your favourite ep1 feature

[soulslicer]

which is your favourite feature in the ep1 game engine? mine would be the phong shading on objects, totally awesome.

 

[Rapstah]

HDR.

Now we've said all of the features on the EP1 Source engine. End of thread.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Commentary i like hearing why they did things the way they did.
HDR is to overrated for me.

 

[Mahalis]

Now we've said all of the features on the EP1 Source engine.

The game runs on an incrementally upgraded version of Valve's proprietary Source engine, and features both the engine's high dynamic range rendering capabilities and a new version of its facial animation/expression technology. It also features the commentary node system debuted in the Lost Coast tech demo. Upgrades to enemy AI allows Combine soldiers to utilize tactics previouly unable to them, in particular the ability to crouch while being fired upon in order to "duck" underneath the player's line of fire.

I didn't notice the AI thing, but yeah, I liked the HDR and improved-faces. Commentary was cool too.

edit - oh, Phong debuted in Ep1? Didn't realize that. Yeah, that was a neat addition... HDR still my favorite though.

 

[Operational]

Both HDR and the commentary are great. I also like how the gravity guns primary fire destroys supply crates in one hit.
If I had to choose one I'd have to say HDR.

 

[Planetary]

Commentary, new headcrab tricks, stalkers, zombine, hacked rollermines, etc.

 

[Narvi]

Headcrab tricks? Explain.

 

[Xendance]

I was a great fan of the longer flashlight length.

 

[Operational]

I didn't notice it TBH.

 

[McGooTheWise]

Headcrab tricks? Explain.

I believe he's talking about zombine + grenades.

My fave feature is the HDR cause it really spices it up if you go back and play Ravenholm with it.

 

[crazyelmo]

Headcrab tricks? Explain.

Headcrabs (all types) cling to the ceiling now.

 

[ríomhaire]

They added a new output for combine soldiers that makes them grenade a certain target :dork:
Though for some reason they always seem to throw 2 grenades in a row when I use it.

Headcrabs (all types) cling to the ceiling now.

I thought that only the fasties did that?

 

[Asknoone]

Cling to the ceiling? Eh?

 

[ríomhaire]

IIRC you can spot some fast headcrabs on the ceiling of the tunnel in lowlife that's full of barnacles. I think it's the one just after you block up your first antlion hole and the open the gate with the crank and poison headcrabs come through.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

IIRC you can spot some fast headcrabs on the ceiling of the tunnel in lowlife that's full of barnacles. I think it's the one just after you block up your first antlion hole and the open the gate with the crank and poison headcrabs come through.

Correct.

Favourite feature? Alyx's Zombie kickin' moves!

 

[Planetary]

Yeah those are the headcrab tricks I meant.

 

[Sheepo]

Zombine if enemies count. Antlion cover-hole trick if not, great use of physics.

 

[crazyelmo]

Thinking about it, I guess you only see poison headcrabs and fast headcrabs hanging, I don't think normal headcrabs would even work even work. I first saw some poison crabs hanging in the hospital and was like "OMGWTF!"

Anyways favorite new feature is fire lighting up surroundings, I don't remember it doing that in Half-Life 2.

 

[Asknoone]

Zombines.

 

[bigburpco]

The gunship house fight thing.

 

[achilles_d]

Alyx AI

 

[nokori3byo]

Don't know if it counts as a "feature", but I noticed something today while replaying the notorious elevator segment of Lowlife. I was at the part just before you grav gun the latch of the door with the power box and I turned my flashlight off to let the battery recharge. Immediately I heard the unwelcome sounds of an approaching zombine. After Alyx and I had killed him, I tried to charge my flashlight again and, presto: another zombine. After this had happened two more times, I concluded that a zombine spawns every time you turn your flashlight off. This is before I restarted the power for the elevator, bear in mind.

Truly a crowning moment in sadistic game design. Though, as we all know, this segment was nerfed to placate the grovelling masses.

 

[Azner]

Zombines phear teh light

HDR

 

[TheHamster22]

I loved the Alyx AI, having an intelligent and interesting companion for the length of the game was ace ^_^

 

[heer0]

1. Alyx (Upgraded facial animations, battle moves and of corse - that shoutgun in the hospital :E, not to mention the AI)
2. Zombines (new enemy - new fun)
3. Commentary
4. HDR (Not a big 'who knows what' for me. In fact i think Valve overdone themselves with the HDR, sometimes it doesn't look very realistic with all the glow and the iris effect, but it's a nice eyecandy touch to the picture, especialy to some scenes )