I've managed to finish Half Life 2 yesterday (or rather this morning) and I have got to say that it was an excellent game. Given that this came out in 2004, the game was ground breaking in including near-realistic graphics and sound and a more polished look. The storyline is your typical rebel group fighting against a huge corporation with a sci-fi twist to it and of course you play the one joining the rebel group. In terms of gameplay, it seems to take on a slightly different pace compared to the first one. For one, the last few chapters weren't as epic in battles compared to the first one but I'm not really complaining. On the other hand the action starts pretty hot from the word go and always starts with "Run for your life!".
What I was pretty impressed about the game (imagine this is 2004) was their physics engine. You throw stuff around or waddle on water and it behaves exactly how you would see in real life. Even when you are under water and the soldiers start shooting at you from above, you can see slowed down bullet trails in the water. With the inclusion of the gravity gun, now anything can be a weapon. From cans of paint to saw blades to even soldiers themselves, they can be thrown about at other people or to remove threats. You can even use it to catch grenades when thrown at you and throw it back at them. It is just crazy physics man.
Some other cool mentions are sound. While stereo or even 5.1 channel sounds are not difficult to implement, you do hear some fairly realistic sounds during the gameplay that are not really present in other games such as when a grenade or a rocket blows up near you, not only you take damage but you will experience hearing loss with slight ringing. If it explodes even nearer to you, that effect will be longer and the ringing is more intense.
There is one downside to the game and that would be its AI. The enemy AI seems to function pretty well and will dodge your shots or will try to stay for cover when being shot at but the friendly AI seems to suck. They don't try and dodge as well and worst of all is that they don't stay put when you tell them to while defusing say a floor turret. I've noticed that when you tell them to take cover while you lob a grenade or two, they will start following you and into the turret fire while the grenades are still being prepped for detonation. And it proves to be a pain when there is a section of the game where you will need to avoid sniper fire. I got so frustrated getting them to safety that I just let them die. Serves them right.
Overall, super good game. Episode 1 is next.
In other news, I met up with a friend to discuss on a project that we are doing over the past week or so and in the end we talked at the footsteps of Europa for 2 hours about life. Some of the more interesting things to come out of the conversation are some of the better arguments for my problems that I've been saying here. They are pretty good suggestions (or rather reasons) why I should move out of OCF and serve elsewhere. I would like to think that he is right but of course I need to think about this more carefully but it seems to suggest a step in the right direction. More about it when I do think about it.
Now for some real news:
Really, if people really want their child's name to be unique and to go through all that trouble to make sure that the name you choose isn't one that is going to be offensive/weird in some other obscure language, then I think it really isn't worth it. And for STR$1000? No way man.
Beginnings of SkyNet? And it's not by the Japanese? Or is it?
After having bad experiences with HP laptops in the past, this is further evidence of my experience. Though I am quite surprised that Sony is the top three. Didn't know that they are reliable. I should say that Toshiba should take the top spot but it is pretty close with Asus. Toshiba laptops/ultraportables are built like tanks.
Too much information, Chesley. Too much information.
I wonder why no one ever thought of doing this earlier.
I'd dare say this only because it is so outrageous. What the hell, BTN?!! What the hell?!!
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