Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Concept]

Aah m8 that is bad, put it out yr mind, go get hammered and hopefully you can forget some of it.

Well it might work...

I ain't going anywhere near those hl2 sites from now on then.

Sorry to hear that mate, but what you've got to try and remember is that the game is going to be an overwhelming experience wether you know the plot or not.

Just cos you know some bits of the outcome or some of the surprises, it doesn't mean it isn't going to be one hell of a ride getting there ( take Kill Bill for example ).

And anyway, before I started keeping away from the forums of HL2 sites I read all sorts of crazy things that were supposed to be major plot leaks from the beta. Every single one turned out to be from the feeble imagination of some 13 year old who thought they were original and funny.

It might be the same this time around ? ( but don't go looking to confirm )

Don't worry I won't.

Thanks guys. I know it's shallow of me to react the way I did in stumbling on a potential spoiler, but as you say, it's the experience of play which really makes Half-Life what it is. For example, I knew most of the first game's plot before I played it, yet that didn't stop me enjoy doing so. I suppose I shouldn't try and let it ruin my sense of anticipation, as hopefully Half-Life 2 is going to be one of the best single player games we're going to encounter in recent times. When it comes to a first person adventure, I think it's the way in which the setpieces interact with the gameplay that make an accomplished title in that genre compelling. It's how you experience how things happen that help titles such as Prime, Half-Life and more recently Halo unique. I'm kind of hoping the spoiler I did see was from some deluded kid's imagination because the grammar being used to express it wasn't exactly all that great. And another minor point I'd come across before tended to contradict what I saw.

Just had my first spoiler by way of a topic heading. I know its nothing major, but its just disappointing.

Sorry to hear that, but Spatial raises a good point. There are no cutscenes in Half-Life... Everything happens without you being taken away from the action as it happens, so I think the experience of 'being there' overrides much of everything else when it comes to the detriment of the narrative. That's why I was probably unfairly comparing Half-Life 2 to Metal Gear Solid 2 in those stakes. For me, the latter was a suprise game, where the narrative's impact was built on it's ability to shock and twist. Without those elements it lost a lot of it's power, and that was certainly the case when I came to playing through the game. To me, the power in Half-Life (and hopefully it's sequel) is experiencing the adventure completely through Gordon's eyes... And I don't think revelation of the narrative can sink it's claws into the quality of experience that way - Because everyone's viewpoint and handling of the game is going to be different. That's why although Half-Life (and most probably Half-Life 2) is a linear experience, the way in which you absorb is independent on how you chose to take it in.

I'm steering clear of other forums and PC fan sites until its released. I've not had any spoilers yet and I plan on keeping it that way!

Same here. I've been keeping away from all Half-Life 2 news and information ever since last weekend. I'm thinking of taking a break from following the game in the run up to release and focus on more immediate jaw-droppers such as San Andreas and Halo 2, because the wait is infuriating at times.

[Len]

...because the wait is infuriating at times.

Amen to that.

Like you say we've just gotta concentrate and njoy some of the top stuff between THEN and now. I'm sure we'll manage it somehow...

[Spatial]

HL2 gets PC Zones highest ever score at 97%.

The games summary from the mag is :-

"Play it, enjoy it, savour it. Games may never get this good again."

A bit pessamistic, but 8) anyway

So far the average score for the game across the board is 95%


edit :- And according to HL2.net someone at GAME has stated the UK release of the game will be DVD only. That's good news as 6 CD's in this day and age seemed a bit silly

[Concept]

Is PCZone out yet? I've been staying away from Half-Life 2 specific places/sites, and I went down to pick PGG in town today but didn't see PCZone.

[Spatial]

I think its the subscribers that have it at the moment. According to last months issue it doesn't hit the streets until the 14th but that's probably been moved forward due to the review.

I haven't ventured past the front page of HL2.net since you said about spoliers

[Concept]

Good to see it getting another high score again. Something just keeps nagging in me that it's bound to get an eight in Edge though.

[ascender]

I think I saw it mentioned somewhere that in Europe there will be a DVD version on the shelves, but it didn't say if that would be alongside the CD version or on its own.

As for Edge, I gave up with them some time ago. I know there's still a lot of good in the mag, but it started to get a bit like the NME with its flavour of the month approach to gaming and trying to be fashionable/cool for the sake of it.

Am I the only one here who can't see what the delay is in giving us a release date? I jsut don't see any sense to it at all unless someone's not telling us something fairly major about the RC or court case.

[Concept]

The magazine's more consistent since Tony Mott was reinstated as editor again. That isn't to say I agree with everything in Edge, because there's a lot I don't, but they're a more respected and critical source than many of the publications which have reviewed the game so far.

I don't think everyone who has reviewed Half-Life 2 has been bought off with promising of advertising or such like, but I can't help but feel these single format magazine reviews are preaching to the converted, and delivering hyperbole which may be over-inflated.

Like I said... A more considered and critical approach to Half-Life 2 may give a fairer reflection on just how good the game is. Personally, I feel the game's going to get an eight.

Although on the Eurogamer forums someone is already claiming the game has received 10/10 in Edge and made the cover.

But this someone could be anyone to be honest.

Coming back on topic...

I don't know why they're not giving us a release date either. It does seem very odd. My guess it's probably down to either:

a) A specifically decided timed announcment yet to happen
b) Legal issues

I really hope it isn't the latter...

[ascender]

Maybe its time to give Edge another look then. I've cancelled my PC subs because like you say, one-make mags tend to be a bit pointless.

[Concept]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56813

Half-Life 2 DVD only in Europe. Not that it makes much difference to most of us waiting for the game (especially for those choosing Steam). I'd imagine anyone that wants to run Half-Life 2 should own a DVD drive by now.

What a slow week for news this is being... If the game is to be released late November/early December you would have thought Vivendi would provide retailers with time to let the average consumer know Half-Life 2 is coming out. There have been pre-release publicity in GAME for Halo 2 and San Andreas for months now.

To drum up Half-Life 2 in the eyes of the masses is going to take some doing if the game is to be launched in six weeks or just over. I'm beginning to doubt this now though.

[Len]

Out of interest Concept, you said you'd bought PC Gamer. I'm very tempted to buy it and have a read, does it contain much in the way of spoilers? Had a quick look at the scans online but wouldn't mind a read etc...

Worth a purchase..?

[Concept]

Bar a screenshot of Alyx there aren't any significant spoilers in the PC Gamer review, and the gallery with the screen is marked on the disc with a warning just in case.

The good thing is the PC Gamer disc this month the magazine comes with is top notch. Crammed full of stuff. That along with the Half-Life 2 review (which is admittedly well written), makes it a worthy read.

A word of advice though, PC Zone's Half-Life 2 review is said to contain spoilers aplenty.

[Spatial]

It does ?

I won't be getting this months copy then.

[Concept]

I've only seen the last page of the review. Whoever wrote it started mentioning something about the general tone of the ending, and as soon as I read up to that point I closed the window. No thanks PC Zone.

When I did a search in google for the review, a general summary of PC Zone's available over at HalfLife 2.net came up, and that was blacked out with a lot of spoilers, so I can only take from that it's going to be choc-full of them.

[Concept]

http://www.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=150883

Ouch. Steep price for the Gold edition. I'm going to be skint by the week's end.