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[careksims]

Just finished EP2 and all I can say is....

Spoiler

OMG I feel so sorry for Alyx! gahhhh! Why did they have to leave it there!? Alyx kicks so much ass.

This with Portal, have been one of the best gaming experiences in my life. Everything fits in gooood! Those who've played HL1 will definitely get a kick out of this one on certain things.

Gabe was right about playing Portal first!

I love Half-Life!

 

[Deacan]

Just started Episode 2 after doing Episode 1 and its made me realise, I need a new PC

I can still play it, just need to jack down the awesomeness, ah well atleast I can play Team Fortress 2 on PC.

 

[DayShallCome]

I'm having trouble playing Ep. 2 on 360. There are just so many jaggies, and it feels really weird to play HL with a controller.

 

[Rorschach]

 

[Proc]

So how far along do you think hl3 development is? E3 08 debut ?

 

[saelz8]

So how far along do you think hl3 development is? E3 08 debut ?

You mean Episode 3 right?

 

[Icy]

So how far along do you think hl3 development is? E3 08 debut ?

there's still 1 more episode to go for HL2 and then HL3 will be their target. I"m sure at this point its all in the planning stages in terms of the game engine.

 

[EviLore]

Did not expect episode 2 to be nearly this good. I *hated* episode 1, but this, this is all the possible goodness of HL2 distilled and presented to me with a gold fuckin' ribbon. Loving it so far.

 

[Blader]

there's still 1 more episode to go for HL2 and then HL3 will be their target. I"m sure at this point its all in the planning stages in terms of the game engine.

Half-Life 3 = HL2: Episodes

 

[Borys]

Spike, flip a coin god damnit!

 

[Rorschach]

Did not expect episode 2 to be nearly this good. I *hated* episode 1, but this, this is all the possible goodness of HL2 distilled and presented to me with a gold fuckin' ribbon. Loving it so far.

I am vindicated!

 

[Icy]

Half-Life 3 = HL2: Episodes

naw Newell back in the beginning of HL2 said there would be 3 episodes before they released a sequal title.

 

[Blader]

naw Newell back in the beginning of HL2 said there would be 3 episodes before they released a sequal title.

Then I guess he changed his mind.

 

[Proc]

naw Newell back in the beginning of HL2 said there would be 3 episodes before they released a sequal title.

I'm fine with that. I'd rather not upgrade my hardware too much anyways.

 

[ElectricBlue187]

It's amazing how different the endings of portal and episode 2 are. With portal I

Spoiler

had this huge grin on my face while GlaDOS is singing the song at the credits

and with Episode 2 I

Spoiler

was just stunned, in shock that they ended it that way.

 

[Stuggernaut]

Well after playing with fixes for many long hours, I decided found that my windows install was the problem...and all known fixes for THAT didn't work.

So I just resinstalled XP and now everything works great ;P

Backed up all my steam stuff too so no downloading.

ALl I have played so far is Portal...fun fun fun. Can't wait for custom maps on that one

 

[kitch9]

When I set the texture detail to Vhigh in TF2, Ep2 and Portal it manages to reset to high when I reboot the game.

Its pissing me off. My x1800xt512mb should be ok for it!!!

 

[dfyb]

holy shit at

Spoiler

strider battle with hunter escorts

i don't like the achievements for episode 2 as much as portal/TF2. if i get achievements for doing things i would already have done (like kill a acid antlion), it's kinda pointless.

 

[GDJustin]

I'm playing through HL2 for the first time having never played HL1 - can anyone point me to a good plot summary? I'd like something with some depth - I don't mind a good read. But not TOO much depth I know how nerds can totally geek-out sometimes.

 

[Spike]

Anyone have the recommended specs for the PC version?

Thanks.

 

[Crow]

I'm playing through HL2 for the first time having never played HL1 - can anyone point me to a good plot summary? I'd like something with some depth - I don't mind a good read. But not TOO much depth I know how nerds can totally geek-out sometimes.

Here's a timeline. Yeah, it's a little geeked out, but you can easily just scan over it and get the idea. Stop before you get to HL2 though.

http://members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/timeline.htm

 

[Splash Wave]

Anyone know why TF2 would be "skipping" for me? The framerate is fine, but every couple of seconds the game skips.

Needless to say it is extremely annoying.

 

[beelzebozo]

Anyone know why TF2 would be "skipping" for me? The framerate is fine, but every couple of seconds the game skips.

Needless to say it is extremely annoying.

shit happened to me to. i switched games and it stopped, but i'm still not sure if it was something on my end or the host's. are your movements severely delayed, i.e., you press forward, don't move at all, then five seconds later take the steps?

 

[Splash Wave]

shit happened to me to. i switched games and it stopped, but i'm still not sure if it was something on my end or the host's. are your movements severely delayed, i.e., you press forward, don't move at all, then five seconds later take the steps?

Not severely...I just can't do anything continuously without the game skipping. It doesn't happen to me in HL2.

 

[ascully]

Its lag thats causing it, most games I have been in this evening on 360 have been the same, I have also seen it happen on the pc version when there are some people with crappy pings in the game

 

[evlcookie]

Started playing Ep2, about 90 mins into it.

Spoiler

saved alyx's ass at the start with that creepy blue stuff i had to retrieve.

upto that part!

Already 2 sweet moment's durring that time as well.

For some reason though my steam takes ages to load a game. On the game list it says "updating paused" even though there isn't any fucking updates!. So it ends up taking 3 or so mins to bloody load.

But E2 is really really good right now. Can't wait to dig into it some more tomorrow.

 

[Slavik81]

Half-Life 3 = HL2: Episodes

PR speak to back up their episodic gaming kick. The episodes are more or less expansion packs. They're pretty similar in scope to Opposing Force/Blue Shift, but have been handled in-house and continue the story line.

 

[Oni Link 666]

I've been playing Half-Life 2 all night. I'm at the part where you're being shot at by a gunship while you're running around under a big bridge. My save says it's 5 hours and 46 minutes in. It's my first time playing through the game and I think it's awesome. The only parts I really haven't liked are the ones where you're in a vehicle and have to shoot stuff. I'm fine with riding around and jumping ramps and stuff but, the shooting is pretty bad. I don't know if the PC version does this but, on 360, it's got this really bad aim assist. It's not even really assisting. It's automatically locking on to any enemy on the screen every time you move the stick.

Anyway, about how much more do I have left on HL2?

 

[saelz8]

I've been playing Half-Life 2 all night. I'm at the part where you're being shot at by a gunship while you're running around under a big bridge. My save says it's 5 hours and 46 minutes in. It's my first time playing through the game and I think it's awesome. The only parts I really haven't liked are the ones where you're in a vehicle and have to shoot stuff. I'm fine with riding around and jumping ramps and stuff but, the shooting is pretty bad. I don't know if the PC version does this but, on 360, it's got this really bad aim assist. It's not even really assisting. It's automatically locking on to any enemy on the screen every time you move the stick.

Anyway, about how much more do I have left on HL2?

4-6 hours left depending on how fast you go.

 

[Armitage]

Then its a rental.

You foolish foolish man.

 

[Barnolde]

I've been playing Half-Life 2 all night. I'm at the part where you're being shot at by a gunship while you're running around under a big bridge. My save says it's 5 hours and 46 minutes in. It's my first time playing through the game and I think it's awesome. The only parts I really haven't liked are the ones where you're in a vehicle and have to shoot stuff. I'm fine with riding around and jumping ramps and stuff but, the shooting is pretty bad. I don't know if the PC version does this but, on 360, it's got this really bad aim assist. It's not even really assisting. It's automatically locking on to any enemy on the screen every time you move the stick.

Anyway, about how much more do I have left on HL2?

PC version doesn't have auto-aim. Check to see if you can disable it in the options.

 

[Ferrio]

Half life ep 2 and portal spoilers!

Spoiler

OMG! Not only does portal link to HL, HL ep 2 links to portal!

 

[Oni Link 666]

PC version doesn't have auto-aim. Check to see if you can disable it in the options.

There's no option to turn it off. I looked to see if there was right away.

 

[Ferrio]

Just beat it Ep 2

Spoiler

I knew this one was going to end on a sad note, since episode 1 didn't.

Also I kept wondering when that one scene of Alyx hanging ontop a pipe over the gorge would happen from the trailer, never did. Guess they replaced it with the whole getting gorged thing

Oh small thing I noticed that I'm surprised I haven't heard mentioned.

Spoiler

Lamar is dead . He crawled into the rocket when you were in the silo, and when they were about to launch they said they detected an 8 pound anomaly, it was lamar! (((

Also I do believe Episode 3 will have the return of the portal character.

 

[Fallout-NL]

Half-Life 3 = HL2: Episodes

It's weird though, the Half-Life episodes' title screens specifically state 'Half-Life²: Episode ...'. I don't really view them as 3. And I think it's just talk from Newell.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

So far, I've been enjoying the Orange Box immensely. Portal is indeed awesome.

I got more of that original HL one feeling. That "wow, what is this?" feeling.

And no stuttering!!! w00t!

 

[dark10x]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

 

[Geoff9920]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

I agree, this isn't your average PC port. Everything from the framerate to how achievements are handled are all done very well. I've been very impressed so far.

 

[Defcon]

 

[AgentOtaku]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

I approve of this post

 

[Borys]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

360 should have no problems whatsoever in running a 4 (???) year old PC game.

I'm glad and not surprised that it indeed does not.

 

[sinnergy]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

How come some people on this forum posted that it has 30 - 60 sec loading times on X360? Trolls or what?

 

[tinfoilhatman]

The 360 version is very impressive. It presents Half-Life 2 flawlessly.

I understand a powerful PC will still deliver the best experience, but it is nice to have a version of the game that features extremely quick loadtimes, absolutely no stuttering or framerate drops, and enhanced visuals (for the original HL2, at least). The loading times are awesome for HL2. I mean, even on some fairly fast PCs with 7200RPM HDDs the loadtimes never felt this fast.

They did a very nice job with the 360 port.

There no doubt that for the hard core online gamer the PC version is clearly superior, but for the casuals to hard core(not online) gamer I think the 360 version is the one to go with. I'm still going to hold out to see the PS3 version but only because I need to beef up my PS3library and I"m still busy with bioshock and H3.

 

[Kamakazie!]

360 should have no problems whatsoever in running a 4 (???) year old PC game.

I'm glad and not surprised that it indeed does not.

3 year old and the 360 version is updated from the original release but still, yeah, it should run it flawlessly if it's anything close to resembling a decent port.

 

[sk3tch]

360 should have no problems whatsoever in running a 4 (???) year old PC game.

I'm glad and not surprised that it indeed does not.

For an older game, Half-Life 2 still looks fantastic on my PC. I hadn't played more than 20 minutes of it previously - it really has aged well.

 

[dark10x]

360 should have no problems whatsoever in running a 4 (???) year old PC game.

I'm glad and not surprised that it indeed does not.

You're right, it really shouldn't. The game still looks nice, of course, but it IS starting to show its age. The art direction keeps everything in check, but everything is very simplistic in appearance next to some of the best 360 titles.

How come some people on this forum posted that it has 30 - 60 sec loading times on X360? Trolls or what?

Yes. Either that or they have a broken 360.

Even the initial startup time is less than 30 seconds. The in game loads vary from 5-10 seconds and, thanks to the loading bar, feel very brief. Portal is even shorter in that regard. I can't imagine a PC loading it all that much faster, to be honest.

 

[Y2Kev]

You're right, it really shouldn't. The game still looks nice, of course, but it IS starting to show its age. The art direction keeps everything in check, but everything is very simplistic in appearance next to some of the best 360 titles.

I really can't wait to see what Valve is working on for HL3 proper. It's probably going to be mind blowing considering their superb visual design.

 

[Mrbob]

I've been playing Half-Life 2 all night. I'm at the part where you're being shot at by a gunship while you're running around under a big bridge. My save says it's 5 hours and 46 minutes in. It's my first time playing through the game and I think it's awesome. The only parts I really haven't liked are the ones where you're in a vehicle and have to shoot stuff. I'm fine with riding around and jumping ramps and stuff but, the shooting is pretty bad. I don't know if the PC version does this but, on 360, it's got this really bad aim assist. It's not even really assisting. It's automatically locking on to any enemy on the screen every time you move the stick.

Anyway, about how much more do I have left on HL2?

Yeah I just finished Water Hazard, and that was annoying. You get free look in the PC version, but on X360 it constantly auto aims to the nearest item and it can mess you up. I can't believe Valve did this. Horrible.

Outside of this fup, I have no issues with playing HL2 on a 360 controller.

 

[MrCompletely]

Outside of this fup, I have no issues with playing HL2 on a 360 controller.

It's really nice to re-experience it on the home theater setup and with vibration on the controller.

I got OB on both PC and 360 and I def see myself spending more time with the 360 version.

 

[dark10x]

Yeah I just finished Water Hazard, and that was annoying. You get free look in the PC version, but on X360 it constantly auto aims to the nearest item and it can mess you up. I can't believe Valve did this. Horrible.

Outside of this fup, I have no issues with playing HL2 on a 360 controller.

They changed it?! That kinda sucks. You can no longer look around while driving?

Ah well, what can you do? It's not as if it was particularly solid on the PC either (the driving always felt pretty janky).

It's really nice to re-experience it on the home theater setup and with vibration on the controller.

I got OB on both PC and 360 and I def see myself spending more time with the 360 version.

Actually, there was another benefit I had forgotten about: audio.

It's true that surround was possible on the PC, but PC audio is a f*cking hassle to get working properly. The 360 version brings easily accessible 5.1 audio to the game. I've never heard HL2 in proper 5.1 before and it sounds great!