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[Daffy Duck]

I'll give you Ravenholm, that had a good vibe about it similar to the levels I mentioned, Nova Prospekt was OK, I got bored of the water canal level, felt like it went on forever.

It's a good FPS game sure, but I wouldn't say it's anywhere as good as Half Life 1, and I am quite gutted it's underwhelming, maybe my opinion will change when I complete it and Ep1/Ep2.

 

[Nephtes]

Being completely honest:
I don't even know that I want Half-Life 3 at this point.

I beat Half-Life 2 shortly after it came out and moved on to other things immediately...
Notably World of Warcraft which launched a few days later and proceeded to eat the next few years of my life.

I honestly at this point don't even remember Half-Life 2 being a cliff hanger. The only parts of the game that remain memorable to me are the opening area of City 17 (I think that's the name?) And Ravenholm, which was tense as fuck.

It's been so many years, I'm just not invested in whatever interest I once had in Half-Life. I remember foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the game ... But so much has come and gone in the mean time, I just don't care. I don't have any expectations of the game that need meeting.

Release Half-Life 3 don't release Half-Life 3 really doesn't make much difference to me at this point.

If we're talking about dormant properties I'd want to see revived, there's a number of them that rank higher than Half-Life for me...
Chrono Trigger
A non-stupid, steam punk, mainline Final Fantasy that also isn't an MMO
System Shock
Final Fantasy Tactics
MegaMan Legends

 

[Ultryx]

It could literally be rated an 8/10 across the board and I would be more than happy.

I just want the story finished. I also really believed that VR was what Valve was waiting for since they wanted the right tech.

 

[SuperEpicMan]

I think Half-Life 3 will come out at some point, but they have been waiting for the right technology to be available to deliver the type of game they want it to be.

I think a version of Episode 3 was probably in development, but maybe taking longer than they expected. During development I suspect they scrapped what they had and decided to make a full sequel, but by which point expectations for the sequel were huge, and new story driven games were coming along such as Resistance, Killzone, Bioshock and Deus Ex, making them feel the game they were now developing had to do something new to be worthwhile. I kinda think they wanted the next one to blow people away in the same way the second title did at the time, and they think VR and Source 2 is way to do that.

Fast forward to today, I predict that once VR has seen more widespread adoption, we will see Half-Life 3. When I think about it, it is the only way they could possibly live up to expectations (as it would be a truly new experience), and it also explains why they haven't outright said it is not being made.

I also suspect a new Portal and Left 4 Dead to appear following HL3.

 

[Juraash]

I just want the cliffhanger resolved.

That's all I want.

This right here. It's the primary reason I've waited for it all these years for something else Half-Life. If they hadn't done the cliffhanger...or at least not done one like that, I'd be more or less content with what we have.

 

[Qassim]

Does long time between releases automatically mean high expectations? I really want HL3, but other than the previous games - I don't know why I'd have higher expectations for HL3 just because it has been a long time since Ep2.

 

[Brakke]

Probably. At this point I expect it to be a millinery simulator, since that's all Valve is interested in now. So that should be achievable.

 

[stuminus3]

Hire Peter Molydeux. Develop anything he/she says. Call if Half-Life 3. Easy!

To be serious, I always though Half-Life stood on the strength of its world building and storytelling, not its technology. There doesn't need to be some new gimmick or technological breakthrough to make it interesting.

 

[Ganondorfo]

No, because everyone these days is way to critical, especially when its concerning highly anticipated games like Half Life 3. (I feel like Final Fantasy 7 remake will get that "dissapointment treatment threads from gamers on Neogaf/Reddit).

Although there are also a lot of people who dont care about hype and just play the game and enjoy what it is and they will be glad that a franchise finally will be resolved in a story sense.

 

[Necron]

I just want a conclusion to H2:ep2's cliffhanger ending written by Marc Laidlaw, with returning characters, consistent Half-Life-style gameplay, and better graphics. I don't want my mind blown. I just want a goddamn ending. I want Gordon and Alyx's revenge and then I'll be happy forever.

Basically this. I'd be satisfied to have an ending. No, it couldn't live up to the expectations (whatever those are) but I think that's really not important anymore. Just give us an ending to that cliffhanger from episode 2!

 

[Nephtes]

Hire Peter Molydeux. Develop anything he/she says. Call if Half-Life 3. Easy!

"So... And this is completely true... In Half-Life 3 we give you your own Vortigaunt and he's completely yours. And his appearance will reflect your decisions in the game. So if you're a nice Gordon Freeman you'll have a very pleasant looking Vortigaunt indeed. If you're a rather bad Gordon Freeman then your Vortigaunt will look quite evil. Now you can do many things with your Vortigaunt... Perhaps you can even send him for pizza and one will arrive at your house or flat..."

 

[Spukc]

 

[Darkangel]

Just give me another Half-life 2 expansion that finishes the current story arc. Maybe add a new weapon and some new enemies.

Save Half-life 3 for the next major story leap.

 

[Not Spaceghost]

As long as the story wraps up well enough, the level design is good, the enemies and encounters are interesting, and the weapons unique then the game will be exactly what I want.

 

[Fragamemnon]

All people seem to want is a resolution to the story, so just make a graphic novel, sell it on Steam, and be done with it. A big sweeping single-player experience is the exact opposite of what Valve and it's employees seem interested in developing.

 

[MiguelItUp]

No, I don't think it's possible. But that being said I would expect it to at least be a solid experience like the previous games and I think that'd be enough for the masses in the long run.

 

[EGM1966]

I'm not talking HL3 until they release HL2:EP3. We had gentleman's agreement on it. They'd release 3 shorter segments one by one and I'd buy them one by one.

That was the deal.

Spoiler

they altered the deal

 

[KingV]

Honestly, I just finally finished Half Life 2 after starting and stopping it several times in the last 12 years and frankly... It's not that good.

The world building is awesome, but the gun play is boring, the levels are kind of confusing, the voice acting is terrible, and the vehicle segments are not good at all. First time in a long time that I just put a game in god mode and barreled through it. Even then I didn't enjoy it much.

There are other games of a similar vintage that play much better. Halo 2, and resident evil 4 to name two.

 

[Flame Lord]

At this point it's been so long that I have no expectations for it at all besides not existing.

 

[Arkanius]

Valve would communicate what the game is and what the game isn't.
We would probably get our expectations in check when we pressed play.

Or maybe not, lol internet.

 

[QuantumSquid]

Making Half-Life 3 a VR game would be a great way to piss off a lot of people.

End the second game on a cliffhanger, make people wait 12+ years to find out what happens after, and when the game finally comes out, require them to buy an $800 headset that YOUR COMPANY endorses just to be able to play it.

 

[Tye The Czar]

In the words of Yahtzee on his review of Spore:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

If they ever do announce it, though, they need to make absolutely sure to communicate what we should expect and deliver on it so we don't get another Duke Nukem Forever debacle.

 

[Huge Succeeded]

The only way Half Life 3 could live up to my expectations for it is if it continued to never come to be

 

[EatChildren]

It doesn't need to be anything other than a fantastic shooter but dickheads would expect free blowjobs anyway.

 

[Fractal]

Valve would communicate what the game is and what the game isn't.
We would probably get our expectations in check when we pressed play.

Or maybe not, lol internet.

Yeah... while an outrage or two would probably be unavoidable, that's Internet for you. If they handled the communication properly while managing people's expectations, things would turn out fine in the end.

 

[SiegfriedFM]

Considering the rabid rage about No Man's Sky, I wouldn't even begin making it if I were Valve. Even if Half-Life 3 is a 9.9/10 game, there will be hordes of "disappointed" crazies literally sending death squads to the developers. Not to mention if it was actually only a good game.

 

[Future PhaZe]

They easily could if it had a VR focus yes

 

[Widge]

Half Life 3 today would have to be so far removed from what it was then to compare to current titles it wouldn't be Half Life any more. It missed its window.

 

[krang]

I don't think many people have high expectations of it even releasing, at this point. So by virtue of simply existing it would likely exceed those expectations.

Also, no VR exclusivity. Are you people insane??

 

[Deadpool_X]

I hate to say it, but Half-Life 3 will never be. Valve doesn't make those types or games anymore. The dream is dead.

 

[randomengine]

Yes, it could. Half-Life 2 did it with Half-Life. It just takes a hell of a lot of effort. It requires waiting for the right story, the right ideas and the right technology.

 

[Brumfieldhm]

That ship has sailed. I'm anticipating portal 3 at this point far more then half life.

 

[hardcastlemccormick]

I'll give you Ravenholm, that had a good vibe about it similar to the levels I mentioned, Nova Prospekt was OK, I got bored of the water canal level, felt like it went on forever.

It's a good FPS game sure, but I wouldn't say it's anywhere as good as Half Life 1, and I am quite gutted it's underwhelming, maybe my opinion will change when I complete it and Ep1/Ep2.

I'm the opposite, I don't think very fondly of HL1, and I think HL2 is great, a significant improvement in every way. Especially the level design and pacing.

It's not a beat-you-over-the-head kind of FPS, it's just really well refined and easy to play. And literally every level is super memorable.

 

[Melon Husk]

I don't think there are expectations anymore.

The sands of time have ground them up into dust.

 

[Auto-Reply]

I want it, don't care if it lives up to anyones expectations.

I actually think it would be cool if they completely shit on market reach and make it an VR exclusive game that you can't play normally.
They probably wont and that's ok too.

What I hope for are relatively simple things.

Freeman needs to successfully end the combine threat once and for all in some way or form, no cliffhanger!

The G-Man has to be an integral part to the solution, maybe he can replace the combine as the main antagonists and you discover how to be able to stop him during the game.
He needs to have some chilling monologues of course!

Don't think Alyx or the Portal Gun need to be in this, if they manage to make them make sense, I'm all for it.

What I do not want is for Valve turning this into some weird form of multiplayer experience game. That would definitely be a disappointment for me.

If they simply don't plan on making it at all, I'd be fine with a short film that ends the story....

 

[stuminus3]

"So... And this is completely true... In Half-Life 3 we give you your own Vortigaunt and he's completely yours. And his appearance will reflect your decisions in the game. So if you're a nice Gordon Freeman you'll have a very pleasant looking Vortigaunt indeed. If you're a rather bad Gordon Freeman then your Vortigaunt will look quite evil. Now you can do many things with your Vortigaunt... Perhaps you can even send him for pizza and one will arrive at your house or flat..."

Molydeux not Molyneux.

 

[NewDust]

My expectaition is that it will never see the light of day, so by virtue of it releasing it surpasses my expectations.

And critically I would have lowered my expectations so much...

 

[krang]

If they simply don't plan on making it at all, I'd be fine with a short film that ends the story....

I'd be happy with a comic, at this point. I just want it resolved.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Not really.

and at this point it's forgotten including my eyes and it's simply transcended to a meme-like status.

 

[Admodieus]

No, it would make No Man's Sky look like a minor hiccup in comparison. What Valve should do is lean on the fact that they never released Episode 3 and begin to set expectations for a five hour episode that resolves the cliffhanger in Episode 2. Then maybe eventually do a proper Half Life 3 when people finally move on

 

[Brinbe]

They're cowards. That they've let this hanging out there for this long, especially after how they ended the last episode is shameful. Who gives a fuck about expectations, just finish your goddamn story.

 

[Mupod]

HL2 didn't and is still highly regarded. I don't think a good linear FPS is the most terribly ambitious unattainable goal anyways.

 

[Shredderi]

They're cowards. That they've let this hanging out there for this long, especially after they ended the last episode is shameful. Who gives a fuck about expectations, just finish your goddamn story.

I'm with you. Just give us the conclusion you fucks.

 

[dogen]

I am currently playing through Half Life 2 now for the first time (I know, I know, how LTTP can you be?) and I have Ep1/Ep2 to play after and these may extend a lot of what I am not 100% on but if I am honest Half Life 2 seems like a big disappointment compared to Half Life.

I am currently just starting Anti-Citizen 1 but so far the levels have largely been very forgettable, where are the maps like Surface Tension and On a Rail, We Got Hostiles?

Aside fromt he impressive physics I'm not seeing what is so great about Half Life 2 at the moment (and that hurts to say A LOT), and as I say, I am a huge Half Life 1 fan, it's my favourite FPS game.

So in my eyes, if Half Life 3 was to be on the same level 2 then (from what I have seen so far) it would be even lower on the scale than Half Life.

I agree. Half Life feels better mechanically and I think it's paced a bit better. I also think the levels are better. More interesting and fun to play through.

 

[friskykillface]

Just make a conclusion x movie to end the loose ends

 

[PantsuJo]

YES

AND THEN WE'LL ALL DIE

NEOGAF MEANS BELIVE, MY DUDES

 

[Mman235]

Regardless of how it holds up in the franchise as a whole, if Half-Life 3 is one of the best FPS games I've played that'll be enough. I guess that sounds like a lot but I have no reason to believe Valve wouldn't at least manage that, and I accept that there's such a hype maelstrom around it that expecting anything specific is foolish.

Then again, at the time I found HL2 itself a disappointment (though I've come around to it since, even if I still think it's inferior to the original), so I already moved on from over-hyping myself for the series (and games in general) years ago.

 

[Lutherian]

This is NOT relevant anymore, dude.

 

[OmegaX]

I dunno, I remember Ravenholm, Nova Prospekt, the water canal levels with a helicopter dropping bombs on you constantly, and the car stuff pretty vividly. Plus the opening of the game is super strong and really fricking cool. And some of the later levels are fantastic and epic, with genuinely new gameplay mechanics thrown your way

Half-Life 2 also has some cool puzzles, nothing too difficult but it makes you think for a moment, as well as probably some of the best pacing and variety in a shooter.

There are some parts that haven't aged well or go on for too long but it's really a great game. Episode 2 is even better.

The water canal levels were the worst. It just went on and on. I had to quit the game so many times out of boredom. I preferred the episodes because they were short but I understand I'm part of the minority here. I probably would have liked HL2 more if I had played it when it was released.

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

As much fun as I have with hyping up Half Life 3, I don't have superhighway expectations for it. Just a continuation after Episode 2. New engine maybe.