A guide to mods and maps I suggest trying

[Acert93]

It looks like HL2 is going to have a LOT of quality mods. It will take a while before we see mods with the Quality of CS, DoD, Sven Opps, TFC, and so forth. But while we wait there are some GREAT mini-mods and maps starting to come out. Below is a quick guide for those of you who have not been able to follow all the HL2 going ons as of late:

Ant Lion Trooper This is a StarShip Troopers Spoof... very good first effort. It is SP; you are at an outpost overran by Ant Lions. Has some nice scripting and with some detailed level design and more scripting could turn into one great little mini-mod. Part 2 is in the works, but until then try this out (Hi Quality is for top line machines; if you are not running a X800/6800 I would suggest the Low Quality version):

Hi Quality
Low Quality

Strider Mod
Do you want to drive a Strider? While the map is basic, the option to drive a strider is GREAT! Left Click fires your gun, right click navigates. Just hit "E" in the control room. If you want more Combine to kill do this: 1) Open the console 2) Type: sv_cheats 1 3) Type: bind m "npc_create_equipment weapon_ar2; wait; npc_create npc_combine_s" 4) Type: bind n "npc_create_equipment weapon_shotgun; wait; npc_create npc_citizen" 5) Return to game. When you hit 'n' or 'm' in game it will spawn a Combine or Citizen now.

A hint: If you zoom in (z) and fire you get a MEGA Cannon! The .2 release is said to include the disintegration cannon, the ability to duck, the leg stab attack, and the ability to move using the keyboard. Definately a mod to keep your eyes on!

Invasion TDM: Objective Based MP
MoonQuake, famous for his BattleField 1942 mod "Action Battlefield" has a map in the works (80% complete). It is a team death match MP map with objectives. As the Combine you are trying to destroy the Rebel comm system. To do this you must unlock the plasma gates, destroy the Rebel supply depo, and then assault the Rebel HQ and seek/destroy the comm device. This is the FIRST TDM in HL2 to be something OTHER than mindless killing and it is great. Requires teamwork and has a good feel. While only 80% complete this is the best SP map I have found yet.

Look for TDM_MQ_INVASION in your HL2DM browser. If you are looking for other good MP maps, Bouce Beta 2 and dm_crossfire are good conversions. Not great, but a nice variety from OverWatch and Lockdown.

Weapon Mods
Were your weapons too weak in HL2? Want more ammo capacity and fire power? Want even more UMF?! Here you go!. I have not got to try it, but it sounds great.

Another mod allows you to get the Blue Grav Gun at any time and in any level, gives both guided and unguided RPG mode, and a more accurate MP7.

The JB Mod
This mod gives some of the original Phys gun functionality back from the E3 demos. You can now well objects together! This means you can weld stuff to your Buggie Like, oh, propane tanks. Shoot the nozzles and you now have a flying Buggie! The possibilities are endless.

::I am looking forward to all the great mods for HL2. Hopefully someone starts a "Quality HL2 Map Pack" with ONLY high quality/COMPLETED maps or maybe makes a site with an editor Ranking system::

 

[Acert93]

I will edit this second post with other suggestions, so if you have found some great maps or mini-mods just post them and I will add them here. Btw, a big thanks to all you modders and mappers out there who are making some kickbutt content for HL2! Thanks!

 

[SLH]

Why is antlion troopers a mini-mod? It's only a map (with custom music).

EDIT: not just targeted at you, loads of people have been calling it a mod.

 

[Acert93]

You could call it a SP Map.

But I would look at it more as a mini-mod because 1) It has the potential to grow out onto its own and 2) The map is not in the HL2 Universe. Gordon is fighting WITH Combine. And there is new music and a unique feel to it. While in of itself it may not be a full blown mod, it seems the direction it is taking is toward a mini-mod. If he adds some new bugs, weapons, maps (even a story?), etc... I think there would be no doubt. So you are right that this could be called a HL2 SP MAP. And it is, no questions asked. But I think the fact you are playing with the Combine and it is a unique gameplay experience different from HL2 I would call it a mini-mod (i.e. a small modification of an existing game).

I guess I look at it like this: If it was a HL2 map that was part of the HL2 game idea then I would consider it a map. But lets say someone makes an Alyx Mini-Mod with 5 maps where the missions, while in the HL2 universe, are a story in their own. While just maps and assets of the HL2 game, I would consider it like an "expansion" and thus a mini-mod and just not maps because it is building onto and modifying the CORE CONCEPT.

You are right, but I also think others are right too Either way you cut it, this is the best SP Map I have seen yet. Part 2 is looking great also. Hopefully this attracts some attention and he forms a little team and starts a full blown mod with both SP and MP. Coop would be great, and letting a team be bugs and the other team by Combine would be neat. A LOT of possibilities here.

 

[SLH]

Yeah, that's a good point, i guess because i've had a bash at making mods i look at the definition a little differently (not to say it's the correct or incorrect way).

 

[MaverickUK]

On strider mod what map do i type in console to play it?

 

[Combine Hybrid]

What's the ip adress for this Invasion TDM map?

 

[Acert93]

On strider mod what map do i type in console to play it?

In the Strider folder in the zip/rar there is a Readme.TXT. It has the path you need to setup for a HL2 shortcut (you cannot just load the map, you need to run the custom command path) AND the map name to load in the console.

 

[Acert93]

What's the ip adress for this Invasion TDM map?

The map is only 80% done, so MoonQuake is only running it when testing. So you will need to get lucky or watch the board and wait for him to make a notice that he is testing again.

 

[RomeoJGuy]

I consider my thing a map as I did no modding in it. I didn't mean you to be gordon and who you are explained in the sequel. I meant you to be some nameless combine, but now he will have name.

 

[Acert93]

Well your the creator, so a map it is Btw, good job and the new map looks GREAT.

 

[ratm9200]

does anyone one know how to start running a server? When im trying to use mods (by creating a shortcut with -applaunch 220 -game insertmodhere -console at the end of the steam.exe) It loads hl2 but when i try to load a map is says "cannot load insertmaphere, server not runnung"

i dont have any clue what to do, does anyone else?

 

[Baal]

Considering I don't think a hell of a lot of time was put into the StriderMod, it is pretty cool!

I can't wait for a full out StriderMod with a story and just awesomeness.

 

[Acert93]

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61280

dm_docksidebeta beta looks great!