People Complaining About HL2's Story

[smsKONG]

Another small point to make

For people saying how did they know you were coming- I think Barney was wasn't specifically infiltrating the combine to get you, if he had he would probably have left with you and escorted you away(thin I know), I believe he was trying to infltrate the combine for many reasons(he's in the resistance afterall- which would require such things from some members, regardless of where Gordon was or would be).

Anyway onto my little explanation of how I think they knew you were coming-

Spoiler

In the coast section, at one of the houses you stop at along the way, there is some kind of viewer/surveillance camera thing, that is pointing across at the other side of a bay. If you use it- you see that the combine were watching resistance forces (who were next to the bridge or lighthouse, can't remember which). And who do you think you see shaking hands and talking with one of them......the G-man.

Hence the G-man is an ally (or percieved ally) of the resistance, so it would not be too much of a stretch to think that he was the one who told them you would be coming. Hell he could have told them ages before you arrived that you would be arriving at sometime in the future. And seeing as you are a major pawn for the G-man, it is very likely that he prepared the way for you.

All this would further add to the way you were regarded by fellow resistance fighters, as some kind of hero. Plus the vortigaunts hold you directly responsible for freeing them from the nihilanths slavery, and they too have been spreading word of your greatness (they seem to know more about you than you do at times!).

On the subject of what the combine are-

Spoiler

this question is answered in the citadel while you are being transported in one of the body clamps, at one point there is an occupied clamp/pod coming the other way- if you look closely it is partly human but also partly machine. The main thing you notice is that the forehead is metal and shaped remarkedly like a combine mask forehead.... also there are several posters up round the city hinting that the combine are part machine.

 

[EBSCatastrophe]

I haven't played all the way through HL2 yet so I can't comment fully, but from what I have seen is the story telling is just like the original Half Life... its in bits and pieces and leaves more questions than answers.

I am wondering why that was so cool for Half Life but not for Half Life 2? Did Valve not do it right? Did Valve do it right we are just hearing complaints from people who never played the original and don't realize that's what made the original so great? Are these people who just want someone to hold their hand and explain everything in detail?

:dunno:

exactly

 

[burner69]

It may be in bits and pieces, leaving us to fill in the gaps - but you fill it in and... *poof* it's still a very simplistic story. So what if Barnet myt not have been there to save you? What else cud he have been doing? Spying? Doing resistance work? Who knows? It does not relate to the story. The story being: Freeman appears, saves the day. That IS it.

We're complaining because half life is many years old. They can improve tehir story telling. We're complaining cuz the plot isn't rich, original, duzn't explore character flaws, duzn't twist and turn. It's great fun to play, looks incredible, plays great as a GAME, but I want a game with a good story. FF7 had a rich twisting plot, that was back in 97. Baldur's gate 2 is immense - I'm not suggesting anything on that scale, but why not do SOMETHING with all the technology they now have. The whole 'love' story between u and alyx is crap - two or three lines, and suggestive glances which suggests she fancies u from the start, no interest in the plot there then, cuz I had nuthin to do with it, and it was SO cliched. I was there picking up computers and she's giving me the eye. Weird.
Everything else with the plot runs the same course; each character, altho brilliantly crafted in a short space of time, is just left to rot in the story. They add bugger all to it apart from telling you where the story wants you to go.
"We must go into here and blow up this"
And then the story just comes in leaps and bounds with very little help from the characters actions, or indeed your own at all. They've been fighting the combine long enuff to start a wide spread resistance then suddenly; "Oh look a way in, go on Gordon. Tell breen he's a c**t"

Duzn't "go".

Boils down to a simple plot, with great characters not used properly, that is advanced in jerks.

 

[mega maniac]

I am so sick of people summng games up by going, Gordon comes and saves the worl, bada bing bada bang.

You can do that with ANY game/movie or story watch.

Half Life :Experiment goes bad, gordon has to escape aliens.
Half life 2 : Gordon takes out breenand the combine.
Halo : MC lands on halo, destryos it.
Halo2 : MC protects earth a bit and then goes and kills more aliens.
POP sands of time : You replace the sands of time
Thief : Steal things, find out you are the messiah

etc etc etc, you gan do it with anything, and it neglects every subplot the game has, so stop doing it please, it drives me insane, it just shows you cannot support your point.

 

[Dan_Houser_82]

look, its summed up like this... HL2 leaves alot to the imagination. now, if youre a brain-dead idiot and you have no imagination, or need to be spoon-fed everything like a baby, then youre not going to get it.

maybe you should try playing a game with a story thats more on your level. like say, Telly Tubbies.

 

[mega maniac]

Another small point to make

For people saying how did they know you were coming- I think Barney was wasn't specifically infiltrating the combine to get you, if he had he would probably have left with you and escorted you away(thin I know), I believe he was trying to infltrate the combine for many reasons(he's in the resistance afterall- which would require such things from some members, regardless of where Gordon was or would be).

Anyway onto my little explanation of how I think they knew you were coming-

Spoiler

In the coast section, at one of the houses you stop at along the way, there is some kind of viewer/surveillance camera thing, that is pointing across at the other side of a bay. If you use it- you see that the combine were watching resistance forces (who were next to the bridge or lighthouse, can't remember which). And who do you think you see shaking hands and talking with one of them......the G-man.

Hence the G-man is an ally (or percieved ally) of the resistance, so it would not be too much of a stretch to think that he was the one who told them you would be coming. Hell he could have told them ages before you arrived that you would be arriving at sometime in the future. And seeing as you are a major pawn for the G-man, it is very likely that he prepared the way for you.

All this would further add to the way you were regarded by fellow resistance fighters, as some kind of hero. Plus the vortigaunts hold you directly responsible for freeing them from the nihilanths slavery, and they too have been spreading word of your greatness (they seem to know more about you than you do at times!).

On the subject of what the combine are-

Spoiler

this question is answered in the citadel while you are being transported in one of the body clamps, at one point there is an occupied clamp/pod coming the other way- if you look closely it is partly human but also partly machine. The main thing you notice is that the forehead is metal and shaped remarkedly like a combine mask forehead.... also there are several posters up round the city hinting that the combine are part machine.

I totally agree with you, i dint say this because there isnt alot of evedence to support it. Though i did think it, i even thought that maybe gordon plays alot of the people you now like pawns. Many of the people from black mesa. But again no evedence, and i tend to get assulted asking me why if i say anything.

 

[Spartan]

look, its summed up like this... HL2 leaves alot to the imagination. now, if youre a brain-dead idiot and you have no imagination, or need to be spoon-fed everything like a baby, then youre not going to get it.

maybe you should try playing a game with a story thats more on your level. like say, Telly Tubbies.

Yes, I think we're dealing with some sort of cult here. Almost every fanboy uses the term "spoonfed" and then proceeds to use precisely the same arguments as everyone else. They are probably learning it somewhere.

 

[burner69]

look, its summed up like this... HL2 leaves alot to the imagination. now, if youre a brain-dead idiot and you have no imagination, or need to be spoon-fed everything like a baby, then youre not going to get it.

maybe you should try playing a game with a story thats more on your level. like say, Telly Tubbies.

OK, care to point out dynamic layers within the plot?
Or perhaps character flaws investigated through plot trial?
How about a twist in the plot? - OK so there's one, why not more? and less obvious ones.
Hmm, how about giving the NPCs dilemas, and making some unsure whether they're doing the right thing in fighting.

LOTR can be summed up: "Frodo gets ring, goes to mountain, destroys it".
But there's more to it than that. There's the character dynamics, the twists, the dilemas he encounters, sociological issues raised.

HL2: "gordon comes, saves world"
That's ALL there is.

Stop calling us thick cuz u dont like our opinion.

 

[Dan_Houser_82]

its a game. if you want a story to YOUR standards, make a MOVIE.

 

[Dan_Houser_82]

OK, care to point out dynamic layers within the plot?
Or perhaps character flaws investigated through plot trial?
How about a twist in the plot? - OK so there's one, why not more? and less obvious ones.
Hmm, how about giving the NPCs dilemas, and making some unsure whether they're doing the right thing in fighting.

LOTR can be summed up: "Frodo gets ring, goes to mountain, destroys it".
But there's more to it than that. There's the character dynamics, the twists, the dilemas he encounters, sociological issues raised.

HL2: "gordon comes, saves world"
That's ALL there is.

Stop calling us thick cuz u dont like our opinion.

you are thick. youre complaining about a game, as if it were a movie. you can only have 1 or the other. thats how it works n will always work. complicated story? less game play. alot of game play? compromised point-to-point story.

if you wanna sit back n WATCH a game, play Final Fantasy n stop complaining

 

[AmishSlayer]

Somebody posted about the MGS story and posted how that was great, and i can relate this to what another guy said about how gamers are conditioned to want a sponfed story.

In MGS you simply run and shoot, the story does not evolve during play whatsoever, the entire game is all action. Then you have about 10 hours of cutscenes telling you the story, every last bit of it, like a childs book is given to you. No thinking just playing, they arnt inventive storys, they are no deeper than goosebumps.

So wait a second...you're claiming HL2 isn't all action? Apart from the ocassional lame physics puzzle (2 minutes to complete tops)...HL2 centers around action more than MGS games I'd say (which involve stealth, strategy and skill). I personally think the MGS games are very intriguing because you think you might know what's going on...but you really don't. Then again...this whole thing is all opinion and it seems nobody will budge from their places.

From the sounds of your post...you just like being able to be Gordon while people are talking. I don't see what's so different about seeing cutscenes (in which your character can do some very cool things Gordon will never be able to do since we always have to control him) and standing around doing nothing while people talk to each other. It's like being a little child while everyone is talking, you just look at them and listen or get bored and mess around in the room.

HL1's immersion factor worked because being Gordon didn't mean sacrificing story. The story was very simple and didn't need much dialogue to help it along. All you knew is the experiment went wrong and you have to get out. You witness the soldiers shooting scientists and another confirms it..yep..the soldiers are here to kill you. It's very simple..escape Black Mesa...the only sub-plot involved is "Who is this guy I can't kill that pops up every so often? Oh well...we'll probably find out...move on"

In HL2 you have a more complex plot idea, but since Gordon can't talk in any way and you have to be in control of him at all times...they are very limited in the way they can tell the story which I think detracts from the game.

 

[burner69]

I'm not being paid to do it. I'm paying to see/play it.

It's been done much better in many other games.

It's not bad, just cuddan been better. And I'm sick of people flaming anyone who makes any negative point about the game. It's an awesome game, but has flaws. If you're quite happy to play games with below par plot, go and play tellie tubbies. If, however, I'm gunna say "this game is fantastic" i want to be honest. "HL2 is fantastic, although the plot could have easily been enhanced for the better. As a game it's great, but in terms of 'raising the bar' plot-wise, it kinda didn't."

 

[Rotary]

I have absolutely no complaints about the game. It was perfect. I had no glitches and no problem unlocking the files.

 

[burner69]

you are thick. youre complaining about a game, as if it were a movie. you can only have 1 or the other. thats how it works n will always work. complicated story? less game play. alot of game play? compromised point-to-point story.

if you wanna sit back n WATCH a game, play Final Fantasy n stop complaining

*raises handbag, blocking flame*
Im making a valid point.
If you're happy for games to stay as they are and not advance be my guest. I'd rather hope to see games having better and better stories. Why should a complicated story disrupt gameplay in any major way. OK, maybe a few more lines here and there, wudnt take much. Or do you need your action fighting hit all the time? Are those few spoken parts too much 4 ya?
Max Payne/ Max Payne 2 was largely action, but with a gud story exploring many different characters and their traits. That was an action game - with a better story IMO.
Baldur's gate 2 had a lot of speach, but there was a lot of fighting/exploring to do - plot was immense, better than many films, gameplay did not suffer - unless u cudnt read.
AvP2 plot from three diff perspectives, not great, but good. Worked well, great fps, good plot.
Half life 2 - great fps, I mean, really a dam gud game, but the plot was just so lacking in substance (whether it was subtley delivered or not). If you don't like my view, fine, but don't call me thick, you're just being narrowminded.

 

[smsKONG]

Thats exactly how HL played out tho - I'm not saying there is much story- or that the story that is there is fleshed out enough. But I think it was mainly the intrigue of the G-man that helped the game to be what it was, let's face it, most people wanted some answers about him- which was never going to happen in HL2 (what with HL3 in the works), and valve wanted to keep him shrouded in mystery and kept his involvement cryptic. In my opinion this was the right thing to do.
However I also feel there were many other questions about xen and raceX that people also wanted answering, maybe these too will be answered in the third instalment (depending how tightly woven the plot is between the three games). If however these were just throw away places and things that will play no furhter part- then it would have been nice to see some mention of these in HL2. I think this would have given us some more links to tie the 2 games together as a whole...

However we got what we got- and there is quite a bit of new mystery in there...ie more questions. Some are answered, but the grand scheme of things is left fairly open, with only hints at the greater foe in all this (the new aliens you see in the citadel and the face you see on the monitor talking to Breen).

The story is thin in many ways, a lot is left to your imagination, maybe it always will be. But I also think this is a good thing, apart from anything else it keeps your interest in the series more. It also testifies to the strength of the series, that it can generate huge amounts of debate and interest- if it was all spoonfed and answered- then we'd have nothing to talk about

I'm torn on this issue- On one hand, yes, I feel cheated. I wanted answers dammit!
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the game (yes the driving bits were the weakest- but I still enjoyed them immensely....), and really felt drawn into the world, I was seriously immersed. I also found this game to be far more sinister than the original, with a real feeling of oppression. I was also left wanting more (a bloody good thing because usually you are left wanting the boredom to lift by half way thru a game)

I can definitely live with what I got from it all, I can also hope that things are cleared up in the third game.

Oh and yes the Alyx crush thing was a bit weird, but hey, it's the closest thing I've had to a relationship in months! :cheese:


(I'm sorry if none of this makes sense, but if it helps- I know what I'm TRYING to say, unfortunately I've been officially braindead for several years now......Damn, son, you smoked yo'self stoopid )

[EDIT] 300th post woOOT :dork:

 

[burner69]

Agreed, in terms of global plot - answering the grand scale of 'what's goin on' it did a gud job - subtlety was it's card and it played it well.

But regards the resistance war, and freemans involvement. Plot was weak, point to point, and not in the least bit subtle. "Gordan go through Ravenholm".

Well crafted, graphically astounding, but still, weakly plotted, and simple.

 

[goarack]

hi people ,
i just finished the game. it was kinda short for a five disk set i thought but i did like it alot ......

 

[mega maniac]

Yes, I think we're dealing with some sort of cult here. Almost every fanboy uses the term "spoonfed" and then proceeds to use precisely the same arguments as everyone else. They are probably learning it somewhere.

urgh, consider why you are getting such responses, as i said before you are as much a fanboy as anyone else. You are presenting the smae argument over and over. There are foanboys here that will just spot abuse and insults. But please you are not beign all high and mighty so get real

 

[Dan_Houser_82]

Why should a complicated story disrupt gameplay in any major way. OK, maybe a few more lines here and there, wudnt take much. Or do you need your action fighting hit all the time? Are those few spoken parts too much 4 ya?

no, the spoken parts were perfect, n so was the gameplay. thats my point.

think about it. its 1 or the other. you wanna hear a long story? ok, then ur going to have to stop playing, n listen. if you want alot of gameplay? there obviously isnt going to be a story being read while missles are flying everywhere.

the expression "duh" fits really well here.

 

[mega maniac]

they're doing the right thing in fighting.

LOTR can be summed up: "Frodo gets ring, goes to mountain, destroys it".
But there's more to it than that. There's the character dynamics, the twists, the dilemas he encounters, sociological issues raised.

HL2: "gordon comes, saves world"
That's ALL there is.

Thats the main plot, he saves the world, just like frodo has to deliver the ring to the mountain.

Gordon helps the resistance
He helps rescue Eli
He (probaly) kills Breen
He unravels a mystery about slow teleportation
There is a possible love story developing

That isnt it mate, there is much much more. Its called subplots.

 

[mega maniac]

So wait a second...you're claiming HL2 isn't all action? Apart from the ocassional lame physics puzzle (2 minutes to complete tops)...HL2 centers around action more than MGS games I'd say (which involve stealth, strategy and skill). I personally think the MGS games are very intriguing because you think you might know what's going on...but you really don't. Then again...this whole thing is all opinion and it seems nobody will budge from their places.

.

No not entirely, i mean its mainly action, by all means it is much more acton filled that MGS i mean MGS is in essence a stealth shooter. My point with MGS was the story was never developed during gameplay, never, not once. Everytime you get to an important part in comes a cut scene, i love the way half life doesnt have cutscenes, and i was so incredibly bored by the fact that i had to watch more than play in MGS.

 

[burner69]

Aside from the larger picture, which is essentially 'outside' HL2, that IS it.

The characters are quite linear. Their input into the game is very linear. More could have been done. It's not one or the other. More things can be done. Perhaps, if you want, focus a lot of these in "end of importance" chats. So if you stay in areas after the important speach is spoken, you are informed of perhaps a subplot, or characters deeper emotions. What we have delivered in HL2 is simple characters operating on a simple plot. The plot has MASSIVE potential, as is shown by the amount of speculation on these forums. So much more can be done without revealing any more to the primary plot, but opening doors on other areas.

Many newer games are working on these ideas, I believe, FPS included. I'm making a valid point that the overall plot to HL2, in terms of the bit YOU played, not what is hinted at - that is fine, the BIT YOU ARE INVOLVED IN, in terms of practical plot progression and character dynamics, it is weak. It could do a lot better. It could do a LOT worse. They did an ok job, and the rest of the game more than made up for it by todays standards. But isn't this meant to be the future of gaming?

 

[AmishSlayer]

No not entirely, i mean its mainly action, by all means it is much more acton filled that MGS i mean MGS is in essence a stealth shooter. My point with MGS was the story was never developed during gameplay, never, not once. Everytime you get to an important part in comes a cut scene, i love the way half life doesnt have cutscenes, and i was so incredibly bored by the fact that i had to watch more than play in MGS.

This is where you and I differ I guess. I loved the cinematic movie-like feel to MGS games' cutscenes and wasn't that impressed with HL scenes where you just stand around while people talk.

 

[Patton]

Personally I loved the game, and I thought I soaked in all I could. I'd stop and listen to every single Breen announcement and I definetly kept my eyes open to soak in the story.

But either I'm missing alot of it or it just isn't there. Where have I been for the last 20 years or so? Have I been in a "slow teleport?" Why are the combine so damn interested in Earth? Who is the GMan and who does he take orders from? And why?

Just alot of shit left over with very little answered. I can put aside the overall storyline for the gameplay, though. Its fantastic. I adore the environments, the effects, and the action is the kind of gaming action I haven't felt in years. Like, "OMG GOTTA GET AWAY FROM THAT CHOPPER, GO FASTER YOU STUPID BOAT AHHHHHHHHHHHWOOOOOOO!"

 

[Spartan]

One thing that bothers me about HL2 is that it's too realtime. There no pauses in the game, you are constantly on the move. I think that adding a sequence where you spend the night at Eli's place would have been nice. And, it would have been a good opportunity to introduce a cutscene: Gordon dreaming. Gordon could have had flashbacks about Black Mesa, the G-man and some very psychedelic and foggy flashes of his "stasis" (if we suppose that he was in a stasis).

 

[Spartan]

urgh, consider why you are getting such responses, as i said before you are as much a fanboy as anyone else. You are presenting the smae argument over and over. There are foanboys here that will just spot abuse and insults. But please you are not beign all high and mighty so get real

If I'm a HL2 fanboy, as you claim, why am I criticising the game? A fanboy's first rule is to accept everything about his favorite whatever. No critique is to be tolerated.

 

[AmishSlayer]

One thing that bothers me about HL2 is that it's too realtime. There no pauses in the game, you are constantly on the move. I think that adding a sequence where you spend the night at Eli's place would have been nice. And, it would have been a good opportunity to introduce a cutscene: Gordon dreaming. Gordon could have had flashbacks about Black Mesa, the G-man and some very psychedelic and foggy flashes of his "stasis" (if we suppose that he was in a stasis).

That would be cool. Some kind of nightmare of the blank spot between HL1 & 2. Then you could wake up to the Combine attacking Eli's place. That wouldn't take you out of character and I think it would've been a nice little background story addition.

 

[Spartan]

Even cooler would be if, before waking up, Gordon would see a dream of the G-man saying something like "Wake up, Mr. Freeman" but in a way that suggests that it may not have been a dream at all.

 

[MrWynd]

imo custscenes take away from the immersive feel that games need, esp first person shooters. i love how HL2 did it the same as HL1.

 

[mega maniac]

If I'm a HL2 fanboy, as you claim, why am I criticising the game? A fanboy's first rule is to accept everything about his favorite whatever. No critique is to be tolerated.

Wrong i did not say you are a half life fanboy, but you exact the same attitude and responses as other you critisize on this forum. Furthermore you sit on what you beleive is your moral high ground and say on look at the pathertic fanboys.

Ive already said that i dont beleive half life is perfect, the AI is far from what i was expecting, however his is the only fault that strikes me in the game. That doesnt make me a fanboy. If someone defends MGS (just and eg) and says that the cut scenes add alot to the gameplay and are a brilliant addition, does that make them a fanboy because they decide to defend what they beleive about the game against somone coming to a forum and saying oh the cut scenes in mgs are crap... blah blah. get real man.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

If I'm a HL2 fanboy, as you claim, why am I criticising the game? A fanboy's first rule is to accept everything about his favorite whatever. No critique is to be tolerated.

I believe he was suggesting that you are the complete opposite of a fanboy. Your first rule is to criticise everything about his selected whatever. No defence is to be tolerated.

 

[Spartan]

I believe he was suggesting that you are the complete opposite of a fanboy. Your first rule is to criticise everything about his selected whatever. No defence is to be tolerated.

Defence is to be tolerated if and when it makes any kind of sense. And anyway, if didn't tolerate any defense, I'd simply say "HL2 sucks end of discussion you can't even talk about it" like everyone else.

 

[mega maniac]

Aside from the larger picture, which is essentially 'outside' HL2, that IS it.

Yes exactly and its EXACTLY the same in LOTR (your example) The picture is frodo delivering the ring, the larger picture includes a love story, a heirarchy of evil and a few other things, they are exactly the same prospect, i dont see how you dont see that.

The characters are quite linear. Their input into the game is very linear. More could have been done. It's not one or the other. More things can be done. Perhaps, if you want, focus a lot of these in "end of importance" chats. So if you stay in areas after the important speach is spoken, you are informed of perhaps a subplot, or characters deeper emotions. What we have delivered in HL2 is simple characters operating on a simple plot. The plot has MASSIVE potential, as is shown by the amount of speculation on these forums. So much more can be done without revealing any more to the primary plot, but opening doors on other areas.

I dont understand what you mean by linear characters without an example. You say yourself about the plot opening discussion and to me thats what is fantastic about it, because before you go on about the story you have to realise its not at an end yet. There are more stories opening all the time aswell. Wether or not you like it there is something between freeman and alyx, the teleportation system is going to be explored, there is so much even the combine dont know. People are complaining about how it opens more questions than it answers and then complain that there arnt enough questions (aka doors) opened. Freekin hell

 

[mega maniac]

Defence is to be tolerated if and when it makes any kind of sense. And anyway, if didn't tolerate any defense, I'd simply say "HL2 sucks end of discussion you can't even talk about it" like everyone else.

So you are saying that you as an anti-HL2 fanboy would say "HL2 sucks end of discussion" so the equivelent of a Half life 2 fanboy would be "HL2 rocks, end of discussion"

*searches posts* nope didnt think so...

 

[Spartan]

So you are saying that you as an anti-HL2 fanboy would say "HL2 sucks end of discussion" so the equivelent of a Half life 2 fanboy would be "HL2 rocks, end of discussion"

*searches posts* nope didnt think so...

I've seen plenty of posts that simply say that HL2 is the greatest, end of story. Either that or "HL2 r0x0rs mah b0x0rs Halo 2 sux gay cock LOLOLLOLLL"

 

[mrcool132]

i have lost interest in this thread, people please stop arguing back and forth on the same things over and over again. Agree to disagree. and i wish people weren't being so arrogant with all this "fanboy" crud. Its very annoying to read everyone attacking everyones elses posts.
It is annoying, a waste of time and very fruitless. If people would like to state they are unhappy about the game please do it in a fair way which doesnt deliberately try and provoke people into a argument.

Try and suggest how it could be better like some have done rather then its crap because of this or sucked because of that. Its obvious everyone has their own opinion of how the game should have been so be a bit more civilised in your discussions.

Noo Nah out.

 

[wonkers]

I found the story bewildering. The game is so deverse and open in most places that it really tests your perception and creativity. I like the story because it's weird. It's flawed and yet compelling.

Who else saw the g-man as a dot like figure in the distance? He was in the game but hidden like waldo. I found that really cool. It's like a really wild drug induced foresight. [did I just see the g-man?]

The entire story for the combine coming to power was left out almost. You could write novels about it but it's all left out. Very little detail.

The start of the game I found to be much more fun. The most old school and half life style gameplay was when you fight against all the striders. The level detail sort of wavered and the allies and squadmates get in your way. It's a weak point of the game in my opinion. The striders are perfect. Every nuance of them is amazing. But the levels they run around in are the least detailed in all of HL2. Blocky urban levels that leave out most creative gameplay.

I want to play through again just to soak all of the game up but I really wished they would fix the squad AI. The endgame is neat but it leaves you feeling almost cheated. I wasn't mad but I wasn't happy either. The g-man shouldn't just wrap the game up like he made you fix the problem.

Why does he keep making you clean up some mess? Twice he gets you to "save" the world but who made the big mistake. Why does the world still have zen aliens? He works for someone but where are they [when are they] and who the friggen hell was breen talking to on the monitors. Some huge alien overlord? You destroy the tower you kill alex and save city 17. But what about the other towers? there is more than one combine city.

Gorden is just a tool of the g-man and in a way so is the player. You just get used. You're like a fighting robot and it's you or them. It's too bad this game doesn't give you answers. You actually get more questions.

I suppose we would have to play HL3 to get answers but I bet we would still get more questions.

Black Mesa is flaw in time and space Gorden is the key. He unbalence the existance in all matter & time so he must balence it. The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. Well if that's so why does the g-man make gorden unbalence existance in the first place?

This game has so many questions and story hooks it would be stupid if it wasn't so damn compelling. Gordens stuggle for answers seems to be the the pull.

 

[burner69]

LOTR explores the characters, it explores the situations they're in, and the problems they face.

HL2 does none of that.

It does not explore characters flaws/ emotions/ beliefs, just sets them up then 'that is that'. We don't get the why behind any of it, or their feelings, they're all just happy smiley or serious fighty people.

I felt like I was watching an 80s TV sci-fi movie, because apart from saying: "right gordon?" or "yes gordon" or plugging a plug in, during the plot enhancing scenes I may as well not have been there. A cut scene I could move around in? Yeah, pretty much.

But its a step in the right direction, dont get me wrong - it cud be better tho.

BUT: THE PLOT!
NOT the overall resistance vs breen who is planning on surrendering the earth to the combine etc etc. That bit was ok.
"Ah the teleport didn't work - Gordon go to the Eli's lab. It's dangerous getting there, have a crowbar." ...erm... excuse me? what way? why? can't I wait til the teleports fixed?
"Arrgh we're under attack, quick go through Ravenholm to save xxxx" Subtle? I think not.
"Oh it's you Gordon! Go and save barney" Later "Thanks for saving me, now we must go to a big building and destroy the generators."

Two points: Linear and hardly telling what our friendly characters are thinking up there is it? I know i was exageratting the speech's straight to the point-ness, but it's not like it's teeming with it.

Lord of the rings HAD detailed sub plots and characters, HL2 does not. The characters ARE linear. The plot runs through linear.

DONT GET ME WRONG! I LOVE THIS GAME! I'm just having to make such emphasis on this point cuz a lot of ppl just seem to flame and make out that I have no valid reason to not agree that the plot is 'perfect' (not all of you, mind)

 

[burner69]

i have lost interest in this thread, people please stop arguing back and forth on the same things over and over again. Agree to disagree. and i wish people weren't being so arrogant with all this "fanboy" crud. Its very annoying to read everyone attacking everyones elses posts.
It is annoying, a waste of time and very fruitless. If people would like to state they are unhappy about the game please do it in a fair way which doesnt deliberately try and provoke people into a argument.

Try and suggest how it could be better like some have done rather then its crap because of this or sucked because of that. Its obvious everyone has their own opinion of how the game should have been so be a bit more civilised in your discussions.

Noo Nah out.

I agree, although I'm not liking how ppl who dislike certain aspects have been targetted there. Both sides have been uncivil. But anyways. Yeah, no 'fanboying' guys. That sucks root

 

[Neutrino]

There is a world, yes. But a story? Not really. The two are not the same thing.

There were definitely great parts such as the beginning and end and all the parts where you get to talk with people that had a story. But a lot of the game was just your standard arcade shooter, abeit with pretty graphics.

It was fun, but I was dissapointed.