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[Nizz]

What's a good sensitivity setting on the 360 version of this game?

It doesn't feel right to me...actually giving me some headaches.

The default sensitivity I found to be way too slow. My personal settings? I set it at about the halfway point. I think there's about 42 notches/bars total at the sensitivity menu. So I counted up to 21. I believe the default for the Half Life games are at 10? So I just counted up to 21 notches.

 

[Odrion]

Jump to Episode 2 as it picks up right from EP1 and is much better.

I actually prefer Portal to everything else on the Orange Box, however, so I'd say it for last (even though it's very short).

Eeeh, I liked how it got surreal. But it almost felt like the training portion was larger than the game.

 

[MaizeRage25]

I lowered the sensitivity at first. Since this is a port of a PC game, the aiming felt too imprecise for analog. I've slowly raised it as I got used to how the game plays. Im still below the default settings though, but I've gotten to the point now where I need to speed it up to take out some enemies, at least horizontally.

I agree about the aiming, but I've only played the beginning part of the game. Hope it gets better for me. I've been playing a lot of Halo lately and it defintely feels different.

 

[beelzebozo]

oh my god is episode 2 ever awesome

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

do you think episode 3 will be available on 360. maybe as downloadable content

quincey i like your avatar. welcome brother!

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

I played half life 2 on the original xbox for almost 10 hours. I had to restart my xbox when it crashed at every load screen but i still kept going and playing all those parts again on the 360 is just dull for me. i really hope the last hours i never played live up to my expectations.

And beating ravenholm with just the gravity gun is insane. Wtf are u suppose to use on the roof when getting attacked by the black crawly dudes?

Spoiler

THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE

 

[bigswords]

I played half life 2 on the original xbox for almost 10 hours. I had to restart my xbox when it crashed at every load screen but i still kept going and playing all those parts again on the 360 is just dull for me. i really hope the last hours i never played live up to my expectations.

And beating ravenholm with just the gravity gun is insane. Wtf are u suppose to use on the roof when getting attacked by the black crawly dudes?

Spoiler

THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE
THE CAKE IS A LIE

There's some bricks in the building before it, or just make a run for it. That's how I did it, I ran like a little girl till I found some bricks to kill those black crawly dudes. Hmm the crashing sounds bad, try clearing your cache that might fix the issue.

 

[TTG]

Got to play a bit more HL2 now that I've passed Portal(awesome little puzzler right there). I'm 2 hours in, about a third way through water hazard I'm guessing. I've passed it before, but I don't mind going through it again.

Going from Halo 3 directly to HL2 is interesting. Halo 3 is going a mile a minute while HL2 is definitely way more laid back. Both have great pacing. Both have their strongpoints. To put it simply, it's more fun to shoot stuff in halo 3. But there's a LOT to like in half life 2 and as far as I remember it gets better. :lol

Can't wait to get to episodes 1 and 2.

 

[tedtropy]

And beating ravenholm with just the gravity gun is insane. Wtf are u suppose to use on the roof when getting attacked by the black crawly dudes?

Hah, I just kept running in circles on the roof and they kept following until that damn cart finally arrived. That was a fun achivement.

 

[AgentOtaku]

Yay!

just read Valve has indeed made a patch for 360 version's lag issues

 

[Danj]

Does anybody have any idea why Half-Life 2 would lock up my computer at a specific point? Not a "this application has caused a serious error", not a blue screen of death, but a hard lock with the image still on the screen and the sound stuttering in a loop.

The point in question is in

Spoiler

Chapter 11, Anticitizen One, just after getting past the generator that's holding a blockade closed, and having to jump down into the canal bed because the bridge is gone and then going down a passage on the other side.

My graphics card and motherboard drivers are already up to date.

Things I have tried already:
Ran chkdsk /f - no errors
Tested memory with memtest86 - no errors
Verified the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam - 100% validated OK
Defragmented the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam

Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[epmode]

Um, maybe you could try deleting the Steam clientregistry.blob file? I doubt that that it would actually affect this error, but you've been through most everything else. You could also try completely deleting the game and redownloading.

 

[ZootedGranny]

Hah, I just kept running in circles on the roof and they kept following until that damn cart finally arrived. That was a fun achivement.

I jumped off the roof, made my way back to that hatch, and just stood on the ladder and waited for the lift to come.

 

[Skilotonn]

Portal is awesome - fucking awesome, that's all I can say about that...

Went over to a friend who bought the import last night, we beat the game taking turns, but man was it good... and we didn't run through it either despite beating it in one sitting - it still lasted us good bit of hours...

It'd be a crime if they didn't make more levels, seriously...

Would've played TF2 online, but he stopped his internet a few months ago, and has to wait about 2 weeks before he gets new provider - wish I had known that he had the game earlier, or else I would have told him to bring his 360 over to my place and play on my extra TV as usual... sigh...

Still messed around with TF2 offline though - love the maps and checked out each character and their taunts - good stuff! Should look fun in motion online!

 

[Angst]

Does anybody have any idea why Half-Life 2 would lock up my computer at a specific point? Not a "this application has caused a serious error", not a blue screen of death, but a hard lock with the image still on the screen and the sound stuttering in a loop.

The point in question is in

Spoiler

Chapter 11, Anticitizen One, just after getting past the generator that's holding a blockade closed, and having to jump down into the canal bed because the bridge is gone and then going down a passage on the other side.

My graphics card and motherboard drivers are already up to date.

Things I have tried already:
Ran chkdsk /f - no errors
Tested memory with memtest86 - no errors
Verified the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam - 100% validated OK
Defragmented the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam

Anyone got any suggestions?

This sounds really odd. I don't think it's hardware/drivers related as this part isn't particularly taxing. I would delete the hl2 files, both the gcf and installation files and redownload it. Also try to delete clientregistry file. Have you disabled antivirus btw?

 

[Graphics Horse]

Does anybody have any idea why Half-Life 2 would lock up my computer at a specific point? Not a "this application has caused a serious error", not a blue screen of death, but a hard lock with the image still on the screen and the sound stuttering in a loop.

The point in question is in

Spoiler

Chapter 11, Anticitizen One, just after getting past the generator that's holding a blockade closed, and having to jump down into the canal bed because the bridge is gone and then going down a passage on the other side.

My graphics card and motherboard drivers are already up to date.

Things I have tried already:
Ran chkdsk /f - no errors
Tested memory with memtest86 - no errors
Verified the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam - 100% validated OK
Defragmented the Half-Life 2 data files using Steam

Anyone got any suggestions?

I had a few lock ups in episode 2, try setting these launch options:
-dxlevel 80 +mat_forcehardwaresync 0 -window

And see if you can get past that part in windowed mode. I had been getting some sort of weird unreadable bsod though.

 

[dark10x]

I'm currently working through Chapter 5 in Episode 2 and I must say that it is my favorite of the three HL2 games thus far. So many awesome moments mixed with great atmosphere (I love the forest areas).

I still find some of the zombie action to be a bit tedious when in large doses, however. The chapter prior to obtaining the car wasn't bad by any means, but I really don't much care for all that tight space action for such a lengthy period of time. The sense of making your way down through the structure was cool, but I wish they would have mixed it with a few larger areas (that are still a part of the building structure). Also, as badass as the car segments were, the camera felt a little off and the controls really aren't very good (though feeling uneasy about the controls while dodging train cars WAS pretty exciting).

I really wish the first vehicle section had been a bit longer as that was just so much fun. Looking out at City 17 from that abandoned comm center was f*cking awesome and the introduction of the hunters (as actual enemies) was handled beautifully.

I'm glad that I selected the 360 version this time around, however, as the complete lack of ANY technical issues has really enhanced the experience. Fast loading, no stuttering, and a rock solid framerate even demanding situations. It's the first time I've been able to enjoy one of the HL games without ever thinking about tweaking settings. What a breath of fresh air! I'd love to use a mouse and keyboard, but having a flawless experience is more important at this point.

That's not to say all PC gaming experiences have been trouble, but I've always had trouble with Source engine games when they are first released. Every single time. I know people aren't too fond of Doom 3, but that was one thing that blew me away back in 2004: the game ran so well out of the box on high settings that I never once stopped to think about changing anything and simply enjoyed it for what it was. For such an impressive game (at the time), that really enhanced the experience.

 

[3rdman]

Hah, I just kept running in circles on the roof and they kept following until that damn cart finally arrived. That was a fun achivement.

I jumped off the roof onto the ledge that led back into the building. They followed me in and then whamo.

 

[Mojovonio]

Maybe I'm crazy, but minus the dynamic softshadows, the game looked better on my 9800 4 years ago.

 

[pj]

Maybe I'm crazy, but minus the dynamic softshadows, the game looked better on my 9800 4 years ago.

You might be crazy. The game came out 3 years ago

 

[Mojovonio]

You might be crazy. The game came out 3 years ago

sorry, 3 and 3/4.

but I noticed stuff like bump-mapping on the antlions is missing among other things.

 

[pj]

sorry, 3 and 3/4.

but I noticed stuff like bump-mapping on the antlions is missing among other things.

Release date(s) NA November 16, 2004 (Win)
INT November 16, 2004 (Steam)
EU November 25, 2004 (Win)
AU December 21, 2004 (Win)
NA November 15, 2005 (Xbox)

INT November 13, 2007 (PS3) October 10, 2007 (X360)

Sorry, 2 and 11/12

 

[MrCompletely]

I jumped off the roof, made my way back to that hatch, and just stood on the ladder and waited for the lift to come.

I used the Grav gun for all of Ravenholm and didn't get the achievement!!!!

I might have whipped out my crowbar once by mistake, but I didn't hit anything with it!

I'm not sure when the achievement registers on that level, but I stuck with the grav gun

Spoiler

through the train depot with the combine soldiers until you meet up with the band of rebels who give you the car

.

 

[Mojovonio]

Release date(s) NA November 16, 2004 (Win)
INT November 16, 2004 (Steam)
EU November 25, 2004 (Win)
AU December 21, 2004 (Win)
NA November 15, 2005 (Xbox)

INT November 13, 2007 (PS3) October 10, 2007 (X360)

Sorry, 2 and 11/12

well, thank you for going through all of that trouble to inform me.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

I used the Grav gun for all of Ravenholm and didn't get the achievement!!!!

I might have whipped out my crowbar once by mistake, but I didn't hit anything with it!

I'm not sure when the achievement registers on that level, but I stuck with the grav gun

Spoiler

through the train depot with the combine soldiers until you meet up with the band of rebels who give you the car

.

Oh you definitely should have gotten it by then. I literally never even switched out my Grav Gun to get it. Once you get to the traincars and out of that tunnel, you can shoot anyone and everyone.

 

[pj]

well, thank you for going through all of that trouble to inform me.

yw

 

[Mojovonio]

yeah, you can use anything but the grav gun at all.

you can use traps.

when you get the shotgun, switch back right away.

 

[Brandon F]

I used the Grav gun for all of Ravenholm and didn't get the achievement!!!!

I might have whipped out my crowbar once by mistake, but I didn't hit anything with it!

I'm not sure when the achievement registers on that level, but I stuck with the grav gun

Spoiler

through the train depot with the combine soldiers until you meet up with the band of rebels who give you the car

.

You get the achievement when the new chapter begins(when the subtitle for it appears on screen). So yea, if you got that far only using your grav gun and nada, then you must have accidentally swung your crowbar in mid-air or something. You literally CANNOT fir a single other weapon, even against the environment, to earn it.

As mentioned above, traps and explosive barrel kills are all good. Just no personal weapons. And yes, just switch out the shotgun to grav gun again when you earn it.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

yeah, you can use anything but the grav gun at all.

you can use traps.

when you get the shotgun, switch back right away.

I don't think it even switched me to it. It just showed up in my inventory. I don't remember 100% though.

Right now I'm going for Impossiblechievement #2: Don't Touch The Fucking Sand.

I'm in the big open area surrounded by shacks on pretty much all sides. It's a good thing jumping is so easy and precise in this game, or this would be immensely laborious and time consuming.

 

[Brandon F]

I don't think it even switched me to it. It just showed up in my inventory. I don't remember 100% though.

Right now I'm going for Impossiblechievement #2: Don't Touch The Fucking Sand.

I'm in the big open area surrounded by shacks on pretty much all sides. It's a good thing jumping is so easy and precise in this game, or this would be immensely laborious and time consuming.

The sand one took me several tries, and is such a pain. Just go slowly and take a couple doors and drop them super close to each other so you can just walk from one to the next all the way to exit across the sand(no jumping). It sucks, but you'll get the achievement if it worked right before falling into the antlion boss pit area.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

The sand one took me several tries, and is such a pain. Just go slowly and take a couple doors and drop them super close to each other so you can just walk from one to the next all the way to exit across the sand(no jumping). It sucks, but you'll get the achievement if it worked right before falling into the antlion boss pit area.

Yeah, that's the plan. I really love that hypnotic rumbling right before it's done completely loading up my last save that I've heard about seven hundred and forty times now.

 

[cjdunn]

(Sigh) So Amazon sent me a note that OB for PS3 is delayed until mid-December.

;_;

Waaahh!!

 

[dark10x]

Maybe I'm crazy, but minus the dynamic softshadows, the game looked better on my 9800 4 years ago.

You're crazy. If you go back and look again, you'd see that nothing was downgraded. The game has simply aged in certain areas (though it still holds up very well for being almost 3 years old).

I initially felt that the textures were less detailed on the 360, but I went back and checked it out on my PC again (at the highest detail) and it turns out that I was wrong. The textures are the same. The 360 version runs at the highest detail setting while adding HDR, additional shadows, and subtle motion blur.

(Sigh) So Amazon sent me a note that OB for PS3 is delayed until mid-December.

Unfortunate for those waiting. I have no intentions of buying another version of the game, but I am very interested in seeing just what kind of port they will pull off. I'm expecting either a really poor port (lots of loading, slowdown, and missing details) or something outstanding (even better than the 360 version). It wouldn't surprise me if the team working on it was putting in a lot of effort to essentially show everyone up and deliver a great port. I mean, I'd imagine even Valve isn't expecting them to be able to pull it off. If they could actually deliver a great port, it would reflect very well on their group.

Of course, that's almost wishful thinking right there.

 

[beelzebozo]

And beating ravenholm with just the gravity gun is insane. Wtf are u suppose to use on the roof when getting attacked by the black crawly dudes?

i mentioned this a few pages ago, but:

Spoiler

if you look toward the fence you'll be shortly crossing over in the tram, there's a piece of rock sticking out from the wall. you can make the jump to it, stand there while nothing can touches you, and let the lift make its way up to the roof. after it's there, just jump on the roof underneath you to the right, go straight, circle back around through the building, and jump in the lift to make your way across painlessly.

 

[cjdunn]

Unfortunate for those waiting. I have no intentions of buying another version of the game, but I am very interested in seeing just what kind of port they will pull off. I'm expecting either a really poor port (lots of loading, slowdown, and missing details) or something outstanding (even better than the 360 version). It wouldn't surprise me if the team working on it was putting in a lot of effort to essentially show everyone up and deliver a great port. I mean, I'd imagine even Valve isn't expecting them to be able to pull it off. If they could actually deliver a great port, it would reflect very well on their group.

Of course, that's almost wishful thinking right there.

I already have HL2 & Ep. 1 for PC so I bought out of curiousity how it will look on the PS3. If it's dreadful I'll reluctantly rebuy for the PC. The delay can be seen as a glass half-full or half-empty. Either EA is committed to spending the money to ship it in a good state or the EA U.K. team has been struggling to get it to perform.

I don't expect a "great port" but rather a "parity port," matching the resolution and frame rate of the 360. Which is fine by me.

 

[Icy]

The official OrangeBox SDK will be out in about 3 months time. Once its released
All of the original HL2 games (Counter Strike, DOD , etC) will be ported over to the new Orange Box engine (Source 2007 engine) and all mods will need to be udpated to the new format.

 

[qirex99]

Got to play a bit more HL2 now that I've passed Portal(awesome little puzzler right there). I'm 2 hours in, about a third way through water hazard I'm guessing. I've passed it before, but I don't mind going through it again.

Going from Halo 3 directly to HL2 is interesting. Halo 3 is going a mile a minute while HL2 is definitely way more laid back. Both have great pacing. Both have their strongpoints. To put it simply, it's more fun to shoot stuff in halo 3. But there's a LOT to like in half life 2 and as far as I remember it gets better. :lol

Can't wait to get to episodes 1 and 2.

I feel the same way re: both games. H3 is just so gaddam FUN. ...i stopped playing the xbox1 release at the hoverboat part. I'm almost there now, just got out of the sweres and met the headcrabs and mutants.

Is the whole game an exercise in

1) enter new area
2) see enemy
3)die
4)restart
5)see enemy
6)fight
7)die
8)restart
9)see enemy
10)run for cover
11)find exit
12)kill enemy from cover
13)move on...rpt from 1.

does the whole game go like this? or is it just bc its early and I'm weak?

chief would have run through the whole part up to hoverrcraft w/o dying once. freeman died like 100 times...

its still kinda fun...just so tedious.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Is the whole game an exercise in

1) enter new area
2) see enemy
3)die
4)restart
5)see enemy
6)fight
7)die
8)restart
9)see enemy
10)run for cover
11)find exit
12)kill enemy from cover
13)move on...rpt from 1.
.

Why not skip stages 1-8??? Standing out in the open is bad, against more than one enemy at least.
Edit: The level you're talking about does have some nasty bits though, it gets a bit easier after the hovercraft.

 

[elostyle]

I feel the same way re: both games. H3 is just so gaddam FUN. ...i stopped playing the xbox1 release at the hoverboat part. I'm almost there now, just got out of the sweres and met the headcrabs and mutants.

Is the whole game an exercise in

1) enter new area
2) see enemy
3)die
4)restart
5)see enemy
6)fight
7)die
8)restart
9)see enemy
10)run for cover
11)find exit
12)kill enemy from cover
13)move on...rpt from 1.

does the whole game go like this? or is it just bc its early and I'm weak?

chief would have run through the whole part up to hoverrcraft w/o dying once. freeman died like 100 times...

its still kinda fun...just so tedious.

...what

Spoiler

where is that console gamer's respect thread when you need it

 

[epmode]

Is the whole game an exercise in

1) enter new area
2) see enemy
3)die
4)restart
5)see enemy
6)fight
7)die
8)restart
9)see enemy
10)run for cover
11)find exit
12)kill enemy from cover
13)move on...rpt from 1.

In all seriousness, I have never even remotely considered this as a problem for HL2. I always thought the game was relatively easy, at least on Normal. I don't even bother with quicksaves.

 

[Scalpel Knight]

I don't have Bioshock yet, so I was wondering if to get that first or this. I can only get one. What will it beeeee?!

Also, I've never played Half-Life 2 before.

 

[StoOgE]

In all seriousness, I have never even remotely considered this as a problem for HL2. I always thought the game was relatively easy, at least on Normal. I don't even bother with quicksaves.

same. outisde of two spots on the hoverboat, I rarely (if ever) die.

 

[GDJustin]

Re: Sandtrap - if you don't try to play that section the proper way, it's really easy. I just sprinted across the sand pretty much the entire level. It's really easy to make it to safe areas to recharge your suit power and shoot the occasional antlion that makes it's way to you. I never tried to stay off the sand once.

 

[subrock]

man I sure wish I could find this game in stock anywhere in a 200 kilometer radius of me so I could find out what you guys are talking about.

 

[Mrbob]

I don't have Bioshock yet, so I was wondering if to get that first or this. I can only get one. What will it beeeee?!

Also, I've never played Half-Life 2 before.

Between these two options, I would choose the Orange Box. So much awesomeness packed into one package.

I would rent Bioshock anyway. Game sounds like a one and done experience.

 

[Nizz]

You're crazy. If you go back and look again, you'd see that nothing was downgraded. The game has simply aged in certain areas (though it still holds up very well for being almost 3 years old).

I initially felt that the textures were less detailed on the 360, but I went back and checked it out on my PC again (at the highest detail) and it turns out that I was wrong. The textures are the same. The 360 version runs at the highest detail setting while adding HDR, additional shadows, and subtle motion blur.


Unfortunate for those waiting. I have no intentions of buying another version of the game, but I am very interested in seeing just what kind of port they will pull off. I'm expecting either a really poor port (lots of loading, slowdown, and missing details) or something outstanding (even better than the 360 version). It wouldn't surprise me if the team working on it was putting in a lot of effort to essentially show everyone up and deliver a great port. I mean, I'd imagine even Valve isn't expecting them to be able to pull it off. If they could actually deliver a great port, it would reflect very well on their group.



Of course, that's almost wishful thinking right there.

I just had to play Orange Box as soon as I could, so I got it for 360. But my main system is PS3, so like other PS3 owners, I've got fingers crossed for that version. This is wishful thinking on my part also but, having the EA UK team and Criterion in the same building gives me hope. I know I'm probably really reaching with these wishes but, knowing how Criterion have Burnout Paradise looking supposedly better on PS3, and how being in the same dev house, maybe sharing know how on the PS3. One other thing I was thinking about is how since pretty much every PS3 comes with a hard drive, maybe EA UK can use the drive to help with load times. Not that they're bad on 360 at all, but since every PS3 has a drive, they could optimize loading because of it? Would be nice if like you said, they're putting in a lot of effort to prove to everyone that the EA company is capable of doing a great port. You think about it, having a version of source finished and hopefully optimized for PS3 could open the door for more titles on PS3 using source, like Left 4 Dead for instance. I know it's been announced only for 360, but with EA publishing, I'm sure they'd love to get a PS3 version out also. More $$....

 

[GreekWolf]

I don't have Bioshock yet, so I was wondering if to get that first or this. I can only get one. What will it beeeee?!

Also, I've never played Half-Life 2 before.

Oooh, that's a tough one. Personally, I'd have to say that Bioshock's campaign offers a superior experience when it comes to story-telling, intense atmosphere and graphical splendor. It also features a wide variety of weapons and "magic" powers for you to dabble around with. The ability to hack into different machines via a fun little mini-game is also a nice bonus.

However, Half-Life 2 is much more frenetically paced, especially in later levels, and would probably be more your speed if "run-and"gun" is what you're looking for. I also find HL2's enemies to be quite a bit scarier than anything you're likely to see in Bioshock (the latter's main focus is to assault your senses within a spooky environment), and there's a greater variety of creatures to gun down, as well. The game's visuals hold up remarkably well, and have even been spruced up a bit with some impressive HDR. Of course, there's no comparison when it comes to value, as the Orange box is simply the best deal around, considering all the goodies you'll get. If it comes down to flipping a coin as to which game to pick up first, I'd probably say that Portal should give you a nudge in that direction. There's really nothing else like it on the market.

They are both AAA games all the way and you certainly can't do wrong with either.

 

[ToyMachine228]

I just got to the part in HL2 where you find out

Spoiler

Julia or whatever her name is, is working with that white haired guy. Whatever his name is. Betrayalton. First hint of any sort of storyline that I've seen really.

That being said I like it, but I'm not amazed. The antlions are beyond annoying. As enemies and friendlies. They always get in my way and block me in a room and in comes a grenade...Ending it all. And the loading times...Suck.

 

[epmode]

Personally, I'd have to say that Bioshock's campaign offers a superior experience when it comes to story-telling, intense atmosphere and graphical splendor.

While I love the storytelling-through-audio-logs convention, it comes off as rather contrived when compared to HL2's method. I'm also not so sure about the atmosphere comment, but I'd say it's too close to call.

First hint of any sort of storyline that I've seen really

You're out of your mind. Were you even looking at the screen before you got to that part?

 

[Vyse The Legend]

I just got to the part in HL2 where you find out

Spoiler

Julia or whatever her name is, is working with that white haired guy. Whatever his name is. Betrayalton. First hint of any sort of storyline that I've seen really.

.

You haven't been paying attention, then.