Half-life 2: Episode 2 FAQ [Archive]

View Full Version : Half-life 2: Episode 2 FAQ

Samon

26-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Half-life 2: Episode 2 FAQ

What is Episode 2 about?

Following the destruction of City 17 and the Citadel, Gordon Freeman finds himself stranded within the alien-infested wasteland of Earth. With the Combine cut off from Earth, the resistance seek to utilize whatever time they may have. As such, Gordon is tasked with providing Eli Vance and Dr. Kleiner, now working out of an abandoned missile silo, with the transmission Alyx recovered from the Citadel.

So what can I expect from Episode 2 gameplay wise?

Like Episode 1, Episode 2 has a specific focus. In Episode 1, that focus was Alyx and how she aided and interacted with the player throughout the game. With Episode 2 were given larger, less-linear levels and new vehicles to drive around in them.

What new weapons will I be using?

There will be one or two new weapons in EP2. One of which that has been revealed is the Strider buster, which once shot at the Striders underbelly will draw power from it.

What new enemies will I face?

There will be several new enemies in EP2. With the Citadel destroyed, the remains of the Combine forces in C17 are scattered thin and are fleeing in all directions. One, which you will face, includes the Hunter, a synth entity that was revealed in EP1. We've also been introduced to the Antlion Worker and the Combine Advisors.

What new locations can I expect to visit?

Now you are in the Wasteland you'll be seeing a variety of new locales. For the countryside portion Valve have taken influence from Estonia, looking at forests and riverbeds. From what we've seen you'll be visiting an abandoned mine shaft, meeting up with Eli and Kleiner within an old missile silo and taking on the Antlions in their own environment - the nests.

How long is Episode 2?

6-8 hours.

What else does Episode 2 come with?

Episode 2 comes with Portal and Team Fortress 2.

Portal?

Portal is set firmly within the Half-life universe, wherein you use a 'Portal gun' to go wherever you see fit. Pretty awesome stuff really.

Release date?

October 9th.

OMG wut abut Shephard?

Go awai.

riomhaire

26-07-2006, 01:38 PM

Will there be new vehicles?
What about Alyx, Dog, Barney etc?
How much will it cost?
What about OTIS!?!?!?!

Samon

26-07-2006, 01:39 PM

Will there be new vehicles?
What about Alyx, Dog, Barney etc?
How much will it cost?
What about OTIS!?!?!?!

1. Answered already.
2. We don't know at all.
3. Done.

incorrigible

26-07-2006, 02:40 PM

Price?

$20

$20.00 for all 3 games?! Has this been confirmed by VALVe? That seems awful cheap!

AHA-Lambda

26-07-2006, 03:10 PM

Price?

$20

In a previous topic you said it had not been confirmed what the price was (who cares if it is $20 then OH YEAH!!!!).

xirow

26-07-2006, 03:12 PM

Release date?

Christmas 2006

Samon

26-07-2006, 04:27 PM

True, we don't even know the price. Yes, release.

kattmat

26-07-2006, 07:57 PM

Several new weapons and enemies? Where did you get that from?

Loke

26-07-2006, 08:07 PM

Several new weapons and enemies? Where did you get that from?

If I'm not mistaken, PC Gamer US revealed one new weapon that’s going to make into Episode 2’s arsenal.
And about the new enemies, watch the trailer.

Samon

26-07-2006, 09:34 PM

Several new weapons and enemies? Where did you get that from?

Valve press release. Also, do you think they'd reveal all the new stuff in the first previes? No - tis just a glimpse.

kattmat

26-07-2006, 10:23 PM

Well, this is an episode and in the first one we just got one (two) new enemies and 0.5 new weapons so it feels a bit weird that this one would have so much new content.

s1e9a8n5

26-07-2006, 10:27 PM

Can I ask why some people are still "amazed" and "shocked" by the cost of the EPISODES? The cost of the Episodes make perfect sense. Half Life 2 was around 15 hours of game play, more or less for some. The game cost what, 50-60 dollars. Now for the EPISODES, that are around 5 hours of game play, cost 20 dollars. Now three Episodes = 60 dollars. 20 x 3... So the games are reasonable and not cheap. You def. get your moneys worth. If you feel that the games are cheap, I'm sure there other websites and different stores that sell the game 10 dollars + more. lol.

What we should be talking about is why the heck did the name the games under Half Life 2? Shouldn't it be HL 3? I think thats odd and stupid. But thats me.

Sean

Samon

26-07-2006, 10:44 PM

Well, this is an episode and in the first one we just got one (two) new enemies and 0.5 new weapons so it feels a bit weird that this one would have so much new content.

Not really considering EP1 was within the confines of C17 and the Citadel, just hours after HL2 ended - you weren't going to see some magic new enemies or weapons. EP2 is somewhere new, so yes, we will.

Wally_Breen

26-07-2006, 11:50 PM

Here's some of my questions:

1) According to PC Gamer, Alyx says "Lets just Be friends." Who is this directed to?

2) I know TF2 comes with EP2, does Portal come with EP2 as well or is that separate?

3) Will people Shutup about Adrain theorys?

Loke

26-07-2006, 11:58 PM

2) I know TF2 comes with EP2, does Portal come with EP2 as well or is that separate?

Both are included in Episode 2.

riomhaire

27-07-2006, 12:19 AM

Oppressor

27-07-2006, 04:44 PM

Nice faq!

Wally_Breen

27-07-2006, 06:05 PM

I have A quick question for those who readed the PC GAMER issue of HL2: EP2 when they stated that the VORTs will be more fleshed out, they also say something like Alyx says "Lets just Be friends." Who is this directed to? Because if this is directed to Gordon this could mean the less Flirtyness...which is for you dude's, I personally dont give a **** if she flirts or not, Just letting you guys know.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m274/Wally_Breen/pagefive5yk.jpg

Samon

27-07-2006, 06:50 PM

She doesn't actually say that, it's just PC GAMER messing around..

JackG2

28-07-2006, 07:51 AM

bigburpco

28-07-2006, 08:21 AM

So am I the only guy who was annoyed by Alyx's constant presence in Ep.1?

I always liked Half-Life better when you felt like the one man army trying to survive every crazy thing they throw at you. Alyx being there just kind of ruined it for me. In fact, I found myself enjoying the small parts when you were away from Alyx more enjoyable.

Hell, that train part where she freaks out just got me more annoyed with her. I surprised myself by even talking to my computer screen by saying "This is everyday shit for Freeman, baby. If you're gonna freak out on me everytime something like this happens, than maybe you should go running home to your daddy."
:cheese:

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't give a shit if she lives or dies in the next episode.

Imagine a stalker, or something very gruesome or just something you fear immensely being pinned up against you. Not feeling so brave now?

The quality Alyx exhibits is fear. A natural human trait. Based on this... evidence I shall conduct a simple calculation.

You don't like Alyx exhibiting a human trait. If you don't like Alyx doing that, you shouldn't like people exhibiting those traits as well (Alyx is lifelike enough). If you expect people to not exhibit those traits, they will be inhuman. If you want people to be inhuman, then you hate humans. If you hate humans, you most probably aren't human. Therefore, you are most likely inhuman.

Also, if you can't live without some interaction with NPCs (who help you in shooting baddies), you're most likely trying to be Mr. Machoman. Since I don't think you were bitten by a Macho, you're trying to show off. Therefore, you are most likely an inhuman show-off.

Oh yeah, and others give a shit whether Alyx dies or not, so STFU, thankyouverymuch.

EDIT: 749 posts... woo.

JackG2

28-07-2006, 08:54 AM

Imagine a stalker, or something very gruesome or just something you fear immensely being pinned up against you. Not feeling so brave now?

*sigh* I'm not talking about myself in this case. I'm talking about Freeman. A man who took on an entire alien race head-on, and faced many many crazy dangers by himself. Waking up to an alien screaming in your face would be NOTHING compared to what Freeman has seen and survived. Shacking a freaked out character with a man who fears nothing would come off more of a hinder to that man.

In this sense, this annoys me that the game has to slow down just because Alyx is scared. I'd feel much more at home if I was just playing with Freeman, and not have to worry about some freaked out NPC.

The quality Alyx exhibits is fear. A natural human trait. Based on this... evidence I shall conduct a simple calculation.

You don't like Alyx exhibiting a human trait. If you don't like Alyx doing that, you shouldn't like people exhibiting those traits as well (Alyx is lifelike enough). If you expect people to not exhibit those traits, they will be inhuman. If you want people to be inhuman, then you hate humans. If you hate humans, you most probably aren't human. Therefore, you are most likely inhuman.

Just because I don't like a nonexistent character that exhibits human traits doesn't mean I'm inhuman.
That's like saying I'm inhuman because I won't treat a toaster that smiled at me the same way I would a real human.

Also, if you can't live without some interaction with NPCs (who help you in shooting baddies), you're most likely trying to be Mr. Machoman. Since I don't think you were bitten by a Macho, you're trying to show off. Therefore, you are most likely an inhuman show-off.

Now, see, if I was playing with an actual human being (i.e. co-op of some kind), I'd have no problem with that person shooting some baddies down, because he/she's playing the game too.

Now, when an NPC is capping baddies for me, I get annoyed because I'm the one playing the game and I want to be one to bring the hurt. I don't care if a whole group of enemies is surrounding me and it looks like her help would be very... well... helpful. That just adds to the intensity of the game... and this causes me to have fun... which is the whole real reason why I'm playing the damn game. Is to have fun. An NPC in the fray is just a mild annoyance to me... and because of my other experiences with NPCs in a game, this opinion of mine will never really change.

And what in hell am I trying to show off? Cause I can't think of one damn thing to show off other then my dislike towards a character in a game.

If anything, the only person trying to show-off here is you, trying to be Sigmund ****ing Freud.

Oh yeah, and others give a shit whether Alyx dies or not, so STFU, thankyouverymuch.

And did I ever say anything about those people? No. No I didn't. The only thing I did was state that I'm one of the few who don't care if she lives or dies. As I am stating an opinion, I feel I have the right to talk about it without having someone who dislikes my thoughts telling me to shut the **** up about it.

EDIT: 749 posts... woo.

Oh my. You've come so far in life. Aren't you proud?

the_rebel_medic

28-07-2006, 09:40 AM

Despite the fact that JackG2 may seem inhuman to you, he is correct, A vast majority of players will choose between a squad based shooter and solo shooter for those aspects. Half-Life 2 should be defined soley as a Solo shooter.

bigburpco

28-07-2006, 10:14 AM

*sigh* I'm not talking about myself in this case. I'm talking about Freeman. A man who took on an entire alien race head-on, and faced many many crazy dangers by himself. Waking up to an alien screaming in your face would be NOTHING compared to what Freeman has seen and survived. Shacking a freaked out character with a man who fears nothing would come off more of a hinder to that man.

I'm sure Freeman would freak out. What proves that Freeman DIDN'T freak out when he saw the Gonarch? When he landed in Xen? There's no way of really finding out, because Gordon Freeman is comprised of 4 million players.

To some, the stalker is ****ing scary (and well... epileptic. Forgive me), more than all the horrors previously seen. The stalker train scared me more than anything else. Actually... disturbed would be a better word. So well, yes, people can get traumas from anything on a small scale to a much larger one. Just because Freeman experienced worse things doesn't mean he can go 'GTFO, I've seen worse', and neither should anyone say that in real life.

You don't go 'Go home to your daddy' when someone close to you is traumatised. It is a game, but there's NOTHING wrong about caring for characters in video games. That's something you CAN'T dispute.

In this sense, this annoys me that the game has to slow down just because Alyx is scared. I'd feel much more at home if I was just playing with Freeman, and not have to worry about some freaked out NPC.

That's strange, because someone could easily develop a trauma for that. Don't say 'Oh, it's just a game, don't be a nerd.' because Valve is trying to break the bar in terms of character interaction. In other words; trying to take the nerd out of PC gaming. If you don't even care

Just because I don't like a nonexistent character that exhibits human traits doesn't mean I'm inhuman.
That's like saying I'm inhuman because I won't treat a toaster that smiled at me the same way I would a real human.

Can't see a joke?

Now, see, if I was playing with an actual human being (i.e. co-op of some kind), I'd have no problem with that person shooting some baddies down, because he/she's playing the game too.

Now, when an NPC is capping baddies for me, I get annoyed because I'm the one playing the game and I want to be one to bring the hurt. I don't care if a whole group of enemies is surrounding me and it looks like her help would be very... well... helpful. That just adds to the intensity of the game... and this causes me to have fun... which is the whole real reason why I'm playing the damn game. Is to have fun. An NPC in the fray is just a mild annoyance to me... and because of my other experiences with NPCs in a game, this opinion of mine will never really change.

If you could stand your friend capping enemies, you could probably stand NPCs capping enemies. You see, you shouldn't go 'I'm playing a game' when you're playing a game; it could easily ruin the experience. You should NOT treat shooting baddies as a platform for fun in gaming. You should get the fun from the whole experience, not from shooting a few guys. Gaming has evolved.

And what in hell am I trying to show off? Cause I can't think of one damn thing to show off other then my dislike towards a character in a game.

If anything, the only person trying to show-off here is you, trying to be Sigmund ****ing Freud.

You're taking things too seriously. If you're seen my other posts (which I am, of course, assuming you have not), you should know that I joke. Pretty badly, actually.

And did I ever say anything about those people? No. No I didn't. The only thing I did was state that I'm one of the few who don't care if she lives or dies. As I am stating an opinion, I feel I have the right to talk about it without having someone who dislikes my thoughts telling me to shut the **** up about it.

I admit that this is something wrong that I did, but try to think of it as a joke. Jesus. If you're going to be so serious on a forum, urm... well, you're not really suited for forum whore life.

Oh yes, I'll also reply with a quote.

Hell, that train part where she freaks out just got me more annoyed with her. I surprised myself by even talking to my computer screen by saying "This is everyday shit for Freeman, baby. If you're gonna freak out on me everytime something like this happens, than maybe you should go running home to your daddy.

Well, this is something that annoys me. Try to be in Alyx's shoes. This is like getting irritated by a virtual character that exhibits human traits. Would you rather she suddenly gain inhuman strength and push the stalker off and kick it in the face?

You might say that it's a game. GAMES HAVE EVOLVED, AND THAT'S NOT SURPRISING. Yes.

This quote below also shows how you repel arguments against your reasoning.

Oh my. You've come so far in life. Aren't you proud?

I do not think this insult would have been directed at me if I had said, 'Meh. I think differently and so do others.', and still put the woo thing? Can't argue without insults, eh? You're probably going to be the second Shasta - wait, you probably don't even know who he is anyway.

And why should you be concerned if I am a forum whore?

Despite the fact that JackG2 may seem inhuman to you, he is correct, A vast majority of players will choose between a squad based shooter and solo shooter for those aspects. Half-Life 2 should be defined soley as a Solo shooter.

Me be joking just now, aye?

Inyssius Grey

28-07-2006, 11:29 AM

People. Stop being a jerk to JackG2. He has a right to his opinion. Just because he doesn't agree with you doesn't give you grounds to yell at him. He's literate, he knows what grammar is, he can provide a basis for his arguments (unlike others whom I won't name, who seem to be compensating because their girlfriends dumped them), and best of all, he doesn't vomit his opinions all over the rest of the community. You should be glad that not everyone is like- I'm not going to name names. I'm sure you all can think of someone.

bigburpco

28-07-2006, 12:43 PM

I'm not helling at him.

Please read carefully, kay? I have provided a perfectly reasonable argument to counter the points he had mentioned. I am not screeching at him, I am not being a jerk. Arguing does not make you a jerk (contrary to popular belief). Just argue coherently and well, not stupidly.

Besides, what's grammar got to do with anything? It is a perfectly understandable and polite argument - well, may be except for

If anything, the only person trying to show-off here is you, trying to be Sigmund ****ing Freud.

And did I ever say anything about those people? No. No I didn't. The only thing I did was state that I'm one of the few who don't care if she lives or dies. As I am stating an opinion, I feel I have the right to talk about it without having someone who dislikes my thoughts telling me to shut the **** up about it.

Oh my. You've come so far in life. Aren't you proud?

In fact, he's taking a swipe at me because I argued coherently, and with evidence. I am not forcing him to change his opinion, but of course I would like to covert it (heh). Last time I checked, that wasn't an offence, no? Or is it? D:

I did sound rude with this, I guess.

Oh yeah, and others give a shit whether Alyx dies or not, so STFU, thankyouverymuch.

I should have put a smiley.

Here you go, then. :D

The inhuman thing was a very bad joke, by the way.

EDIT: By the way, you should really look around to find out really what helling means. My argument is not offensive IMHO. If you would like to see better examples, take a look in Politics. Don't hold me accountable for any... mental trauma though.

Oppressor

28-07-2006, 03:44 PM

People are different....

Wally_Breen

28-07-2006, 08:10 PM

bbson john

29-07-2006, 03:31 AM

I respect people like JackG2 who express their opinion in a proper way, even though I don't like his opinion.

People who like Alyx being with Gordon is a lonely geek, like I. I am too lonely in reality, so I have to find a company in a computer game. :cheese:

bigburpco

29-07-2006, 04:41 AM

People who like Alyx being with Gordon is a lonely geek, like I. I am too lonely in reality, so I have to find a company in a computer game. :cheese:

Untrue.

I respect people like JackG2 who express their opinion in a proper way, even though I don't like his opinion.

And I didn't? :flame: RAWR I AM KILLING YOU NOW. :monkee:

Patton Story

Those are different circumstances; in a front-line war, there's a reason on why all males are required to fight in the war (sometimes).

bbson john

29-07-2006, 04:50 AM

On the other hand, people who dislike Alyx is a sociophobe since they said they are annoyed when Alyx speaks "too much". In my opinion, Alyx speaks a resonable amount of words, not too much, silmiar to or even less than that of a real person. I would say Alyx doesn't speak too much. I like the way she speaks as well. So people who dislike Alyx dislike people talk. That's a symptom of sociophebia. :cheese:

JackG2

29-07-2006, 09:45 AM

I'm sure Freeman would freak out. What proves that Freeman DIDN'T freak out when he saw the Gonarch? When he landed in Xen? There's no way of really finding out, because Gordon Freeman is comprised of 4 million players.

Excuse the fact that the player is suppose to be Freeman, and think of Freeman as a character. The man is silent, does what he's told and always goes head first into action no matter how much trouble he'll most likely get into. Any person who just survived a crazy accident, managed to get up, find his way out of the wreakage, battle his way through alien hordes, blood thirsty soliders, giant aliens and survived crazy crap after crazy crap is obviously not a man who can be freaked out so easily.

Let me put it this way. Freeman is basically an action hero. And we all know action heroes never freak out in the face of danger.

To some, the stalker is ****ing scary (and well... epileptic. Forgive me), more than all the horrors previously seen. The stalker train scared me more than anything else. Actually... disturbed would be a better word. So well, yes, people can get traumas from anything on a small scale to a much larger one. Just because Freeman experienced worse things doesn't mean he can go 'GTFO, I've seen worse', and neither should anyone say that in real life.

I dunno. Running through a zombie infested town or fighting off a big tenticle monster were a lot more scary than just some skinny screaming guys that shoot lasers out their heads.
And the "I've seen worse" comment was just an attempt at humor anyway. I thought back to everything Freeman's already been through around that part and saw Alyx freaking out. First thought in my mind was "You haven't seen anything yet".
And what's wrong with saying "I've seen worse", anyways? Do you want Freeman to comfort Alyx all the damn time. Give her roses and candy or something? :P

You don't go 'Go home to your daddy' when someone close to you is traumatised.

How long has Freeman really known Alyx? A couple of days at the most (I won't count them being suspended for a week in that teleport "thing-a-ma-bob"). I very much doubt you can consider them close. Hell... Freeman doesn't even talk back to her. :P

It is a game, but there's NOTHING wrong about caring for characters in video games. That's something you CAN'T dispute.

And I'm not. But you seem to think there's something wrong with someone not caring for a character in a video game.

That's strange, because someone could easily develop a trauma for that. Don't say 'Oh, it's just a game, don't be a nerd.' because Valve is trying to break the bar in terms of character interaction. In other words; trying to take the nerd out of PC gaming. If you don't even care

It's okay to get into a game... but, Christ, you've got to be able to just step back and say it's just a game. Otherwise you might as well lose all sense of reality.... and the next thing you know, you're shooting old ladies with a sniper rifile without using the scope because you think you're playing Counter-Strike.

Can't see a joke?

If so, pretty lame joke.

If you could stand your friend capping enemies, you could probably stand NPCs capping enemies.

You ever play any co-op games? I'd have to say I'd pick a human being who can actually think and I can actually converse with instead of an NPC that I can't even tell what to do.

And, yeah, I can stand it... but as I said, it annoys me. More so in a game series I enjoy because it's a solo adventure.

You see, you shouldn't go 'I'm playing a game' when you're playing a game; it could easily ruin the experience.

Well, maybe it ruins it for you. But not for me.

You should NOT treat shooting baddies as a platform for fun in gaming.

But it's a first person SHOOTER. Part of the fun is shooting baddies.

You should get the fun from the whole experience, not from shooting a few guys. Gaming has evolved.

But I do get the fun from the experience... but that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy all aspects of the experience. That's the way games are. You can't have a perfect gaming experience because developers are always going to put something in the game that some people just don't enjoy.

You're taking things too seriously. If you're seen my other posts (which I am, of course, assuming you have not), you should know that I joke. Pretty badly, actually.

Well, maybe you should just stop telling bad jokes about how one person is a "show-off" and "inhuman". It kind of sends people the wrong message, don't you think?

I admit that this is something wrong that I did, but try to think of it as a joke. Jesus. If you're going to be so serious on a forum, urm... well, you're not really suited for forum whore life.

Hard not to be serious and think of it as a joke once again when you end a post telling me to shut the **** up.
And see, that's the problems with forums. It's usually impossible to tell if someone's serious or not when having a conversation in type.

Well, this is something that annoys me. Try to be in Alyx's shoes. This is like getting irritated by a virtual character that exhibits human traits. Would you rather she suddenly gain inhuman strength and push the stalker off and kick it in the face?

Mmmm... no. I'd rather she not be in the game, because I feel no connection to this character. To me, she's just another VG babe for dorks to drool over.

I mean, really. Would Half-Life 2 have suffered if she wasn't in the game at all?

GAMES HAVE EVOLVED

Please stop saying that.

I do not think this insult would have been directed at me if I had said, 'Meh. I think differently and so do others.', and still put the woo thing? Can't argue without insults, eh? You're probably going to be the second Shasta - wait, you probably don't even know who he is anyway.

You called me inhuman. You called me a show-off. Did you really think I wouldn't throw a cheap shot at you too?

And why should you be concerned if I am a forum whore?

Maybe because being a forum whore is a clear sign of having no life? Like I said, it was a cheap shot.

In fact, he's taking a swipe at me because I argued coherently

Again, you called me inhuman, a show-off and you told me to STFU at the end of your post. You call that arguing coherently and not taking a swipe at me?

Bad joke or not, I'm surprised you thought that saying those things wouldn't of sparked a counter-jab.

My argument is not offensive IMHO.

Maybe not to you.

bigburpco

29-07-2006, 04:39 PM

OLOLOL GAMES HAVE EVOLVED

Yes, I know my jokes are pretty bad. ;(

Too lazy to put a long reply now; catch it later. If you want. :p

Wally_Breen

29-07-2006, 09:05 PM

If I was Freeman in real Life, I would take the Stock of my gun & wack in head with it, then Yell at her saying......"by you acting the way you are, you are showing Fear to the Enemy. I shall have no little Wimps in my present's. If you cant take this Go home, Cause you are showing signs of weakness."

Id be very tough on Alyx Like a cold Hearted General, SHOW NO FEAR! Id kick her ass.

Leviticus

30-07-2006, 07:40 AM

I like to think of a Freeman as a little bit on the idiot savant side. IE a socially inept, quasi-retarded analytical genius. Were he to more of a personality it would almost certainly be akin to Dustin Hoffman's performance in the film Rain Man (minus all the woman-ish screaming).

Naturally, things like giant aliens don't have much of an effect on Gordon, but touch his face and he'll go bat-shit.

I have A quick question for those who readed the PC GAMER issue of HL2: EP2 when they stated that the VORTs will be more fleshed out, they also say something like Alyx says "Lets just Be friends." Who is this directed to? Because if this is directed to Gordon this could mean the less Flirtyness..

Look at the picture the blurb of text is inside. It shows a Vortigaunt holding a an unconcious Alyx, does it not? Now read the blurb of text. The Vortigaunt's pose could be confused as being almost romantic so the editors of the magazine decided to comment on it. This is what those in the know-how like to call humor. Hope this clears things up.

Edit: Apologies. Apologies. Inadvertent double post.

MultiVaC

31-07-2006, 07:06 AM

bbson john

31-07-2006, 08:30 AM

I think if any of us were Gordon Freeman in real life we would be lying dead in a puddle of urine five minutes after the resonace cascade.

If Gordon is true, he will be asking people in City 17 for help to escape from G-man control in the beginning of HL2.

colson

31-07-2006, 09:37 AM

If you guys ever watched the Movie PATTON, in which a soldier goes & cry's to General. George S. Patton, the Soldier says something like "the constant shelling from the Germans, *& I'am scared", the soldier was traumatised & Frightened. You'd think Patton would hug the soldier & calm him down, Instead Patton Demanded that the Soldier go Back to the Front.

He Wanted the Soldier out of his(pattons) Face, He saw the Soldier not going anywhere, So patton Pulled out his Pearl Gripped Revolver & demanded If this Soldier does not go Back to the front I will shoot him myself. So Patton starts wacking the Soldier around with is Revolver. then latter on the Media litterally assault & Badgers Patton for doing that. I Really respect & Honor Patton To this day.

How Patton acted toward the Soldier I would do the same to Alyx.

That's very true. I remember hearing somewhere along the line that when a dive bomber dived at him firing at him with its machine guns he just stood there and even shot back with his sidearm trying to take the plane down. Apparently he wasn't even worried about getting shot or killed. He was definately a nut and I agree with your opinion of Freeman being the same way. You definately get hardened after fighting so many battles and seeing so many horrific things. Another real life example I just thought of is how paramedics and crime scene investigators get hardened. Those guys can look at mangled bodies and not even think twice about it. Sure some of them eventually get physicological problems but to most it's just like any other job and you get used to it. In Freeman's case it's been his job to kill or be killed and so he accepts it and does what he needs to and doesn't let the rest affect him.

Parrot of doom

02-08-2006, 12:19 PM

The quality Alyx exhibits is fear. A natural human trait. Based on this... evidence I shall conduct a simple calculation.

You don't like Alyx exhibiting a human trait. If you don't like Alyx doing that, you shouldn't like people exhibiting those traits as well (Alyx is lifelike enough). If you expect people to not exhibit those traits, they will be inhuman. If you want people to be inhuman, then you hate humans. If you hate humans, you most probably aren't human. Therefore, you are most likely inhuman.

Also, if you can't live without some interaction with NPCs (who help you in shooting baddies), you're most likely trying to be Mr. Machoman. Since I don't think you were bitten by a Macho, you're trying to show off. Therefore, you are most likely an inhuman show-off.

Oh yeah, and others give a shit whether Alyx dies or not, so STFU, thankyouverymuch.

Its nice reasoning, but fatally flawed. Because Alyx is a character in a computer game, and in no way a real person. Unless you think she is, in which case I'd suggest you have even bigger problems than you accuse the original poster of possessing.

Wally_Breen

06-08-2006, 11:40 PM

Oh yeah, and others give a shit whether Alyx dies or not.

I dont, Quite frankly I dont give a F**k if she dies or not. Infact I hope she dies a slow death MUHAHAHA:flame:. So I am Inhuman?

I miss the old HL1, Its going to be great when BM:S releases Back to solo Freeman ;).

My Wish has Come true :cheers: http://content.ytmnd.com/content/1/e/8/1e86106bd3ab64d052c124cd5ae00ac0.mp3

riomhaire

07-08-2006, 12:22 AM

Excuse the fact that the player is suppose to be Freeman, and think of Freeman as a character. The man is silent, does what he's told and always goes head first into action no matter how much trouble he'll most likely get into. Any person who just survived a crazy accident, managed to get up, find his way out of the wreakage, battle his way through alien hordes, blood thirsty soliders, giant aliens and survived crazy crap after crazy crap is obviously not a man who can be freaked out so easily.
Gordon Freeman is not a character, he has no personality, he is a blank slate which the player prodjects himself onto. I paniced in parts of HL2, therefor Gordon Freeman paniced, but only my version of Gordon Freeman did, your's may not have. Gordon Freeman is not a character, he is you.

Samon

07-08-2006, 12:38 AM

The characters perceive Gordon in a certain way. There is personality in there and that personality comes from how we play Gordon - but it comes in such a way that regardless of how you reacted in such a situation, it'll be reflected no matter who plays the game.

There are several lines in the game that help flesh out Gordons role in the world.

Wally_Breen

08-08-2006, 08:22 PM

That's very true. I remember hearing somewhere along the line that when a dive bomber dived at him firing at him with its machine guns he just stood there and even shot back with his sidearm trying to take the plane down. Apparently he wasn't even worried about getting shot or killed. He was definately a nut and I agree with your opinion of Freeman being the same way. You definately get hardened after fighting so many battles and seeing so many horrific things. Another real life example I just thought of is how paramedics and crime scene investigators get hardened. Those guys can look at mangled bodies and not even think twice about it. Sure some of them eventually get physicological problems but to most it's just like any other job and you get used to it. In Freeman's case it's been his job to kill or be killed and so he accepts it and does what he needs to and doesn't let the rest affect him.

Yep I Remember that part, Patton a German Aircraft flying over him, So he pulled out his .45 cal-Pearl Griped Revolver Side Arm & then started shooting at the plane. Also do you remember what he said, He could not imagine & it scared him if some One shot at his Nose. Gordon & Patton are both Warriors of their Own worlds, 1 Fictional & 1 A true story.

Those are different circumstances; in a front-line war, there's a reason on why all males are required to fight in the war (sometimes).

Ahhh but thats where you are wrong, partially. During the Revolution in City 17 was a Frontline War. The fight near the Citadel in City-17 was where the fight was taking Place & Gordon was leading it into the Heart of the City-17. Thats where Gordon & Patton are similar because there both true Warriors in the Art of Warfare. There was indeed a Frontline there on that day of Blood shed in City-17. Instead of Planes Taking controll of the Sky's, Trenches, Bunkers, Machine Guns, Artillery, Tanks, Armoured Personel Carriers, Bombs being dropped from a B-17F "Flying Fortress", Area's Being shelled by 150mm Küstengeschütz....15cm Nebelwerfer 41 & Flak 88mm High-Velocity High Powered Guns. Instead of all that in City 17 there was Striders, APC's, HunterChoppers, & GunShips.

36O R3volution

31-08-2006, 04:12 AM

i never knew there was a hl2 episode 2

Bacons

31-08-2006, 04:20 AM

i never knew there was a hl2 episode 2

Where have you been lately? :eek:

Atomic_Piggy

31-08-2006, 08:31 AM

i never knew there was a hl2 episode 2

:laugh:

The Monkey

04-12-2006, 04:33 PM

Release date?

Fall 2006

http://www.soaringpanda.com/gelblog/archives/orly.jpeg

Samon

04-12-2006, 06:51 PM

Reaktor4

05-12-2006, 03:17 AM

Release date?

Summer 2007.
wtf? since when?

don

13-12-2006, 11:35 PM

hi! im new here and this place rocks!!!!:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Ennui

13-12-2006, 11:38 PM

wtf? since when?
Since a while ago.
hi! im new here and this place rocks!!!!:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
I agree. Welcome. Please refrain from using the :thumbs: smiley five times in a row.

Shift

13-12-2006, 11:43 PM

wtf? since when?

Yup, well its no where near a certain release date, more like 'it will be released summer 07 at the latest', basically until they have done whatever they wanted to do. It means anytime between Jan-May 07 me thinks.

Bacons

14-12-2006, 12:08 AM

I will leap for joy when I hear the news that Episode Two had gone gold. :bounce:

Shift

14-12-2006, 01:43 AM

What does that actually mean if its gone gold? Sorry if thats a naab question hehe

zleppelin

14-12-2006, 01:43 AM

Summer 2007??? Summer 2007? What happened to the Spring 2007 release? Summer 2007 sounds a bit more like Winter 2007 than Summer 2007 TBH.

Vass

14-12-2006, 02:44 AM

No no it's Summer 2070 derr

Samon

14-12-2006, 02:47 AM

What does that actually mean if its gone gold? Sorry if thats a naab question hehe

Finished. Done.

Bacons

14-12-2006, 03:07 AM

I think when they start mass producing the game; but like Samon said.. when it's completed.

bigburpco

14-12-2006, 04:27 AM

Since a while ago.

I agree. Welcome. Please refrain from using the :thumbs: smiley five times in a row.

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Atomic_Piggy

14-12-2006, 08:37 AM

Nicely done :thumbs:
:P

Narvi

20-12-2006, 10:36 AM

Shouldn't Episode 2's quad core support be added to the FAQ?

BlackOp773643

20-12-2006, 05:37 PM

Valve stated that it would be between episode ones price and that of a normal new game

Growler1984

22-12-2006, 08:35 PM

ok, I've got a new question:

with all these new visual effects and such, will it require a DX9 card to run or anything?

I mean as in, will it use the same specs as HL2/Ep1 does?

Bacons

27-12-2006, 03:46 AM

Even though this really isn't a question, I think that they're should be synth'ed Vortigaunt slaves of the combine. Im not talking about Xen HL1, im talking about the one's we saw at Nove Prospekt, The Combine have their own Vortigaunt slaves.

It would be a joy & an honor to fight a Vort once again. ;)

Walter

04-01-2007, 02:02 PM

OMG wut abut Shephard?

Go awai.

Hey, you faked that one ;) .

Growler1984

05-01-2007, 03:36 PM

BlackOp773643

05-01-2007, 04:08 PM

could you answer my question please anyone? I'll repeat it again if I have to:

"with all these new visual effects and such, will it require a DX9 card to run or anything?

I mean as in, will it use the same specs as HL2/Ep1 does?"

From what i understand, the source engine is more dependent on RAM and CPU than a video card. You probably will be fine if you can run source on atleast medium settings. I wouldnt be suprised if it require 512 mb ram instead of 512 being recommended

Skor_V

07-01-2007, 01:42 PM

hey does somebody know if the system req for ep2 be more then ep1 ??

will i be aible to play it with a intel pentium 4/3.2 ghz prossecor

1028 GB ram ?? and a ATI-radion 9550

i could play half life 2 ep 1 very smooth (btw)

thnx for the help.:smoking:

Przemek

08-01-2007, 06:31 PM

I don't think any of us has a clue about Ep2's system requirements, but Valve still cares about gamers who don't have high-end machines, so I bet that you will be able to play the game as smoothly as Ep1. BUT we do not know how will the new engine features impact performance, so you may have to turn some of them down or off to ensure good framerates.

Stene

18-01-2007, 03:12 PM

Well, something like 1500+ RAM could be nice, because EP1 one had lag in some parts when there was scripted scenes. That Strider Beam scene will require alot of RAM in my opinion. I have 1024 Mb RAM.

Ode^to^Joe

19-01-2007, 10:41 PM

So if you buy EP2 through Steam, will you also have to pay for Portal?

Bacons

24-01-2007, 02:37 AM

I hope Valve redo's Alyx fingers, they're really annoying to look at. :frown:

jdog5000

26-01-2007, 03:49 AM

So if you buy EP2 through Steam, will you also have to pay for Portal?

No, steam is a la carte ... you can get just the games you want. Portal looks pretty cool though.

Slug Advisor

27-02-2007, 08:48 PM

Hmm...Well,my PC's kinda crap,but atleast I'm lucky.HL 2 ran great,though Ep1 glitched a little.Probably the copy...But atleast I could play.
But I think that EP2 and my crap PC would make a terrible combination.Thank God we're considering buying a new PC.We were going to buy a PS2/PS3,but seing that me and my nuncle(whoare the biggest,and to say the truth,the only people who play games,are PC gamers,it'll probably be just a new PC.
So,the point is,I'll probably get EP2.

Narvi

28-02-2007, 11:11 AM

dogalog

03-03-2007, 07:39 AM

Im running low on hard drive space so to install ep2 do i have to install portal and tfc2?

Thanks, James (dogalog)

Mahalis

03-03-2007, 07:56 AM

Most likely not.

General Balls

06-04-2007, 01:54 PM

That was the most to-the-point FAQ I've read in a long time. It renews my hope for this species.

Samon

06-04-2007, 02:00 PM

Bought time you dragged your ass over here Balls. :thumbs:

Shasta

06-04-2007, 02:44 PM

Portal?

Portal is set firmly within the Half-life universe, wherein you use a 'Portal gun' to go wherever you see fit. Pretty awesome stuff really.

Apparently NOT. LINK. (http://www.digitalbattle.com/2007/03/12/portalhalf-life-2-clarification/) First paragraph.

On Planet Half-Life is a story clarifying that Portal is a separate game from Half-Life 2 and does not exist in the Half-Life 2 continuity. It was initially built to be added to Half-Life 2, though they later decided that it would be too distracting. They extracted this information from a couple of interviews to clarify the situation.

Samon

06-04-2007, 02:46 PM

Portal is still set within the Half-life universe. They have misread the information presented.

Shasta

06-04-2007, 03:03 PM

Portal is still set within the Half-life universe. They have misread the information presented.
But what about...
"The Portal device will only be used in it's own environment. Doing something new can be a really big risk and adding something innovative to something already exists can often disrupt and create new games,"
...on the same site.

Sounds like they want to keep it separate from HL2 to avoid tampering with a good thing (HL2) and feeling the wrath of fans to me. I guess we'll have to wait and see, if there is conflicting information like this going around. I've seen the same sort of things being posted on quite a few sites now, and all within the last couple of weeks. I'll go by the most recent info, until I get the game and find out for myself I guess.

That is not the only site that says all this either. I'm pretty sure that so many sites wouldn't get it so wrong, and even if they did, they know how to edit their pages. Two weeks is a bit long for info to go uncorrected on so many sites. I'm just saying.

Samon

06-04-2007, 03:20 PM

Shasta

06-04-2007, 03:35 PM

What they are talking about is keeping the portal gun seperate from Half-life 2. The Portal gun is the experiment and something they need to build a new game world for. They couldn't use it within the Half-life episodes, for instance. They aren't saying the games don't exist in the same universe, they are saying the Portal gun won't be given to Gordon Freeman, and they couldn't just use the Portal gun in Half-life 2; instead building a new game environment from scratch.
Fair enough. Makes sense. I took that statement in the context that Portal would not add another story-line to the HL universe, but you're probably right - that it's just about the portal gun. So that quote doesn't really support (or tear down) the "Portal is not in the HL universe" thing.

However, when several sites say that Portal does not exist in the HL universe, I'll take that at face value until something else comes along. I'm not someone who hunts out every scrap of info I can on a new game, but I was curious about the story, so I did a quick google, and came across this. (I still don't know much about the Portal storyline though - or even if it will have one - it could just be a puzzle solving game with barely a story for all I know. That's why I was looking in the first place). So here we are now. No offence, but I'll take what I see on a few unaffiliated sites over someone saying they all are wrong.

Samon

06-04-2007, 03:38 PM

Well, I'm sure we can get Doug to re-confirm. That said, alot of those sites just jumped on something one person misinterpreted and repeated it. I've reason to believe from what I've heard elsewhere that Portal still remains within the Half-life universe.

Jintor

06-04-2007, 03:38 PM

's all good. We'll see when it arrives.

Laivasse

06-04-2007, 03:58 PM

Neither of those sites say that HL2 and Portal are set in separate universes, simply that the scenarios/weaponry don't overlap. 'Continuity' is different from 'universe'.
It is still noted that Portal exists within the Half-Life universe.
I was surprised at first that Portal was going to be set in the same world as HL2, but there has been nothing which suggests otherwise since they first made the announcement. No need to change the FAQ at least.

Mahalis

06-04-2007, 05:35 PM

A tidbit of new info - there will be a Portal SDK.
A lot of the things we're doing for portal rendering and physics are special techniques that we've pioneered... they give us an edge over any competition that may be wanting to piggy back on the hype surrounding Portal. So at this point I feel like these are Valve's trade secrets that they have spent the time/money to research and develop. So while I personally would love to help aspiring programmers such as yourself, I don't feel comfortable talking about it for now.

After Portal is released there will be a Portal SDK update and a lot more info that we're willing to give out. Till then, have fun experimenting... you may end up with a technique that's better than what we came up with. Good luck! :)

-Jeep

riomhaire

07-04-2007, 02:44 AM

I'm pretty sure that at least one preview mentioned that Aperture Science plays a role in EP2 somehow.

General Balls

07-04-2007, 11:47 AM

I was surprised at first that Portal was going to be set in the same world as HL2

Same reaction here mate. After seeing Portal's super-shiny puzzle architecture compared to HL's slightly dark and foreboding atmosphere it just didn't seem to fit. But I'm sure there's a logical and interesting connection in the works here.

Corp. Sheepo

12-04-2007, 10:34 PM

Confirmed new weapons? As in, the weapon slots or as in Strider Buster and physics objects?

soulslicer

26-04-2007, 04:27 PM

it is inevitable that someone will create a goddamn mod where u can use the portal gun in the ep2 game..

Samon

26-04-2007, 05:29 PM

Which won't work...

Aldenhelm

27-04-2007, 09:22 PM

I waiting to see how the G man gets his revenge

Nicky 0123

31-05-2007, 08:41 PM

i hope ep2 isnt as short as ep1 cos that was really annoying, it was only like 1:30 long. I hope its like between half life 2 nd ep 1 that would b ok

jesse19901111

11-06-2007, 11:23 AM

Well i find that the strider buster will be interesting, along with all the other new features of the game.

McCoy

17-06-2007, 03:29 AM

will ep. 2 and TF2 and Portal play into Gmod? this would be 1337, but i m just groping and hoping here.

Przemek

18-06-2007, 11:39 AM

Some people on some forum claim Episode Two supports DirectX 10.
I say it doesn't.
Who is right?

EDIT: question asked, question answered ;)
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/1144/lombardiul2.th.png (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lombardiul2.png)

I just love to be right :)

Planetary

19-06-2007, 08:03 AM

Hurray for more character videos! Nice news.

bbson john

19-06-2007, 10:08 AM

Eejit

02-07-2007, 12:06 PM

Ugh Patton hero-worship :(

Any news on who the playable Portal character will be?

McCoy

04-07-2007, 11:00 PM

Samon

04-07-2007, 11:06 PM

Certainly possible.

Reginald

04-07-2007, 11:33 PM

McCoy here,

what noone has asked here, (or im just not paying attention), is the possibility of ep 3. will you go back to C 17 and find the remains of the citadel and mutated citizens? that would be odd eh? maybe find some CRAZY ASS SHIT or sumthin.

much obliged,

McCoy

Possibly my favourite post ever.

My FAQ that I FA myself is, why do we go to the Antlion Hive and why does this indicate a switch from Alyx to the Vort?
Either been answered?

I want to say Alyx gets stung by a Worker Antlion and we have to find the cure. But that just sounds like a bad mod idea...

GordonFreeman911

04-07-2007, 11:46 PM

I want to say Alyx gets stung by a Worker Antlion and we have to find the cure. But that just sounds like a bad mod idea...

That would RUIN my day.

HL_Obsessive

12-07-2007, 07:05 AM

That means there will be no Directx 10 shader technology, right?

It is conceivable since EP1 itself supports no Vista(It crashes in Vista), it is not possible that Ep:2 makes use of Directx10 so suddenly. It's good as I don't want to buy any new graphic card. No money.

Ok, well according to IGN, they stated that, "Episode Two is being targeted at high-end PCs and, of course, next-gen consoles."

So what do I do here? I already made a list of all the things I need to buy to upgrade my PC from being able to play HL2: Epi.One Maxed out to Playing well, anything released so far Maxed out lol. Basically this:
1) ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard
2) XFX PVT80GTHF9 GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
3) Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
4) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
5) GIGABYTE GH-WIU02 3D Galaxy II Liquid Cooling

Yup. Total of a little over $1,300.

But anyway, will I need to upgrade to play HL2: Epi2 maxed out?

leib10

12-07-2007, 09:48 AM

I want to say Alyx gets stung by a Worker Antlion and we have to find the cure. But that just sounds like a bad mod idea...

Lame. Very lame. Valve is better than that.

I think.

HL_Obsessive

12-07-2007, 05:50 PM

I think.

lol

riomhaire

13-07-2007, 12:29 AM

I want to say Alyx gets stung by a Worker Antlion and we have to find the cure. But that just sounds like a bad mod idea...
They could just put the HEV suit on her and it'd do it itself.

Eejit

13-07-2007, 05:40 PM

Wouldn't fit her. She's got bumpy bits on front ^^

Ohcanep

31-07-2007, 02:02 AM

Then how did the female scientists wear HEV suits during the "exploring quests" to Xen? :P

Przemek

02-08-2007, 03:54 PM

They used special female HEV's? You know, just like there are t-shirts for women... think, Ohcanep, think ;)

losttheskyagain

02-08-2007, 04:31 PM

Lady HEV suits (from Decay):

Nicky 0123

06-09-2007, 06:33 PM

But I'm sure Alyx is propablly thinner than Gordon so it's win win

Atomic_Piggy

06-09-2007, 07:04 PM

How about they both get in togethor?

Nicky 0123

06-09-2007, 10:38 PM

...not together, Gordon would take it off and give it to her, lol

Pinkle

12-09-2007, 03:21 AM

...not together, Gordon would take it off and give it to her, lol

That's so adorable. <3 :imu: <3

Bomber

04-10-2007, 12:56 PM

I got a decent question...

If I get OB for the box over pc will I get screwed out of new mods that use the models and such from Ep 2?

Ep 1 was very glitchy on my pc so I ben thinking about grabing it for the box instead but I love my mods. >.<

Max_Fall

11-10-2007, 01:05 PM

Why are you ALL missing the point,dont it say FAQ thread,someone should either continue the FAQ subject or lock this...

Planetary

13-10-2007, 07:11 AM

Wow, this page's posts are looking rather... obsolete aren't they?

Granted, it wasn't a worker, but a Hunter. We still had to go get a cure right, and Valve pulled it off again.

Just like the escort bit in Episode One. You think it'll suck, but it's not so bad!

And the antlion hives. It was actually pretty fun!

MattyDienhoff

21-12-2007, 08:54 AM

Yeah, I don't understand the people who bitch and whine about the Antlion tunnels. If you've gotten so cynical that you can't enjoy this part of the game, maybe you should take a break from gaming for a few months.

Personally, after being hassled by Antlions throughout Highway 17 and Sandtraps and then in City 17 itself, I enjoyed learning more about their life cycle. That said, I hope we don't see any Antlions in EP3, they're getting tiresome.

Also, those slimy rocks are amazing. The Antlion tunnels are a visual treat from start to finish, despite being such enclosed spaces.