Half Life 2 is not a good FPS

[JediMB]

AI is far better than most games had to that point, including games like Operation Flashpoint - a military simulator which was adapted for the military. I'm not sure how long you've been playing FPS games, but I suspect it isn't that long, because it seems that you're judging by the standards of today's FPS games, whereas there was almost nothing that could stand up to it in 2004.

Of course, I think you can tell that I did like it [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.67843#611023], and I've been playing FPS games for a while. A good while, indeed.

I know what could stand up to it in 2004... Unreal Tournament 2K4... Oh yeah.

Unreal Tournament 2K4 is crap, and the only Unreal Tournament game worth playing is UT '99.

I'd agree with you... but then I played Unreal Tournament III.

While it failed miserably in UT2k4, UT3 managed to combine and improve the solid gameplay from the original game with some really impressive graphics that didn't distract me from the game itself.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

Yeah, what's everyone complaining about? HL2 is awesome! What's not to like about killing hoardes of four types of identical enemies over and over and over again, solving the same "physics puzzle" over and over and over again, and basically just traveling down one long, linear corridor with no alternate routes or complexity giving the game absolutely zero replay value?

Tactical shooter? LOL With crappy AI? Do you play chess against yourself and tell yourself you're practicing strategy, too?

First Person Adventure? LOL Because "exploring" a linear corridor is FUN! The Elder Scrolls games and the Legend of Zelda games are about exploring. Walking/driving down what basically amounts to a hallway with no alternate routes or hidden paths is NOT exploring. It's TEDIOUS.

You guys just keep making excuses for this over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter... because that's all it will ever be.

Deus Ex was better and it came out four years before: better story, better gameplay, more complexity, better immersion, more options... the only thing it lacked - really - was the physics engine. Hell, System Shock 2 was better and it came out FIVE years before HL2.

 

[JC175]

Yeah, what's everyone complaining about? HL2 is awesome! What's not to like about killing hoardes of four types of identical enemies over and over and over again, solving the same "physics puzzle" over and over and over again, and basically just traveling down one long, linear corridor with no alternate routes or complexity giving the game absolutely zero replay value?

Tactical shooter? LOL With crappy AI? Do you play chess against yourself and tell yourself you're practicing strategy, too?

First Person Adventure? LOL Because "exploring" a linear corridor is FUN! The Elder Scrolls games and the Legend of Zelda games are about exploring. Walking/driving down what basically amounts to a hallway with no alternate routes or hidden paths is NOT exploring. It's TEDIOUS.

You guys just keep making excuses for this over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter... because that's all it will ever be.

Deus Ex was better and it came out four years before: better story, better gameplay, more complexity, better immersion, more options... the only thing it lacked - really - was the physics engine. Hell, System Shock 2 was better and it came out FIVE years before HL2.

I'd agree with Deus Ex and SS2 being better games, but keep in mind we're comparing different genres here. They were both FPS/RPG, whereas HL2 was a straight-forward FPS. The games were trying to do very different things.

When you say that "walking down a hallway...is tedious" you fail to realise that this is not an adventure game, the thrill comes both from the storyline and the combat involved. If we're talking about critically acclaimed games that are tedious, let's save the praise for Halo, shall we?

And there's a difference between a discussion and a flame war by the way. There's this thing called opinion, I suggest you read up on it.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Its not a great game full stop...

Have to agree. Though I love episode 2.

As a series as a whole though it's...not bad. But it's certainly what people hold it up to be. The first game dragged on for way too long, thats for sure.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

When you say that "walking down a hallway...is tedious" you fail to realise that this is not an adventure game, the thrill comes both from the storyline and the combat involved. If we're talking about critically acclaimed games that are tedious, let's save the praise for Halo, shall we?

Perhaps reading comprehension was never your strong suit, but I specifically MOCKED the idea that HL2 is an adventure game. It is not. It is a corridor shooter with the "outside" segments being corridors with sky textures.

But hey, if boring, repetitive combat is what gets your rocks off, don't let me stop you. I'm just stating MY OPINION, after all. Just like we all are. And in my further opinion, HL2 is indeed an over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter. If YOU want to flame ME for stating MY opinion, that's your perogative... but I'm not making YOU reply, am I?

 

[JC175]

When you say that "walking down a hallway...is tedious" you fail to realise that this is not an adventure game, the thrill comes both from the storyline and the combat involved. If we're talking about critically acclaimed games that are tedious, let's save the praise for Halo, shall we?

Perhaps reading comprehension was never your strong suit, but I specifically MOCKED the idea that HL2 is an adventure game. It is not. It is a corridor shooter with the "outside" segments being corridors with sky textures.

But hey, if boring, repetitive combat is what gets your rocks off, don't let me stop you. I'm just stating MY OPINION, after all. Just like we all are. And in my further opinion, HL2 is indeed an over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter. If YOU want to flame ME for stating MY opinion, that's your perogative... but I'm not making YOU reply, am I?

My use of the word adventure was actually pulled from my own mind, rather than a response to your original post. Anyone that believes HL2 is an "adventure" game is full of shit, that was simply the first phrase that came to mind as the opposite of "linear". Hope that's easy enough to comprehend for you.

And no, you're not making me reply. If we're talking about reading comprehension here, I see you never managed to determine the difference between stating opinion and calling "fact" on your own thoughts; there's a huge divide between stating that you didn't like a game and cynically mocking people that perhaps might enjoy something in opposition to your own personal views.

 

[Twilight_guy]

By your logic we should all say that Doom is worthless crap. Look at the atrocious graphics and design! Judge a game based on the period when it came out HalfLife 2 looked more awe inspiring when it first was released.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

When you say that "walking down a hallway...is tedious" you fail to realise that this is not an adventure game, the thrill comes both from the storyline and the combat involved. If we're talking about critically acclaimed games that are tedious, let's save the praise for Halo, shall we?

Perhaps reading comprehension was never your strong suit, but I specifically MOCKED the idea that HL2 is an adventure game. It is not. It is a corridor shooter with the "outside" segments being corridors with sky textures.

But hey, if boring, repetitive combat is what gets your rocks off, don't let me stop you. I'm just stating MY OPINION, after all. Just like we all are. And in my further opinion, HL2 is indeed an over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter. If YOU want to flame ME for stating MY opinion, that's your perogative... but I'm not making YOU reply, am I?

My use of the word adventure was actually pulled from my own mind, rather than a response to your original post. Anyone that believes HL2 is an "adventure" game is full of shit, that was simply the first phrase that came to mind as the opposite of "linear". Hope that's easy enough to comprehend for you.

And no, you're not making me reply. If we're talking about reading comprehension here, I see you never managed to determine the difference between stating opinion and calling "fact" on your own thoughts; there's a huge divide between stating that you didn't like a game and cynically mocking people that perhaps might enjoy something in opposition to your own personal views.

News flash: Opinions ARE facts to the people who hold those opinions.

Like... whoa.

You don't hold beliefs that you think might be false... you hold them because you believe them to be true. Others may disagree with what you believe to be true... but that's THEIR OPINION. Get it yet?

Opinions and facts are all the same, in the end. It's always just a matter of perspective, ESPECIALLY with things like video games that rely mostly on personal experience and taste.

Yeesh.

 

[JC175]

When you say that "walking down a hallway...is tedious" you fail to realise that this is not an adventure game, the thrill comes both from the storyline and the combat involved. If we're talking about critically acclaimed games that are tedious, let's save the praise for Halo, shall we?

Perhaps reading comprehension was never your strong suit, but I specifically MOCKED the idea that HL2 is an adventure game. It is not. It is a corridor shooter with the "outside" segments being corridors with sky textures.

But hey, if boring, repetitive combat is what gets your rocks off, don't let me stop you. I'm just stating MY OPINION, after all. Just like we all are. And in my further opinion, HL2 is indeed an over-rated, boring, tedious, mediocre shooter. If YOU want to flame ME for stating MY opinion, that's your perogative... but I'm not making YOU reply, am I?

My use of the word adventure was actually pulled from my own mind, rather than a response to your original post. Anyone that believes HL2 is an "adventure" game is full of shit, that was simply the first phrase that came to mind as the opposite of "linear". Hope that's easy enough to comprehend for you.

And no, you're not making me reply. If we're talking about reading comprehension here, I see you never managed to determine the difference between stating opinion and calling "fact" on your own thoughts; there's a huge divide between stating that you didn't like a game and cynically mocking people that perhaps might enjoy something in opposition to your own personal views.

News flash: Opinions ARE facts to the people who hold those opinions.

Like... whoa.

You don't hold beliefs that you think might be false... you hold them because you believe them to be true. Others may disagree with what you believe to be true... but that's THEIR OPINION. Get it yet?

Opinions and facts are all the same, in the end. It's always just a matter of perspective, ESPECIALLY with things like video games that rely mostly on personal experience and taste.

Yeesh.

My point was that you broadcasted your opinions as the truth to all that listened, and mocked anybody that disagreed. Please don't pick out individual words in my posts as a basis to reply on when you have nothing to say in response.

 

[slackbheep]

I'm sure you people make these drama threads for a reason... Do they give you one of these goofy badges for creating long pointless arguements?

 

[L33tsauce_Marty]

Oh no a difference in opinion...whoop-dy-fucking-do.

 

[AceDiamond]

Deus Ex was better and it came out four years before: better story, better gameplay, more complexity, better immersion, more options... the only thing it lacked - really - was the physics engine. Hell, System Shock 2 was better and it came out FIVE years before HL2.

Sorry but as someone who considers Deus Ex amazing, I have to say that you are suffering from a severe case of wearing rose-tinted glasses.

Deus Ex has a terrible combat system. First off, despite being an elite nano-augmented agent, even being "trained" on a firearm is insufficient, often taking 5 seconds to draw a bead on an enemy even while crouching. Furthermore, most fights can be resolved by "fire tranq dart, wait for enemy to pass out, repeat" or "sneak, apply stun baton, repeat" or "EMP grenade/spy drone the bots, repeat" (replace either of these for a silenced weapon if you prefer to have a plan to kill everyone you meet). The AI is pathetic in this respect in that their only modus operandi during a fight is either to sound the alarm or sprint after you firing, usually inaccurately. Very rarely do you get a fight that can't be handled in the same way you handled the other 200 fights that were remarkably similar. And of course, once you get the Dragon's Tooth Sword it becomes ridiculously easy to just hack your way through most enemies. And why, I ask you, is an FPS/RPG giving us 4 enemy closets in its final level? Isn't this something that would be more suited to a full balls-to-the-wall FPS like Doom?

And as for System Shock 2, any game that has weapon degradation that you are unable to track is already a bad idea, but this is the future, and in space, so how is it a pistol is going to break after 6 shots? Also it kinda loses a lot in the second half by re-using setpieces just with a different name tacked on.

Now don't get me wrong, both are great games, they're just as equally flawed as Half-Life 2. And as someone pointed out, HL2 is an FPS, SS2 and DX were FPS/RPGs.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

My point was that you broadcasted your opinions as the truth to all that listened, and mocked anybody that disagreed. Please don't pick out individual words in my posts as a basis to reply on when you have nothing to say in response.

This is the internet, yeah?

Can you please inform me how I can NOT broadcast what I say on an internet forum? I mean, I suppose I could e-mail everyone my opinion, but that wouldn't make sense since this is a discussion thread. You know, where a topic is laid out and people discuss their opinions? Narrow-casting from a forum just isn't efficient.

Hey, I could say that this was fun and all... you lecturing me on how I shouldn't state opinions and me educating you on what opinions are... but it wasn't. I'm going to do things that are actually interesting now.

 

[JC175]

My point was that you broadcasted your opinions as the truth to all that listened, and mocked anybody that disagreed. Please don't pick out individual words in my posts as a basis to reply on when you have nothing to say in response.

This is the internet, yeah?

Can you please inform me how I can NOT broadcast what I say on the internet? I mean, I suppose I could e-mail everyone my opinion, but that wouldn't make sense since this is a discussion thread. You know, where a topic is laid out and people discuss their opinions? Narrow-casting from a forum just isn't efficient.

Hey, I could say that this was fun and all... you lecturing me on how I shouldn't state opinions and me educating you on what opinions are... but it wasn't. I'm going to do things that are actually interesting now.

Go nuts, with every single post you keep reinforcing my point. We wouldn't want you to dig yourself a hole here.

 

[Gaming_Purist]

 

[YuheJi]

I didn't find the weapons weak at all. When I first played HL2, I loved the kick that the pistol gave, headshotting the CPs, and seeing their bodies fly back.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Go nuts, with every single post you keep reinforcing my point. We wouldn't want you to dig yourself a hole here.

Don't feed the troll man.

I got it a few days ago, and I LOVED it, particularly the way it seemed to switch genre every now and again. Incidentally do those head-crab zombies scare the hell out anyone else, or is it just me?

Yeah, I got into the series late too, and I also love it. And yeah, the zombies, espeically in Ravenholm, and especially the fast ones, scared the hell out of me at first. By the way, how far are you?

I were still using the starting gun at the end of Episode Two, so I strongly disagree with you on that one, but then again, I ALWAYS save my ammo for the very last moment. A moment that never comes. Because the credits are already rolling when I remember that ammo.

Nice to know I'm not alone in doing that. And the SMG really is a good working horse for a lot of the sticky situations. If it turns out to be inadequate there's the shotgun. And nobody will convince me that the shotgun is lame. Or the crossbow.

Ah, the shotgun. My workhorse for HL2 and EPS. I loved that gun.

Nice to know I'm not alone in doing that. And the SMG really is a good working horse for a lot of the sticky situations. If it turns out to be inadequate there's the shotgun. And nobody will convince me that the shotgun is lame. Or the crossbow.

I thought the shotgun was pretty lame, it's only really effective at melee ranges, which is what you have a crowbar for. But then again, no shotgun will ever equal the greatness of Doom's shotguns.

That's because each weapon has a niche, and they get upgraded later. For example, the pistol is your starting, accurate weapon, and it's firepower is upgraded in the magnum, and its accuracy is upgraded in the Crossbow. Similar with the SMG and Assault Rifle (spray-and-pray, optimal when outnumbered in a large area), and the Crowbar and Shotty (close range). The beauty of this approach is that you always have a weapon to fit the current situation, even if you have to temporarily downgrade due to ammo constraints. And if you run out of ammo even then, you have the Grav Gun as a backup.

Still, I can't help but feel that judging a five year old game by current standards is a bit unfair.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

But then again, no shotgun will ever equal the greatness of Doom's shotguns.

I have a shrine built to the greatness that is the double-barreled shotgun from Resurrection of Evil. I need nothing else.

Wait? I thought we were talking about Doom? Not the half decent Half-Life knock off called Doom 3.