Epi3 - Alyx - Epi2 - Eli - [Spoilers]

[Houndini]

i didn't know where to post this, but i have a few things i'd like to point out

first is alyx

- I was reading the wants and dont wants here and 50/50 of you guys said you wanted alyx with you or you wanted to be alone, im one of them guys that hates playing games were your a one man army, its not as fun, its always more fun having people with you. Anyway after Ep2 i played it again but with developers commentary and it seems valve put a SHIT load of work into alyx eg: with the different ways she enters the car.

It seems like valve wants alyx to be more then another npc, they want her to be close to gordon, so in ep3 i doubt you will be alone, im guessing most of it will be with alyx, which i dont mind, after all she opens combine force fields and other things that the player cant do.

a quote from one of developers "we made alyx charming and fun to be with so when she gets hurt you feel sad" - it was something along those lines

Second is eli

Im epi2 the last 10 minutes of epi2 before you know what (if you have finished epi2) Eli say's he wants to talk to you, the first time is when alyx said to his father Eli "prepare for unforeseen consequences" which G-man told her to tell him. after that Eli sent her to get coffee, then Eli started talking with you about some weird things, he stops when alyx walks in and he say's we will talk later. Later on he starts talking again about stuff but was cut short again. What was he trying to tell gordon, i didn't get it all?

yeah, so what do you guys think about this?

 

[Avoidist]

Alyx has got a bit too much "screen time" in my opinion, the other characters while having a little less depth are far more interesting because they have their own quirks, Alyx has been made almost too likable when it comes to emotions and sort of looses a little character in the process. Let me put it this way, "Cecil" was a lot more interesting than Alyx because we knew so little about him and his kind. I'm very much looking forward to more interactions with the rest of the cast (Barney, Mossman & G-Man) rather than Alyx because of their quirkiness and mystery rather than just another heroine sidekick (albeit a very unique and well-designed sidekick).

Eli didn't want Alyx to know about G-Man because he felt it should have been his burden to bear - a classic fatherly trait. He obviously knew more about G-Man than what he told us and wanted to plot against his wishes, but is overly concerned about destroying Borealis because that's what he interpreted "Unforeseen Consequences" to be, and due to the urgent mission at hand left Gordon with that.

 

[pistolero!]

The death of Eli will affect Alyx' personality alot, I think she will definatly not be the Mrs. Nice Girl with that smile on her face, hugging everything she can reach, anymore. So I don't think she is an "uninteresting" character.

 

[Druckles]

In the original Half-Life, I enjoyed the npcs that lay around. They were interesting, fun and different. You could opt to save them if you wanted from strange predicaments (which I spent 10 minutes doing the other day for these two bloody scientists), or you can blow their brains out. Both which can be fun to do. I also enjoyed Barneys' sardonic remarks and the scientists flees and their cries for help. It all added to the atmosphere. You can use them strategically, guiding zombie hordes to security guards and getting scientists to heal you, or use your security guard to provide cover for you. The when you have a security guard/scientist, was always on edge, you might lose him all of a sudden, or he might reach a "barrier" and "refuse to go another step". This sense of uncertainty added to the excitement and the choices. Sometimes you have them, sometimes you don't.

I have mixed feelings about Alyx. While I think she's helpful, and she does some cool things, she can get kind've repetitive. Unlike the security guards from Half-Life, her funniest moments are scripted, and you can't "use" her for more witty remarks. And the fact you can't kill her is really annoying - that, I'm constantly wanting to do. She's always scripted to be there or not be there, and you can't decide whether to take her or to leave her, and this inflexibility is no way near as enjoyable as Half-Life. I think the rebels are nearest to that of the old days, but they are in short supply, and when you do have them, you'll have four or even six.

Alyx might also be overpowered. In Half-Life 2, she'd die a couple of times, but in both Episodes One and Two, I only got her killed once (maybe twice), both on Hard. And she's constantly taking my kills. I enjoy her company, and like her being there to make the comments and say random things, but whenever she's not there, it feels way to scripted.

 

[LandStander]

I wish Alyx would hang back in more a support role and provide cover fire.

 

[Blackthorn]

I appreciated Alyx's presence in the game. In my opinion, she's pretty much the only example of a team mate NPC who didn't irritate me, and never made herself unwelcome. One of the reasons I love Episode One, despite it's length, is how well her AI and general character performs. I would've felt bad-ass in the hospital scene on my own, but with Alyx by the side wielding a shotgun, it's one of those perfect gaming moments that Valve construct so well. The fact she stood back in boss battles and left me to feel heroic was welcome too.

My only gripe is her health, and her abundance of it. Until I read this thread I didn't even know she could die, and assumed she was invincible.

 

[Iron_cube]

She has 80 HP, but regenerates 1 per 0.5 second.

 

[SpotEnemyBoats]

I like how it is right now. To make it more realistic, I hope Valve humanizes her because of her fathers death (i.e Confused and befudled) rather than making her become a cold-blooded-revenge-wanting-assassin.

I love the interaction between her and the player.

 

[mxnl1090]

I like how it is right now. To make it more realistic, I hope Valve humanizes her because of her fathers death (i.e Confused and befudled) rather than making her become a cold-blooded-revenge-wanting-assassin.

I love the interaction between her and the player.

i completely agree, i think that if she instantly became cold and blood thirsty it seem entirely unrealistic.

 

[leib10]

Valve has the opportunity to take Alyx to an entirely new level of humanity, if done correctly. Therefore she will still get a LOT of screentime to showcase just how well they can design their characters.

Valve is startlingly good at adding the human element in video games, perhaps moreso than any other developer. I am fairly confident that Alyx's presence in Episode Three will be more powerful than ever before. This change is necessary. Alyx's character, excellent though it was, was getting stale by the end of Episode Two. She's cute, she's likeable, she's smart, and she's witty, but all those good traits will fall behind when she is developed to her full potential for Episode Three. It is time for change, and Valve has provided this time now. Although it required the death of a major character, the payoff will certainly be greater than the loss we suffered with you-know-who.

Therefore, Alyx will still play a very important role in Episode Three, perhaps an even more important one than she has in the past.

 

[Houndini]

yeah valve might make her more depressed but i doubt they will change her whole personality

 

[JFry]

I hope valve gives her an extra set of arms and makes lasers shoot out of her eyes.

 

[Pinkle]

I am in love with Alyx, but god, I need more Barney. <3

 

[Houndini]

Barney is weird.. lol was he ibn half life 1?, i gotta play that again.

imagine barney actually worked for the combine

 

[Druckles]

Um... was he in Half-Life?

Who the hell are you....??

GTFO!

 

[Houndini]

i said if he was in half life 1.. i played that years ago, thats why i also said, i gotta play that again....

 

[Asknoone]

I'm a big fan of having Alyx around, but there's always a want for something new--something different to explore. I'm thinking the death of Eli will probably inject new life into her.

 

[Druckles]

i said if he was in half life 1.. i played that years ago, thats why i also said, i gotta play that again....

If you don't remember this guy... I don't know what I'm going to do to you...

 

[Blackthorn]

You'll probably ask me who I am, then politely request I make myself absent.

 

[Pesmerga]

Or request tits.

 

[Druckles]

Or both.

Absent man-tits would be appreciated.

 

[Iron_cube]

Thats not the real HL1 barney on that picture up there. The real one's face is better.

 

[Houndini]

oh ic, lol he looks much better in half life 2

 

[Druckles]

Does it matter? I was attempting to get the general idea across. I think the one above was an earlier model.

 

[Iron_cube]

Where did you even get that picture from anyway?

He doesn't look like that in the real game.

 

[Sufferin-rebel]

It's from the Half-life Beta, if I remember correctly. (Yes Half-life 1 also went through a Beta-stage) You can youtube it, if you wish. There's some HL1-beta content on youtube you can view, Cut enemies etc.

 

[McCoy]

If you don't remember this guy... I don't know what I'm going to do to you...

Yeah, if you guys don't remember Rainbow Six back in the day, you shouldn't be looking at this.

 

[Operational]

It's from the Half-life Beta, if I remember correctly. (Yes Half-life 1 also went through a Beta-stage) You can youtube it, if you wish. There's some HL1-beta content on youtube you can view, Cut enemies etc.

Lies, HL1 descended directly from heaven into the minds at Valve fully formed.

 

[Herr Mike]

They should really limit how much combat Alyx is in...after all, the whole point of the hazard suit is to make it believable that you can take the amount of punishment you do and live. But Alyx in her sweatshirt can handle more than Gordan can.

Plus, the way she prods you along is annoying. I'm Gordan F***ing Freeman, I know where to go and I'll take my damn time getting there. And I'll look for goddamn crates every 10 feet if I want to.

 

[Druckles]

I just noticed that vent behind him...

And now I want to open it with my crowbar :frown:

 

[freeman1993]

Barney come back!!!!

 

[Druckles]

No. He's gone. Forever.

Don't try and call him back.

He won't come.

He's left you.

And he's dead!

Dead!!

Dead!!

And there isn't anything you can do.

He's gone.

For good.

Dead!

...