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Does Half Life 2 drag on too long?
- Thread starter Mineshaft_Gap
- Start date
charlemagne55
Neo Member
It does drag a bit by the end. Not as much as HL1 though
Kadayi
Banned
^This
Valve screwed the pooch when they developed Source and grossly underestimated the sort of map extents games would require going forward. IIRC the brag at announcement was '10 times the size of maps in HL1' which sounded impressive at the time but paled in comparison with what other engines were capable of. The only way the game could convey distance without running into endless 'loading' screens was to zigzag directions constantly to give the illusion of distance.Somewhat akin to those Italian mountain roads: -
You think you're getting somewhere, but in reality you're not.
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to like about the game (the implementation of in game physics with weight to it was phenomenal) but map limitations was a real hindrance to the conveyance of scale and became increasingly apparent as the series progressed through the episodes.
Contrary to almost everyone else, I loved Water Hazard. Speeding through abandoned industrial areas, stopping at abandoned rebel outposts, leaving the vehicle to explore nooks and crannies for items, I thought it was all awesome, even 10 years on. I loved how destitute it all looked, the dusk atmosphere was incredibly atmospheric. Way better than Highway 17, at any rate. That dragged for me since it was all samey coastline, with terrible draw distance.
Not Spaceghost
Spaceghost
It just has some awful pacing issues, the two vehicle sections last entirely too long and aren't particularly fun compared to the super satisfying gun play.
As the majority says the vehicle sections are too long, but I think they helped in transmiting to the player the feeling of a long and epic journey. In this game there are no cutscenes, you always have control of Gordon and you live every moment of the adventure, so I understand the reasoning behind the vehicle sections' length. When replaying the game they are a pain however...
Apart from that I can't remember any other moments of the game that felt too long, except Ravenholm....I couldn't wait to get out of that hellhole (but in a good way).
Apart from that I can't remember any other moments of the game that felt too long, except Ravenholm....I couldn't wait to get out of that hellhole (but in a good way).
Dark Matter
Neo Member
Love the game, almost every tiny bit of it. Maybe just a few early moments and the final stages in the tower are a little bit underwhelming, but that's it.
I think It's nice to have an FPS that doesn't always push the player forward, but instead leave him the time to enjoy the environment and the atmosphere it exudes while he's in search of ammo or a way to deal with any hindrance/environmental puzzle that blocks his road.
At any rate, you will hardly find two level in the game that play the same by repeating the same few situations. That's a thing I can't really say about many other "fast paced" modern shooters that like to throw hordes of enemies at every turns untill it becomes a dull routine.
I think It's nice to have an FPS that doesn't always push the player forward, but instead leave him the time to enjoy the environment and the atmosphere it exudes while he's in search of ammo or a way to deal with any hindrance/environmental puzzle that blocks his road.
At any rate, you will hardly find two level in the game that play the same by repeating the same few situations. That's a thing I can't really say about many other "fast paced" modern shooters that like to throw hordes of enemies at every turns untill it becomes a dull routine.
I wasn't a big fan of Ravenholm which felt too padded, but overall I think HL2 is breezy and diverse enough.
But for the life of me I can't get myself to finish episode 2. It starts off great but then there's exposition and tunnels and turrets and more tunnels and more exposition and I'm just done. I shelf the game and then start over again and zone out at the same spot, after which I shelf it and.. It's been eight years? Still haven't gotten anywhere in the game.
But for the life of me I can't get myself to finish episode 2. It starts off great but then there's exposition and tunnels and turrets and more tunnels and more exposition and I'm just done. I shelf the game and then start over again and zone out at the same spot, after which I shelf it and.. It's been eight years? Still haven't gotten anywhere in the game.
There are quite a few sections where they easily could've trimmed it by half an hour and it wouldn't have lost anything. The story chapters and some like ravenholm are well-paced, but stuff like the vehicle sections or the citadel went for too long and with some repeated sections.
The two episodes are much better in that regard.
The two episodes are much better in that regard.
chemicals
Member
I'm oldschool. I always search before I start a new thread. My bad.
Jay Shadow
Member
Boat section drags. Although they tried to change it up with adding a weapon in the middle it wasn't enough of a change to make it not feel like a slog.
Buggy section never bothered me though. And outside of those they did really well at changing things at the right time. Right when you get sick of antlions, they give you the ability to control antlions.
Buggy section never bothered me though. And outside of those they did really well at changing things at the right time. Right when you get sick of antlions, they give you the ability to control antlions.
It's been a while since I played Half Life 2 (on the X360 for what it's worth), but I thought Episode 2 was better than the main game. Which seemed odd. I don't recall the specifics, but I did note that the pacing in Episode 2 was considerably better.
Might have to replay it on PC one of these weeks. Bought the Valve Complete Pack on sale a while ago.
Might have to replay it on PC one of these weeks. Bought the Valve Complete Pack on sale a while ago.
The first time I played it I felt it was perfectly paced.
Thing is HL2 came out at a time when single player games were, on average, longer. I mean the average accepted single player campaign length for a FPS this gen is, what, 10 hours? Some, like COD can be as short as 4-6 hours.
Then again I never had any problem with the driving sections in HL2. I liked being able to go at my own pace, decide if I wanted to explore the random buildings along the way.
Thing is HL2 came out at a time when single player games were, on average, longer. I mean the average accepted single player campaign length for a FPS this gen is, what, 10 hours? Some, like COD can be as short as 4-6 hours.
Then again I never had any problem with the driving sections in HL2. I liked being able to go at my own pace, decide if I wanted to explore the random buildings along the way.
D
Deleted member 102362
Unconfirmed Member
This thing I said a year ago? I stand by it.
misses bull
Banned
In my completety unbiased and unfanboyish opinion. Nah hl2 is still the best game ever
zero shift
Banned
Replayed it a few months ago after like ten years.
Nope the game is perfect. The only single flaw in the game was the squad part.
EDIT - Vehicle sections are awesome.
Nope the game is perfect. The only single flaw in the game was the squad part.
EDIT - Vehicle sections are awesome.
eot
Banned
On A Rail is better than both vehicle sequences in HL2 though.
It actually has some cool encounters and it's where you really get to see the HECU fight the aliens.
Piston Hyundai
Member
yanipheonu
Member
I'm not going to lie. After the town escape and meeting the group, I quit HF2 during the endless sewer sections.
I'm just not a fan of their level design.
I'm just not a fan of their level design.
Surface of Me
I'm not an NPC. And neither are we.
It absolutely does. Still a great game.
Episode 2 is better in every way tho.
Episode 2 is better in every way tho.
snowsabre93
Member
I have to admit, as much love as I have for HL2, I've never made it past the Nova Prospekt section. I've played the game 3-4 times up to that section but I've never gotten past it. Mainly because some of the pacing before that section seems extremely slow to me, especially the vehicle section. One day I'll power through.
When I got to the end of HL2 I specifically remember being super sad because the ending of the game surprised me - I thought I still had another third of the game to go so it really bummed me out at the time to find myself staring at the credits. Not nearly long enough for such a good game.
I'll give you that the boat section is a little too long, although it has spectacular moments. But I fucking love the car section, it's amazing. I just love driving along that coast, stopping to investigate every little out-cove and house, it's quite a beautiful level -- and the world truly feels huge here.
I think the first 2 or 3 hours of Half Life 1 are the best paced in gaming though.
I think the first 2 or 3 hours of Half Life 1 are the best paced in gaming though.
Steeped in a Sea of Games
Member
Bought the game on release, played up to the boat section. Quit.
Didn't go back to beat the game until over 7 years later. I still hated the boat section.
Didn't go back to beat the game until over 7 years later. I still hated the boat section.
Gh0stlyMostly
Banned
Wow, you needed to run out and shoot things so much that you couldn't appreciate red letter day?
Wow lol
Gh0stlyMostly
Banned
This, stopping the car, going into the houses for supplies only to hear to footsteps of combine outside, or those roller mines pop out of the attic made the game really feel organic.
InsaneTiger
Member
snowsabre93
Member
Every day is a surprise, lol. Wow.
Black Mesa is fucking incredible.... looking through the lenses of today it is probably the best Half-Life content you can play right now
CertifiedFP
Member
Yes. Way too long, especially with it's uh... Hmm, what's the right word... Archaic gunplay.
Especially in comparison to HL1. It's like, HL1's shooting felt so much better to me. HL2 feels like a Bulletsponge FPS to me on any difficulty above easy, whereas HL1 had the perfect challenge with quick deaths all around for the player and enemies, with any exceptions being because the player is shooting at an enemy's strongpoints.
Black Mesa, of course, does everything HL1 did, and BETTER. Seriously, give these guys a proper budget and resources and hand them the IP, because clearly they know things Valve don't about gunplay.
Especially in comparison to HL1. It's like, HL1's shooting felt so much better to me. HL2 feels like a Bulletsponge FPS to me on any difficulty above easy, whereas HL1 had the perfect challenge with quick deaths all around for the player and enemies, with any exceptions being because the player is shooting at an enemy's strongpoints.
Black Mesa, of course, does everything HL1 did, and BETTER. Seriously, give these guys a proper budget and resources and hand them the IP, because clearly they know things Valve don't about gunplay.
Gr8 R8 m8 8/8 /iceburn
User 479360
Banned
I've never finished it
I started it twice, played for a few hours, then got sidetracked. It just didn't hook me and I feel like a bad gamer because of that. I really do want to beat it and its episodes, though.
I don't particularly like the boat that you drive along the water and through the channels. The physics are weird.
I started it twice, played for a few hours, then got sidetracked. It just didn't hook me and I feel like a bad gamer because of that. I really do want to beat it and its episodes, though.
I don't particularly like the boat that you drive along the water and through the channels. The physics are weird.
eot
Banned
I don't know about that. I'm one of those people who loves the combat in HL1 (I replay it a lot just because I think it's so fun) and I think they fucked it up in Black Mesa. I enjoyed playing it just to see the reimagined environments, but I struggled to enjoy the combat.
It's okay, Valve isn't going to finish the series either.
Super Wario
Banned
Nope the game is close to perfect. The only single flaw in the game.. it's too short.
Superlosia
Banned
Absolutely not. It's perfectly paced IMO. If someone said HL2 was the best game ever made I probably wouldn't disagree with them.
JohnnyFootball
GerAlt-Right. Ciriously.
The first one certainly did. I felt that the game peaked after Surface Tension.
Don't feel bad, the game doesn't get any better and if you didn't enjoy it in the first few hours you wouldn't by playing through it either. There are many better FPS games out there.