HL2: Aftermath - expansion announced

[Bigjakkstaffa]

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=58579

goodie :D

--Jakk:t

[germanNiklas]

"..........scheduled for a 'summer' release, according to PC Gamer .........."

i hope they mean 2005 :D

[Rabbitrunner51]

All I can say is fantastic.

And for all those naysayewrs who wondered why I might have been so enamered at Alyx..well I guess I hit the nail on the head again..as there will be more of her and Gordon together....

How sweet...

Snatch this up in a heartbeat.:eek:

[Bigjakkstaffa]

more news next week:

http://www.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/April8.2005/

--Jakk:t

[bob05]

I didn't like HL2, I doubt I'll get this. :t

[Happy Joe]

Due to the lack of highly visible labels specifying the extent of internet connectivity required, and after the time I wasted getting HL-2 installed and registered;
I will never "buy" a product from this company again.
Enjoy!
(edit) They ripped me for $50 IMO, but I'm certain that I have cost them hundreds in lost sales.:D

[Rabbitrunner51]

I would like to sympathize and expound on the so called problems of those who bought the game and came away dissatisfied or had problems DL'ing form the site to get the game..but I am not one of those.

I try and look ahead and envison things like this..so I waited just a bit..after its release...bought the game and installed it ( maybe a week after the humdrum wore off and had no problems whatsoever installing or playing the game.

Just what did some of yu expect from the game..exactly..and why do you think it was bunk or caused so much ill will??

My take is I was very satisfied by what you got for the money ..a great SP game...and two online MP games ..one which is the most popular out there right now ( CS Source.., which I play all the time )

If people have any questions on if a game is worth the full hefty price at first offering..I suggest you wait a bit and get the game at a much lesser price and maybe after a demo is played or something.

To each thier own..as I can also understand everyone has thier own dislikes and reasons. Thats fine

;)

[RamonGTP]

I liked HL2, and although the installation was a bit more tedious than I had anticipated, I didn't think it was all that bad. I'll probably be getting this.

[Rabbitrunner51]

In most every case ...I have been very ssatisfied with Steam and how it works..considering the thousands upon thousands playing the game worldwide. The whole thing works well...

Yes..having to have a good internet connection.or service is required but then I would guesstimate that over 90 per cent of most gamers do have this anyways. If not..then it is really tough to swallow I know..as you need this to even play the SP mode.

Among the issues and concernes of theft...this company decided to protect itself..especailly after the source code was initially stolen. Can you really blame them for bewing overly cautious and addressing this? In most instances after its release the vehicle works well and did its job.

One of the many reasons I liked the game was the way they did the graphics. I just like their style. Clean..crisp and detailed with a sense of realism.

The next installment should be a bit cheaper in price I would suspect..but we'll see.;)

[ShadeZeRO]

IMO it should come with a DVD that plays what happens in the first one...

cuz "some" of us, didn't finish, and got tired of it :p

the plot is kickass, but i just dont wanna play 100 hrs of HL2...

[MJCfromCT]

100 hrs? Jeez...i beat it in 30 :)

[Rabbitrunner51]

Just finished the SP again the other night for the third time and still thoroughly enjoyed it as i did the first two times thru.

Like MJC..I got through it pretty fast even the first time.... just taking my time and played it for about three days or so .. under 30 hours is realistic for a good gamer.;)

In the first HL the very last scene or enemy ( big beeker ) I did not beat also....but I think the game ends shortly after that...so in all aspects I played it all the way thru mostly..but you make a good point that maybe they could have given some past footage or stroyline for those who ( may be many) did not get the chance to play the first one.;)

[Someone Stupid]

I enjoyed the first one so much better - the second was a letdown in many ways - but still worthy of buying as the gameplay was decent and it at least made up for the lack of gameplay with continuing the story and some nice visuals. Still, it would have been great had the gameplay actually had more thought put into it. The only time I ever felt engaged was fighting the boatload of striders at the end. I want to say that the expansion better get some impressive remarks from more than just review sites - but I know deep down I'm going to crumble and get it anyhow.

[Rabbitrunner51]

Want to hear something funny?

I suppose this has happened to countless others,but when I was playing HL2 for the first and even second time... I always wondered why the combat ships were such a pain to bring down and did not realize until playing it for the third time that the laser sight on the rocket laucher if following and targeting the ship ,you could get a direct hit every time.
before, I fired and thought I had only a slit second to center and fire and most of the time the missles would flly all over the place like some crazy animal.
Now, for those who have had this problem...aim the laser after you fire at the ship and they hit evry single time. A surefire breeze thru this part from there.

Yeah.. I did not find the game to be overly hard or esp. challenging,but enjoyed it nonetheless. Shoot those flying blade thingies were the biggesdt pain to me in the entire game.... I hated those and esp. in the area where you have to fight off all the guards in the cellblock area... always in the way.

I just got SC3 over the Doom 3 expansion,but like you and this new HL game oming out, I'll probably get it anyway..just to play something new and make the collection complete.;)

[Someone Stupid]

RR - LOL Glad you figured that out - must have been frustrating as all hell trying to beat the game given how well they are able to shoot down missiles directly fired.

The flying blades I just always tried to get something btw me and them to funnel them a bit. Pull out the pistol and target practice. Out in the open they were a rarity fortunately.

Have you gone back and played Pandora Tomorrow? The game storyline really makes it seem like you should be targetting Shetland in Pandora Tomorrow and not in another game where he's had time to gear up against the world and your ignorant of it. There are plenty of hints and even solid reasons in a couple levels - have yet to play through the last level again - will see how that goes on revealing more.

[Rabbitrunner51]

Hye SomeoneStupid... Yes I have played Pandora tomorrow over at least two times... and felt that while it was OK and worthy, it was a bit short and sweet and ot very challenging.

The first game is still the toughest in my opinion. One reason is that there are not too many clues as to what to do and the door codes drove me crazy... along with sequences of events. It was a good one.. I will be honest and say I needed a walkthrough for that one..but not PT.

This last time I played HL2 I breezed through the game mostly..
I could swear though that the zombies with the head craps attached seemed like there was no end in Ravenhorn. That was a pretty fun level. I also thought that the very last level where you are riding the clamp in casket thing was a nice touch and was very ingenious and creative by the designers.Some nice graphics here.

The flying blades were easiest for me using the crowbar or shotgun ..which are the best and quickest way to smash them... pretty cool AI for those.

I have a question for you..and I will ask it here instead of a private message...

I am on level 7 in Chaos Theory..and at the very last thing..which is finding the eastern most control room. I suppose it is all the way back close to the beginning?? Where exactly is it?? I'm sure I would find it eventually..but there are so many computers and yes i have hit them all along the way.

So far..I am enjoying this new edition very much. Don't know why but this game is just right up my alley..in what i like to play. A game with strategy and stealth. And, I don't mind saying so..I am very good at it also... feel so comfortable playing it. They did a fine job with the controls and the way the game operates.

Also, I haven't tried it yet,but from thier promo and marketing..I guess it is suppose to have a good MP aspect also.

;)

[Someone Stupid]

As for PT: Play it without killing anyone on Expert - makes it a good deal tougher. :)

As for CT: I'm assuming your talking about the "silo" mission. Man those maps are useless.

First I'm assuming that you've made it through to the elevator shaft, if not, stop reading after this paragraph (this is telling you how to get to the second half of the level), if so, ignore it. To get to the elevator you need to shoot out the lights around the transport, then toggle the panel to move the warhead, then use the railing to shimmy your way through to where the warhead passes above the metal door that doesn't open ever in the level. You also can't go back after this, so make sure you've pulled your two parts from the comp for the side mission as you won't be able to go back and get them.
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Now I'm assuming this iafter you've got the BIOS? If not, stop again and read just this. The control room to access the BIOS is below the launcher itself - you have to kill or distract the two gaurds then fiddle with some wires where one of them was working in the center of the room. Now. . .
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What I did beforehand the second time through (before getting the BIOS) was disable the two warheads (one in each chamber of 5-10 probably) before I went up and saw the rocket launch, then I went downstairs beneath THAT launcher and hit up the computer there (it's one off next to the doors all by it's lonesome IIRC - you can usually get in and out without being seen with a sticky cam distraction), then you have to run to the same sides internal control room (still east and west ones, only the elevator shaft seperates them - the other side you can ignore) and play with the computer there. Once you've done that you then go back up topside (either side) to the missiles and jump to the ladder heading down with the light by it to finish the level.

Side Note: If you haven't disabled the warheads beforehand, I believe you have to - so you'll take some hits in your score as you'll need to be use your weapons most likely since you'll have less time. I know I didn' disable them beforehand the first time, wound up doing it while running against the clock. Don't know if it was required, but it is doable. Still easy enough to do in the time allowed, just not killing anyone is the hard part - esp. if you haven't tampered with the two exposed warheads beforehand (one on a forklift, the other in the opposite rack room still on the cruise missile).

This also isn't telling you how to accomplish a tad of the stuff inbtw, but that is pretty straightforward (up the elevator - then back down when done).

[tantone]

On the issue of HL2 not coming with some way to know what happened in the first one, I thought it did. On my list of Steam games is one for HL, the original. Of course, you'd have to play it all the way through to get the idea, but it should be there.

I'll buy the expansion. Especially seeing as how I got the game free from the purchase LONG ago of a Radeon 9600.

[Someone Stupid]

I have to agree with tantone (don't go into shock there buddy :) ). HL2 told the story well enough if you had even only a faint recollection of the game. I think it was well done in story dept. in the regards that they had to leave it open, else how else would they charge for future games.

[tantone]

I have to agree with tantone (don't go into shock there buddy :) ) Wow! I'm gonna have a beer to celebrate!

PS.
Can we say beer here? I don't know if the morality cops would try to censor it :p

[Someone Stupid]

It seems to have passed this time. Give it a few days and try again. :) Wanna place bets on if it'll be censored in more ways than a US (lack of) Intelligence Report?

[Rabbitrunner51]

Thanks SomeoneStupid..for all that.

As far as I know I have done everything up to this point ..and it Is the very last thing to do....and I will use and re-read your info and clues.

Whats interesting to me..is I ( I suppose someone thinks like this),get through a level or game following mostly the straightforward methods or normal as I like to call it, but it is very cool to read how others do things and there are always much that is missed by myself ( little things maybe) along the way. Either way I am content at just getting through to the next level ..esp. upon playing the game the first time thru.

Yes..I agree it is more challenging and need I say more to the real point of this game to use stealth and no killing all the way versus kill,don't kill back and forth..ect.... I am getting much better at this.. he big boss sure has fits when you kill someone needlessly...its so funny.

What is yor next two games you might decide to get?? Its going to get real interesting real soon as in June a couple of the biggiesd I have been waiting for will be out then ..( F.E.A.R. is the main one).:rolleyes: ;)

[Someone Stupid]

As for the my clues - I'm sorry that they are vague but this was a level that had me nearly lost at times (as did others thanks to the most horrible mapping implementation I've ever seen). Took me awhile to find my way through the first time - I imagine it'll be the same for you. You may want to check for a walkthrough or FAQ at ign or gamespot (sic). Granted they aren't ever the best, but you'll probably be able to fill in the blanks and at least pass the mission without overly killing yourself trying to complete it in the process.

As for not killing, I mean not even knocking out foes - leave all standing and awake - only kill for objectives or the fact that you just can't get by them awake (guy in machine room before forward bildge in second level is a perfect example of someone who has to at least be knocked out in CT). Was able to pull 100's in CT in my second pass till the last two levels - then it was just bloody and I made no pretenses of trying.

I really haven't been looking that far ahead lately. Mainly because my gf should be back from uni and in starting up dentistry school down here instead of way up in atlanta come then, so I'll be busy catching up with her for awhile I'd imagine. The big time sink.

The other big reason that I've had blinders on to anything of long range is that I've just gotten sick of the game propaganda mags and ezines to the point that I no longer buy/visit them. I hear about games now on TV, in the occasional pc mag (not game mag) ad, and on forums. I'm fairly disillusioned that any of them can be anywhere near fair and balanced as Fox News loves to say. LOL

[stix_kua]

Originally posted by Happy Joe
Due to the lack of highly visible labels specifying the extent of internet connectivity required, and after the time I wasted getting HL-2 installed and registered;
I will never "buy" a product from this company again.
Enjoy!
(edit) They ripped me for $50 IMO, but I'm certain that I have cost them hundreds in lost sales.:D

Boo-hoo...You did not read the box carefully. Your own fault IMO...:rolleyes:

[MJCfromCT]

Agreed, an internet connection is a requirement that is posted on the game box and online. Yes, there are ways around that, but HL2 and Steam in general are meant for the modern PC user with an internet connection. At some point you just have to draw the cutoff line.

[Rabbitrunner51]

I guess we all kind of escaped from the origianl message post,but alls good. Forums are just that. open for discussion and discourse.

SS... I haven't had too much problem getting through this level,but I look at it as the first three were very easy and don't mind things being hard or challenging somewhat. The mapping is pretty ridiculous,I have to admit,and the map in the opt sat..boy I am still trying to figure out how or what they were thinking when someone put this atrocious and worthless bit of info in there. Considering they have had three games to improve on this and still its the same is ridiculous.
On the personal side..don't apoogize.. some people have areal life and am envious of those who have a true love or girlfriend sometimes. Hope all goes well there. Your clues are OK.Often times it is hard to describe just where your at...and the last part with the bios and rocket launch was correct. That is where I am at..end of level.

Totally agree about the poor fellow who did not heed or read the fine print or info before buying the game. Live and learn.

;)

[Someone Stupid]

I was fairly sure that was where you were at - just that you mentioned going back to the beginning and I wasn't sure if that was possible given the divider of sorts that the missile is sent through. Hence why I tried to cover all bases. Glad you were able to decipher it - I would have referred you to the map, but as we've said, it is a nightmare.

HL 2 wasn't all that much of a pain for me except for the fact that it came with a bad disk and I had to return it for another copy. The online part wasn't so bad since it really only ran once for the most part. I hate how the client starts up (slowly and quite ploddingly) though. Until I rearranged my stuartup order to stick it dead last, it was causing another program on startup to hang sometimes. It was pretty well advertised that you'd be needing to get online for verification, and as usual, I didn't hold my hopes up for something quick and easy. It wasn't quick, but it wasn't long nor was it a pain. I found plopping in all those CDs more of a hassle than the online check.

[Rabbitrunner51]

Well Someone Stupid heres the update...

Can you believe that from reading your clues above and also ( I had already saved a walkthrough I got from GameFaqs.com )from this WT that the very first time I played it after I got off the email tonight... I got through it. Much simpler than I thought...and yes I did have to disarm or short circuit the other warhead first.. Somehow my nose lead me right to it... then I ran up the stairs and into the room ( again not knowing it was the right area at all ) hit the very first computer and whammo...mission complete. I was trying to find the exit for extraction and remembered what I read from your response above and got to the ladder over the side and mission completed. Thanks so much for the info,as it definitely helped.

The cut scenes and cinematics for mission eight are something else... very nice. The sound in this game is really quite good and since I have the 7.1 system and Audigy 2 ZS sound card.. it plays out in all phases and is awesome.

Those people who somehow had a real tough go of it dl'ing HL 2 from Steam and or connecting up... ( and you might be one of those from what you describe) I feel for,but I had no such problems whatsoever. Install was quick ( longer than most but nothing special ) and hookup is very fast playing either the game or online.
There could be several reasons for this. One is that you bought the game and tried to install and connect up the first week or so ...or something within yur system is causing a conflict with Steam...

I will probably get either D3 exppansion or the Brothers in Arms game this coming month..but like us all I am prone to a change or heart if other arises or I see something else better.;)

[germanNiklas]

i completed the mission yesterday too

i have to say tho that i dont have any problems with the map
imo i even think the game is "too easy" . . . . im playing "medium"

with the map the game is much easier, i have no problems finding the objectives in the map, that missile mission was the shortest so far for me

and the knive makes the game even more easy
im not using it tho

but i still love the game!!

hope they fix the multiplayer soon, so many people having problem connecting to matches or get disconnected :(

[Rabbitrunner51]

Yeah I was wondering about the MP. Never have tried it out yet..

Am kinda surprised that someone has some luck with the map as I just don't see it...They could have made it more clear and defined. cannot for the life of me understand the minus symbols in the interface and what they do. I played with it alot and it moves very speratically with these controls like in a 3D thing I guess.

Originally, I had said that the graphics were susspect..but upon further review i believe that this style they use is actually quite good and innovative and fits in with this game to give it its own special feel.

Also, I am sure by the end of the game which is not too far away, that it will be looked upon as not a very long game...but then again..I guess that is not the point.

Question about the knifes. I know he uses it to slice people and slit their neck by right clicking after you grab someone..( and straggling upon right click,but again I haven't studied the game phamlet..and wonder if I am missing some other cool moves by missing some key assignments or actions.

Even though this game closely follows the original format very well ( thank god for that), i believe the AI is a little better in this game and i notice the role players or enemies move around more.

More than likely, I will finish the game tonight if all goes according to plan.

;)

[Someone Stupid]

There are some minor added moves Sam has - you'll rarely use them. It'd be easier for you to check the manual than for us to explain - as they are derivitives of his old specialties.

The game is only "hard" on expert - even then, not overly so. I just have been playing complete stealth to make up for it - not killing or knocking anyone out if at all possible, going for 100s. Trying to use quicksave only for a few times throughout the level - otherwise the game is stupidly easy - at least after playing it a couple times. The first time on Hard I had trouble towards the end - mainly the end of the last two levels being quite annoying, although the last one was easier than the second to last IMO. I was out of sticky shockers and other quick munitions - thus armored bodyguards really were a pain in the end.

I can understand the map in some levels, but in others, sometimes you have to change your facing and whatnot to see things or to zoom into certain areas. I just think it could have been done better with the simple 2D overlays similar to hitman - maybe incorproating the two with wireframe.

There are 10 missions, the mission your on is split into two loads - so your 3 missions and 4 levels loads away IIRC.

[Rabbitrunner51]

Speaking of the Map, it brings to mind another older game I loved alot and that was IGI 2. In that one they used maps that showed the enmy locations( not very practical for this game though ),and it works like a charm..and was an absolute necessity versus this map which actually I hardlt evre use.other than seeing where a certain objective is in general.

They did a good job overall, and I think there are always some things we as gamers would change or like to see..but thats life.
My mindset going into games is play it like it is and be fair to yourself and the game first. After you complete it for the first time,then anything goes as to how you want to play it...

SS.. did you enjoy the game enough to immediately want to replay it? if your on the third go around I guess you must have liked it OK...or like me you are curious as to other methods of acheiving goals or as you have done play the game on differnt modes... which is what I am doig now with the ones I like.

I can remember playing FarCry and Doom 3 over at least two if not three times on differnt difficulty settings... logical thing to do really.

[Happy Joe]

"Boo-hoo...You did not read the box carefully. Your own fault IMO..."
What can I say, Yer right. I did not read the box carefully enough (although one would expect a reputable company to make the requirement obvious) (thinking back on the publicity and law suits I should have known better than to think these people reputable). I also expected to be able to play the game within at least a couple of hours of purchasing it. Due to steam and their lack of planning, I could not (this is probably the greatest source of my dissatisfaction). I could have returned it (and should have) but some poor kid would have been stuck with a game they couldn't register, so I played it and beat it and will be forever disatisfied (too bad) :D
Re; modern computers, my sys surpasses all requirements for all games that we are likely to see this year (and probably the next several years).

Doing my bit to put these people out of business, one potiential customer at a time.:D
Enjoy!

[Rabbitrunner51]

Well Joe I guess you have evry right to be disgruntled, but in the heat of emotions and past bad luck or other factors..good luck in trying to put this company out of business. Since yu might be in the 5% of those who bought the game and felt as you do..that leaves the other 95% satisfied enough to enjoy enjooy what they bought and the product(s) they produce.

I just had to return a game I ordered last month and was lucky enough to get a full refund from the seller...but that may not be the case for evrybody with everything they buy.
In this case the game would not run correctly on my high end system,even though everythiing else did and many others who played it said it worked fine. Who knows. All I can say is I too was very very upset and said about the same things you stated, but attributed it to something else and not the company. Like you I said I would never buy another product from that company ever again,but that may not be the case if they produce something that can't be passed up. ( which I trully doubt)

Happy endings make us feel altogether diffferent...and often we just look at it from the vantage point of live and learn and go on sor now I am happy....os the original issue gets lost or forgotten.

A little arrogance by a game company is not a bad thing but should be viewed as something positive if looked upon as trying to please and put the best product out there for people to enjoy.

If a game does not live up to the hype or on a personal level I did not find it to be to my satisfaction.... that does not mean that the company is bunk or the porduct no good..only a matter of how I see it and how others see it that make up the real critigue or true judgements.

Hope every thing else is better for ya...and remember..its just a game.



;)

[Someone Stupid]

Sorry for the lack of reply, but after being in the hospital then enjoying the wonders of 50mg Fentyl patches, I haven't really felt like posting.

As for wanting to play it again and again immediately - I played through the second time trying not to kill anybody but still being a bit loose with knocking people out and leaving behind damage which would hint that I was there. The third time I basically tried to be a ghost until the last two levels in which I just picked the assault loadout and once things got to the point that it was ugly (after the meeting in level 9) and the very end of level 10. Otherwise the most I used was the OCP on the pistol, patience, and if absolutely necessary, a knockout or kill. The last two missions were still above 70% IIRC (been awhile) - the rest I was able to pull 100's.

The shotgun and 20mm rifle attachment are your friend in the end.

[holoflux]

Steam can be a bit of a pain when it's updating or the servers are busy, but I think it works well enough. For me, HL2 was a great game though not as engaging as HL1. I'll still buy the expanision pack though. A satisfied customer.