Bubbavelli
Banned
Hey dont worry pal it'll be back in episode 3
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Does Half Life 2 drag on too long?
- Thread starter Mineshaft_Gap
- Start date
Hey dont worry pal it'll be back in episode 3
BrainZEROX
Member
I replayed it not so long ago and I found the vehicule sections were still great and also shorter than I remembered. I like how they are not "on rail", you're controlling the vehicule.
Half-life 2 is one of those rare games I enjoy even more every time I play it. I think I completed the game four or five time now. Definitely a classic in my book.
Half-life 2 is one of those rare games I enjoy even more every time I play it. I think I completed the game four or five time now. Definitely a classic in my book.
I disagree with the (admittedly popular) idea that the vehicle sections go on too long. Half-Life 2 boasts a very immmersive, believable world, despite being a very linear game, and I think in creating one it leverages something very effectively, the trope of the road trip, so familiar from movies (which is just a motorised version of the epic journey.)
If you're making an epic, big vision game, but are not going to give the player an expansive gameworld to explore (as the GTA and Elder Scrolls games do), then there has to be some other way they can buy into your virtual realm as big and real and connected. CoD seems to try achieve this with Bond-style location hopping, but that often ends up feeling disjointed, even if individual sections work in themselves. It all becomes a compartment alized experience (here's the Korean bit, the jungle bit, the freeway bit).
But HL2 succeeds even though you never have a big arena to freely explore, because it follows that road movie logic. You travel along a linear sliver of its fictional world, but what you do see feels consistent and connected. And the long vehicle sections are a key part of that. They made me feel like I was exploring when I wasn't, like this was an epic journey and not a series of discreet levels.
If you're making an epic, big vision game, but are not going to give the player an expansive gameworld to explore (as the GTA and Elder Scrolls games do), then there has to be some other way they can buy into your virtual realm as big and real and connected. CoD seems to try achieve this with Bond-style location hopping, but that often ends up feeling disjointed, even if individual sections work in themselves. It all becomes a compartment alized experience (here's the Korean bit, the jungle bit, the freeway bit).
But HL2 succeeds even though you never have a big arena to freely explore, because it follows that road movie logic. You travel along a linear sliver of its fictional world, but what you do see feels consistent and connected. And the long vehicle sections are a key part of that. They made me feel like I was exploring when I wasn't, like this was an epic journey and not a series of discreet levels.
speakerlog
Member
The problem with replaying old games is that you don't understand that at the time the gameplay feels so awesome and fun that you don't want sections to end. Where as you go back and play the game now some parts feel dragged on and repetitive.
Triggerhappytel
Member
You should play Alone in the Dark 2008.
chemicals
Member
Ok so I'm playing through this again for the umpteenth time and I must admit that the part in the damn air boat is just too long. It should have been a third of the size.
All other parts of the game are totally amazing as always. I think most of the level design is brilliant. No map, no on-screen markers.. It just makes the game so immersive.
All other parts of the game are totally amazing as always. I think most of the level design is brilliant. No map, no on-screen markers.. It just makes the game so immersive.
ashecitism
Member
Knew this thread was familiar....
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Was this worth the bump?
In any case, I felt the vehicle sections were particularly too long. Otherwise the game was fine.
It was an incredible game for its time, but like a lot of really good trailblazing games, years of games that improved on its mechanics came out afterard. Its kinda like going back to old Twilight Zone and being able to see the twist coming a mile away because so many movies have used those plot points since.
Is bumping older threads against the rules?
Yeah pretty much. Half Life 2 has aged pretty poorly, even though it was amazing at the time.
old manatee
Banned
I've played through the Half-Life games a bunch of times. I love the pace of them. You have to travel long distances and there are a ton of quiet moments.
Turin Turambar
Member
HL2 is overrated, and it has some weak sections in the middle of the game that go on for too long.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
HL2 has terrible pacing and the vehicle sections are terribly designed.
Aside from that is a decent game., even pretty good if you add ironsights with some of the mods out there.
Aside from that is a decent game., even pretty good if you add ironsights with some of the mods out there.
Yes.
Alpha Phoenix
Member
Could have started a new one instead.
nice
Heh I was about to post the same thing I did a year ago before I realized this was an old thread where I already posted.
ashecitism
Member
People have been banned before doing that and threads have been locked. Depends with what they bump it and how old the thread is. With this he could have just made a new LTTP/RTTP type thread.
GregLombardi
Member
I could see that.
I'll tell what HAS dragged on too long though...the date of the sequels release and the conclusion to one of the greatest cliff hangers in gaming that was never finished.
I'll tell what HAS dragged on too long though...the date of the sequels release and the conclusion to one of the greatest cliff hangers in gaming that was never finished.
Hibiki Kurosawa
Member
Some areas upon replay aren't as exciting to play through again, but it's still a great experience that I don't think drags on too long. Half-Life 1 is still my preferred Half-Life, but I'm sure you would feel like that one drags on too.
Gunslinger
Member
Nothing wrong with you TC half life 2 just overrated junk compared to half life 1. Almost every section from half life 1 is memorable I can't recall any sections from half life 2 aisde from the Raven something town part and the sand ant or whatever they are called part.
SkylineRKR
Member
The vehicle sections for sure. I get that they wanted to make you feel you really traveled for quite a bit, but I found them boring after some time. The game is also a bit gimmicky with gravity gun puzzles.
The game didn't age _that_ gracefully I think. I replayed it on Orange Box which is almost a decade ago as well and the AI that comes to a complete stand still during shoot outs is a bit weird.
The game didn't age _that_ gracefully I think. I replayed it on Orange Box which is almost a decade ago as well and the AI that comes to a complete stand still during shoot outs is a bit weird.
potatohead
Member
Yea vehicle sections were a bit too long.
Pace was good for most of the game, just a few sequences that have you stuck in one area or gameplay scenario a bit too much.
But all in all I felt it's better than both Episodes.
I though originally Episode 2 was the best, but going back and playing them I think HL2 is the most expertly designed of all the HL2 series games.
Pace was good for most of the game, just a few sequences that have you stuck in one area or gameplay scenario a bit too much.
But all in all I felt it's better than both Episodes.
I though originally Episode 2 was the best, but going back and playing them I think HL2 is the most expertly designed of all the HL2 series games.
OrbitalBeard
Member
Xen in HL1 brought that game down a notch or two for me.
Half-Life 2 is really a game I wouldn't change any part of. I've played through it four or five times and it never gets old.
littlebigman
Member
Maybe it's just nostalgia blinding me to its flaws, but I legitimately love this game from start to finish. Even the vehicle sections, while admittedly a bit too long, are a nice change of pace and have plenty of cool scenery to ogle along the way.
revolverjgw
Member
Feels like a lot of the individual chapters seem to wear out their welcome JUST a tad, but somehow it evens out in the end and it feels like you've come so far and regretted none of it.
John Kowalski
Banned
I wish the vehicle sections were longer.
In fact i want an HL game that's just a very very long vehicle section.
In fact i want an HL game that's just a very very long vehicle section.
After playing through Half Life 2: Update recently I can confirm this is indeed still the truth.
SymbiantXenos
Member
Should've finished soon after nova prospekt. Still a great campaign though.
abracadaver
Member
No
tattooed_dwarf
Member
Yes, yes it. I adore first H-L, but I just didn't enjoy 2. I hate when you have places to explore, your companion is hurrying you. Only truly interesting gameplay addition is gravity gun. Story just doesn't grasp me at all. Solid game but hugely overrated.
potatohead
Member
I'm the exact opposite.
Liked HL1, but didn't love it. But I really liked HL2.
I love Black Mesa though, much better than vanilla HL1 and not just considering the better graphics and tech.
Black Mesa is probably better than HL2 proper as well tbh.
Like many already said maybe the vehicle section could be shorter but in my spotty memory the pacing felt good overall. The world had just this nice (menacing) atmosphere. Game is really a Hall of Fame classic.
Can't say the same about Half Life. Thought it was okay back then but not a 8, 9 or 10.
Can't say the same about Half Life. Thought it was okay back then but not a 8, 9 or 10.
Not that I can remember, but it's been a long time since I've played. I can only remember that I might be the only person to actually enjoy the vehicle levels - especially the water one from HL2. I loved replaying that level. I would put on God-mode and see if I could either run over every enemy since you were on an airboat (iirc). I also loved luring everything to barnacles and let them get eaten (friend or foe).
wild wild rice
Member
Absolutely. I've only made it through once. Way too many weak parts. That's why if I get a Half Life itch I'll play one of the Episodes.