Real safety, beyond ep. 3?

[DEATHMASTER]

So how would the world be really safe? Destroying the combine completely. From what's happened so far I would say that they're keeping them out and destroying what's on the planet right now. So lets say that happens in Ep.3 and you're all :bounce:
what happens then? Couldn't the combine come back in some form of technology of a controlled resonance cascade? I think the only way to "win" would be to destroy their home or main center. This does depend on what does happen in Ep.3 and what the Borealis is and does.

 

[Dr_Crowbar]

Well, we caught a glimpse of Combine homeworld at the end of HL2 through Breen-portal, remember? I think we'll go there in Half Life 3.

 

[jambo.]

Half-Life 3 will end with Gordon riding a bomb out of a high-jacked dropship, screaming "YEEEEEE-HAAWWWWWWW" and then impacting on the Combine capital.

 

[elitenetpc]

i hope its a return to zen as well as combine homeworld.... i do miss zen, tho.

 

[Black Op]

While the Overwatch on Earth may try one last desperate attempt to create a portal back to their Home Universe that would involve the Borealis, Freeman will most likely put an end to this scheme by EP3 to bring an acceptable conclusion to the HL2 Episode Arc (which is a trilogy after all). Any new interdimensional trips for Freeman will have to wait for another episodic series or HL3.

 

[Pesmerga]

As far as I know, Episode 3 will be the last we see of Freeman.

 

[svet-am]

As far as I know, Episode 3 will be the last we see of Freeman.

Mark Laidlaw said in an interview last summer that they are already planning HL3 (even though they consider the episodes to collectively be HL3).

 

[Jeremyofmany]

Link? You mean it's not over after HL2E3?
... If so... awesome.

 

[Asuka]

Nope after ep3 its going to be a decision to make HL3 or another trilogy of episodes.

 

[Cuthbert]

I think they will "decide" to make HL3 after Ep3. New engine and all. It will take bloody 6 years. We will be misareble.

On a second thought I'm %100 sure Valve already know there won't be episodes after Ep3 and already started working on HL3.

 

[LGs0pHT]

Some unexpected event is going to happen in EP3 for sure. This event will take the whole planet by surprise and raise so many questions that literally everything becomes possible. Why and what that is: HL3.

I don't see another way for EP3...Portal closed, last combine defeated, Borealis blown, supression field down = Love, Piece, Cake? I would probaly throw my PC out of the window.

 

[theholygod]

Maybe in Half Life 3 Doctor Gordon Freeman may actually get some science done?

Well, i assume the combine gotta die in Ep3, meaning a new race of enemies for HL3. I think that would be really tricky for valve to find more stuff that fits in the half life universe instantly.

 

[-Psy-]

EP3 will spell the end of the combine race on Earth and maybe, nay, hopefully we finally understand what G-Man is all about and that we get some closure.

 

[NeLi]

Even IF we manage to destroy all combine on earth, most of earth is still in ruins, and infested with wildlife from Xen. The population of earth is all but decimated.

Even if there is a happy ending, it wont be a happy ending, you know? Unless we travel back through time or something silly like that.

 

[Jokko88]

Well if the destruction of earth stops plants will grow and maybe a stable ecosystem.

 

[kupocake]

I'm inclined to think there is an outside chance of a complete Half-Life 2 style overhaul. The Combine will be ultimately repelled by actions in Episode Three, only for those same actions to let an entirely new race of subjugating arseholes through the back door (Perhaps they're G-Man affiliated). Humanity is then either enslaved or at war with this faction, whilst the earth-bound combine pick and chose over which side to help.

 

[Asknoone]

'Cosmic struggle'.

 

[Destron]

I'm thinking that Earth scientists will set up some sort of constant signal generator, like on the missile launched in EP2, that prevents a portal from opening back up. If we do that, the humans can live in peace while rebuilding and finishing off remnant combine forces.

 

[Asknoone]

There's still a lot of Citadel structures out there; one for every population centre. Granted, they are inactive, but still, you don't want to go overloading anymore reactors.

 

[alehm]

What would be anti-climatic is the end of EP3 they rid the world of the Combine then the IRS shows up and arrests Gordon Freeman for unpaid back taxes.

 

[RioBravoXL]

There's still a lot of Citadel structures out there; one for every population centre. Granted, they are inactive, but still, you don't want to go overloading anymore reactors.

Even if no other portals were opened to the combine home world, it seems that those remaining don't have too much of a problem assembling and terrorizing whoever they see fit. Maybe if the advisers were wiped out, there would be a real chance for humanity to make a come back, otherwise, I'd say it's a long shot.

Then again, until we know more about the G-Man, I suppose anything is possible.

 

[PortalStormzzzz]

What if species X conquers the Combine as they weaken and goes to Earth? Also, I think it would be extremely pathetic to have a battlefield Earth like ending with us nuking their world or something.

 

[Crash Happy]

We'll have to win one for the gipper.

 

[stereoxide]

I think Ep3 will mostly be about the Borealis and the option to shut it down or use it.

If Gordon shuts it down its the end of the Half Life story. If he keeps it open then theres a possibility of HL3.

Its kinda like the ending of HL where you either chose to go with Gman or not. HL2 assumed you went with Gman and thats whats gonna happen with HL3 if there is gonna be one (please let there be one).

And as far as the story of HL3 Im thinking maybe in the lines of "Who the f**k is Gman really?".

 

[leib10]

I too think that Episode Three will end in a choice to destroy or not destroy Borealis. However, I also think that we will be seeing some of the same characters again, notably Alyx and G-Man, in any future endeavors.

As to whether HL3 or new episodes will be released, I'm torn between what I want. HL3 would be a monster of epic proportions, and when it's released will probably be regarded as one of the best games of all time (in keeping with HL and HL2). But it would take years and years to develop it, and it would probably end up looking and feeling nothing like HL2 (think about how much changed between HL and HL2).

Should they go with episodes, the changes would be more gradual and more easily taken into perspective, and they would be released at much more regular and quick intervals. Valve could also more easily react to trends in gaming and avoid changing the whole game in the process. However, they would all share the same stigma of conveying a sense of being something bigger than they can be.

If I had to pick, I would go with the episodes because if they released HL3, I would probably be 25 years old when it came out. :O