Why do we love the physicist?

[Spicy meatball]

I have played both games and while the storyline were abit hard to follow they were nonetheless remarkable games. What I don't understand is the cult following of Mr. Gordon Freeman. The man doesn't speak ever, there is no interaction with him via cut-scenes and all that we can see is what he sees through his eyes. So he goes about saving mankind..yeah but so does almost every FPS protaganist. Why is he so special?.

Because he has a degree in physics?

 

[Blackadder51]

That physics degree goes a long way buddy.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It took me a while to realise we were talking about Half Life.

I don't know why he's so special. Probably because he's a geek.

 

[walls of cetepedes]

Because no-one expects the geek to blow up aliens and save the world. twice.

 

[Zefar]

Because the game is just so good.

Like really, how many FPS games have had you go back and forth on a map to activate some buttons or backtrack a little just to get something done?

Well Unreal did this but I can't really name any other FPS that does this. Specially not the newer ones. It's just either, plowing through one map and then go to another. Sometimes you have to go back but it's basically plowing it through twice.

He's special because he.
1: Use a Crowbar
2: Is a scientist
3: Beat up the army.
4: Beat GIGANTIC aliens.
5: Use a Crossbow. <-- That's just awesome and then everyone copied HL with the crossbow.

 

[Mopbucket]

Probably the fact that he is a faceless mute makes it impossible to hate him.

I prefer Duke Nukem though. I relate much better because I'm basically him but in real life.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I prefer Duke Nukem though. I relate much better because I'm basically him but in real life.

Oh really? Why do I find that somewhat hard to believe?

Anyway, seeing as you joined today:
Welcome to the Escapist! I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Please ignore the body under the stairs and Doug, the troll outside. There some things you may want to look [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.116827] at [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.112832] before you continue to post.

 

[Mopbucket]

Like really, how many FPS games have had you go back and forth on a map to activate some buttons or backtrack a little just to get something done?

Well Unreal did this but I can't really name any other FPS that does this. Specially not the newer ones. It's just either, plowing through one map and then go to another. Sometimes you have to go back but it's basically plowing it through twice.

I think this has pretty much been the formula for FPS games from the very beginning. Everything made you go back and forth, especially to unlock secrets in the older games. If you really like HL's level design and feel though, F.E.A.R. is basically a carbon copy.

 

[Proteus214]

It's because he went to MIT. 'Nuff said.

 

[Mopbucket]

Welcome to the Escapist! I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Please ignore the body under the stairs and Doug, the troll outside. There some things you may want to look [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.116827] at [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.112832] before you continue to post.

Psh, I just said I'm Duke Nukem, I'm not reading your rules. I make my own....


I kid! Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Juraz]

Because the games makes you feel that you are playing through his eyes even though you can't see his glasses, its sorta like a rpg only its all fps you cant buy/trade and you're a mute.

 

[Helston]

You forgot one Zefar

6: He uses a crowbar.

 

[The Blue Mongoose]

I don't feel any connection to Doctor Freeman, except... well - while I play the game I am Doctor Freeman, so I can't dislike him. However, he appeals much less to me than, say, Dante from Devil May Cry or Snake from MGS.

 

[MasterStratus]

I don't think he's really all too special.
The only thing is, he uses a crowbar.
Crowbars are awesome....

 

[Zefar]

Like really, how many FPS games have had you go back and forth on a map to activate some buttons or backtrack a little just to get something done?

Well Unreal did this but I can't really name any other FPS that does this. Specially not the newer ones. It's just either, plowing through one map and then go to another. Sometimes you have to go back but it's basically plowing it through twice.

I think this has pretty much been the formula for FPS games from the very beginning. Everything made you go back and forth, especially to unlock secrets in the older games. If you really like HL's level design and feel though, F.E.A.R. is basically a carbon copy.

Most FPS works like this today.

You start at point A and work yourself to Point B. Mainly killing loads of monsters or enemies between those points.
Half-Life was like this from time to time. You start at A and the End is D, so you head to B, then to C and then back to B to then head to D.

For F.E.A.R it wasn't like HL as in. You go to one area activate a thing backtrack a bit activate a thing there and then head further ahead in the game. I mainly remember going through a lot of battles but never going back at all. So lots of awesome corridors fight and some open ones but no real backtracking involved.


Very few games today allow you to even manually press a button with E. One prime example is Halo 1 and 2. Don't know about the third one.

 

[Kilaknux]

Because he's clearly Jesus.
Aside from looking slightly like him, he's managed to convince the entirety of the human race that he's the greatest soldier and leader they have remaining, inspire millions of people to fight, get a hot chick to fall in love with him (We can all tell, Alyx. Stop lying to yourself.) and get an entire alien race to fight on your behalf, all without saying a single word.
Come on, wouldn't you love a guy if he had that level of facial expressiveness?

 

[Embright]

The idea of a nerd being cool is appealing to some of us.

More so he feels like a blank character since he doesn't say anything. People can project whatever personality they wish upon him which adds to his overall attraction, kind of like picturing a book you are reading in your head.

 

[Cargando]

'Cos secretly none of the combine is real, he's just on one huge acid trip, and the G-man is his father trying to wake him up.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

Because the game is just so good.

Like really, how many FPS games have had you go back and forth on a map to activate some buttons or backtrack a little just to get something done?

Um, Im not following why that is such a great feature, but Metroid does that a lot...


Like what has been said before people love him cause he's different than the typical muscle bound protagonist

 

[HardRockSamurai]

I dunno, probably cause' every nerd dreams of growing a goatee, picking up gravity gun, and going out to fight the alien government.

It also helps that he has a hot chick ready to help him out...

...and Vortigaunts...vorts are awesome...