What did Half Life 2 revolutionize?

[Soviet Heavy]

Now, I'm not starting this to troll, but I am genuinely curious.

I never played the game when it first came out, and I have played a great number of modern FPS's. So, when I went to play the game, I was thoroughly impressed with the presentation, but I didn't feel any of the innovation.

Since a lot of stuff was inspired by Half Life 2's advances, it seems I can't really find what those advances were, since they are so common now.

So, original Half Life 2 players, what did the game revolutionize which seems to be going over my head?

 

[delet]

Yay, this again.

As far as I'm aware, Half Life 2 revolutionized story, AI, physics, and started several things that later became typical of most FPS's like the standard weapons you get (rocket launchers, sniper, grenades, machine guns, etc.)

 

[The Amazing Tea Alligator]

Half-Life 2 was an inspiration to mutes around the world, and really helped raise awarness for people who need to reload.

 

[aPod]

I dont quite know what the revolutionized. I do believe Half-Life was one of the first FPS with an extended opening scene without combat to get you into the atmosphere of the game... but i think that could be attributed to the first more so than the second. Although the second did a damned fine job of it. You arent killing but you're still enjoying yourself taking in the world.

They have the gravity gun.

I don't know, maybe its the style of story telling... where so much of the story is told in subtle hints and clues which leads to speculation by fans and some really awesome investigative work as well.

Perhaps it's the attention to detail and making sure the game is smooth and enjoyable.

Revolution might be a bit extreme of a word, however it certainly did a damned good job. What else can you ask for.

 

[Nfritzappa]

Facial Animations.

No wait... animations in general.

Also: See the Gravity Gun.

 

[Emphasis]

Thanks Aby_Z.. I was generally curious as well because I had never found the revolutionizing that Id heard of and now I finally know. And I can see why its so revolutionizing!

And yes, this has been done to death.

Then revived.

Then to death again.

 

[Souplex]

It inspired developers around the world by showing them they could be massively popular with a remarkably average game.

 

[Tattaglia]

Yay, this again.

As far as I'm aware, Half Life 2 revolutionized story, AI, physics, and started several things that later became typical of most FPS's like the standard weapons you get (rocket launchers, sniper, grenades, machine guns, etc.)

I call bullshit. You're saying the original Half Life never did any of those weapons in 1999? C'moooon.

 

[delet]

Yay, this again.

As far as I'm aware, Half Life 2 revolutionized story, AI, physics, and started several things that later became typical of most FPS's like the standard weapons you get (rocket launchers, sniper, grenades, machine guns, etc.)

I call bullshit. You're saying the original Half Life never did any of those weapons in 1999? C'moooon.

Perhaps I should've said 'If I remember correctly' then, as I obviously didn't. Even so, it's still Half Life so it's rather close...

 

[dududf]

Seriously? doesn't anyone use the fucking search bar?

Go google it or some shit, this is getting very old.

(If you can't tell, I'm reeaaaally sick and tired of this same thread over and over.)

 

[Venerax]

I think it was praised for its level of immersion. Everything was done through the eyes of Gordon. No cutscenes, ergo realistic character development, etc.

 

[Tattaglia]

Yay, this again.

As far as I'm aware, Half Life 2 revolutionized story, AI, physics, and started several things that later became typical of most FPS's like the standard weapons you get (rocket launchers, sniper, grenades, machine guns, etc.)

I call bullshit. You're saying the original Half Life never did any of those weapons in 1999? C'moooon.

Perhaps I should've said 'If I remember correctly' then, as I obviously didn't. Even so, it's still Half Life so it's rather close...

Yeah, you're right. Valve is awesome.

 

[ihazawii]

first game to have realistic physics, some of the best graphics of its day, great combat system, great story telling, everything being through Gordon's eyes, atmosphere, level design, need i go on?

 

[dududf]

It revolutionized forum trolling.

And repeat threads.
I hope you didn't see my spelling check there. I don't want my nazism leaked.

 

[scnj]

Probably the physics engine, which was unparalleled at the time. And it was a step forward in scripted events over cutscenes to tell a story.

 

[ddon]

people didn't believe in the amazing powers of a crowbar until half life was made. Also to give people the habit to reload before someone yells at you to reload.... *twitch*

 

[Analogy]

Source Engine was by far the prettiest engine available in 2004, despite lower hardware requirements than competing engines. Heck, in my opinion, Orange Box Source is still the best engine on low-to-midrange hardware.

Facial Animation is taken for granted today, but it was revolutionary when it came out. Before HL2, HL1-style flapping jaws was the norm.

Physics is also taken for granted today, but HL2 had one of the most interactive environments in a title to date, and pioneered the Gravity Gun concept.

Deep storytelling isn't new to games, but despite the successes of games like Half-Life 1 and Deus Ex, it was still fairly rare for developers to treat a video game as a story-telling medium. The success of HL2 made everybody get on board with it.

Shaders were still in their infancy at the time... The refractive effects (force fields, water) blew my mind when I first saw them. IMO what really sets Valve apart right now and keeps Source Engine fresh is their shader artists. Their shaders (especially skin) look so much better than anything anyone else is doing, and they keep coming up with ways of producing very cool effects while maintaining scalability to lower-end hardware.

Vehicles were pretty rare before as well. The airboat and jeep were a couple of the first really successful vehicle sections.

The squad combat sections were also something that hadn't really been done well before, part from all the "Reload, Doctor Freeman!" spammage. It really felt like your squad was actually useful without your contribution in turn becoming completely useless. It's a very very fine line to walk, and HL2 nailed it.

 

[Wayneguard]

and started several things that later became typical of most FPS's like the standard weapons you get (rocket launchers, sniper, grenades, machine guns, etc.)

are you implying that machine guns, snipers and rox didn't exist in shooters before the halflife series? genuinely curious