H λ L F - L I F E

[MyNameDidntFit]

H λ L F - L I F E

The Half-Life saga, one that is know to all gamers who know what FPS is.
It all started back in 1998 [19 November] when a small developer named VALVe released a first person shooter that sent their protagonist Gordon Freeman on one hell of a ride and changed the face of FPS gaming more than they could have imagined.

The original Half-Life had graphics that were well above par for its time and its gameplay brought in aspects that hadn't been seen before. This game was not the same as the other FPS of its time that focussed almost solely on slaughtering enemies, it brought in a whole new level; puzzle solving. The moving of objects to reach places, the destruction of the environment to achieve your goals, the use of friendly NPCs to get you through that door or simply to act as a human shield for the crowbar-toting protagonist.

Half-Life's dynamic gameplay shocked the gaming community and won it more GOTY awards than rolls in a bakery; still no game has ever won so many GOTY awards and I doubt that another game ever will. Then, in 2004 VALVe put the gaming community on its knees once again with the long awaited sequel Half-Life².

Half-Life² scored itself a massive number of GOTY awards but still didn't catch up to its older brother. Half-Life² was recognised for its incredible friendly AI and character design along with the stunning graphics of the Source engine, along with the physics engine that has become so essential to the game's image and gave rise to what is considered one of the most innovative weapons in an FPS to date: the Zero Point Energy Field Manipulator or more affectionately known as the Gravity Gun. With this new weapon and his trusty crowbar Gordon set about liberating the Earth from the repercussions of the events of its predecessor before leaving us hanging in anticipation of the next instalment...

After Half-Life² VALVe announced that they would continue the Half-Life² story arc with a series of three short games, or episodes. These were to be 6-8 hours long each and were initially planned to be released in quick succession... But, that didn't work out and we've been having 18 month waits between each episode. The to instalments to date have raised the industry bar when it comes to friendly AI with the likes of Alyx Vance, who is likely one of the most well developed AI characters in any game to date.


So, there's a brief history for you I was bored k?

What are your opinions on the Half-Life saga?

And could an admin/mod add a poll to this with the Half-Life games (Half-Life, Half-Life², Half-Life²: Episode 1, Half-Life²: Episode 2) with the question of "Which Half-Life game is your favourite?"
Thanks


Now, go forth and discuss the awesomeness that is Half-life!

[Junk Angel]

Can I say I like the way Alyx is portrayed. Not the usual I'm miss slutty come and save me type.

[Revan Jast]

I have the Orange Box for 360. I really like the story in the games. Portal is very interesting but short. TF2... eh, it's unique, but I have no real love for it.

[Rain]

Where is everyone getting these cool A's out of

[Revan Jast]

We hack.

[Rain]

You hack !

[MyNameDidntFit]

Its the Greek letter Lambda. It represents the nuclear half-life of a material (look it up, detailed description is out of my league) or the wavelength of a light ray.

I see you've found it... As its in your name

0|\/|G HλX0RZ!!!!!11!1!1!!


And Junk; I agree, although I personally wish VALVe would make her go away, she pisses me off something chronic... But her character an portrayal are great. Unfortunately she just gets on my nerves by ruining the atmosphere.

Like in Ep2, Riding Shotgun; you are racing to save the world and if you don't get to your destination soon the world will be screwed... And she starts chatting about how nice the White Forest Inn is... ARGH! Way to kill the tension...

Sorry, I started ranting... >.<

[Rain]

lol No problem

I might buy orange box... Is it worth it? This sounds alwesome but what are the other games like? Portal and something or other

[MyNameDidntFit]

Well, personally I don't care much for Portal. I found it repetitive after 10 minutes and had to force myself to play through for the story. TF2... Well, its alright but its just another online FPS.

But that's my opinion... Which seems to get me flamed no matter where I go so obviously not the common consensus.

Although; IMO it is worth buying TOB just for HL2 and the episodes. Make sure to get the original if you have already You can play the others without playing the original and not miss anything but the original is still my favourite game after 10 years.

[Rain]

Cool

Once I get some moneys I might splash out on it

[MyNameDidntFit]

Good choice! And don't forget that $9.95 for Half-Life!