Half Life 2 - Virgin Playthough

[Prothean]

Dear Half lIfe fans,

I recently made the decision (an important one, many would consider) to finally play the half life 2 series. Today I am about to make another! I would like to ask for your opinions about using the "Cinematic Mod 10" for my first playthrough. I LOVE the graphical enhancements but is the storyline, gameplay and feel the same (eg same weopons, same enemies etc)? If anyone else has used this, and would be so kind as to give me a quick comparison that would be wonderful!

PS: If it does turn out it changes the theme of the orginal half-Life is there another graphical enhancement mod people can suggest so I might enjoy HL2 with revamped graphics like in the CM mode?

Thank you ALL VERY MUCH for helping out, you have my thanks!

 

[Vegeta897]

CM10 is a waste of time.

If you're just looking for graphical enhancements, stay away from that. It even changes the music to feel like a movie, totally leaving behind the original feel of HL2 which has great music.

I don't know of any other graphical enhancement mods. I say they're unnecessary.

 

[Prothean]

Im really really thankful for your promt reply and I dont mean to sound ungrateful but I simply must disagree, the CM enhancements are world apart, mate! They make it look much much better with the textures and the lighting and so forth, here check it out for yourself. Furthermore, with the latest version the new music is optional and you can simply tick it off in the settings for the original music : D

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...ker-look-Top-article-of-August-2009/Practice/

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...n-shots-demonstrate-visual-enhancements/News/

PS: Pay no heed to the new character models for the chick, sure as hell gonna turn that off lol

Thanks again! And yeah, hope I didn't sound like a git but the game was made many years ago and I feel the Cinematic Mod gives it a more current-generation-game look! xD

 

[Vegeta897]

I know what Cinematic Mod is. I'd rather have the original game as it was intended.

 

[Prothean]

Okay, but would you mind providing me with reasons and explanations? Why would you rather pass up the revamped graphics and how does the CM change the game overall?

 

[Stormy]

Original ftw, if it ant broke dont fix it. After playing for 10 mins you will be so engrossed you wont even notice the slightly outdated graphics.

 

[Escaep]

Okay, but would you mind providing me with reasons and explanations? Why would you rather pass up the revamped graphics and how does the CM change the game overall?

Play it original first, then play it again with the cinematic mod. The graphics in HL2 are not so old to where they are repulsive, they are still quite nice. CM10 isn't going to make the game look like Crysis maxed out.

Enjoy the game it was meant to be played. HL2's success is owed to its gameplay and story, not to its graphics. If you find yourself being distracted by the graphics then you were not going to enjoy the game anyway.

 

[Prothean]

Haha Im really big on graphics though, I find they can do so much to enhance the experience of a game. It's the medium through which the story is told and I want that to be as presentable as possible. Would anyone else like to offer a comparison of CM vs original and why they think CM is bad?

 

[Vegeta897]

CM is not made by Valve. Valve made their game with their own art direction in mind. CM drastically changes the look and feel of the game, as evident by those screenshots. I do not want somebody else's vision plastered over my game made by a company that makes games so well, the company that made Half-Life.

 

[Prothean]

Play it original first, then play it again with the cinematic mod. The graphics in HL2 are not so old to where they are repulsive, they are still quite nice. CM10 isn't going to make the game look like Crysis maxed out.

Enjoy the game it was meant to be played. HL2's success is owed to its gameplay and story, not to its graphics. If you find yourself being distracted by the graphics then you were not going to enjoy the game anyway.

That my dear sir is the sole purpose of the thread : D To come to a decision whether to use the mod or not for my first playthrough, if I had time to test both out one by one I would simple have done so xD

Secondly I don't think of the original as the "way it was meant to be", more like they din't have access to the technology nowadays back then and now...well, now we do so I don't see much reason to use the old graphics if there's better out there.

Im' not looking for crysis maxed out, no need for sarcasm mate - Im just looking for a better experience.

If you find yourself being distracted by the graphics then you were not going to enjoy the game anyway. -> Not distracted by them, just looking for better, I said im big on graphics, not that I care for nothing but graphics. Big difference.

CM is not made by Valve. Valve made their game with their own art direction in mind. CM drastically changes the look and feel of the game, as evident by those screenshots. I do not want somebody else's vision plastered over my game made by a company that makes games so well, the company that made Half-Life.

I think the creator of the mod has kept much of the art direction intact in the screenshots, the major differences arise in the textures and the lighting : ) it's a drastic improvement, in my opinion, which screenshots were you referring to?

 

[Vegeta897]

Dude, this isn't just "better graphics" it's changing the look and feel of many scenes. And even if it didn't, slapping high res textures on everything does not a good graphics make.

 

[Prothean]

Sharp High res texture > blurry low res texture. And yes, this is what I wanna know, how does it change the look and feel, examples if it aint too much trouble : D (just use the screenshots to demonstrate)

 

[Lobster]

My problem with the cinematic mod is that although the textures and models may be higher res or higher poly, many of them carry no resemblence to what they are meant to replace.

Last time I checked the Citizens got replaced with strange leather clad mad-max drop outs, the textures are disjointed and suck away the color pallete of most of the levels, they also drop in strange jarring prop models, like a crashed jumbo jet next to a fishing port where a fishing boat used to be, it kinda makes a mockery of the subtle design work of the game.

Not to mention the slutty Alyx model.. but I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

 

[Vegeta897]

Dude, you linked me this.

Do I really need to explain why this is a different look and feel?

 

[Prothean]

Yes, please do, explain why the second is a violation of valve's "art direction" and not a graphical enhancement. Cos way Is ee it it has everything in the original, only it makes it look better.

My problem with the cinematic mod is that although the textures and models may be higher res or higher poly, many of them carry no resemblence to what they are meant to replace.

Last time I checked the Citizens got replaced with strange leather clad mad-max drop outs, the textures are disjointed and suck away the color pallete of most of the levels, they also drop in strange jarring prop models, like a crashed jumbo jet next to a fishing port where a fishing boat used to be, it kinda makes a mockery of the subtle design work of the game.

Not to mention the slutty Alyx model.. but I guess it all comes down to personal taste.

YES HOLY SMOKES FIRST USEFUL REPLY!!!! Thank you my good, sir - your's is the most helpful reply I've gotten today. I shall look into those examples and will see if I mind em - and LOL yes i dont care much for the alyx model either bro, was hoping they'd let me switch that off in the settings bwahaha.

PS: hey lobster, would you mind linking me to a screenshot which shows the "sucking away of the collor pallete" Im color blind and am having much difficulty seeing this.

 

[ChiliFan]

they also drop in strange jarring prop models, like a crashed jumbo jet next to a fishing port where a fishing boat used to be, it kinda makes a mockery of the subtle design work of the game.

This was the main thing I was going to point out. The coastal areas of HL2 are supposed to look desolate and in many places abandoned. The CM mod adds unnecessary models everywhere and clutters up the world, removing that feeling of emptiness which, without giving too much away, is a rather important part of the story.

 

[Prothean]

This was the main thing I was going to point out. The coastal areas of HL2 are supposed to look desolate and in many places abandoned. The CM mod adds unnecessary models everywhere and clutters up the world, removing that feeling of emptiness which, without giving too much away, is a rather important part of the story.

I see I see, thank you : ) I shall take that into mind, though I am still debating whether that an acceptable sacrifice for the eyecandy

Does the CM mod DRASTICALLY change anything inparticular in the game? Like i'm talking stuff that would absolutely appall fans, things they would soncider sacrilege hehe xD

 

[ChiliFan]

Does the CM mod DRASTICALLY change anything inparticular in the game? Like i'm talking stuff that would absolutely appall fans, things they would soncider sacrilege hehe xD

Well, there's this...

 

[Holy Toaster]

I'm just going to throw it out there for the sake of it but you asked whether or not you should use it and asked for opinions and then when people gave their opinions you turned around and defended the mod. You seem pretty set on using it so why not just use it? From the looks of all your replies you look like you won't be swayed by everyone else's opinions, so why did you ask in the first place?

 

[Prothean]

Bwahaha, oh shit that cracked me up good and proper mate xD Im talking stuff in the storyline and gameplay the story is all orginal yersh? and the maps so far as making your way through the terrain is concerned, they won't make you walk along that bridge I hope? xD And weopons O_O weopons are important, they don't change the way they look/fire do they?

I'm just going to throw it out there for the sake of it but you asked whether or not you should use it and asked for opinions and then when people gave their opinions you turned around and defended the mod. You seem pretty set on using it so why not just use it? From the looks of all your replies you look like you won't be swayed by everyone else's opinions, so why did you ask in the first place?

A valid question : ) If you read my first post, i actaully admit that I LOVE the enhancements. THen when I started getting replies, many were "no", "you're wasting your time", "original ftw" replies with no real argument until good ol lobster came along : ) So yes naturally I was suspicious and went on the defensive side. Had I just agreed it would have gotten me nowhere, but now thanks to much persistence I am that much closer to finding an unbiased answer : ) That answer your question?

 

[Shakermaker]

I guess it is down to taste. It is the same with movies really. Some people like the original Star Wars and some prefer the enhanced (imho bastardized) editions. I fit (surprise!) in the former bracket.

 

[Lobster]

Well the above picture kinda count's for me, but the citizens I saw was what really annoyed me.

Spoiler

The characters just end up looking like they are a low budget cosplay of the original.

Overall though, HL2 is not meant to look like.. say STALKER, itself a great game, but one that is pushing a different style. STALKER is supposed to look drab, grey and washed out, its a bleak enviroment, where as HL2 has always had a more vibrant contrasted look, that neatly controls the players eye.

I guess I just don't care for the mod, I feel it damages the game's original design choices, but like I say, it is just my personal opinion.

 

[Prothean]

Ay yer, I think I'd fit in the latter brackets lmao but so long as they remain true to the spirit of the original. Applying that in this context, apparently they have not, which is a downright shame (referring to that bridge screenshot by CHillifan lol) so now I must weigh up whether the eye candy is worth it. *sigh, decisions decisions...

 

[Prothean]

*Oh sht, sorry for the double post, Mods.

Well the above picture kinda count's for me, but the citizens I saw was what really annoyed me.

http://www.cinematicmod.com/images/cm_10/cm_10_43.jpg

The characters just end up looking like they are a low budget cosplay of the original.

Overall though, HL2 is not meant to look like.. say STALKER, itself a great game, but one that is pushing a different style. STALKER is supposed to look drab, grey and washed out, its a bleak enviroment, where as HL2 has always had a more vibrant contrasted look, that neatly controls the players eye.

I guess I just don't care for the mod, I feel it damages the game's original design choices, but like I say, it is just my personal opinion.

Thanks Lobster, I shall that that into consideration when I weigh up the pros/cons.

PS: could you link us to the citizen pic again? site doesn't allow hotlinking im afraid.

 

[MJ12]

Play the shitty Cinematic Mod. No really, please, play it. It's evident that you really, really want to use this mod that uses overt textures, lighting and saturated colors. You wouldn't appreciate the subtlety of HL2's original form.

PS: hey lobster, would you mind linking me to a screenshot which shows the "sucking away of the collor pallete" Im color blind and am having much difficulty seeing this.

Uhhh-

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...ker-look-Top-article-of-August-2009/Practice/

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...n-shots-demonstrate-visual-enhancements/News/

If you need any more convincing of how awesome the Cinematic Mod is, check out the remodel of Breen and that oh-so-hilarious new poster of him that says "proven asshole" 2:09 :|-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjPj-R09xa8

 

[Prothean]

My, my how positively hostile ^_^

 

[kupocake]

If each of us rephrases what Vegeta said a page ago slightly differently, will it eventually stick that the Cinematic mod makes the game into a differently ugly version of the original, and that you should just save yourself the download time?

No? Not even if we use some kind of pornography metaphor? (hell, you started it with your dirty, dirty thread title)

 

[Wanted Bob]

Me personally I choose not to use this mod (though admittedly I use graphical enhancement mods for other games like TES or STALKER). As someone who played this game soon after it came out, I just prefer to see the game as it was originally made. Guess you could call it nostalgia.

Also, have you just tried playing a bit without any mods? Screenshots rarely do games justice, and in motion this game still causes me to go "wow, that looks really nice".

 

[kupocake]

Doesn't the version currently on everyone's harddrive have the console / Orange Box's slight enhancements over the 2004 release version anyway?

 

[Wanted Bob]

I thought it did. In which case you get flashlight shadows, better fire, and "better" (some people dont like it) blood. Also HDR.

 

[Acepilotf14]

The cinematic mod makes it look like a ****ing zombie apocalypse game, rather than a dystopia which is still environmentally beautiful and yet under the total control of forces unknown.

 

[function9]

Oh, I love these kinds of threads. Bait everyone by asking some advice and then turn around and try to tell them they're all wrong.
Personally if someone has anything more than a fleeting interesting in a game, I think it's stupid to use a mod for your first play-through. It would be like using godmode for your first run.

 

[Escaep]

You still haven't answered anyone when they ask why you don't just play the game originally the first time through then you can play it all you want after with the cinematic mod?

In this pic ChiliFan posted, Valve didn't intend for there to be a a giant ass bridge there. From what I know, the water there is supposed to be a vast sea meant to show how much the Combine have sucked Earth's resources. Now with this bridge there and you can see land on the other side, you would have completely missed this pretty important piece to the story. With this bridge there, you probably would've missed the ships that are on dry land and any clues to the extent of the damage the Combine have done to the Earth's resources.

 

[Kaptain H]

In this pic ChiliFan posted, Valve didn't intend for there to be a a giant ass bridge there. From what I know, the water there is supposed to be a vast sea meant to show how much the Combine have sucked Earth's resources. Now with this bridge there and you can see land on the other side, you would have completely missed this pretty important piece to the story. With this bridge there, you probably would've missed the ships that are on dry land and any clues to the extent of the damage the Combine have done to the Earth's resources.

In support of this observation. I recently attended a panel of art directors, and among them was Victor Antonov. He spoke at decent length on how important it is to him in creating environments, that they include the least amount of detail necessary to be effective and clear in portraying narrative. I personally can't stand when importance is placed on showing off and creating unnecessary visual noise over subtlety.

 

[Prothean]

If each of us rephrases what Vegeta said a page ago slightly differently, will it eventually stick that the Cinematic mod makes the game into a differently ugly version of the original, and that you should just save yourself the download time?

No? Not even if we use some kind of pornography metaphor? (hell, you started it with your dirty, dirty thread title)

Lol use all the pornographic metaphors you wish sir - I welcome it. In the words of a bboy "Express yoself!" xD

@Wanted Bob yes thank you Bob, I think I'll be trying this : )

@kupocake Oh nice i did not know that, thanks for the heads up

@Acepilotf14 lol I love zombies But agreed, it does change the game to something which I'm pretty sure the creators of valve weren't looking for at the time.

@function9 Err no, you'll find i agree with many of the posters here and that I thank them for their time and input. and wtf?! Graphics mod =/= god mode lol, dunno how you came to that conclusion there.

@Escaep Yes I have answered, go back and read and yes I acknoledge that the bridge in the screenshot is preposterous.

@Kaptain H, yea its such a pity they had to chuck in random shit like the bridge <: ( if they had just limited it to the updated textures and the lighting would've been ace.

But yes they've overdone it - there's a fine line between enchancing a game and making it into another version -_- and I feel its what they've done here. Such a shame : \ Seems like I'll be playing it as is but while we're on the topic - there a mod that just enhances the textures and lighting n shit without the ridiculous background props?

 

[McGooTheWise]

I don't think so. The textures are all fine. If you have that hard of a time playing a game whose graphics are a bit outdated then I don't know how you'd enjoy yourself with the gameplay. I still play DN3D and have just as much fun as my first playthough.

 

[function9]

Err no, you'll find i agree with many of the posters here and that I thank them for their time and input. and wtf?! Graphics mod =/= god mode lol, dunno how you came to that conclusion there.

If you read even half the responses to you'd see the mod is more than just a simple graphics update or mod. It drastically changes the feel of the game in some places as would godmode.

 

[Prothean]

I don't think so. The textures are all fine. If you have that hard of a time playing a game whose graphics are a bit outdated then I don't know how you'd enjoy yourself with the gameplay. I still play DN3D and have just as much fun as my first playthough.

Not at all : ) I play diablo II and I find it awesome even after all these years - tis just that I want the hl2 experience to be a memorable one and I find that happens better when you have BOTH good graphics and good gameplay. Hl2 graphics aren't upgly but they aint got nothing on today's games - I would like to remedy that if possible.

If you read even half the responses to you'd see the mod is more than just a simple graphics update or mod. It drastically changes the feel of the game in some places as would godmode.

I read each and every single reply. I'm looking for a mod that simply updates the textures and lighting WITHOUT drastically changing the atmosphere of the game and if you look at some of the screen shots you'll see it can be done. (lol not the bridge one though, look at the one with the two buses, they've done a pretty good job touching up on it while remaining true to the original)

 

[Dinnesch]

If you want improved graphics without killing the original's atmosphere, bump up some of these cvars(3 pages of 'em):
http://www.tweakguides.com/HL2_8.html
Mostly for higher draw distances/decal/other limits

Also, some modern graphics cards allow Supersampling AA to be enabled in the driver, be sure to enable it if you can. Should run smooth with 4xSSAA on most modern cards.(fairly constant 60FPS on my 5850 iirc)

 

[Vegeta897]

Bumping up the texture resolutions does not automatically mean it's going to look better.

And also, a beautiful game is NOT solely dependent on graphical level. HL2 still looks great today because Valve made great use of what they had, better than what most other games do.

Crank up your settings and start playing, I just know you're not going to notice the age of the game once you get into it.