Just how good was Half Life 2 ?

[BloodSquirrel]

I tried playing Half-life 2. Honestly? Couldn't get into it.

First off, the game makes you sit through far too many scripted sequences which drag on for far too long. I never played the first one, and the second one made no attempt whatsoever to drag me into it's story. The game has other types of filler too, like physics "puzzles" which all boil down to "put heavy objects on something that needs to be pushed down" and long sequences of driving the speedboat through canals.

Once I finally got a gun and started shooting things... well... it struck me as being rather shallow. Even more shallow that Doom 3. There really wasn't anything to it beyond "point gun and things and click mouse."

I hold it as one of the lesser FPS I've played. L4D, Call of Duty, Doom 3, and Halo are all much more fun.

 

[BirdBornAsBee]

I always say this about the Half-Life series.

The most brilliant level design ever.

 

[Alarid]

The game isn't exactly the "end-all" of shooters, but the presentation and use of physics in it made it unique. It actually used all of the features in it to their full extent. If you thought you should be able to do something in it, chances were you could. Like take a dead body and play frisbie with it.

 

[Crash486]

snip.

You know bringing up the physics engine got me thinking. "Do I play an FPS for the physics or the experience?" psst. Like most people its the experience. If you compare the graphics of HL 2 to Bioshock and Halo 3 it loses, easily. The only thing HL 2 does better then som FPS's is the story presentation. Most people don't play an FPS to be "wowed" by the source engine. If it wasn't for Goldeneye OO7 there probably wouldn't be any console FPS's anymore.

1. Bioshock and halo3 both came out 3 years after Halflife 2 so your point is invalid. Halflife 2 on high graphics looks very comparabale to Bioshock, better as far as the character models go. For the time, the graphics were outrageous.

2. Many games use the source engine, so yes it is a revolutionary engine. You might not care, but developers do, and its left a huge mark on the industry. It's not just physics, its the ability to react realistically with your environment, that's a big deal and a huge technilogical accomplishment.

You keep bringing up goldeneye... yet by today's standards goldeneye is terrible, yet you keep comparing Half-life 2 to today's generation of games. Kind of a double standard don't you think?

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

1. Bioshock and halo3 both came out 3 years after Halflife 2 so your point is invalid. Halflife 2 on high graphics looks very comparabale to Bioshock, better as far as the character models go. For the time, the graphics were outrageous.

2. Many games use the source engine, so yes it is a revolutionary engine. You might not care, but developers do, and its left a huge mark on the industry. It's not just physics, its the ability to react realistically with your environment, that's a big deal and a huge technilogical accomplishment.

You keep bringing up Goldeneye OO7... yet by today's standards Goldeneye OO7 is terribleawesome, yet you keep comparing Half-life 2 to today's generation of games. Kind of a double standard don't you think?

1 - If I remember correctly you said the following

Also, half-life 2 has amazing graphics and textures, most of which rival most FPS today on highest settings.

So my point is not invalid. Your opinon is. You contradicted yourself.

2. I won't argue that it is huge. I don't recall saying the source engie was not a huge devlopment. But most people who play an FPS don't notice or care about that.

No. I'm not comparing the games directly. I'm comparing their impact at the time. What your saying is that b/c of Half-Life's source engine and physics its better then FPS's today that don't use that technology. I compared Goldenye OO7 to Half-Life b/c you compared HL 2 to other FPS's of today. And if Goldeneye OO7 was ever remade w/ the source engine and phsics you keep talking about w/ like graphics, it would blow Half-Life 2 away.

 

[Crash486]

1. Bioshock and halo3 both came out 3 years after Halflife 2 so your point is invalid. Halflife 2 on high graphics looks very comparabale to Bioshock, better as far as the character models go. For the time, the graphics were outrageous.

So my point is not invalid. Your opinon is. You contradicted yourself.

Did you just not read past that first sentence?

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

1. Bioshock and halo3 both came out 3 years after Halflife 2 so your point is invalid. Halflife 2 on high graphics looks very comparabale to Bioshock, better as far as the character models go. For the time, the graphics were outrageous.

So my point is not invalid. Your opinon is. You contradicted yourself.

Did you just not read past that first sentence?

No. I read it all. But when I played Bioshock I didn't spend time talking to the splicers. So, Character models weren't as important in that game. How the enviroment looked and the atmosphere were imporant in that game. And on the highest settings for HL 2 compared to Bioshock on highest setting and even Halo 3, HL 2 doesnt compare. The only thing I can't overlook is the fact that you think the graphics in HL 2 on highest settings can compare w/ todays FPS's on highest settings. Cause the simple fact is your wrong. I know you can't accuratly compare b/c they came out three years apart however, you keep comparing them as if they came out three days apart.

I looked up games that use the Source engine. The only notable games are the ones made by Valve. And the Source engine uses a heavily modified version of Havok's physics engine. And the Havok physics, are used in most games made today.

 

[hagaya]

Just how good?
The game itself is superb craftmenship, no one can rationally deny that Valve is one of the more competent developers in the industry. Did I enjoy it that much? It was an experience, but not quite to my taste. Still, I'm very glad that I've had the privilege to play it.
This is purely a matter of opinion. Are you asking ours? If not, (and even if you are) there are few opportunities for discussions that wouldn't erupt into a flame war. Why did you make this thread?

I agree on both points. If a topic is on opinion, it should be open-ended, not a simple yea-or-nay situation, that ends up being a flame-war and exactly what this site has so tactfully avoided for the last couple years.

Valve has simply been one of the best developers in my mind. They have not made a bad (meaning "in the general mind, very high quality games and enjoyable to most" or "critically acclaimed") game in their entire existence. That is an unusual feat because every other developer I can think of at the moment has their unwanted ball of crap. Half-Life 2 wasn't anything special. Half-Life 1 was because it was fresh, unique, and had a different approach to the FPS genre (at the time). Half-Life 2 was just more of the same thing. Not a bad thing per se, but it wasn't as groundbreaking as the original. The series has continued to please me and it will for a very long time.

 

[hagaya]

ACtually it did, this just tells us you didn't play FPS prior to HL2.

Wrong. I played Half-Life 2 only last month. I've palyed plenty of first person shooters. The only two that redifined a FPS was Goldeneye OO7 and more recently Portal. The only thing that Half-Life 2 excelled at that most other Fps's didn't was storytelling. So, if you think storytelling is genre defining for an FPS, then keep believing it redefined the genre.

Actually no, it redefined the FPS by introducing the first realistic physics engine in an fps which implemented entities with distinct weights, and densities, combined with ragdoll physics to create really the first fully interactive realistic digital environment. Hence they the game places alot of emphasis on the gravity gun. Before halflife 2, wooden crates would maybe shatter when you shot them, in halflife 2 wood floats, splinters like wood, breaks when a heavier object is dropped on top of it etc.

Also, half-life 2 has amazing graphics and textures, most of which rival most FPS today on highest settings. Each character model has multiple facial muscles allowing them to show distinct human emotions. The storytelling is good too, but that's really just gingerbread compared to the source engine.

Lastly, it had the most advance enemy AI of its time, as enemies would actually come up with strategies on how to defeat you. For instance, if you barricaded a wall with a heavy object, they would flank you through a window or another door. So actually, it did alot to revolutionize the genre... so booya.

Goldeneye didn't revolutionize the FPS genre, it revolutionized the console fps as it was the first well implemented console fps.

If I could butt in: this post is actually one of the more valid points on why HL2 was a good game, but The Escapist is known for the lack of flame-war and I'd like it to stay that way, please.

 

[Flying-Emu]

as far as a shooter Half Life 2 was above average at best, but what keeps me coming back is that the story is exellent and I actually gave a damn about what happened to Alex.

You mean Alyx.

But yeah. How good was Half Life 2? How good was Half Life 2?!

You could beat zombies to death with a mattress, for cripes' sake! What more do you want?

 

[Vrex360]

*leaves protection of the flame cruiser*

How did this become ANOTHER "Half Life is better than Halo because...." thread? How?
What is it about the word 'Half Life' that inspires everyone to say 'so much more awesome than Halo' god I thought we had finally gotten over that ugly habit and that Halo was getting a tad more respect. But nooooooooooo even in a thread solely about Half Life 2 we HAVE to mention Halo don't we? I love how people condemn Halo for being all about:
"Evil aliens kill them because they are evil!*"
Then condone Half Life for having a VERY similar premise. I'm just sick of this. Halo has nothing, I repeat NOTHING to do with this thread so why the hell are people here BASHING on it??? Let it go, please.
I liked Halo over Half life 2 okay that's my preferance, if you like Half Life 2 then I respect your choice, I really do... but seriously can you just leave well enough alone just for once?

*Massive oversight Halo's story is decent and has a lot more going on than just 'kill evil aliens'.

*returns back into the safety of flame proof battle cruiser barely escaping buring to death*

Seeing as we are of similar mindset, might I come aboard the safety of your cruiser?

Yes quick, hurry get aboard before it's too late!!

p.s sorry for the late reply, my internet was slow.

 

[Uncompetative]

*Joins Mastersqueak behind flame shield*

Next time I'm bringing a anti flame bunker.

Is there room in there for me?

 

[orangebandguy]

After playing Garry's Mod I can't shake this feeling of genericness from the game. But it's still epic and was one of the most prominent titles on the PC and I enjoyed it. At least the Combine are more badass than the covenant space goblin things from Halo which seem childish. I say that because I've noticed a lot of arguing on this thread. They're entirely different games they just happen to be Fps. I could never get into Halo so I prefer Half Life 2 but it's not going to make a difference to Microsoft or Valve get over it.

 

[Crash486]

ACtually it did, this just tells us you didn't play FPS prior to HL2.

Wrong. I played Half-Life 2 only last month. I've palyed plenty of first person shooters. The only two that redifined a FPS was Goldeneye OO7 and more recently Portal. The only thing that Half-Life 2 excelled at that most other Fps's didn't was storytelling. So, if you think storytelling is genre defining for an FPS, then keep believing it redefined the genre.

Actually no, it redefined the FPS by introducing the first realistic physics engine in an fps which implemented entities with distinct weights, and densities, combined with ragdoll physics to create really the first fully interactive realistic digital environment. Hence they the game places alot of emphasis on the gravity gun. Before halflife 2, wooden crates would maybe shatter when you shot them, in halflife 2 wood floats, splinters like wood, breaks when a heavier object is dropped on top of it etc.

Also, half-life 2 has amazing graphics and textures, most of which rival most FPS today on highest settings. Each character model has multiple facial muscles allowing them to show distinct human emotions. The storytelling is good too, but that's really just gingerbread compared to the source engine.

Lastly, it had the most advance enemy AI of its time, as enemies would actually come up with strategies on how to defeat you. For instance, if you barricaded a wall with a heavy object, they would flank you through a window or another door. So actually, it did alot to revolutionize the genre... so booya.

Goldeneye didn't revolutionize the FPS genre, it revolutionized the console fps as it was the first well implemented console fps.

If I could butt in: this post is actually one of the more valid points on why HL2 was a good game, but The Escapist is known for the lack of flame-war and I'd like it to stay that way, please.

Known for lack of flame war? Have you ever been to the escapist? Every thread is a flamewar.

1. Bioshock and halo3 both came out 3 years after Halflife 2 so your point is invalid. Halflife 2 on high graphics looks very comparabale to Bioshock, better as far as the character models go. For the time, the graphics were outrageous.

So my point is not invalid. Your opinon is. You contradicted yourself.

Did you just not read past that first sentence?

No. I read it all. But when I played Bioshock I didn't spend time talking to the splicers. So, Character models weren't as important in that game. How the enviroment looked and the atmosphere were imporant in that game. And on the highest settings for HL 2 compared to Bioshock on highest setting and even Halo 3, HL 2 doesnt compare. The only thing I can't overlook is the fact that you think the graphics in HL 2 on highest settings can compare w/ todays FPS's on highest settings. Cause the simple fact is your wrong. I know you can't accuratly compare b/c they came out three years apart however, you keep comparing them as if they came out three days apart.

I looked up games that use the Source engine. The only notable games are the ones made by Valve. And the Source engine uses a heavily modified version of Havok's physics engine. And the Havok physics, are used in most games made today.

You seem rather biased against it, the graphics hold up fine to Halo 3 and Bioshock, but its all a matter of opinion, and its hard to compare them since the art styles are so vastly different, but in the way of textures, the games are very similar. Halflife 2 is an excellent looking game, the textures are spot on and the character models believe it or not actually matter to people.

Bioshock is actually on the Unreal 2.5 engine, which is the same engine as UT2K4. When I played it I remember feeling the graphics looked a little bit dated for a "next gen" game, that's not to say they didn't still look good, they looked fine, but i dont see a huge difference between them and those of half-life 2. In fact, as I've said a few times now, I find half-life 2 to have superior graphics in some scenarios, especially those dealing with the character models.

Games on the source engine:
Valve
Counter-Strike: Source
Day of Defeat: Source
Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Half-Life 2: Lost Coast
Half-Life Deathmatch: Source
Half-Life: Source
Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead 2
Portal
Team Fortress 2
Other developers
The Crossing[38]
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
E.Y.E [1]
Garry's Mod
Mabinogi: Heroes
Nuclear Dawn [2] [3]
Postal III[39]
Salvation
SiN Episodes
Sting: The Secret Operations
The Ship
They Hunger: Lost Souls
Vampire: The Masquerade ? Bloodlines
Zeno Clash
Untitled Threewave Software game[40]
Kuma Reality Games
DinoHunters
Dogfights: The Game
The History Channel's ShootOut! The Game
The Kill Point: Game
Kuma\War 2
Education and research
VR Worlds 2 [4]

Age if Chivalry
Black Mesa
Dystopia
Eclipse
Empires
Eternal Silence
Flipside
Fortress Forever
GoldenEye: Source (lol)
Insurgency: Moderan Infantry
Iron Grip: The Opression
Jailbreak
Minderva
Novint
Pirates Vikings and Knights II
Plan of Attack
Source Forts
Weekday Warrior
Zombie Master
Zombie Panit! Source.

I hope that list is sufficient for you. And yes, the source engine is a mixture of heavily modified Havok physics and in-house code. It it not just a modified havok physics engine, its much more advanced than the basic havok physics engine.

 

[TheJuqhusim]

Goldeneye was remade on the Source engine (the dude above me posted if you didn't check his list out). It's a mod built off of the source engine using Valves own SDK.

Look, I understand that nobody will ever say which game is better because everyone has their own (albeit fucked up) opinions about all kinds of shit.

The point of my post is this, even if you don't believe HL2 didn't revolutionize the industry in any way then look outside of the immediate game. Without HL2, Source, and Steam many of us would be without some of our favorite games.

If you can't admit that HL2 graphics are still great by today's standards, or game play was immersive and phenomenal, or the story was compelling then I feel that you straight up hate the game. Fine. But none of you can deny that there is no bigger mod community than the HL2 mod community. Zombies, sandboxes, Knights and Pirates, hell, even Counter-Strike started as a mod.

Look, disagree about which is better but without Valve and Half-Life none of that shit would even be around because nobody would have been given the means to create it. The SDK is by far the most heavily used amateur developing tool.

If that isn't innovation, I dunno what is.

Because of the mod community and Valve there are hundreds of thousands of gamers out there that use Steam, the SDK, and play hundreds of mods and games without ever once having touched HL2.

Just putting it out there.

*runs away*

 

[Disraeli]

I recently started replaying HL2 after 4 years, and the thing that strikes me most about it is, beyond the amazing production values and general classiness and quality, is...

...it's not very fun. Felt this way when I first played it as well. It's a chore, I'm constantly being herded through to the next load screen and not really enjoying what I'm experiencing, just trying to get past it so I can admire the technical side of things. It's a total anomaly to me, this game should be more fun than it actually is. The only time I really had fun in the first game was at the end when the grav gun gets boosted and you're plucking combine out of the air and indulging in ragdoll physics experiments, but I'm not sure I can make myself go through sandtraps and nova prospekt again to get there. I really appreciate the design, the natural way new weapons are introduced, the sound design is especially dope, the characters, animation and voice acting are top notch. It's just a pain in the arse to get through for the most part for some reason. Just my opinion, reconfirmed after a long absence from the HL world. I'm still keen to give the eps a shot though, orange box is a great value package.

The original was so much fun, addictive and fresh, HL2 just makes me want to go back to Black mesa every time.

 

[Satin6T]

I sat down and played it and thought it was a wonderful game
but it doesn't beat Halo 2 as a shooter
I think Halo 2 is the best shooter I've ever played

for everyones reference I haven't played bioshock yet,
Portal isn't a shooter its a puzzle game for me,

you know what scratch that L4D is my favorite
especially when playing in a dark room with all your buddies playing it with you

 

[dweomermaster]

I loved it. hell my DAD loved it... he's finished the whole half life series while i've just started HL2episode one... *feels a little ashamed*

 

[Disraeli]

also, goldeneye. Show me a single FPS that has ommited the sniper rifle since Goldeneye. If you played one without a sniper you'd be pissed right, it's an essential element. Goldeneye and Halflife were the last two revoltuionary FPS's to be developed, Goldeneye for the sniping, stealth, fuck, even headshots were unique to that game when it first dropped, every FPS since owes a lot to rare and that games influence. HalfLife was a huge revolution for the narrative and overall immersiveness, but even still it owes something to Goldeneye. Every other FPS innovation since then has been minor in comparison to these two games, before that everything just copied Id pretty much.

EDIT: apparently MDK introduced sniping at the same time as Goldeneye, but, pffft, who the fuck cares about MDK?

 

[FranzTyphid]

better than halo
that was coming