I preordered HL2 Episode One fresh from the shower butt nekked.

[FurryCurry]

Game comes out Tuesday. Who's getting it?

As psyched as I am about it, the source engine is looking a little dated now. I hope HDR extends it's life span a little more.

[Don Knotts]

What is it?

[DaDesiCanadian]

The Source Engine looks a little dated? That's a new one.. games are just coming out too fast I guess. I really don't like the core HL games. I beat HL1, but the main reason I play them is for the mods.. CS/DOD/Natural Selection/Hostile Intent/Vampire Slayer etc. etc. Episode One just seems more of the same thing.

[EvilRyuX]

I'm still deciding if I'm going to get it or not, so I'm going to wait and see what everyone else thinks of it first before I decide to get it or not. The story in Half-Life 2 ended with you having more questions then answers, so if this is good, I might pick it up. You fight new enemies, and I hope you have some new weapons. Even one will be good to me, just something new to fight back with. I haven't checked so I don't know if there's going to be new weapons in this one.

By saying you think the Source engine seems a little dated, is kind of right, but some mods seem to be improving it. It seems dated now, since the textures are kind of low quality if you get up close to them, but there's a mod out that has pretty much every texture redone to the point that it looks like a whole new game.

Half-Life is still going strong because of it's strong mod support, and so will Half-Life 2.... whenever they start releasing more mods for it. So far there's a few out, but I most are still in the Alpha phases, and until they make it out, I'll be playing Day of Defeat: Source.

[FurryCurry]

I'm still deciding if I'm going to get it or not, so I'm going to wait and see what everyone else thinks of it first before I decide to get it or not. The story in Half-Life 2 ended with you having more questions then answers, so if this is good, I might pick it up. You fight new enemies, and I hope you have some new weapons. Even one will be good to me, just something new to fight back with. I haven't checked so I don't know if there's going to be new weapons in this one.

By saying you think the Source engine seems a little dated, is kind of right, but some mods seem to be improving it. It seems dated now, since the textures are kind of low quality if you get up close to them, but there's a mod out that has pretty much every texture redone to the point that it looks like a whole new game.

Half-Life is still going strong because of it's strong mod support, and so will Half-Life 2.... whenever they start releasing more mods for it. So far there's a few out, but I most are still in the Alpha phases, and until they make it out, I'll be playing Day of Defeat: Source.


I'll let you know what I think tuesday. Remember if you do get it buy it in stores since it's cheaper.

Yeah, there are a lot of mods that, once finished, will be freaking awesome. But we probably won't see them till 2007.

[CrotchMonkey]

Will the game be out in stores also on tuesday or only through steam? Also you play as Alyx right?

The graphics may look dated compared to new stuff coming like Quake Wars, but it's still very nice on a good setup and the mods totally make it. Just looking at the screenshots for SiN made me want it. Is that in stores too and has anyone played it?

[Shade]

I'm sure steam only. Buy a copy of HL2, and steam it.

[godrifle]

It's steam only but you don't have to have a copy of HL2... you can buy HL2 episode 1/ Sin episode1 without having HL2..

You don't play as Alyx, you play as Gordon.

Sin is in stores, and also steam. There's a box version you can buy if you want. It's pretty fun, the best thing about it is that it adjusts it's difficulty to how good you are, you don't end up dieing that much, or the game spawns like 30 guys at you if you're too good. It's 20 dollars for a fun 5-7 hour experience.


Furrycurry can I borrow your account when you're done? Heh.

[jinsaotome800]

eps1 comes out on thursday in stores

[dano13]

Did anyone try Red Orchestra?

[EvilRyuX]

dano13: I've heard that it's good. Very realistic and such but I haven't played it myself. Never really saw the point to get it since I have more than enough WW2 games right now. If it were to come out in stores, haven't seen it in stores since it looks steam buy only, I might check it out.

FurryCurry: Ok, I'll wait and see your opinion on it when it comes out, so I can see if it's worth the $20.

[FurryCurry]

I think it's mighty bold of Valve to have meta critc scores for the games up on Steam.



Furrycurry can I borrow your account when you're done? Heh.

I'll let you know.

[TGC]

OMG the graphics with the Source engine is as good as graphcis need to be for awhile. Any better is pointless.

And I'll probably get this too:

I have SiN Episode 1 as well: it's only a 5 hour game for 20 bucks, the weapons are very limited, but the action isn't bad. Like someone said, you can set it to whether or not you want the difficulty adjusted midgame or not.

[FurryCurry]

Played into like the third chapter I think.

The voice acting is even better than before and Alyx is quite funny. She also has terrific aim and adapts to what goes on fast.

Like I got caught in a barnacle and she shoots the barnacle to get me down despite zombies and zombines coming at as.

There are also some scenes of belivable emotion besides what you see typically in video games (like tears (sort of), fear, believable anger, etc).

Sad that this one little episode is that much better than most full FPS and games period.

Once I finish it I'll let you know about the rest. It's worth the money that's for sure and I plan to go through it on Hard Mode with commentary on.

[EvilRyuX]

Thanks for your opinion of the game FurryCurry, I've read your review and other sites reviews and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get this.

Also, there's a trailer for Episode Two out now, and there seems to be a new enemy in it.

HL2: Episode Two Trailer site (http://www.3dgamers.com/games/halflife2ep2/downloads/) (Click either the Medium Resolution or High Resolution and wait if necessary, or get it from another site)

[FurryCurry]

Now that I'm done with the game what can I say...

It is as awesome as everyone says it is. It's very cool how Valve found new puzzles and ways to present fights within their existing design.

SPOILER






aldkjfalkdjflakd;fakd;fakdj;flkajd;lfkaj;dlkfja;ld kfj; Like in Lowlife with the pitch black enviroment where even your flash light and the new flares can't match the dark for long. Or the energy ball puzzles in the citadel. The "boss" fights against the the APC and Strider at the end. The flooded room with over a dozen barnacles and electricity. The other boss fight with the bio chopper in the blown out section of the building (I love how the floor and roof falls apart as the you and the chopper shoot out sections of it). I like being able to cut off antlion holes with cars and Alyx being a real riot with her wit and combine sniper rifle. a;dkj;fakdjf;alkdj;fajeoita[opn;kvha;oihe[faiwehj[kfnq;oijhva[iwehjiorjhq2398yr09348th[pqirh;af




SPOILER OFF



The new music is pretty cool too although it doesn't fit as well as the action sequence music from HL1 did. And HDR plus whatever else Valve did to source keep the engine looking purdy.

The Episode 2 trailer is god tier. Mess looks so exciting. The new mini striders called 'Hunters' look like bad asses. Plus we finally go underground with the antlions and possibly meet the momma? And it's been said that the vehicles make a huge comeback as one with suspect with the emphasize being on going outdoors.

I think in the end, valve should link all three episodes into one game. That would be cool.

[m121akuma]

I think in the end, valve should link all three episodes into one game and release it on PS3/X-Box 360. That would be cool.

Fixed it for you.

[Rise Vader]

ive preordered it already on steam hl2 is the madness. wut up wit fear2?

[TGC]

Nah FPS should stay on PCs no matter what. There is the feeling console's cannot produce when playing when a POS controller.

[Rise Vader]

Nah FPS should stay on PCs no matter what. There is the feeling console's cannot produce when playing when a POS controller.

QFT! NOTHING beats a keyboard and a mouse for fps.

[donaldducktm]

thanks furry curry, i think i'll buy it online.

[TGC]

Just bought HL2: Episode 1

It was on sale at Fry's Electronics for 13 bucks...can't say no to Half Life for that low of a price.

I will post an impression later at night.

[Ninja Pea]

I played Episode 1 all the way through and it's incredible!!

It's what HL2 should have been, they explain much more of the story and you really feel for the resistance.

[FurryCurry]

Nah FPS should stay on PCs no matter what. There is the feeling console's cannot produce when playing when a POS controller.

That is true. I went from PC to console with Halo back to PC again and just recently I played Rainbow Six on the Xbox and was like "OMG TEH TURNING IS TOO SLOW BUT IF SPEED IT UP IT WILL BE TOO FAST! OH NOES!!!!1"

I think this will change things though. It screams industry standard almost.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/708/708054p1.html
I really hope developers take note of this controller and make it compatiable with literally everything. They even solved the R3 issue it would have to some degree.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting back on topic. SRK, the voice actor for Alyx is actually an attractive woman.
http://www.merledandridge.com/
That's not what I imagined.

[m121akuma]

Getting back on topic. SRK, the voice actor for Alyx is actually an attractive woman.
http://www.merledandridge.com/
That's not what I imagined.
She could actually play a live action Alyx if necessary...that's awesome.

[TGC]

Here's my impressions:

Game is very good, worth the 13 bucks i paid for it lol.

Anyways, Half Life 2 was an Awesome game IMO and this just adds to it. There is a new enemy that i've encountered, and numerous classic enemies from the original.

And it's not a power whore: My pc is 1.8 P4 with 1GB DDR and a Radeon 9600 (old i know) and it runs pretty good so far, except after loading, which smoothes itself out in like 10-15 seconds.

[EvilRyuX]

Yes, the Source engine is very scalable, all the way down to DirectX 7 I believe.

The more I hear about this expansion pack, the more I'm interested in it. Is there any good scary parts in it?

[evilj]

i paid 19 bucks for it 17.99 at best buy in california.

I've only beaten ch 1 and 2, and the lost coast. my pc is 2.5 radeon 9550, old too i think. I didn't know higher resolutions makes it run slower. LCD resolution at 1280 x 1024 was running at like an average of 20 frames per second, but a lower one was at 30+ frame, which is decent. It's still dope ass game. HL is the best single player fps experience imo.

I was wondering, when you guys upgrade your video cards, do you just discard the old ones, or sell it back somewhere or something?

yes there is good scary parts lol.

[_MJ_#R]

pretty good episode cant wait for the other 2..

edit: is it me or does the audio commentary always cuts off early? o.o

[dubuyeh]

Game comes out Tuesday. Who's getting it?

As psyched as I am about it, the source engine is looking a little dated now. I hope HDR extends it's life span a little more.

What does nekked mean?

[EvilRyuX]

What does nekked mean?

Naked.

[_MJ_#R]

^ sarcasm

...

[FurryCurry]

Yes, the Source engine is very scalable, all the way down to DirectX 7 I believe.

The more I hear about this expansion pack, the more I'm interested in it. Is there any good scary parts in it?

I think the source engine is really going to start testing our machines when Episode 2 comes around. Those were some expansive open spaces.

Me, I have a 256 mb Nvidea Geforce Go 6800, 1 gig of Ram, 7200 rpm hard drive. I play the game windowed although I wish I had more resolution options or the abilty to stretch the window how I want to. :-/

The chapter, "Lowlife", is scary. And actually one up Doom 3's "shit jumping out from the dark" because at times there is litterally NO light except for a random flare that lasts like 45secs, your flashlight, Alyx's "tricorder", lights on your gun, small light sources like buttons, and whatever canister/barrel/jug of gas you threw at something and left burning. When I mean no light I mean "Oh my screen is entirely black".

I was never really scared too much cause I wasn't alone so it's not like being in Ravenholm from the HL2 but it's a whole lot darker.

[EvilRyuX]

^ sarcasm

...

Yeah, I just now noticed that. That's what happens to me when I stay up at 3 AM looking at Shoryuken, I fall for anything. :wasted:

I think the source engine is really going to start testing our machines when Episode 2 comes around. Those were some expansive open spaces.

Me, I have a 256 mb Nvidea Geforce Go 6800, 1 gig of Ram, 7200 rpm hard drive. I play the game windowed although I wish I had more resolution options or the abilty to stretch the window how I want to. :-/

The chapter, "Lowlife", is scary. And actually one up Doom 3's "shit jumping out from the dark" because at times there is litterally NO light except for a random flare that lasts like 45secs, your flashlight, Alyx's "tricorder", lights on your gun, small light sources like buttons, and whatever canister/barrel/jug of gas you threw at something and left burning. When I mean no light I mean "Oh my screen is entirely black".

I was never really scared too much cause I wasn't alone so it's not like being in Ravenholm from the HL2 but it's a whole lot darker.

I'll have to look out for that chapter then, especially with the zombines that are probably on it. Nice to know that the Source engine's getting upgraded through the expansion packs, especially if you see the Episode 2 trailer I posted up there, you seem to be in a forest this time, and if they're as expansive as you say they are in Episode 1, then Episode 2 will really tax our systems, and there's no telling what they might added to that one.

Nothing better then remembering your first time at Ravenholm and the first time you saw the Fast Headcrab Zombies. I'm telling you hearing and seeing those damn things climbing up the drainpipes and jumping from roof to roof in the distance... I don't know how I did it back then, and I think it was during the night with headphones on too. :confused:

[FurryCurry]

Yeah, I just now noticed that. That's what happens to me when I stay up at 3 AM looking at Shoryuken, I fall for anything. :wasted:



I'll have to look out for that chapter then, especially with the zombines that are probably on it. Nice to know that the Source engine's getting upgraded through the expansion packs, especially if you see the Episode 2 trailer I posted up there, you seem to be in a forest this time, and if they're as expansive as you say they are in Episode 1, then Episode 2 will really tax our systems, and there's no telling what they might added to that one.

Nothing better then remembering your first time at Ravenholm and the first time you saw the Fast Headcrab Zombies. I'm telling you hearing and seeing those damn things climbing up the drainpipes and jumping from roof to roof in the distance... I don't know how I did it back then, and I think it was during the night with headphones on too. :confused:

I meant from the trailer Ep. 2 looked expansive. Oh man Ep. 1 is tight as hell. Nothing but halls and parking garages and train stations and apartments and the citadel. You don't have very many places to run.

Yeah I don't remember my first time in Ravenholm since I played it so much but I just hate the sound of the ninja zombies (fast headcrabs) and especially the posion zombies. I hate them so much, and that fucked up chuckle they give when they die. Dude, VALVe, wtf?! I let a friend of mine play it and he got stuck in a very dark corner in Ravenholm and just spun around shooting the sub machine gun with all but the posion zombies attacking him. All you could see was the muzzle flashes and things screaming.

(he survived)

[TGC]

Probably should put a spoiler warning for the level u guys are talking about. I was surprised as hell when i had to go through that level.

And i should have a new PC by the time EP2 or EP3 comes out.

I'm planning somewhere along the lines of an AMD X2 3800+ with at least 1GB of DDR, maybe 2, and at least a ATI x800 or better, depending on video card prices by the time i save enough to get it. Then i'll probably get an LCD screen, but only if i can find a real good one for cheaper, cause the one i want right now is 400 bucks.

[evilj]

I just beat that lowlife level. Yes that level is intense at times. Your flashlight WILL run out haha.

[TGC]

Well just beat the game:

Here is my review with some spoilers:

This game is good. It will keep you entertained for a few hours for sure, and the low life level is intense as hell, but that's not to say other levels are not intense as well, such as the battle with the stryder.

I only paid 13 bucks for the game, so it's not that bad of a deal...if future episodes continue to be like this, then the Half Life 2 series can be one of the greatest single player FPS ever.