Half-Life 2 Ep3 and beyond [Archive]

Ayrehead

01-17-2008, 06:40 PM

I actually never finished half life 1 (found it extremely ugly) and have never played OP or blue shift ( even though I own both ).

I plan to play black mesa source the second it comes out so I finally figure out all the crap that is mentioned later on in hl2 and the episodes.

PS

are there mods out there that are bringing blue shift and OP to the source engine?

sandollor

01-17-2008, 08:53 PM

I actually never finished half life 1 (found it extremely ugly)

When did you first play this? Because when it came out, it had pretty damn good graphics. Of course if you're relatively new to video games and Half-Life and decided on going back to try the original I commend you for at least trying it.

Antman

01-17-2008, 09:00 PM

i'd love to see Adrian Shephard back... i mean, the G-man took him to... but then again, it was a Gearbox game, not a valve game...

Big Stu

01-17-2008, 09:30 PM

It doesn't look anything close to "exremely ugly", just dated. And when it plays as well as it does, Half Life is nothing short of awesome!

Episode 3...i think the Portal gun will be inevitable. If the things we see in Portal weren't going to appear in Half Life at some point, then i don't think Valve would've mentioned that they take place in the same Universe. A crossover is inevitable.

After seeing the game length increased in episode 2 from episode 1, i'd like to see a longer game again, perhaps even the length of Half Life 2. It's not like they're rebuilding the engine for the game from scratch anyway.

Personally, i think Valve are verging on greatness with what they've created with Half Life 2 and it's episodes, i don't think we'll see Episode 3 for a loooooong time yet, Valve are going tweak everything possible until they're utterly satisfied with what they're putting out.

My hope is that it comes out on PC and 360 at the same time though. I should have a PC capable of playing it by the time it comes around, but i'd prefer to be playing what's sure to be something huge and epic on my big TV with surround really.

Shroom

01-18-2008, 04:47 AM

I havent completed hl1 either but i started it and played a bit of it coupla months ago, mostly i got bored of constantly fighting my way to the surface only to have to go back underground.

When i first started playing the default settings were low i couldnt see if the security guard was a person or a brick monster from doom

dontleave

01-18-2008, 12:05 PM

It's actually the opposite, Aperture science, or atleast the Borealis was revealed before Portal. So Portal is like the 'meat' at the end of the fork. Instead of the other way around. Overall though, I don't feel they have to crossover like you said, but I wouldn't mind.

Portal gun would barely work, you need flat surfaces to use it... Play the first level of Ep2 and you'll realize that they're not very common.

And yes, Black Mesa: Source is going to be... nothing short of amazing.

Big Stu

01-18-2008, 08:49 PM

Portal gun would barely work, you need flat surfaces to use it... Play the first level of Ep2 and you'll realize that they're not very common.
From the transmission we saw though in the Arctic there were flat surfaces, they're pretty common if any of the game is going to be in-doors.

Valve could just as easily build huge necessary parts of the game around the Portal gun though i think.

dontleave

01-18-2008, 08:51 PM

Puscifer

01-18-2008, 10:19 PM

I don't. The reason the Portal gun works so well in Portal was because you're in test chambers designed for application of the gun. It'll be one big ass coincidence if it works nearly as well in... "real HL2 life"

i agree, i dont think it would be a good idea to add the portal gun in ep3. I think they should add in Infected in it though lmao

dontleave

01-18-2008, 10:21 PM

You mean like... Fast Zombies with no headcrab? And maybe better AI.

Big Stu

01-18-2008, 11:11 PM

I don't. The reason the Portal gun works so well in Portal was because you're in test chambers designed for application of the gun. It'll be one big ass coincidence if it works nearly as well in... "real HL2 life"

Yes but the Portal gun still worked the same as it would outside of the chambers as it did inside the chambers. There were surfaces it would work on, and surfaces it wouldn't?

There's no reason at all for it not to work in Ep3 if it's featured.

Ilkoo

01-18-2008, 11:47 PM

I don't. The reason the Portal gun works so well in Portal was because you're in test chambers designed for application of the gun. It'll be one big ass coincidence if it works nearly as well in... "real HL2 life"

Lets not forget were going to the borreallis now, the apperture science ship. Sounds like the perfect place to put a portalgun in.
I think that ep3 will like ep1 be just the game. No extra's.
But unlike ep1, ep3 will be a lot bigger. Its going to feel like a full game instead of an episode.

Tell me what you think.

No Shelter

01-19-2008, 01:13 AM

Lets not forget were going to the borreallis now, the apperture science ship. Sounds like the perfect place to put a portalgun in.
I think that ep3 will like ep1 be just the game. No extra's.
But unlike ep1, ep3 will be a lot bigger. Its going to feel like a full game instead of an episode.

Well they said they put one big thing in every episode.
Ep1 - New dynamic lighting/graphic stuff
Ep2 - Wide open maps (and new source engine)
Ep3 - Aparently its going to be something big.

I wouldn't be suprised if it was another teleportation device on the borreallis. BUT WE SHOULD MEET SHEPHARD ON THE WAY!!!!

hool10

01-19-2008, 01:58 AM

TBH I think it would be cool if the G-Man caught up with Chell and paired her up with Shepherd. Then you have your 2 main foes going against Gordon. Chell hates Black Mesa and Shepherd thinks that Gordon created the portal storms.

Master_Bungle

01-19-2008, 02:10 AM

Chell hates Black Mesa and Shepherd thinks that Gordon created the portal storms.

I am usually a little confused about the HL2 storyline when I try to make sense of it (usually have a bad memory for characters etc.). But, who is Shephard? And Chell? I know who is the G-Man is (obviously). Is Shephard the guy that was the head of city 17?

Edit: I hope EP3 is the size of a full game. That would be awesome. Portal gun could be cool, but it depends how they would utilize it. Could make for some very confusing combat!!

hool10

01-19-2008, 02:32 AM

We don't know much about Chell (main character in Portal) but at the end of the game, it's clear what Aperture Science is. Aperture Science is a rival of Black Mesa. At the end GlaDOS basically says "maybe someone can help you....like Black Mesa? haha, fat chance." On the other hand though Chell was put under a deadly rat maze so she will probably want to kill GlaDOS once and for all. Shepherd was the main character in Opposing Force and was a grunt in the killing squads. His paths usually met with Gordon but he never actually talked to him. Please play HL and it's expansion(s) because they all have to do with the story and they are canon because Marc Laidlaw has said so. *Or if you want the boring text version: http://members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/timeline.htm

darksora2323

01-19-2008, 02:45 AM

lacking SPOILERS warning

hool10

01-19-2008, 02:54 AM

Yes there are SPOILERZ! Don't want another flame war going on...

Master_Bungle

01-19-2008, 03:11 AM

I will check that out. I have played half life 1 and 2 and episodes etc. I didn't realise the half life 1 expansions were a part of the story... Or a main part at least...
Okay, so going back to the SPOILERS!!!
Why do you believe Shephard will be in EP3?

Edit:
http://members.shaw.ca/halflifestory/timeline.htm
Nice :D

Ilkoo

01-19-2008, 03:29 AM

lacking SPOILERS warning

This entire thread is full with spoilers. If you dont want to know about halflife's story, then you shouldnt look into a thread thats called hl2 ep3 and beyond!!

anyway for the ones that do miss that.. spoilersss

Why do you believe Shephard will be in EP3?

The guys from valve were seriously hinting that shephard would be coming back someday. Might as well be the next episode ;)

Evilferret

01-19-2008, 03:55 AM

darksora2323

01-19-2008, 04:58 AM

This entire thread is full with spoilers. If you dont want to know about halflife's story, then you shouldnt look into a thread thats called hl2 ep3 and beyond!!
I personally dont care about spoilers, those who know me know that. coughbioshockcough but Im just doing it to prevent others from getting mad like in the other topic.

dontleave

01-19-2008, 05:45 AM

Wat if....ep3 Gordan talks! And all the gman secrets shall be revealed! And then gordon gose back in time and stops this! OMG! And he marries Alyx in the nice real world and has kids...i wonder...and hl3 ur sheperd? or just some other dude during the war? hmmm i wonder...well just have to wait untill after a while. I just making ideas btw so dont think i am serieous.

Gordon will utter one word and lay waste to his enemies with his gravity defying crowbar robots.

And no, a normal ship is not a good place for a portal gun. But personally, I've never been into the Borealis so who knows.

Yes but the Portal gun still worked the same as it would outside of the chambers as it did inside the chambers. There were surfaces it would work on, and surfaces it wouldn't?

There's no reason at all for it not to work in Ep3 if it's featured.

Err, yes... But you're missing the point. The Portal gun works on flat, unobstructed surfaces. A door with a knob won't work if the knob is in the way, that's how easy it is to mess it up.

As far as we know Ep3 takes place in the (Ant)Arctic and probably the Borealis. I don't see many places in or inbetween that would make for good application of the portal gun, unless surfaces became unnaturally flat, unobscured, and areas became a lot tighter.

Technically it could work, because the Source engine has a nack for flat terrain, even out doors.

hool10

01-19-2008, 06:58 AM

Well I highly advise you people to first play this mod:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2/downlo ad.html?sid=6145287 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2/download.html?sid=6145287)
Second off I highly advise you to read "Raising The Bar": http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2/downlo ad.html?sid=6145287 (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflife2/download.html?sid=6145287)
Originally, HL2 started on a ship named the Borealis that included stalkers. Other scenes include a Star Wars Hoth scene and even the Air Exchange. That book basically gives you the script to HL2: Episode 3. The mod though lets you play on the Borealis that was cut from HL2 in the beta. The beta had everything and I remember d/l'ing it and playing it. *The reason portals could'nt be made on those surfaces was by game design dontleave.

dontleave

01-19-2008, 07:24 AM

Yeah, by game design you're told that the Portal gun only works on certain (flat/unobstructed) surfaces.

Exact same link?

Big Stu

01-19-2008, 08:40 AM

I don't see many places in or inbetween that would make for good application of the portal gun, unless surfaces became unnaturally flat, unobscured, and areas became a lot tighter.
How many environments in Episode 3 have you seen so far exactly? Having seen nothing of Ep3's setting other than a 15 second transmission, it's impossible to assume the sort of environments the game will take place in and what the Portal gun will be compatible with.

Ayrehead

01-19-2008, 09:06 AM

When did you first play this? Because when it came out, it had pretty damn good graphics. Of course if you're relatively new to video games and Half-Life and decided on going back to try the original I commend you for at least trying it.

Oh I am not new to game or FPS's, I got the game about a year or so after it came out ( I was always a Quakeworld guy ), and didn't like it. I wanted to cause I had heard so many good things about it.

So that is why I want Black Mesa: Source to come out so I can enjoy this game with graphics I am used to and will not become a distracting thing for me.

No Shelter

01-19-2008, 09:32 AM

I don't think Chell or Shephard would be against Gordon. Shephard fought along side scientists and Shephard was being hunted by those elite military dudes, the assasins or what ever. Chell isn't a part of Aperture Science, shes just some kind of test animal.

(Story of how Gordon first talks)
*Inside a space ship over Earth, after a battle over the combine*
Alyx: Gordon we did it! We beat the combine!! Yeh-es!
*Alyx hugs Gordon then walks away. Gordon stands staring at a big red button that is labeled, "Do not press!!". Gordon does some math and comes to a conclusion that the chances of anything bad happening is 1 to 900,000,001. Gordon presses the button and nothing happens. Then all of a sudden the earth explodes and everyone that was on Earth is killed instantly*
Gordon: Damn.

hool10

01-19-2008, 09:34 AM

Well it was for gameplay purposes so Portal could be more challenging. It doesn't have to be flat/unobstructed surfaces. I don't think that's what is on the ship though. I think a new type of teleportation is possible because Black Mesa created one that doesn't need XEN to teleport. Aperture Science though can make your own portals with a handheld gun. So I think for the reisistance they can use that technology.

dontleave

01-19-2008, 10:02 AM

How many environments in Episode 3 have you seen so far exactly? Having seen nothing of Ep3's setting other than a 15 second transmission, it's impossible to assume the sort of environments the game will take place in and what the Portal gun will be compatible with.

The Borealis, the tundra and the base Mossman was in.

I'm not saying it cant work, although it mostly wouldn't. Flat surfaces etc. But the reason Portal levels worked so well is because they were DESIGNED to, in real life and in game.

It'll be one helluva coincidence if it still applies that well in the real HL2 world.

PoisonousPizza

01-19-2008, 10:13 AM

I think Black Mesa Source was canceled.

Mustacio

01-19-2008, 10:13 AM

I think Black Mesa Source was cancelled.

:(

Ilkoo

01-19-2008, 10:20 AM

I think Black Mesa Source was canceled.

dont think so.. just delayed and stuff. If they do it would be a waist of a lot of time. And there are enough people who want to see it come out.

So doesnt sound logical at all!!

QuotidianTemerity

01-19-2008, 10:23 AM

I think Black Mesa Source was canceled.

Heh, a friend of mine is on their team - and they certainly haven't "cancelled" it.
Their devblog (http://www.blackmesasource.com/devblog.php) is updated regularly. Go check it out.

Big Stu

01-19-2008, 10:38 AM

I'm not saying it cant work, although it mostly wouldn't. Flat surfaces etc. But the reason Portal levels worked so well is because they were DESIGNED to, in real life and in game.You make it sound as if the locations used will have taken inspiration from their real life counterparts. All it would mean is that Ep3 is DESIGNED to let the Portal gun do it's work.

It'll be one helluva coincidence if it still applies that well in the real HL2 world.Or just good software development.

hooray for zombies

01-19-2008, 11:02 AM

Heh, a friend of mine is on their team - and they certainly haven't "cancelled" it.
Their devblog is updated regularly. Go check it out.

I count that to be the third time you mention having friends in high usermod places. Just what are you trying to pull?

QuotidianTemerity

01-19-2008, 11:04 AM

I count that to be the third time you mention having friends in high usermod places. Just what are you trying to pull?

Third time? Do back up your statements, my dear friend.
And yes, I happen to know one of the devs. He was recently appointed, and goes by the name Liam "PogoP" Tarter. I've mentioned him previously on these forums as the creator of ctf_quarry, a custom map for TF2.

dontleave

01-19-2008, 11:08 AM

You make it sound as if the locations used will have taken inspiration from their real life counterparts. All it would mean is that Ep3 is DESIGNED to let the Portal gun do it's work.

K nvm, you clearly dont get my meaning.

I won't expect it to be in Ep3, and I wouldn't expect it to be used like it is in Portal. All of Portals situations and scenarios are staged... I can only imagine what use it will be in a loosely practical environment.

QuotidianTemerity

01-19-2008, 11:13 AM

Third time? Do back up your statements, my dear friend.
And yes, I happen to know one of the devs. He was recently appointed, and goes by the name Liam "PogoP" Tarter. I've mentioned him previously on these forums as the creator of ctf_quarry, a custom map for TF2.

Case in point: his profile (http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197961993845).
Notice who's on his friends list (gee, who could it be?), and take special notice of one of his groups.

hool10

01-19-2008, 11:55 AM

I know some people too but I'm not friends with. Some people go on hl2world.com, etc. I'm going a little off-topic here but the voice acting here was eerily creepy: http://blackmesasource.com/media/music/BM_Outtakes _Blog_Blooper_Set_1.mp3 (http://blackmesasource.com/media/music/BM_Outtakes_Blog_Blooper_Set_1.mp3)
It now sounds real like, just, wow! Also I saw the teaser again and it almost brings a tear to your eye. Play HL dammit you spoiled people! :-p *I mean they just arn't re-hashing the old .wav files you know? They are doing their own voice work with amateurs and it sounds amazing. Even the music sounds amazing.

dontleave

01-19-2008, 01:35 PM

I'm really hoping that the next 'Box' package Vavle releases comes with HL2 with the redone X360 content and features. For PC

Big Stu

01-19-2008, 01:58 PM

All of Portals situations and scenarios are staged... I can only imagine what use it will be in a loosely practical environment.
Ok do you mean from Valve's point of view, that they designed the game to get the best out of the Portal gun? If so, then Valve would design Ep3 to incorporate sections where you'd need to use the Portal gun.

Or from Chell's point of view, that the chambers were designs to get the best out of the Portal gun? If so, the chambers were, but after the breakout, it was just normal areas that were never intended to see use of the Portal gun, and it worked perfectly well there.

The One Froh Man

01-20-2008, 04:13 AM

I count that to be the third time you mention having friends in high usermod places. Just what are you trying to pull?

You need to understand two things:

1. QuotidianTemerity admires you.
He is willing to lie, forge documents, even steam user pages (http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197961993845), commit murder and mess with international politics just to make you notice him. Did you know that the war in Iraq was actually started by Quoti, to make him famous and to make you say:"Wow dude, you started a war?You´re totally cool".
Unfortunately, Bush and Saddam Hussein took all the credit.

2.QuotidianTemerity hates you.
He is envious of your succes, your gaming skills, your fame, your fortune.
He takes every opportunity to humiliate you, to make you think "God damn, I wish I knew these super famous people".
Watch out, friend, it´s just a matter of time till he takes it to the next level, i. e. hides scorpions in your bed.
You better tell the FBI so they can take him to Guantanamo Bay, to the other terrorists and completely innocent people that got picked up by the Pakistani border patrols.
That´ll teach him not to try and pull stuff in your presence.

Edit: Yeah, OT, but the truth must be told.

QuotidianTemerity

01-20-2008, 04:22 AM

1. QuotidianTemerity admires you.

Err.

2.QuotidianTemerity hates you.

Ah.

He is envious of your succes

Uh huh.

He takes every opportunity to humiliate you

Yup.

He is willing to lie

Absolutely.

commit murder

If the need arises.

mess with international politics

Can hardly resist, can I?

You better tell the FBI so they can take him to Guantanamo Bay

:O

*ninja vanish!*

hooray for zombies

01-20-2008, 04:37 AM

Wow, looking back at that little post of mine, it does seem quite a bit more... accusatory than what I was aiming for. I apologize for the unintentional misleading regarding the content of the aforementioned post which was meant to be no more than some good natured ribbing.

The One Froh Man

thank you for that beautiful, beautiful post (and that kicking avatar)

Hero_Kenshi

01-21-2008, 03:19 PM

i want ep 3 to have new weapons, the hl2 ones are like omg thats awesome when you first play, but if your a hardcore fan like me and you play it over and over, they get old, then you have to go to fps bannana and dl new ones that are shitty anyways =[
lol
just wanted to add something =D

PogoP

01-31-2008, 02:03 PM

Heh, sorry for the bump of this topic but... Quotidian Temerity does in fact know me, he's an avid supporter of ctf_quarry and a friend of mine!

And no, Black Mesa has not been cancelled, it's still very active ;D

-Liam

PS - QT, it's 'Tart' not 'Tarter!' lol

dontleave

01-31-2008, 02:23 PM

Liar. I see QT has made a new account.

Armored_Zombie_Cow

01-31-2008, 03:07 PM

not to be like, off topic, but i try to play HL2 since i got it with the orange box, and the one dude(dont know anyones names except gordon) is dressed up like a policeman but then he isnt and then they knock on teh door and he says," hurry leave" then i go outside, fall out the window, and when i walk thru that door it says loading, then the game crashes...
ever happened to anyone b4? i need help :(

dontleave

01-31-2008, 03:17 PM

Barney?

Armored_Zombie_Cow

01-31-2008, 03:21 PM

yeah, barney, so now u know whats wrong?
oh well. first ima try putting all my settings really low and then see hwat happens...
i didnt want to try that today cuz im gettings sick and tired of damn G-man telling me to wake up!
Edit: btw, what is ur avatar dontleave? or is it just randomness pixels? :P

dontleave

01-31-2008, 03:24 PM

, what is ur avatar dontleave? or is it just randomness pixels? :P

FINALLY, RECOGNITION IT DESERVES. But no, it has an even deeper meaning that pixels. Quite literally I'm afraid.

TheDark12

01-31-2008, 03:31 PM

Sounds like Barney, if you're game is crashing try playing around with the graphics options and checking on the steam forums for support. That's the best that I can suggest.

I actually never finished half life 1 (found it extremely ugly)
You want to see ugly? Play Deus Ex. Excellent game, but all the characters look like severe burn victims.
http://homepage.mac.com/makotoy/games/deus_ex/deus _ex7.jpg (http://homepage.mac.com/makotoy/games/deus_ex/deus_ex7.jpg)

Episode 3...i think the Portal gun will be inevitable.
I agree with dontleave. If they include the Portal gun then it will only be in a specific chamber. Could be in the borealis, but I would speculate that if it was, it would probably be faulty or an old beta model of the gun.

I think that if they include it they'll basically have to put it in an area without many enemies, take away your guns and when you get to the end either destroy or take the portal gun back off you. Somewhat like the blue grav gun in HL2 and Ep1.

Last I heard there was no plans to include Shepard in Ep3, but I read in an interview somewhere that they will definitely consider bringing him back one day because he definitely resonated with the audience as a character. You should note that Shepard was created by GearBox, not by Valve. So there's no telling when he will be back, nor if he will be back.

I don't deny that his involvement would be cool though. But I think that if they bring him back they should give him his own game. Like the Half Life 2: Opposing Force Episodes.

Then again, I think that if he escaped from the G-Man, he would probably go rogue like Gordon, so he wouldn't be an opposing force anymore would he?

GamerKing

01-31-2008, 08:22 PM

What I think they should include in Ep3 is killing G-man, I hate that bastard. And i think the reactor of the borealis will have something to do with it, like the thing in half-life.

killion237

02-03-2008, 04:23 PM

What if when we meet Adrian Shepard We get to hear his voice.

Shrubberyjsc

02-03-2008, 04:38 PM

TL;DR.

JK.

=)

But from what I've played so far in the HL series, ep 3 should definitely include many memorable characters with great dialogue.

It's these few aspects that make something worthwhile/cool.

Quite simply it's the difference between the original 3 Star Wars movies, and the new CGI crap that was churned out.

dontleave

02-04-2008, 03:29 PM

Quite simply it's the difference between the original 3 Star Wars movies, and the new CGI crap that was churned out.

Natalie Portman is going to be an Episode 3? WHERE'S YOUR PROOF?!

FUCKING LIAR.

Dead Fish

02-05-2008, 12:09 AM

Quite simply it's the difference between the original 3 Star Wars movies, and the new CGI crap that was churned out.

Quoting: Petike

In my opinion, this effect is similar to the reception of the Star Wars preqel trilogy, especially Episode I. All the Star Wars fans were upset, and they started shouting "ZOMG, the new trilogy is for kids, Lucas ruined the franchise!!! We hate Jar-Jar!" And they totally ignored the fact, that later George Lucas himself had to confirm: that Star Wars was always supposed to be a kids' movie. Even in the older films, there are funny/cute characters, like the ewoks (tribal teddy bears), C-3PO, with his outrageous sayings, etc.
But the old fans grew up since the first films, and in their mind, it remained something cool, as they saw it as a child.

From another forum (not me) for the sake of discussion. ;)