Half-Life 2 (PC)

[Tom Salter]

I like a challenge. It's hard, but never too hard, and unlike Halo1/2, when you finally do a section you know it's because you're getting better, rather than passing a section by a fluke grenade throw

/me sperms on Gabe Newell

[Tom Salter]

What I'm loving is the physics so far. We've seen it all before now (If it had hit it's Sept 30th date, this would have been one of the most amazing games ever) but it's not what the physics do, it's the way Valve has used them. A few puzzles involve putting weights on things, but others are far, far more ingenius. You'll know them when you see them.

I'm spending 20 minutes eating stuff, because I'd play through the whole game without eating a thing if I could.

[PeteJ]

Tom, are you still up for rent? With your PC.

[Lyrical Donut]

Just played through the intro... oh man

It makes Halo 2 look teh kiddie.

[MikeF]

anyone tried running with a radeon 9600 graphics card ?

[neoglow]

I spent about half an hour messing around with the guards at the very beginning, chucking stuff at them...

"Move along!"
>Smacks Freeman with stick and struts away
"I've got rights you know!"
>Throws glass bottle at guards head and gets chased for it.

Heehee.

[gizmo1990]

anyone tried running with a radeon 9600 graphics card ?

I've got a 9600xt and it runs great.

I haven't attempted to run it any higher than 1024x768 though but I'm fine at that res.

[Inertia_]

Holy ****!

Hehe.

BTW, I take it I'm not the only person getting these in-game loading hitches. Like when you enter a large area and the sound stutters or there's a temporary judder. Seems people all over the place are getting it.

I can't believe how well this game runs. Maxed out all the settings and it just flies. One thing I will recommend, tho - don't run it with your DX settings on High Quality, just use Quality.

Now going to finally eat something and make some console tweaks to the brightness/contrast (bloody TFT).

[watusi]

I'm lovin it so far, not had chance to play it much though.

I can't get half life source to work though, it hangs on the loading screen forever. Anyone else having a problem?

[FreelancePolice]

yeah i got that problem bizarre

[Chadruharazzeb]

I just had a ****ing hour dredging around town for this. Tesco, Comet, Safeway, Gamestation all sold out. Woot for Woolies.

Better be worth it!!!

(HAHA as if it won't be)

[Inertia_]

w00t - it's all happening today!

Get your brand spanking new DNA 3.3.4.12b drivers with ... Half Life 2 optimizations.

[Len]

Well like others I've just spent the morning playing and what can I say...

It's Half-Life but not as we know it Jim. It feels the same but just taken to the nth degree. I'm just up to the bit where they plonk a gun on your hovercraft thingy. Level design is fantastic, the sound is amazing and it's just feels like a poper fully realised world. Also the dialogue and facial animations are brilliantly implemented. Loved the bit about the cat and the teleporter, made me chuckle...

Anyway, more impression later, back to it. If anyone was wavering (surely not?) then go beg, borrow or steal a copy and a 'puter if needs be. What a beautiful thing.

Welcome to the next generation... 8)

[Mad Gear]

STUCK!!
D'oh, just realised.

[Kotatsu Neko]

Oh sweet revenge - Finally got some weaponry on the hovercraft! DIE YOU BASTARD HELICOPTER!

I tried Half Life 1: Source. Well it's almost the same as when it was on the Quake 1 engine. A bit of environment mapping added, and the lighting is smoother, but basically... move along, nothing to see here.

Glad I'm playing on Hard mode. It's still quite easy, but some of the chopper bits were somewhat challenging.

Too early to say Halo 2 vs Half Life 2. Like them both a lot. Different games, different pleasures. Similar super high quality of gameplay.

Now, back to play some more.