a certain gun that allows me to really utilize the engine to its fullest.

Some of it really takes me back to the original Half-Life. I mean, obviously there's stuff like headcrabs and vortigaunts, but more importantly, I'm talking stylistic concepts. Physics-defying experiments gone awry, transporting around like a madman only to get the wrong kind of attention.

Also, I just about panicked when the alien was about to charge my suit. The animation was painfully similar to his attack move from the original Half-Life.

It's a great game, it's good you started up on it. Don't stop, it's tremendous.

nuka

I've played the Half Life 2 games enough to memorize where every enemy is and what he does. I still play the game far more often than I should and it's really what got me into playing fps in the first place. My only desire for the series was that every encounter with a combine or the wildlife didn't feel so scripted after the 100th time playing the game. XD

I do have some links that I found ages ago to share though, this first one is a site with a bunch of information on the back story of Half Life that I thought was interesting. Unfortunately when I play games I tend to miss story things because I'm too busy shooting and I'm embarassingly oblivious. It does contain spoiler information though, so be warned.
http://members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/

And a bunch of dudes are remaking Half Life 1 with Half Life 2: Episode 2 stuff. And it looks really well done. http://www.blackmesasource.com/ I can sit here and listen to the music they put into the game for hours.

Brodo Faggins

What a coincidence, I'm playing through them again too.

Monger

Jesus Christ, I just realized it's almost been a year since that Black Mesa trailer.

Oh, and it's good to be warned that the timeline website is an amalgamation of things that are demonstrably canon, things that are logically inferred from things that are demonstrably canon, things that are most certainly canon but also could get changed because Valve is Valve (mostly stuff from interviews), things that are yet to be determined whether they are canon or not canon or partially canon or just irrelevant (anything Gearbox), things that might be canon in the future but also might be shitcanned (Raising the Bar), and things that are baseless fanboy speculation.

But I think Word of God said it was "mostly right."

nuka

Monger wrote: »

Jesus Christ, I just realized it's almost been a year since that Black Mesa trailer.

Oh, and it's good to be warned that the timeline website is an amalgamation of things that are demonstrably canon, things that are logically inferred from things that are demonstrably canon, things that are most certainly canon but also could get changed because Valve is Valve (mostly stuff from interviews), things that are yet to be determined whether they are canon or not canon or partially canon or just irrelevant (anything Gearbox), things that might be canon in the future but also might be shitcanned (Raising the Bar), and things that are baseless fanboy speculation.

But I think Word of God said it was "mostly right."

ffffffffffff
It's still fun to read. And yes Marc Laidlaw did say that it was mostly right.

Igort

Monger wrote: »

Zzulu wrote: »

The funny thing is that location is the place where Beta version of HL2 starts.

I love stuff like that.

Well, they went to the trouble of visiting and mapping a whole real ship, so they were pretty determined to fit it in somewhere at some point.

What's all this? You guys have piqued my interest.

nuka wrote: »

I do have some links that I found ages ago to share though, this first one is a site with a bunch of information on the back story of Half Life that I thought was interesting. Unfortunately when I play games I tend to miss story things because I'm too busy shooting and I'm embarassingly oblivious. It does contain spoiler information though, so be warned.
http://members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/

I like that site a lot. My brother was watching me play through Half-Life 2 and it's episodes, and he got really interested in the whole world, and that time-line helped me explain to him how Portal was connected and what happened in HL1.

Ohtsam

nuka wrote: »

And a bunch of dudes are remaking Half Life 1 with Half Life 2: Episode 2 stuff. And it looks really well done. http://www.blackmesasource.com/ I can sit here and listen to the music they put into the game for hours.

Its been in the making for 5 entire years.
Though according to all the info they've put out recently (and hints on twitter) they are still due to be finished before the year is out.

Snork

Ohtsam wrote: »

nuka wrote: »

And a bunch of dudes are remaking Half Life 1 with Half Life 2: Episode 2 stuff. And it looks really well done. http://www.blackmesasource.com/ I can sit here and listen to the music they put into the game for hours.

Its been in the making for 5 entire years.
Though according to all the info they've put out recently (and hints on twitter) they are still due to be finished before the year is out.

yeah they said in July that they were still on track for an '09 release... I'm cautiously optimistic

nuka

Snork wrote: »

Ohtsam wrote: »

nuka wrote: »

And a bunch of dudes are remaking Half Life 1 with Half Life 2: Episode 2 stuff. And it looks really well done. http://www.blackmesasource.com/ I can sit here and listen to the music they put into the game for hours.

Its been in the making for 5 entire years.
Though according to all the info they've put out recently (and hints on twitter) they are still due to be finished before the year is out.

yeah they said in July that they were still on track for an '09 release... I'm cautiously optimistic

Really? They said that? I don't believe that at all.
I'd be surprised if they released it by the 4th quarter of 2012.
They haven't given us more than 2 measly concept art.

Brodo Faggins

Fucking hell, HL2 is pretty different now from it's release version. Ravenholm is much scarier now.

The Dude With Herpes

nuka wrote: »

Snork wrote: »

Ohtsam wrote: »

nuka wrote: »

And a bunch of dudes are remaking Half Life 1 with Half Life 2: Episode 2 stuff. And it looks really well done. http://www.blackmesasource.com/ I can sit here and listen to the music they put into the game for hours.

Its been in the making for 5 entire years.
Though according to all the info they've put out recently (and hints on twitter) they are still due to be finished before the year is out.

yeah they said in July that they were still on track for an '09 release... I'm cautiously optimistic

Really? They said that? I don't believe that at all.
I'd be surprised if they released it by the 4th quarter of 2012.
They haven't given us more than 2 measly concept art.

Er, that's not even remotely true.

Shots of redesigned levels:
http://www.blackmesasource.com/media_levels.html

Remodeled weapons:
http://www.blackmesasource.com/media_weapons.html

Models:
http://www.blackmesasource.com/media_characters.html
http://www.blackmesasource.com/media_models.html

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpkQGsDftw

MrDelish

I like to make my own scenarios in GMod. My current one is a shipyard with a bunch of dudes protecting certain points (like the entrance and security room) and workers all near the ship with a bunch of explosives. With goremod, all the people go squish and body parts fly everywhere. The ship also has a nuclear reactor which I detonate after flying it into space.