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[GulfCoastZilla]

Like I don’t get it
This series is on such a high pedestal and I kind of just take gaming societies word for it that it is peak gaming.

But I’ve played the games before and it’s good….but like not getting a part 3 isn’t the end of the world to me nor do I understand the high praise.

So help me understand, post your why’s this series means so much to you so when that trailer eventually gets shown today….I can be happy for you.

Context - I’m mid 40’s and been gaming since Atari.

 

[diffusionx]

HL3 is a meme at this point

 

[Skifi28]

It's ok not to understand. I don't see why somebody has to be convinced that a certain game or book or whatever is amazing if this is not how they feel after having already experienced it. I'm sure you have your own stuff you love.

 

[Guardian Monkey]

It was ahead of its time at the time.

 

[Guilty_AI]

HL games were usually top in terms of tech used. They had excellent atmosphere and their gameplay genuinely felt like playing an over-the-top action movie. It was the 'cinematic' game before that became a thing and still did it better than the ones that came after it.

That said, i also don't think a third entry would shake the world or anything. HL games were special because they were pioneering stuff, i have no idea what a HL3 or HL2E3 could do differently at this point.

 

[neocycle]

I think they pioneered some stuff like scripted sequences.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

 

[Rob_27]

Wash your mouth out It's the bollocks. There was nothing like it i can't even remember how old I was when I experienced it.

 

[Fabieter]

I just want the cliffhanger to end at this point.

 

[Hrk69]

I'm convinced it's because of nostalgia. Nothing else.

 

[rofif]

everything

 

[12Goblins]

I legit feel bad for anybody that has to ask this

 

[Arsic]

0 good answers in here honestly.

If HL3 is real it would need to:
-Look better then every game out in existence
-Have insane physics
-Unique gameplay
-Top notch everything (animation, performance, lighting, music, atmosphere, etc)

It’s exactly why we won’t get it. Gabe is right . They took too long and the bar for what hl3 needs to be is so high they would never live up to it now.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Technical showcase and achievement for a company that wasn't ID (even though it was a heavily modified version of id tech at its inception).
In today's time...its all "member berries" but at the time HL and HL2 (Death match) was a huge achievement technically.

 

[squidilix]

Half-Life was "ahead of its time" because its gameplay and overall feel were top-notch for its era. The level design was ingenious, moving beyond the typical FPS formula "Doom-like" Additionally, the story and atmosphere gave it the depth of an immersive sim.

Finally, the GoldSrc engine was excellent and highly optimized, allowing for the creation of numerous mods and games based on it, such as Counter-Strike, Team Fortress Classic, and various add-ons for Half-Life.

Half-Life 2 received similar praise, particularly for its Source Engine, which was groundbreaking. The physics system remains one of the best ever implemented in a video game. The cinematic experience provided by Half-Life 2 was truly immersive, and the games derived from the Source Engine were exceptional (Portal, Portal 2,Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead 1/2, Counter-Strike: Source and GO, not to mention all the add-ons or games developed with the Source Engine).

Now OP, I’m like you. If Half-Life 3 is announced, it means a new cycle a "new engine" with potentially new games based on that engine might arrive.
Also, Valve has always been very meticulous about the value of their games, carefully considering whether certain game sequences were worth playing or if they brought innovation (like physics, VR, or the engine itself).

Unfortunately, like you, I have some doubts. This is because of what Valve has become with Steam and games like CSGO/2, DOTA2, and the Steam marketplace...A giant casino that very few people call out. The proof is that Valve is trying to launch a new TPS MOBA, and if it succeeds, it too will likely turn into a casino.

This makes me doubt whether Half-Life 3, even if it exists, would be as good as its predecessors ? And would it also come with a game engine that could rival Unreal Engine ? (while being visually stunning, highly optimized, and packed with innovations in physics or shaders?)

 

[Loomy]

Like I don’t get it

First lesson. Don't ever expect HL3.

 

[Darkkahn]

DOG!

 

[intbal]

I just want the cliffhanger to end at this point.

I say the same thing every year about Anachronox.
Not sure which one is more likely.

 

[bender]

Half-Life helped redefine expectations of level design and narrative in the FPS genre. I'm less enamored with the sequel than most people due the many pacing issues, it brought some neat things to the table with physics, continued the beloved narrative, and does have some standout levels like Ravenholm. My personal ranking having not played Alyx: Half-Life > Episode 2 >> Half Life 2 >>>>>>>>> Episode 1

 

[Soltype]

Like I don’t get it
This series is on such a high pedestal and I kind of just take gaming societies word for it that it is peak gaming.

But I’ve played the games before and it’s good….but like not getting a part 3 isn’t the end of the world to me nor do I understand the high praise.

So help me understand, post your why’s this series means so much to you so when that trailer eventually gets shown today….I can be happy for you.

Context - I’m mid 40’s and been gaming since Atari.

Did you play them when they came out? Both games were legitimately fresh when they came out, they both brought ideas that were not really seen in the industry and set trends that a lot of games use til this day.

 

[Mister Wolf]

It was ahead of its time.

 

[Gamezone]

Half-Life was special for its time. Half-Life 2 was not. Just my opinion.

 

[NeonDelta]

When it released the physics were absolutely mind blowing among other things

 

[xVodevil]

 

[MarkyG]

It was ahead of its time at the time.

This, 100%. I think you have to be of a certain age to truly appreciate how amazing the HL games were/are. I'm 50 now, but I'll always remember that first ever tram ride in HL1, on my Pentium PC. Running the game in software mode, before I even knew about how a dedicated graphics card could make the game look and run so much better. Then the journey through Black Mesa, Barney, the huge tentacle dragging the hapless scientist to his death. On a Rail section... I could go on. Because the games were so ahead of their time, I can see why Valve hasn't released a follow up. Wild fan expectations. I think Alyx gave us a slight glimpse into what HL3 could offer. I genuinely believe it will come one day. Will it be the 2nd coming? No, nothing can ever live up to the hype we generate in our heads. I expect it will be a cracking game though.

 

[HogIsland]

The Half-Life series perfected in-game storytelling. There's barely any cutscenes across the entire saga. 99% of the lore is found through playing.

Half Life 2 + Episode 1&2 still completely hold up against modern games. They are perfectly paced and keep escalating both gameplay mechanics and story. The gravity gun is still one of the coolest mechanics in any videogame.

Everybody should play Half-life 2, but especially fans of these games should:
- Bioshock
- Dishonored
- Prey
- Titanfall 2
- Control
- Deus Ex

BTW it's totally valid to play the Half-Life 2 saga with a gamepad.

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

I think you have to be of a certain age to truly appreciate how amazing the HL games were/are. I'm 50 now, but I'll always remember that first ever tram ride in HL1, on my Pentium PC. Running the game in software mode, before I even knew about how a dedicated graphics card could make the game look and run so much better.

amd k6 233 mhz for me, software mode
in my 30s.

HL1 was my first linear, big "story" FPS on PC
i also had an n64 at the time--HL1 felt so "mature" and high tech in comparison.
love the mystery, claustrophobia, gore (loved smacking bodies with the crowbar and painting the walls with blood to make the scene look more dramatic... but if you hit the body too many times itd gib, so you had to have some restraint), puzzles, difficulty, pacing, weapons feel, suit talking, hearing military radio chatter around the corner, helping/protecting scientists (lots of fun taking them as far as they could go), watching scientists accidentally get killed, etc.

and that big juicy game box was amazing.

didnt care for HL2. didnt really have any of that stuff i mentioned.
source engine was cool though.

 

[Crayon]

A lot of it really is that it's as important historically as it is good. Also, the story and characters were good and they've been left hanging for a long time.

Don't get me wrong, I'll play HL2 any time. But if you don't already feel those levels of hype, idk if the game itself would get you there.

 

[Pandawan]

Frankly speaking, you can't understand unless you've experienced it at the time.

Especially HL1. When it came out in 1998, there weren't many FPSs with a real story. And Half Life' story was really good. It impressed people with the fact that not only do they have to shoot enemies in an FPS, but they also get a good story explaining why we should be the ones shooting them.

There weren't many FPSs with a free camera and good shooting mechanics back then either. It was a time when many FPSs only had you aiming left or right with the arrow keys. And Half-Life not only let you aim freely, it made it quite enjoyable. The shooting mechanics were so good that Counter Strike and other mods were born out of it.

Half-Life 2 was just a good sequel to a game that people loved. A good and terrifying continuation of the story, the new physics made it a bit more exciting, the Gravy Gun was something new at the time (I have to say now that the Gravy Gun wasn't that exciting, just some simple physics puzzles, Ravenholm's circular saws to throw and the last part when it turns into a Gravy weapon were interesting) and that's about it. Half Life 2 is just a good continuation of a cult game with a good story.

 

[tkscz]

It's different to each person who plays it, so if it doesn't really click for you then that's that.

For me the Half-life series ticks two boxes, adventure/exploration and sci-fi story telling.

Half-life play very close to Metroid in a way and I enjoy them for that. At a time where if it was in first person, it was either a pure shooter or RPG, Half-life chose to focus more on exploration and puzzle solving than it did shooting, with Half-life 2 taking that formula and making it far more engaging.

It also has a very well told Sci-fi story that currently sits unfinished. Honestly one of the few sequels I wish to have because of the story.

 

[Schachtier]

Both games are super fun. Thats it.

 

[Pagusas]

You had to be there is the best answer I can give. HL1 was eye opening to how a game could be designed to feel grounded and open and awesome. HL2 was ground breaking for how it weaved narrative into the game, its overall structure and just feeling like a seriously polished AAA experience way before other studies caught up.

Looking at it now is like looking at a Shakespeare story and saying "that's so generic and bland, what's special about it?".

 

[darth.shrimp]

HL1 had an actual story and narrative, which was seldom seen in an FPS.
HL2 was a great tech demo for the Havoc engine.
That's about it.

*raises flame shield*

 

[HogIsland]

HL1 had an actual story and narrative, which was seldom seen in an FPS.
HL2 was a great tech demo for the Havoc engine.
That's about it.

*raises flame shield*

lol ignored

 

[RCX]

In modern terms lots of games have surpassed it. But at the time nobody had combined narrative with cutting edge visuals and brand new mechanics in the way they both did.

Like Woodstock, you had to be there.

Just finished HL2 again a week or two ago. Still kicks ass.

 

[Spukc]

Super mario bros
Super mario world
Mario 64
Half life 2
Half life alyx

Jumps in gaming.
You gotta witness it in real time

 

[Spukc]

lol ignored

Pro tip always ignore anime or waifu avatars on forums

 

[Seomel]

You wont really get it if you were not playing them around time they launched. The tech, graphics, systems were up there leading class. And also they are genuienly solid adventure games

 

[DryvBy]

You had to have been there. It took the FPS genre and transformed it by a ton. Story based FPS wasn't exactly a big deal until this. And the games had some amazing mods. Team Fortress, Day of Defeat and Counter-strike were created from HL.

 

[amigastar]

I remember shooting a scientist in the head back in 1997. That blew me and my buddy away.

 

[TheStam]

Half-Life 1 was the most next-gen moment I've experienced in terms of graphics. It was also the first time I ever played an online FPS.

 

[Moses85]

Simple answer by ChatGPT

The Half-Life series is considered revolutionary in gaming history for several reasons, both in terms of gameplay innovation and storytelling:


Half-Life 1 (1998)


1. Story-Driven Gameplay: Unlike most shooters of its time, Half-Life integrated the story directly into the gameplay. There were no cutscenes; events unfolded in real-time, immersing players in the narrative.


2. Advanced AI: The game featured highly intelligent enemies for its time, such as marines who would flank, communicate, and adapt to the player’s tactics.


3. Environmental Storytelling: It emphasized subtle environmental storytelling, with clues about the world and narrative scattered throughout the game.


4. Innovative Design: Seamless level transitions and a lack of traditional “levels” or “missions” made it feel like one continuous journey.


5. Immersive Atmosphere: From the isolated Black Mesa facility to the intense escape sequences, the game created a sense of tension and urgency rarely seen in FPS games of the era.



Half-Life 2 (2004)


1. Physics Engine (Source Engine): Half-Life 2 was groundbreaking with its use of the Source Engine, introducing realistic physics interactions. The Gravity Gun became an iconic tool, allowing players to manipulate the environment in creative ways.


2. Cinematic Storytelling: It elevated the storytelling of the first game, with deeper characters (like Alyx Vance), emotional moments, and world-building that drew players into the dystopian universe controlled by the Combine.


3. Dynamic Gameplay: The game balanced puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat perfectly. Its set pieces, such as the Ravenholm sequence, are legendary for their atmosphere and design.


4. Immersive World: City 17 and the surrounding environments felt alive, with incredible attention to detail and a blend of dystopian sci-fi and Eastern European influences.


5. Modding Community: The Source Engine also became a platform for modders, spawning classics like Counter-Strike: Source and Garry’s Mod.



Why They’re Special



Both games redefined what players could expect from a first-person shooter, blending storytelling, innovation, and immersion in ways that still influence game design today. The Half-Life series is often credited with elevating the FPS genre into a medium capable of delivering deep narrative experiences.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Half-Life was revolutionary at the time in terms of the cinematic presentation. It played well, had a cool atmosphere, and had some effective light horror moments. The reputation is completely earned.

Half-Life 2 is still pretty cool, but it's a much more gimmick-focused game that takes a mechanic (vehicle, gravity gun, etc.) and builds a level around it... with mixed results. The levels tend to go on for way too long and the mechanics - aside from the novelty of the gravity gun - aren't particularly enamoring. Still a fun game, but I'd argue it's very overrated.

Then you have Half-Life 2: Episode 1, which is a shorter, somewhat more horror focused follow-up that was so inconsequential that I don't remember a thing about it. Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was a much better balanced game that was a very good shooter overall, though not particularly memorable.

Honestly? They're solid games in general but have a lot of undeserved hype that I suspect is due to the timing of when they came out and specifically that Orange Box launched on consoles at the perfect moment.

Oh, and don't listen to anyone who tells you the games are special because of their storylines. They're not. The story is nonexistent and the characters have no personalities outside of their 3D models. Gordon is a dork who wears glasses. The G-Man is a completely inconsequential nothing character that people jizzed themselves with excitement over for no good reason.

 

[Generic]

Half Life was the first cinematic shooter with scripted sequences.

 

[64bitmodels]

I remember shooting a scientist in the head back in 1997. That blew me and my buddy away.

you sure you shot a scientist and not yourselves?

 

[Sethbacca]

I don't know how to explain it other than "you had to be there". It was one of those paradigm shift moments for PC gaming back in the day.

 

[amigastar]

you sure you shot a scientist and not yourselves?

 

[AMC124c41]

Others in this thread have made these points but yeah, you said you've been playing since the Atari days so then try and cast your mind back to 1998 and what games looked and played like back then. HL1 came and threw everything on its head because it looked better, it played better, had better AI, had a fresh approach to the story telling, worked hard to never take control away from the player, had no loading screens but instead Black Mesa felt like a continuous whole, etc. At a time when the industry was quickly evolving it came out and felt like a glimpse at how amazing and immersive video games could be and influenced the industry for years to come. HL 2 was just a continuation of that, yet again showing what games can be and how immersive they can be, yet again lifting the standards for the industry at large and pushing it forward.

HL wasn't the only game that did that but it is so "hyped" because it got almost everything it set out to do right and it proves that by still being fun to play even now.

 

[touchfuzzy]

Can you imagine if Halo was just Halo 1 and 2, and that was it? Would be the same type of situation.

 

[SlimySnake]

They are overrated like most games in that era.

They were also the first so people were mostly blown away by experiencing these things for the first time. I honestly was with Half Life 2. It felt new and fresh and just different. But looking back? eh. I remember some great levels but nothing too outstanding that hasn't been done since.

I havent wanted Half Life 3 myself. The story sucked so its not like i need to know what happens. I couldnt even get through Episode 1. At the end of the day, it comes down to nostalgia.