Half Life 2: Episode One

[Kire]

Just so you know, I'll keep this spoiler free. I just got it and beat it last night...awesome experience. I'm probably going to beat it again with the commentary on. Dog is such a cool character...one of the things they taught us in animation is that if you can get a character without a face to emote and have a real personality, then that's usually great animation. That's the case with him. Right off the bat, it opens some really interesting mysteries in the plot that I can't wait to see answered.

After you finish it, there's a trailer for the next one. Can't wait.

[Chrono]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

How long did it take to beat it and is there any new guns?

[Kire]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

About 5 hours. And no.

[Loki]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

I don't understand what this is. Hasn't Half Life 2: Episode the Full Game been released for a hundred thousand years already?

[John Mora]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

one of the things they taught us in animation is that if you can get a character without a face to emote and have a real personality, then that's usually great animation.

Animators: one step above mimes.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Don't be knockin' mimes, man.

Five hours, eh? How long was HL2? I was thinking of getting this for my little brother, but I hope it can keep him occupied.

... It has a COMMENTARY?!

[RPGD]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Ooh, game with commentary? That's a first.

Is that just during the cutscenes or do they prattle on during gameplay as well?

[DK]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Ooh, game with commentary? That's a first.

I could've sworn the rogue squadron gamecube games had commentary.

[RPGD]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Really? Well, I missed that.

[Kire]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Yup, there's commentary bubbles strewn around the environment. When you turn them on, they'll have the voiceover as you play, or take over the camera and show you how they pulled off a certain effect and whatnot. One neat thing was how they would place a guy in a spot, and have you need to take care of him so you noticed something scripted in the background...because he wasn't your focus, it doesn't feel scripted and authentic. It's definitely very educational for aspiring game designers.

And, HL2 never really has no cutscenes, but there's parts of dialougue and goings on that you're free to roam or look at what you want to. their animation technology that has them turn their head toward you and follow you with their eyes when addressing you makes this all feel really authentic...it's just downright cool and is one of my favorite parts of the Source engine.

[RPGD]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Very, very nifty. That is indeed a first.

[Magus]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Kef, we should get this.

And Riddick for the PC had commentary too.

[Chad]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

You mean, like they did in Lost Cove?

[marcus]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Although I enjoyed SiN Eps1 better, I always like Half-Life's story. Regardless, I wonder if Valve will actually answer questions instead of throwing more at us. The story is already full of enough holes and there aren't any corks left to plug them up.

[Loki]

Re: Half Life 2: Episode One

Sly Cooper had comentary. And Jak III.