by Mr Bond
Tuesday July 13th, 2004
Most of us have no doubt seen the Half-Life 2 presentations from this year's E3, back in May. If not, make sure you take a look at our videos page (http://www.hlfallout.net/view.php/hl2info/videos.php). The two videos shown in the ATI and Valve booths were again met with enthusiasm, albeit less than last year's near-hysterical response. In a fit of insanity, we asked the question that no one else dared: what was your favourite sequence from the demonstration?
From: Lockheed
Subject: Mailbag
My favourite scene from the Half Life 2 trailors was probably the shortest. I'm talking about the short scene with the dear old reverend, A graveyard and a seemingly very underprepared Freeman. Walking around a dark graveyard with a USP, when suddenly you get attacked from the beasts from hell and the screen goes dark.I love it because if there was anything that Half Life really lacked, it was scary scenes. The team at valve have showed us what they can do with their new engine and pants-browing creatures, and I like it.
You have to hand it to Valve, those undead zombies really know how to brow your pants off. Dang! I agree, though, HL2 looks to be a lot darker than the original in many ways. But HL wasn't without its own scares. Sure, it was no System Shock 2, but it had its fair share of jumpy moments. Like when you pressed the microwave one too many times and it blew up... that's the stuff of nightmares.
From: Bite
Subject: Mailbag: E3 2004 Videos
00:18:51 into the movie, the fight with all the Zombies in Ravenholm. I liked this one the best, because it perfectly displayed all the capabilities and versatility of the Source Engine, not to mention the cool-ness of some of its effects. Cutting Zombies in half with Manipulater-handled razor blades...what more could a man crave?
I guess that's pretty much all a man could ask for, right there! If that man is an out of control sociopath. Stay away from the children, you razor toting maniac!
From: Spence-Chormans
Subject: E3 videos mailbag response
After watching and rewatching the 2004 e3 footage of Half-Life 2 countless times I would have to say that my favourite sequence of those shown is definitely the one opening with Freeman and Dr. Mossman in the elevator on the way to see the labs. It is interesting that I like this sequence more than the others (not that the others are in any way dissapointing... they are most definitely not) because it is not action intensive at all. I just love the idea of the alien slaves allying with the human resistance and even though I had read about it in many previews, seeing Eli instructing the Vortiguant to do something in the labs was insanely awesome.
Nice try using the old "vortigaunts are really intriguing" angle to hide your obvious attraction to Dr. Mossman. Your secret's safe with me, Spence-Chormans! Yep, these story snippets were a great inclusion for those of us trying to figure out the plot. I still have no idea how the Xen conflict will fit with the Combine.
From: wAkO
Subject: Mailbag: E3 2004 Videos
My favorite along with many others most likely, is the scenes with those striders (those big daddy long legs) with a bunch of underground people shooting RPGs at them. It really reveals the gameplay of the game, also how much more the Source engine can do. In most FPS games you're given a few guys to work with and you're going up against a army and somehow win. In HL2 in the strider video is shows clearly that you're working with not just a team, but an underground movement and there are ALOT of guys running around and there are more targets for the enemy to choose from, literally that translate to "Its baiting time." The video clip also shows how big the maps can become. Atleast in the video that map looks pretty damn big. You have a huge courtyard to duke it out with the striders. Unlike HL1 where everything seemed so confined and every now and then you wonder, "How the hell did I wined up here?" The maps are alot bigger and gives you more options/tactics to destroy all those who walk in your path.
I got a number of submissions on this one. What I thought was really cool was the way the same scene played out differently in the two presentations. This squad battle environment is the kind of situation where the HL2 AI seems to really shine. Keep in mind that a while ago Gabe confirmed that, yes, striders are killable. After looking at the rockets fired in this scene (seemingly to little effect), it must take some serious firepower to take one down.
Or maybe you get a Black Mesa A-Wing and wrap a trip wire round, Luke Skywalker style. Read on if you dare!From: The Sandwich
Subject: CS:Source Video
my favorite sequence was the whole fact that COUNTER STRIKE will be on the SOUURRCEEEE ENNGGIINNEEEE WEEEHAHAHAHAHH HAHAHAHAHAHA LOLOL KEKEKE
Sorry, I missed the joke. Oh, wait... Counter-Strike? On Source? Ahahahahaahaha! Oh man, that's awesome. I can't wait to tell that one at our next family reunion.
From: Tarma
Subject: Mailbag
Out of all the incredible things Valve has shown I can think of several parts that I just had to watch over and over but I think the most powerful image and my personal favorite is the citadel. Looming over the city, expanding itself bit by bit and enveloping everything in it's path. Seeing the clip of the gates raising up and moving forward a bit then crashing back down just gives me chills. I cant help but wonder what is inside that huge tower. What's it like beyond those expanding gates?
It's kinda like a big, black straw sticking up in the centre of a frozen coke... slowly but surely sucking the contents out of the entire area. Wait, no it's not.
But just imagine if it was.
From: Kaleb
Subject: Mailbag - Which was your favourite sequence/event and why?
I love how the users can interact with there environment. My favourite sequence's were when the guy shot the barrel and then knocked it over.
Yeah, that was intense!!!!111
From: Mooreberg
Subject: Favorite HL2 Trailer moment
My favorite sequence of all the new E3 footage would have to be clip where Gordon fights combine soldiers near (and eventually inside) a small house.
The sequence did a very good job of illustrating the tactical nature of the game's combat. Using obstacles like the roller mines against the enemies shows that HL2 should do a good job of following its predecessor as a "thinking man's shooter."
It was also impressive to watch the tracking abilities of the enemy AI, as they'd follow you into the house. The airboat and train station videos were great too, as they showed footage unlike anything we'd seen at last year's E3. But the combat footage reminded me of why I am looking foward to the game so much.
You are hereby awarded with the annual I wholeheartedly agree with you prize!
Au revoir!
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—Mr Bond, send feedback to mrbond@hlfallout.net
Written for HL Fallout - http://www.hlfallout.net
