The Helicopter

[Darkjigglypuff]

How about, en route to the Borealis, right as they reach it, they're shot by a blast from a large portal-gun-like device, and transferred somewhere else?

[Holy Toaster]

Originally Posted by Darkjigglypuff

How about, en route to the Borealis, right as they reach it, they're shot by a blast from a large portal-gun-like device, and transferred somewhere else?

I would be very very annoyed if something like that happened. It would feel too much like filler for me.

[okidoki]

I imagine the trip will be cut short. Probably the advisors or some teleportation phenomenon. Or maybe simply a fast-forward in the narrative with Alyx once again waking Gordon while he's inexplicably dreaming of the ep. 3 title screen. Opening the game with a long, continuous expositional scene has been proven as bad pacing. [see: original train ride opening of HL2 and commentary of the opening of ep. 1]

Originally Posted by Darkjigglypuff

How about, en route to the Borealis, right as they reach it, they're shot by a blast from a large portal-gun-like device, and transferred somewhere else?

Watch where you're pointing that thing, Chell.

[DEATH eVADER]

Originally Posted by PerToon

And Alyx does know how to fly? I'd prefer if she didn't. She's not omnipotent. Well, I hope she isn't.

Thats one of the reasons why I'm hoping that Barney manages to get back to the base by Ep3, because he seems to be a better candidate for having piloting skills, something that he may of picked up during the time between college and before doing security work at Black Mesa.

[dallozdoppler]

Originally Posted by okidoki

I imagine the trip will be cut short. Probably the advisors or some teleportation phenomenon. Or maybe simply a fast-forward in the narrative with Alyx once again waking Gordon while he's inexplicably dreaming of the ep. 3 title screen. Opening the game with a long, continuous expositional scene has been proven as bad pacing. [see: original train ride opening of HL2 and commentary of the opening of ep. 1

I rather like the long opening scenes, but I don't think it would fit in Ep. 3 seeing that we're supposed to be kept in the action. It works for the beggining of the new games (half-life 2) but not for episodes, is what I think.

[Godron]

I always wonder how Magnusson's going to react when he finds out Eli's dead. He's gonna feel like such a dick in front of Alyx.

[General Jewel]

Flying a helicopter would be awesome, a long and epic journey to the artics? with sweet conversation with alyx, also while she crys and goes on and on about her dad, as Gorden Freeman sits thier silently. LOL

[function9]

I can't remember the exact details of the chopper, but there wasn't a gatling gun or anthing mounted on it was there? Seems kind of odd that there are still gunships in the air, and we're supposed to travel in an unarmed aircraft? The outcome of that seems predictable.

[PaoloM]

Originally Posted by Headcrab Pie

Gordon is not a combat expert.

If Gordon survives HL2, Ep1 and Ep2, killing expert Combine soldiers (and other powerful random beasts on the way), well, he must be a combat expert. Or the Combine has the worst soldiers in the history of extradimensional invasions.

[DEATH eVADER]

Originally Posted by function9

I can't remember the exact details of the chopper, but there wasn't a gatling gun or anthing mounted on it was there? Seems kind of odd that there are still gunships in the air, and we're supposed to travel in an unarmed aircraft? The outcome of that seems predictable.

Wait till you find out that the Combine have access to Interceptors

[Chug a Bug]

Originally Posted by Calerules123

I have a few questions for the forum.

1. How many people do you think that chopper can hold? I'm sure that the ENTIRE White Forest base wouldn't insist on JUST Gordon and Alyx leaving on their own after seeing what exactly the Advisors are capable of. The Vortigaunts would be especially aware of the Advisors' power. I can see maybe Barney and 2 Vortigaunts inside the chopper with us and have Dog hanging in a crate attached to the helicopter. I don't imagine Alyx leaving without a coat of some sort and by the time she got her coat it would obviously be apparent to the rest of White Forest that Eli's dead. I'm sure the first level will almost entirely consist of mourning Eli's death.

2. Do you think we'll get to fly it? I'm not a fan of this idea as it would take a day or two to make it to the arctic and it would be an incredibly long sequence if we had to fly it. I imagine Alyx flying it and at some point shortly after getting on the chopper you'd pass out and wake up when you get there.

It seemed pretty plain from the end of Ep2 that the ones who were to take the chopper were Alyx and Gordon, I didn't see anyone else queuing up to take a ride. I think Alyx will pilot it. She's been in the resistance since childhood I think she'll have been given flying lessons at some point. I don't see it as being that important to be honest.

We won't see a long sequence. It'll just be a cutscene of the chopper taking off.... and arriving.

I'm not convinced about the mourning business. It's a tragedy for Alyx and to a lesser extent Gordon, Kleiner and possibly Magnusson but to anyone else? Sure he's prominent in the resistance but does anyone else have any personal connection to him (apart from Mossman of course, but she's not here (thats going to interesting when they get to the Borealis to see her reaction)).

The point is, how many others have died recently? In the Strider attack on the missile base? Or all the countless resistance fighters who've died up to this point? To single out Dr Vance for special treatment would seem unreasonable after the death of so many others. He's just one casualty among so many.

They'll have time to mourn all the dead once this is all over.

[LazyMofo]

Originally Posted by Chug a Bug

It seemed pretty plain from the end of Ep2 that the ones who were to take the chopper were Alyx and Gordon, I didn't see anyone else queuing up to take a ride. I think Alyx will pilot it. She's been in the resistance since childhood I think she'll have been given flying lessons at some point. I don't see it as being that important to be honest.

We won't see a long sequence. It'll just be a cutscene of the chopper taking off.... and arriving.

I'm not convinced about the mourning business. It's a tragedy for Alyx and to a lesser extent Gordon, Kleiner and possibly Magnusson but to anyone else? Sure he's prominent in the resistance but does anyone else have any personal connection to him (apart from Mossman of course, but she's not here (thats going to interesting when they get to the Borealis to see her reaction)).

The point is, how many others have died recently? In the Strider attack on the missile base? Or all the countless resistance fighters who've died up to this point? To single out Dr Vance for special treatment would seem unreasonable after the death of so many others. He's just one casualty among so many.

They'll have time to mourn all the dead once this is all over.

I agree... sorta.

I don't think we will see much of the resistance mourning Eli... but the mood will be more somber than it has been. He was a prominent figure in the resistance. Alyx will mourn him... but not directly.

Valve never does anything directly; they never sit and force-feed you what you're supposed to feel or think. I think you will remember and lament Eli's death through the way Alyx behaves in Episode 3. The tone in her voice, the expression on her face, etc. So I agree that I don't think there will be mourning period, but you will remember it through her.

I think it would be awesome if... part-way through Episode 3, she just has an emotional breakdown. It's too suspenseful, too intense, too stressful and she just snaps. She can't handle the loss of her father passing away so recently AND having the pressure of fighting the combine at the same time. She gasps for air, chokes back tears, her voice cracks, she shakes, she can't stand, she rambles and stammers. Think of the amazing voice acting and script writing it would take to pull that off... something only Valve could do. Not make her pathetic and whiny in episode 3 - just let her be human for a minute.

Then she'll pull her shit together, thank you for being there for her, and go back to helping you take down the combine.

[Mong0!]

Originally Posted by Calerules123

I don't imagine Alyx leaving without a coat of some sort

Damn! can't we go to the desert instead? ^^
/offtopic

It would really SUCK if the chopper got shot down and we had to re-do ep.2, but now your'e travelling to the arctics... I would hate that!
also, it'd be a pretty good start to have Gordon sleeping in the helicopter, and we have a nice little chat with Gman.
But I don't think that'l happend since it would be pretty stupid for Gordon and Alyx to sneak into the helicopter and fly away without saying good bye to everyone (and we can't miss that scene )