There's no denying it; Half-Life 2 is getting old. Three years ago we thought the Source Engine sequel would never look dated, but alongside the Unreal Tournaments and Direct X 10 wonders of modern PC gaming, the old boy's finally starting to look its age.
There's a lot to be said then for the fact that this near-four-year-old tech can waltz in and still show up nearly every Unreal Engine FPS of the last twelve months. The excellent pacing, unbeatable cast of characters and mental physics puzzles still make for a brilliant experience, and Episode Two doesn't disappoint.
That's not to say it's not beautiful; wonderful art design and the odd bit of technical spit-shine ensure that Episode Two - delayed from its original release, in typical Valve fashion, by almost a year - doesn't loose any of its wow factor.
Back to work Dusting yourself off and stepping back into Freeman's HEV suit you'll be dazzled by Two's gorgeous soft shadows, surprised by the fancy water effects, and finally impressed by the fantastic and beautifully animated 'cinematic physics'. It won't push your ninja PC rig, but we're not complaining.
Basically, Episode Two goes about fixing a lot of the niggling complaints we had about Episode One; after the last instalment's location recycle-fest it's great to finally see some new environments in Half-Life 2. The lush, open forests and rocky hills are a far cry from the blocks of City 17, and it's a real joy to get rough in the jungle.
The AI too - arguably the weakest facet of Half-Life 2 - has seen some much-need improvements. Computer opponents in Episode Two seem far more real this time around; their dialogue is far more relevant to your given situation. For example after knocking a cart off a ledge you get "the Freeman is a quick thinker and a quick mover".
There's also a bit of visual touch up going too and that helps in erasing the "AI clones" feel from Episode One. These attentions to details are clear factors of why Episode Two's world feels more alive than ever.
In one section we spied a random conversation between city folk and the country resistance; after a full minute of nattering we left only to find them still bickering later on. "In City 17 we used to wrestle hunters with out bare hands!" screams one. "Yeah right!" belts out the other. As you can imagine, in a linear shooter like this these little scenes goes a long way in building the atmosphere.
Virtual Insanity As proved in Episode One Alyx is as believable and compelling as AI companions come. Alien race the Vortigaunts, your newest wingmen are an even greater joy to flight alongside, no-doubt aided by the fact that they're not trying to intricately imitate real-life people - something gamers will pick holes out of in seconds.
Anyone who says Half-Life has a rubbish plot needs a slap; we won't spoil any details of Episode Two's intricately thought-out storyline (for fear of Doug Lombardi more than anything else) but the latest instalment features some long-awaited explanations to Half-Life's mysteries. It also features some of the series' most emotional scenes yet.
Not only does the plot finally flesh out one of Half-Life's oldest and unexplored characters, but it also battles with the Vortigaunt. Not only do they look bloody awesome, smashing green electricity through beasties' chests, but unlike other AI partners the big brown guys don't steal your thunder; most of the time their zapping attacks just stun, so you need to work together to finish them off. It's a great partnership.
In one early section you're forced to use sentry guns to defend the entrances of an underground mine. It's no way near as challenging as the similar prison scene from Half-Life 2, but at the same time it's no way near as tedious either thanks to your hugely entertaining comrades.
This is where you first get to see the Vortigaunt in action; together they wrestle ant lions to the ground before unleashing devastating electricity attacks. They're a force to be reckoned with and feel far more alive than your average grunt thanks to a plethora of plucky dialogue. "I think you will be very glad you saved those crates, Freeman."
Free running With Crysis et all currently dominating the PC space, Half-Life desperately needs to ditch the linear battles and embrace the world of open combat and thankfully that's exactly what Episode Two's mammoth forests introduce.
The environment is Valve's new play thing; driving sections are no longer empty roads with the occasional zombie on them, they're hard, off-road and your motor's not the only thing on the road flattening stuff anymore. These free-roaming forests are the scene for the most intense strider battles yet. Whole teams of the 30ft tripods descend on rebel camps, and with the assistance of tricky Hunters dancing between their spiky feet, it's a more challenging game than ever.
The Hunters themselves single-handedly knock the firefights up a notch. They're relentless, wield Needler-esque exploding ammo and provide way more challenge than the Combine's 'stand around and get shot' grunts - who now look too much like Killzone's Helgast. Hold up in a house and Hunters will smash through the windows. Try and take them up close and they'll simply charge your arse down. After the relatively disappointing gun fights of the last episode, the Hunters are a very welcome addition to the Half-Life universe.
The Combine meanwhile is not quite as thick as before, but it could still do with a bit of extra maths tuition. They seem to work together as a team more than before, taking up positions on rooftops and barely straying too far from the pack - but at other times you'll find them standing around getting shot in the face.
Been here before? But Episode Two's biggest problem isn't some huge, glaring fault in its design, it's the fact that we've replayed, obsessed over and caned Half-Life 2 and it's subsequent episode so much that the formula has become all too predictable.
The first half of Episode Two definitely borders on tired ground; one minute you're in an exploration section, then you're fighting ant lions. Oh, here's where we have to solve a physics puzzle - and now we're fighting zombies. It's still fun to play but the boys behind Half-Life desperately need to shake things up a bit for the next Episode - and we reckon Portal's excellent gravity gun might be the trick.
Thankfully Two's length rests an hour or so beyond Episode One's four or five hours (for an experienced FPS fan)- which most people managed to clear in a single sitting. We could argue that most of the re-treading of the first few hours would've done better on the cutting room floor, but who's going to turn down more Half-Life? You're always going to want more.
Its cast of characters still beats out anything competing titles offer (though that might be a different story once Mass Effect is out), and fire fights and the AI in general have seen long overdue improvements since the last episode.
So what if it's a continuation of the Half-Life story, with familiar gameplay and a few surprises? We still dare you not to put it in your top ten games of the year.
Is anyone else p**sed off that Valve have suddenly changed their minds, and aren't including Portal or TF2 with Episode 2?
We were always told that if we bought episode 2, both tf2 and portal would be included... yet a quick check on the TF2 part of steampowered.com advises that these packages include TF2:
- The Orange Box - Source Premier Pack - Valve Complete Pack
I got this baby pre-loaded on Steam last night. Already played TF2 and its a heap of turd, but really looking forward to Portal and especially Episode Two. Only 7 hours left 'til I can play it... only 7. Only.
I fully agree with spasmic puppy valve are trying to rip off thier customers who have already purchased halflife 2 & episode 1, why should i buy the games twice just to get an addon cheaper, they should live up to thier statement when they stated they would release portal and TF2 free with Episode 2
I fully agree with spasmic puppy valve are trying to rip off thier customers who have already purchased halflife 2 & episode 1, why should i buy the games twice just to get an addon cheaper, they should live up to thier statement when they stated they would release portal and TF2 free with Episode 2
Are you kidding me? Ł22 for Team Fortress, Ep 2 and Portal- plus you can gift the stuff you already have. How is that bad value in any way, shape or form?
Better than spending Ł40-45 on a single player title and blitzing it in 5 hours (Cough Heavenly Sword, Crackdown, etc)
While i know this will easily run on my rig, i really wish CVG would give the PC spec that they reviewed the game on and at least spend 5 minutes testing it on a lower spec rig to see how it performs
Anyway, looking forward to getting this on the 19th
okay for Ł22 you get a copy of 3 extra games that i do not need, great you can gift it, why should I im not buying the game for someone else im buying it for me. and if you want to give it to a friend and they want to play episode 2 or TF2 then they will need to buy the box set. then they end up with several copies of unneeded games, i would have though valve would have given the option to those people who own HL:2 and episode 1 already an option to upgrade.
While i know this will easily run on my rig, i really wish CVG would give the PC spec that they reviewed the game on and at least spend 5 minutes testing it on a lower spec rig to see how it performs
Anyway, looking forward to getting this on the 19th
Should be able to play it on most machines. Up until recently I was running HL2 and Ep1 on an Athlon xp 2100+, geforce 4, 512mb ddr system. Got suprisingly playable framerates at 1024x768.
well i just finished it and loved it...i agree about the retreading old ground bit however. zombies breaking down doors, vents behinds cupboards. all that sorta thing has been done in hl2. however valve are still the masters of storytelling, if your a half life fan dont let anyone spoil the plot.
and the last bit is the closest ive come to weeping in a vid game.
While i know this will easily run on my rig, i really wish CVG would give the PC spec that they reviewed the game on and at least spend 5 minutes testing it on a lower spec rig to see how it performs
Anyway, looking forward to getting this on the 19th
Should be able to play it on most machines. Up until recently I was running HL2 and Ep1 on an Athlon xp 2100+, geforce 4, 512mb ddr system. Got suprisingly playable framerates at 1024x768.
Ahh yeah, its just a general comment for most PC reviews, the source engine is well optimized, having said that EP2 contains a lot more HDR( dunno if its full HDR now or the bloom effect ), so it may impact performance slightly more on lesser rigs
This game looks excellent. So what if its similar in style to HL2 and Ep1. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
As for TF2 and Portal, I have absolutely zero interest in either of them and TBH I wish they wern't in the Orange box at all. If people really want to play these games they should be avaliable seperately or as a download. You shouldn't be forced to own games you do not want.
To add to my wish for CVG to post specs of test PC that games are tested on, from another forum, EP2 runs like crap on older rigs if the lighting is turned up because of the new volumetric lighting and shadows etc. Stuff like that should be included in reviews as the reviews are to provide consumers with enough information to help them decide whether to buy or not
Is anyone else p**sed off that Valve have suddenly changed their minds, and aren't including Portal or TF2 with Episode 2?
We were always told that if we bought episode 2, both tf2 and portal would be included... yet a quick check on the TF2 part of steampowered.com advises that these packages include TF2:
- The Orange Box - Source Premier Pack - Valve Complete Pack
Skank? I think so...
Valve have "suddenly" changed their minds, have they? In fact no. No, they have not. Valve always planned to have Episode 2 available entirely on its own via Steam, but there was going to be an ADDITIONAL Episode 2/TF2/Portal package called "the Black Box".
While the Black Box did indeed get cancelled, that's hardly a recent development; Valve made the announcement OVER SIX MONTHS AGO! So where have you been fella, living on the moon?
okay for Ł22 you get a copy of 3 extra games that i do not need, great you can gift it, why should I im not buying the game for someone else im buying it for me. and if you want to give it to a friend and they want to play episode 2 or TF2 then they will need to buy the box set. then they end up with several copies of unneeded games, i would have though valve would have given the option to those people who own HL:2 and episode 1 already an option to upgrade.
quit moaning, Ł22 for 3 games, thats Ł7.33 each! does it really matter that you got some games you already own for free thrown in as well?
sell them to a friend, if you have any, and just give it to them as a gift through steam!
Since I only have access to the Internet at work I'm just disappointed that Value still require an internet connection to even install these games never mind play them.
I've still got an unused copy of HL2 that I can not install never mind play. When it first came out I never realised you needed a net connection to install (and it was not mentioned on the box) and the shop refused to take it back once it was opened.
I guess I will add HL2: EP2 to the games that I will never own and play, including Bioshock, COH: Opposing Fronts and Galactic Civilisations 2 (GC2 is in the list because you need to online activate the patches)
I've been playing HL2 EP2 for about 2 hours now and dare I say it I'm actually bored, HL2 was amazing and I loved it as much as the next person, but EP1 was frankly poor and frustratingly repetetive and lame enemies didn't help much, especially those things that came out of the ground requiring you to cover them with cars etc. So far in EP 2 I'm mostly wandering around boring tunnels squashing glow worms, I mean WTF glow worms! And having to shoot really annoying jumping beetle things, the bit where the Vortigaunt is healing Alex takes the biscuit, also from what I can see there isn't much in the way of new weapons either, come on Valve this isn't at all what I was expecting.
HL2 was a completely different beast I just couldn't wait to see what was round the next corner, I'd go to bed and get back up half an hour later as I just had to play some more, EP 2 just doesn't have that quality, I don't care how great the story is if the gameplay required to tell said story is boring. I just really hope this game is a slow burner and it gets a lot better really quick as I wanted so much for it to be great.
There's no denying it; Half-Life 2 is getting old. Three years ago we thought the Source Engine sequel would never look dated, but alongside the Unreal Tournaments and Direct X 10 wonders of modern PC gaming, the old boy's finally starting to look its age.
There's a lot to be said then for the fact that this near-four-year-old tech can waltz in and still show up nearly every Unreal Engine FPS of the last twelve months. The excellent pacing, unbeatable cast of characters and mental physics puzzles still make for a brilliant experience, and Episode Two doesn't disappoint.
Yes HL2 is "getting old" but I think it proves that you don't need to make your games so heavily laiden with graphics and stuff that look nice (and need a uber PC to play), but don't actually add anything to the gameplay.
HL2 still manages to look pretty decent and has good gameplay, yet can still run on an "average" PC
half life was good ..you got a full games worth of adrenaline..... episide 1 and now that i played ep2 are really... half s**te..pay twice....half the fun...thats it in a barrel.... if you want to play for 5hrs of fun each episode then get half life...if i were you wait till your mate buys it then he can use his "free steam tokens" to give you the episodes he has already paid for...eh ...yep thats right! brian
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Open environments are a blast
