Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

To be honest, Half-Life 2 looks a lot more story-driven than the original. That isn't to say the first game doesn't have a strong narrative, although it's more down to the scripted set piece development and the recurring characters you meet throughout the adventure in the gameplay who provide the essence of the plot.

But yeah... Don't miss out on the first Half-Life. Even in this day and age, it's a real eye opener.

[Concept]

More binkage folks.

http://www.filerush.com/download.php?target=03_HL2-Tenements.exe

http://www.filerush.com/download.php?target=05_HL2-Ravenholm.exe

[Spatial]

Nice update on those links mate.

Those Fileshack ones had a 3 hour que

[Concept]

They would be nice if I had some speed on them.

Personally, I'm only getting 30k and 10k download right now through BT. I usually average over 100k.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how good the apartment video looks sourced directly from the engine without any shaky cam. I remember it being one of my favourite parts from the E3 2004 showing.

[Spatial]

You can direct download from that Filerush link as well. I'm doing it and I'm getting almost full whack on 512k connection

[Concept]

Ah... The direct downloads are up eh? When I originally checked, it was torrents only. I'm 50% through one, but I might try directly for the other slower one.

Thanks for the heads up.

Edit: Back up to full speed now. My client obviously doesn't like running multiple torrents at once.

[Spatial]

Just finished getting the Tenements one.

As with the Train Station Bink the enhanced sound really makes the atmosphere more intense. You can also catch a lot more of what Dr Breen and the female announcer are saying.

Nice to see that the female City 17 resident from the recent PC Zone Bink has been replaced again with a male ??!! Whats going on with that ? Its led many people to speculate Valve have put in a random NPC generator which chops and changes them each time you play. Nice idea but I can't see it myself.

I'm going to have to wait unitl tommorow to grab the Ravenholm one. I'm off to bed now to dream of piloting a Strider down Cardiff High Street.

Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!

[Len]

I still haven't played the first Half Life. Better get round to it so I understand the whole story, as HL2 will have some definite tie-in's with the first.

Waz

Another one!

Make sure you do play it before it returns, truly a classic gaming moment/experience. Yr gonna love it.

[Ciaran]

Another one!

I know, I can't believe one of the three people in the world that Haven't played Half Life show up on this board

[Concept]

http://www.steampowered.com/marketing/hl2_preload/english.html

How evil is that? An advertisement to download the pre-load on Steam's official site and the link doesn't actually work yet.

I know the pre-load in itself is worthless, but it's the symbolism of the event. A sign that we're nearly there.

http://www.gamershell.com/news/14875.html

Gold in a week or two, eh?

Yeah. I wish.

[Inertia_]

The preload will begin an hour from now. So that's about three in the morning. For those who don't know, it'll download significant portions of the game's install onto your HD in preparation for the imminent Steam release of Half Life 2.

Simply takes the load off the servers when everyone starts downloading the game.

Here we go, people.

[Concept]

You'd think the release has got to be close though (i.e days or weeks), if the pre-load does start tonight right?

Or is that just wishful thinking? Damn, I'm getting a little wide-eyed, and it's 2am. From what I gather, this pre-load is available to everyone who intends to buy Half-Life 2 over Steam and not just ATI Coupon owners.

[Concept]

http://www.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=129361

If I wasn't torrenting I would have gone to sleep hours ago. It's delayed alright... In the usual Valve style, but the pre-load is going to make (their) Monday. Just.

Come on Valve, take a baby step towards the possibility of a final release.

Edit: Meh. It was just a minor CS: Source update.

Time for some shut eye.

[Concept]

Shudder...

I hope Valve release the pre-load at a set time during the day and keep to a date they mention for once. Having to trawl through Half-Life 2 specific forums and witness internet stupidity at it's finest is something I really don't want to have to go back and do in search for any updates.

[Ish]

So how does this preloading thing work? I have Steam (downloaded the other week in anticipation of HL2) but no games installed that run under it. Once they've put the stuff up does it just update itself automatically? Does it ask me?