(This thread will probably contain unmarked HL2 spoilers. Do not read unless you have completed HL2.)
Now that HL2 is out and has been completed by many players, the time has come to start thinking about what we would like to see in HL3. For me, HL1 and HL2 were fantastic experiences, and above all I want to see the next episode in this series to continue this record of excellence. This does not mean I found them flawless, however.
What I want from HL3:
1. First and most important, I want Valve to take their time to do it right. I wouldn't mind waiting another three years if it meant HL3 was as polished as HL2 is. (Another six years would be a bit excessive, however.) Perhaps Valve should turn all their attention to Team Fortress 2- the time spent finishing it would allow them to come up with new ideas for HL3.
2. Closure. The story begun in HL1 needs to come to a clear ending. I'm not asking that all questions be answered, but we should know a lot more about the Gman, Combine, and Gordon, and the final fates of them and Earth.
3. Don't change the formula. The Half Life series is at base an immersive fast action FPS, with high production values, that allows great interaction with the environment. I don't want to see extra systems or other unnecessary baggage added for the third game. This isn't to say that I don't want to see the gameplay advance, but rather that any changes stay within the basic formula already established. (Some day it would be interesting to see what Valve could do with a first person RPG, but I would prefer they begin a new series for that.)
4. The obvious stuff: Great graphics, great A.I., cool scripted sequences, fast and fun gameplay, etc.
As a final note, I hope the story doesn't develop any cheap, cheesy twists like discovering that Gordon is an alien or that the Gman is Gordon from the future.
What would you like to see in HL3?
Now that HL2 is out and has been completed by many players, the time has come to start thinking about what we would like to see in HL3. For me, HL1 and HL2 were fantastic experiences, and above all I want to see the next episode in this series to continue this record of excellence. This does not mean I found them flawless, however.
What I want from HL3:
1. First and most important, I want Valve to take their time to do it right. I wouldn't mind waiting another three years if it meant HL3 was as polished as HL2 is. (Another six years would be a bit excessive, however.) Perhaps Valve should turn all their attention to Team Fortress 2- the time spent finishing it would allow them to come up with new ideas for HL3.
2. Closure. The story begun in HL1 needs to come to a clear ending. I'm not asking that all questions be answered, but we should know a lot more about the Gman, Combine, and Gordon, and the final fates of them and Earth.
3. Don't change the formula. The Half Life series is at base an immersive fast action FPS, with high production values, that allows great interaction with the environment. I don't want to see extra systems or other unnecessary baggage added for the third game. This isn't to say that I don't want to see the gameplay advance, but rather that any changes stay within the basic formula already established. (Some day it would be interesting to see what Valve could do with a first person RPG, but I would prefer they begin a new series for that.)
4. The obvious stuff: Great graphics, great A.I., cool scripted sequences, fast and fun gameplay, etc.
As a final note, I hope the story doesn't develop any cheap, cheesy twists like discovering that Gordon is an alien or that the Gman is Gordon from the future.
What would you like to see in HL3?
