Episode 2

Align

Only, don't go overboard like with the final battle achievement.

Liku

<!--quoteo(post=1657390:date=Oct 23 2007, 06:39 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Oct 23 2007, 06:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657390"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't think the challenges are dumb. I just think cheating to complete them is dumb. I mean, you and I both know missing 2 grubs is basically the same as squishing them. It's not like there's any doubt as to your grub squishing abilities. So why bother cheating (slightly elaborately I might add) to get the grubs? Just because you want a silly box to go from black and white to colored in on your Steam account page. I'm not a mediocre gamer, either. I'm just not so weird that I have to find silly workarounds in a game to complete a task that I know I basically already did. Missing 2 grubs out of 333 changes nothing except whether you get the actual acheivment.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I cheated because it's a work around, I in turn was just trying to re examine the area I passed. But Valve kinda messed up in that regard. I would have just reloaded, but the game autosaves so much, I didn't have any old enough saves. Like awards and certificates given in classes, or little "Great!" stickers on homework it's just proof you did something.

Achievements are a neat way of comparing e-######s.

DiscoZombie

nice grub trick, Liku <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> now if only it was possible to do the last battle with god mode on and still get credit for protecting all the buildings... maybe you can if you turn it off at the last second? when does the achievement actually register? as soon as maggy says the attack is over? I bet if you just turn off sv_cheats for that second, the achievement would count =p

when does the gnome into space achievement register? you could probably play the whole game with godmode on, put the gnome in the rocket, and then turn it off for it to count =p but of course, cheaters never win!

about that gnome achievement... when I first saw it in the achievement list, I assumed it just meant you had to shoot the gnome really high in the air with the grav gun... I didn't realize it meant LITERALLY into space... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />

Align

how would godmode help? noclip maybe since you move so fast, but i dont think you could bring the MBombs with you then - theyd slip out of the gravguns hold at those high speeds

DiscoZombie

<!--quoteo(post=1657503:date=Oct 24 2007, 12:17 PM:name=Align)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Align @ Oct 24 2007, 12:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657503"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->how would godmode help? noclip maybe since you move so fast, but i dont think you could bring the MBombs with you then - theyd slip out of the gravguns hold at those high speeds<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
godmode would help because you wouldn't have to stop off at the huts for health all the time from all the punishment you take... when I was trying to get that achievement, I totally didn't have time to restock on health/energy before going after the next strider. if I did, a building would be asploded.

Align

<!--quoteo(post=1657527:date=Oct 24 2007, 08:42 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Oct 24 2007, 08:42 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657527"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->godmode would help because you wouldn't have to stop off at the huts for health all the time from all the punishment you take... when I was trying to get that achievement, I totally didn't have time to restock on health/energy before going after the next strider. if I did, a building would be asploded.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, maybe I just got lucky then, because I didn't really need to restock except the few times you're given a breather.

Liku

<!--quoteo(post=1657472:date=Oct 24 2007, 07:20 AM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Oct 24 2007, 07:20 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657472"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->when does the gnome into space achievement register? you could probably play the whole game with godmode on, put the gnome in the rocket, and then turn it off for it to count =p but of course, cheaters never win!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It registers once you close the hatch to the Rocket, godmode wouldn't help too much, unless you're trying to run the whole way with it. And noclip wouldn't help because it doesn't effect the Gnome. It's a fun little challenge in the end, I took pictures of the whole journey.

<!--quoteo(post=1657472:date=Oct 24 2007, 07:20 AM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Oct 24 2007, 07:20 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657472"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->about that gnome achievement... when I first saw it in the achievement list, I assumed it just meant you had to shoot the gnome really high in the air with the grav gun... I didn't realize it meant LITERALLY into space... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I tried that too before going "Oh... ######."

lolfighter

I found the gnome achievement to be pretty straightforward, since they hardly ever talked about anything but that rocket. Even found the gnome right away. Didn't bother taking it though.

Dirty_Harry_Potter

Well, it's very straightforward, it can be quite frustating at times though. When you A) leave it behind thinking you'll get back there, but won't, resulting in you having to load and rerun an area. and B) Cars and Gnomes do not mix well.

A_Boojum_Snark

They should've had a snap-into-place for the gnome like with the Mag Bombs. I suggest... as a hood ornament <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

Dirty_Harry_Potter

Indeed, I even tried to make it stuck there, but nooo, I just had to stick it in the rear mirror. edit.. erh.. window.

TychoCelchuuu

Alyx should just carry it around.

Liku

Or they should let you open the trunk of the car.

TychoCelchuuu

<!--quoteo(post=1657752:date=Oct 25 2007, 04:03 PM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Oct 25 2007, 04:03 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657752"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Or they should let you open the trunk of the car.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

But there's a poison headcrab there! Surprise!

Svenpa

Shouldn't sv_cheats 1 allow spawning of items? If so, just browse in the ep2 GCF package and find gnome.mdl or whatever then spawn it with [hl2 spawn command] [gnome file].

Think about the possibilities, send not one, but FIVE gnomes to space at once, good riddance.

enf0rcer

<!--quoteo(post=1657740:date=Oct 25 2007, 04:30 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Oct 25 2007, 04:30 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657740"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Alyx should just carry it around.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

honestly. Could've been funny too "uh, do you want me to hold that... gnome.. for you?"
*staring at the gnome awkwardly*"is there something you're not telling me?"

etc etc, I'd get a kick out of it.

Dirty_Harry_Potter

<!--quoteo(post=1657797:date=Oct 26 2007, 02:03 AM:name=Svenpa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Svenpa @ Oct 26 2007, 02:03 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657797"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Shouldn't sv_cheats 1 allow spawning of items? If so, just browse in the ep2 GCF package and find gnome.mdl or whatever then spawn it with [hl2 spawn command] [gnome file].

Think about the possibilities, send not one, but FIVE gnomes to space at once, good riddance.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Pretty sure it has been tested, and it not working.

Abra

It has to be the one gnome. One gnome to space them all.

Align

Well, you'd have to create them in the level before the silo or sv_cheats would register as being on and no achievement for you.
And don't forget the door.

But it might have to be that one gnome, too; seems more likely that they would attach an entity to it than make an entity that detects a phys prop that has a certain model.

Gwahir

or maybe it isn't just a phys prop but a special entity that the map maker set a certain flag on to make sure that no spawned version would have that flag set...

Align

That would have the same effect as what I said except take more work, though.

locallyunscene

<!--quoteo(post=1656931:date=Oct 20 2007, 03:34 PM:name=NeonSpyder)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NeonSpyder @ Oct 20 2007, 03:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1656931"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>I would like to also point out that Kleiner talked Eli out of going to the Borealis because Eli was "too valuable to be captured" and that he knew everything about the rebels. This implies that the combine have methods of extracting information from captured individuals, and that Kleiner and Eli knew this. It is also believable to conclude that the brain-slurping that the advisor did on Eli at the end was *exactly* the knowledge-extracting that Kleiner was so worried about.

Thus, the combine now know about Borealis, it's whereabouts, the fact that Gordon and Alyx are heading there in a helicopter as well as all the movements/information about the rebels.

This is bad news for everybody.</span><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Don't worry.
<span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>Magnisson will recognize this and tell Gordon not to take the helicopter but the super secret Magnisson Train.</span>

DiscoZombie

so... <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>was Aperture Science contracted to make portal technology for the Combine? or were they simply doing their own science things and had little/nothing to do with the portal storms, etc.</span>

Thansal

replace combine with Govn't and all is well.

locallyunscene

<!--quoteo(post=1659758:date=Nov 7 2007, 02:50 PM:name=Thansal)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thansal @ Nov 7 2007, 02:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1659758"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->replace combine with Govn't and all is well.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah I think so too. The combine, for the most part, don't have access to technology as advanced as Aperture Science or Black Mesa. They seem to steal technology and kludge it into weapons(like the blast cannon on the strider seems far more advanced than the rest of the strider), not research new weapons.

Retales

<!--quoteo(post=1657162:date=Oct 22 2007, 07:33 PM:name=Buggy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Buggy @ Oct 22 2007, 07:33 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1657162"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->In my opinion, the hl2 series are games you need to play with an open, empty mind and just let the game absorb you. Nitpickery over realism just detracts from the experience and fun.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well said, sir <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> . I really loved the Episodes, and can't wait for the third. Especially with an ending like that.

One thing confuses me, though. <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>Am I supposed to recognize 'the Borealis' from somewhere? I mean was it mentioned in Half-Life 1, 2 or Episode 1?

Also the microwave food thing was awesome, I lmao'd. And I felt tingling inside me when Aperture Science was mentioned <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /></span>

Thansal

<!--quoteo(post=1659760:date=Nov 7 2007, 03:04 PM:name=locallyunscene)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(locallyunscene @ Nov 7 2007, 03:04 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1659760"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yeah I think so too. The combine, for the most part, don't have access to technology as advanced as Aperture Science or Black Mesa. They seem to steal technology and kludge it into weapons(like the blast cannon on the strider seems far more advanced than the rest of the strider), not research new weapons.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would say that the combine has lots of very impressive tech. I mean seriously, just look at the bloody Citadel!
Also, walkers are VERY impressive tech, much more then some silly little cannon.

<!--quoteo(post=1659763:date=Nov 7 2007, 03:24 PM:name=Retales)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Retales @ Nov 7 2007, 03:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1659763"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Well said, sir <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> . I really loved the Episodes, and can't wait for the third. Especially with an ending like that.

One thing confuses me, though. <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>Am I supposed to recognize 'the Borealis' from somewhere? I mean was it mentioned in Half-Life 1, 2 or Episode 1?

Also the microwave food thing was awesome, I lmao'd. And I felt tingling inside me when Aperture Science was mentioned <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /></span><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Borealis is from portal

X_Stickman

<!--quoteo(post=1659763:date=Nov 7 2007, 08:24 PM:name=Retales)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Retales @ Nov 7 2007, 08:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1659763"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Well said, sir <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> . I really loved the Episodes, and can't wait for the third. Especially with an ending like that.

One thing confuses me, though. <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>Am I supposed to recognize 'the Borealis' from somewhere? I mean was it mentioned in Half-Life 1, 2 or Episode 1?

Also the microwave food thing was awesome, I lmao'd. And I felt tingling inside me when Aperture Science was mentioned <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /></span><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>I don't think it's mentioned anywhere in any of the other games. I am almost certain that it's a sly reference to Red Alert 2, though (or Red Alert).

I seem to recall an almost identical "accident" (i.e. a ship and part of the dock going missing) mentioned in the instruction manual for red alert 1/2 when talking about the Chronosphere.


It does tie in with Portal though, in that Aperture Science are obviously far less concerned with safety than is healthy. That and Kleiner says "colleagues" (or is it rivals? Can't remember) in a less than praising tone.
</span>

douchebagatron

borealis from portal?

the borealis is the original starting point of halflife 2, it was how you arrived in city 17, until they scratched that scenario

DiscoZombie

I too am curious about Borealis. I know it's related to Aperture because they say so in episode 2, but everyone was all excited when they heard it mentioned (in-game characters and players alike), and I still don't know why. I don't believe it was mentioned in Portal. seems that we're supposed to act like we've known about Borealis all this time just like we're supposed to act like we've known Magnissun all this time...

edit: @6john: oh, well that explains it.