<!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+May 15 2004, 08:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut @ May 15 2004, 08:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> He was the one that funded the BMRF. Some say he was the one that arranged to have the wrong crystal be put into the resonance cascade.
We'll see if the 2nd is true soon. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> [woot, nitpicking ahead...] Gordon pushes the anomalous crystal thing into the anit-mass spectrometer (I believe the anti is on there). Without the anti the storyline would be fuddled by anyone who knows what a spectrometer is...
Better than explaining it myself, I shall quote (keep inmind that Valve's is anti- this (. . .)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->"Instruments that go by the name of mass spectrometer are appearing in ever-increasing variety with an astonishing range of applications." A mass spectrometer is whatever operates by process that could be used to produce a mass spectrum, no matter how different its design and processes may be from those of any other mass spectrometer. The mass spectrum of any substance or mixture is a record of the distribution of materials of different masses that can be found when a sample is ionized. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Basically they analyze what's in a material...I don't see how it would ever create portals to other dimensions or planets (of course, you could just say the current going through the anomalous crystal from the AMS created a rip in space time allowing the influence of xen and nihilinth (or whatever the hell his name is) to enter Earth - just as an example of a semi scientific, plausible enough reason).
Well...that really doesn't have anything to do with HL or HL2 (unless you want a reason why Half-Life's plot is so intrigueing.
...Just for the record, I have no idea WTH a resonance cascade is...in fact, I think it has more to do with medicine than physics, and I doubt it has anything to do with multi-dimensional travel. But, alas, I've never taken a physics class that's mentioned it.
What's the name of those troops...the Combine I think it was? That's the name of the "secret Government" Chief Bromden imagines in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. They had a nasty habit of turning people in robots part by part. Possible plot point?
Gordon Freeman, proclaimed robot; transformed by combine part by part as he read old novels while fighting striders! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> *Stares at large 3rd degree burns all over body* Ouch.
<!--QuoteBegin-CForrester+May 16 2004, 11:18 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CForrester @ May 16 2004, 11:18 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Am I alone in thinking "Resonance Cascade Event" would be a really cool name for a band? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Yes.
Gordon Freeman, proclaimed robot; transformed by combine part by part as he read old novels while fighting striders! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Umm... What?
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
A resonance cascade is a situation when the photons, because of a overpressed quantum fluctuation, outnumber electrons 2-1, and begin, well, exploding. What happens is a overflow of energy so large, it can rip holes in time and space(much like a black hole). Oddly enough, experiments here on earth are ALWAYS trying to do just that, even though it would slaughter everyone on the planet.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--QuoteBegin-Ryo-Ohki+May 15 2004, 11:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ryo-Ohki @ May 15 2004, 11:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Well, for starters I would have had an ending. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well it would seem to me at least that the point was not to end the storyline; questions were left unanswered for a reason, rather like at the end of The Matrix or Kill Bill the viewer didn't understand everything. Other games like Starcraft also left questions open (End of Starcraft what's kerrigan going to be doing, end of Brood Wars, who does Duran work for and what's this new threat that is approaching) for the same reason: to connect the original game or movie to the next installment and draw the player or viewer further into the storyline (and as a side effect, give them greater incentive to buy the next product <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
Sure, if Valve were making Half Life 1 as a standalone product with no sequels or add-ons, the end game would have been very dissapointing, rather like End of Evangion (despite being the final part of the series, it left a heap of questions unanswered). But as it seems their intent was to make at the very least HL2 from the beginning, it makes sense to have a continuous storyline that connects the two products and makes the player feel like the two games are part of one, greater, unfolding plot. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> What questions in EoE are unanswered? They were all answered my friend, I just don't think you were paying attention. Send me a PM of these questions.
Either way- City 17 is a very stalinized(or should I say Breenized?) place. Obviously, if your part of the combine, your part of the group that gets to kick ****, not get your **** kicked and raided. It also seems they know about the uprising going on- if you notice on the demo, they get the wrong floor, but right room, of where the resisters are(remember the guy calling Gordon in? Yeah, thats them. They raided the floor below, and guess what- nothing of importance, probably).
Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.
Something just tells me you go back to 17 to finish the game. Maybe even encounter Breen, and maybe the ending will do much like HL1- have him ask you for something.
<!--QuoteBegin-Quaunaut+May 16 2004, 12:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Quaunaut @ May 16 2004, 12:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Ryo-Ohki+May 15 2004, 11:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ryo-Ohki @ May 15 2004, 11:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Well, for starters I would have had an ending. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well it would seem to me at least that the point was not to end the storyline; questions were left unanswered for a reason, rather like at the end of The Matrix or Kill Bill the viewer didn't understand everything. Other games like Starcraft also left questions open (End of Starcraft what's kerrigan going to be doing, end of Brood Wars, who does Duran work for and what's this new threat that is approaching) for the same reason: to connect the original game or movie to the next installment and draw the player or viewer further into the storyline (and as a side effect, give them greater incentive to buy the next product <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
Sure, if Valve were making Half Life 1 as a standalone product with no sequels or add-ons, the end game would have been very dissapointing, rather like End of Evangion (despite being the final part of the series, it left a heap of questions unanswered). But as it seems their intent was to make at the very least HL2 from the beginning, it makes sense to have a continuous storyline that connects the two products and makes the player feel like the two games are part of one, greater, unfolding plot. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> What questions in EoE are unanswered? They were all answered my friend, I just don't think you were paying attention. Send me a PM of these questions.
Either way- City 17 is a very stalinized(or should I say Breenized?) place. Obviously, if your part of the combine, your part of the group that gets to kick ****, not get your **** kicked and raided. It also seems they know about the uprising going on- if you notice on the demo, they get the wrong floor, but right room, of where the resisters are(remember the guy calling Gordon in? Yeah, thats them. They raided the floor below, and guess what- nothing of importance, probably).
Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.
Something just tells me you go back to 17 to finish the game. Maybe even encounter Breen, and maybe the ending will do much like HL1- have him ask you for something. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> The towering Citadel to me seems like the place for a finale.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
Yeah. But thats IN City 17, so I'm right <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+May 16 2004, 12:36 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ May 16 2004, 12:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The towering Citadel to me seems like the place for a finale. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together?
<!--QuoteBegin-DarkDude+May 16 2004, 05:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DarkDude @ May 16 2004, 05:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Humans i believe
<!--QuoteBegin-DarkDude+May 16 2004, 12:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DarkDude @ May 16 2004, 12:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+May 16 2004, 12:36 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ May 16 2004, 12:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The towering Citadel to me seems like the place for a finale. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> The Combine are pretty unknown at the moment; although it seems they are lead by a human there could be a higher chain of command. They're definitely not purely Xen however, as Combine soldiers are seen fighting Xen aliens all the time.
<!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+May 16 2004, 01:24 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ May 16 2004, 01:24 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-DarkDude+May 16 2004, 12:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DarkDude @ May 16 2004, 12:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+May 16 2004, 12:36 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ May 16 2004, 12:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The towering Citadel to me seems like the place for a finale. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> The Combine are pretty unknown at the moment; although it seems they are lead by a human there could be a higher chain of command. They're definitely not purely Xen however, as Combine soldiers are seen fighting Xen aliens all the time. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Some aliens are good and others still bad, so its all up in the air right now anyway
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, we know that there will be a ship ride at some point as well, and of course the jail. I also have a suspicion that we will see Black Mesa again, because characters in the game apparently have some sort of new global teleportation device.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Just wondering because in the movie I didn't see an option for joining or creating a multiplayer game. As silly as the question is Forrester, deep down inside you still love me, I know you do. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think Valve is switching to the idea of separating the SP game frmo the MP options. The SP game and the MP modes you have installed will all appear in Steam as their own programs to boot up and play.
<!--QuoteBegin-Apos+May 16 2004, 02:12 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Apos @ May 16 2004, 02:12 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, we know that there will be a ship ride at some point as well, and of course the jail. I also have a suspicion that we will see Black Mesa again, because characters in the game apparently have some sort of new global teleportation device. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Perhaps, but Black Mesa got nuked. Not much to see and do at a nuclear wasteland.
<!--QuoteBegin-Tequila+May 16 2004, 11:21 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Tequila @ May 16 2004, 11:21 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Perhaps, but Black Mesa got nuked. Not much to see and do at a nuclear wasteland. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Not entirely. I'm sure the tram ride is still fine. Sipping a coffee, talking to Walter about old times.
The Combine soldiers have the same proportions as humans, they move in the same way and they have red blood - plus the radio chatter when they're fighting is in English. I'm <i>fairly</i> sure they're human - but who knows if they've been augmented or whatever. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
From last year's E3:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->" ... we'll get a look at the Citadel at the centre of the alien Combine. The Combine is a fortress which is slowly eating its way through the rest of City 17."<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hmm... Some alien collective absorbing everything it can find, both living and material? Has Breen made a pact with them, but if the Combine is slowly eating everything, why's it supposedly 'safer here' in City 17? What the hell is going on <i>outside</i>? The hound-like zombies might be one indication...
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Something just tells me you go back to 17 to finish the game. Maybe even encounter Breen, and maybe the ending will do much like HL1- have him ask you for something.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Five hundred dollars says that Breen's just a hologram a la Equilibrium.
erm... make that Monopoly dollars. No wait... forget it.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The Combine soldiers have the same proportions as humans, they move in the same way and they have red blood - plus the radio chatter when they're fighting is in English. I'm fairly sure they're human - but who knows if they've been augmented or whatever.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Remember last year's set of HL2 demos? Pay attention to the uniform Barney is wearing.
He's a combine soldier corrupted with good!
I suspect that the combine soldiers are definitely human.
I reckon the Combine soldiers are going to be a combine of human and something else, funnily enough. Maybe Xen technology, maybe something Breen stole from Black Mesa, maybe just common barbituate application and psycho-therapy. They definitely aren't pure humans.
<!--QuoteBegin-Forlorn+May 16 2004, 02:11 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Forlorn @ May 16 2004, 02:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Why do combine soldiers sound so weird, and wear extreamlly odd face masks? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Chances are it's just the radio chatter, or they're Xen aliens not yet familiar with English. The face masks would furthur support the theory of them being aliens, since they wouldn't want to reveal their face, but perhaps it's just a gas mask, like the SAS wear in CS.
I'd think they're just gas masks. It servers the purpose of 1) saying "oh well they have to be prepared for chemical attack at any time by the rebels" but mostly 2) you don't have to worry about people griping that every enemy soldier looks the same. In a game like HL2 with a focus on people's faces and the uniqueness of such, killing the exact grunt over and over again would really kill the immersion.
<!--QuoteBegin-DOOManiac+May 16 2004, 06:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ May 16 2004, 06:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'd think they're just gas masks. It servers the purpose of 1) saying "oh well they have to be prepared for chemical attack at any time by the rebels" but mostly 2) you don't have to worry about people griping that every enemy soldier looks the same. In a game like HL2 with a focus on people's faces and the uniqueness of such, killing the exact grunt over and over again would really kill the immersion. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> It's also the psychological effect of a faceless enemy. Valve said that no civilian face will be the same, but really as long as there's decent variety (i.e. more than 10) then it'll be fine.
And the Combine soldiers definitely speak english.
Maybe they're all Barney clones, and just one happened to break and join on your side.
It explains the dilemma as to why you killed him in HL1 for his ammo, and he'd end up somewhere along in the next level, completely friends with you once again.
In real life, if a guy wearing a Gas-Mask walked up with a Prod inhand, not relaxed but not tense, you can't see his face, and can't determine his intentions...I think the start of the demo, when the Combine soldier walks up to Gordon in the apartment as he goes up the stairs shows that well.
Comments
We'll see if the 2nd is true soon. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
[woot, nitpicking ahead...]
Gordon pushes the anomalous crystal thing into the anit-mass spectrometer (I believe the anti is on there). Without the anti the storyline would be fuddled by anyone who knows what a spectrometer is...
Better than explaining it myself, I shall quote (keep inmind that Valve's is anti- this (. . .)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->"Instruments that go by the name of mass spectrometer are appearing in ever-increasing variety with an astonishing range of applications." A mass spectrometer is whatever operates by process that could be used to produce a mass spectrum, no matter how different its design and processes may be from those of any other mass spectrometer. The mass spectrum of any substance or mixture is a record of the distribution of materials of different masses that can be found when a sample is ionized. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Basically they analyze what's in a material...I don't see how it would ever create portals to other dimensions or planets (of course, you could just say the current going through the anomalous crystal from the AMS created a rip in space time allowing the influence of xen and nihilinth (or whatever the hell his name is) to enter Earth - just as an example of a semi scientific, plausible enough reason).
Well...that really doesn't have anything to do with HL or HL2 (unless you want a reason why Half-Life's plot is so intrigueing.
...Just for the record, I have no idea WTH a resonance cascade is...in fact, I think it has more to do with medicine than physics, and I doubt it has anything to do with multi-dimensional travel. But, alas, I've never taken a physics class that's mentioned it.
Gordon Freeman, proclaimed robot; transformed by combine part by part as he read old novels while fighting striders!
Gordon Freeman, proclaimed robot; transformed by combine part by part as he read old novels while fighting striders! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
*Stares at large 3rd degree burns all over body* Ouch.
Yes.
Maybe if you take out the Event part...
Gordon Freeman, proclaimed robot; transformed by combine part by part as he read old novels while fighting striders! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Umm... What?
The sake of science...
Well it would seem to me at least that the point was not to end the storyline; questions were left unanswered for a reason, rather like at the end of The Matrix or Kill Bill the viewer didn't understand everything. Other games like Starcraft also left questions open (End of Starcraft what's kerrigan going to be doing, end of Brood Wars, who does Duran work for and what's this new threat that is approaching) for the same reason: to connect the original game or movie to the next installment and draw the player or viewer further into the storyline (and as a side effect, give them greater incentive to buy the next product <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
Sure, if Valve were making Half Life 1 as a standalone product with no sequels or add-ons, the end game would have been very dissapointing, rather like End of Evangion (despite being the final part of the series, it left a heap of questions unanswered). But as it seems their intent was to make at the very least HL2 from the beginning, it makes sense to have a continuous storyline that connects the two products and makes the player feel like the two games are part of one, greater, unfolding plot. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
What questions in EoE are unanswered? They were all answered my friend, I just don't think you were paying attention. Send me a PM of these questions.
Either way- City 17 is a very stalinized(or should I say Breenized?) place. Obviously, if your part of the combine, your part of the group that gets to kick ****, not get your **** kicked and raided. It also seems they know about the uprising going on- if you notice on the demo, they get the wrong floor, but right room, of where the resisters are(remember the guy calling Gordon in? Yeah, thats them. They raided the floor below, and guess what- nothing of importance, probably).
Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.
Something just tells me you go back to 17 to finish the game. Maybe even encounter Breen, and maybe the ending will do much like HL1- have him ask you for something.
Well it would seem to me at least that the point was not to end the storyline; questions were left unanswered for a reason, rather like at the end of The Matrix or Kill Bill the viewer didn't understand everything. Other games like Starcraft also left questions open (End of Starcraft what's kerrigan going to be doing, end of Brood Wars, who does Duran work for and what's this new threat that is approaching) for the same reason: to connect the original game or movie to the next installment and draw the player or viewer further into the storyline (and as a side effect, give them greater incentive to buy the next product <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> )
Sure, if Valve were making Half Life 1 as a standalone product with no sequels or add-ons, the end game would have been very dissapointing, rather like End of Evangion (despite being the final part of the series, it left a heap of questions unanswered). But as it seems their intent was to make at the very least HL2 from the beginning, it makes sense to have a continuous storyline that connects the two products and makes the player feel like the two games are part of one, greater, unfolding plot. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What questions in EoE are unanswered? They were all answered my friend, I just don't think you were paying attention. Send me a PM of these questions.
Either way- City 17 is a very stalinized(or should I say Breenized?) place. Obviously, if your part of the combine, your part of the group that gets to kick ****, not get your **** kicked and raided. It also seems they know about the uprising going on- if you notice on the demo, they get the wrong floor, but right room, of where the resisters are(remember the guy calling Gordon in? Yeah, thats them. They raided the floor below, and guess what- nothing of importance, probably).
Along with that, it seems that the location story-table will go:
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.
Something just tells me you go back to 17 to finish the game. Maybe even encounter Breen, and maybe the ending will do much like HL1- have him ask you for something. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The towering Citadel to me seems like the place for a finale.
That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together?
Humans i believe
That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Combine are pretty unknown at the moment; although it seems they are lead by a human there could be a higher chain of command. They're definitely not purely Xen however, as Combine soldiers are seen fighting Xen aliens all the time.
That's smack in the middle of City 17, so most likely he'll be fighting his way back in to get there.
One question that's been on my mind is, who are the oppressors? Obviously the Combine, but who are they? Xen? Human? Another species all together? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Combine are pretty unknown at the moment; although it seems they are lead by a human there could be a higher chain of command. They're definitely not purely Xen however, as Combine soldiers are seen fighting Xen aliens all the time. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Some aliens are good and others still bad, so its all up in the air right now anyway
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, we know that there will be a ship ride at some point as well, and of course the jail. I also have a suspicion that we will see Black Mesa again, because characters in the game apparently have some sort of new global teleportation device.
I think Valve is switching to the idea of separating the SP game frmo the MP options. The SP game and the MP modes you have installed will all appear in Steam as their own programs to boot up and play.
Train to City 17-> City 17-> Highway Out of City 17-> Outlying Towns and Communities-> City 17.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, we know that there will be a ship ride at some point as well, and of course the jail. I also have a suspicion that we will see Black Mesa again, because characters in the game apparently have some sort of new global teleportation device. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Perhaps, but Black Mesa got nuked. Not much to see and do at a nuclear wasteland.
Not entirely. I'm sure the tram ride is still fine.
Sipping a coffee, talking to Walter about old times.
From last year's E3:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->" ... we'll get a look at the Citadel at the centre of the alien Combine. The Combine is a fortress which is slowly eating its way through the rest of City 17."<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Hmm... Some alien collective absorbing everything it can find, both living and material? Has Breen made a pact with them, but if the Combine is slowly eating everything, why's it supposedly 'safer here' in City 17? What the hell is going on <i>outside</i>? The hound-like zombies might be one indication...
Five hundred dollars says that Breen's just a hologram a la Equilibrium.
erm... make that Monopoly dollars. No wait... forget it.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The Combine soldiers have the same proportions as humans, they move in the same way and they have red blood - plus the radio chatter when they're fighting is in English. I'm fairly sure they're human - but who knows if they've been augmented or whatever.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Remember last year's set of HL2 demos? Pay attention to the uniform Barney is wearing.
He's a combine soldier corrupted with good!
I suspect that the combine soldiers are definitely human.
Chances are it's just the radio chatter, or they're Xen aliens not yet familiar with English. The face masks would furthur support the theory of them being aliens, since they wouldn't want to reveal their face, but perhaps it's just a gas mask, like the SAS wear in CS.
It's also the psychological effect of a faceless enemy. Valve said that no civilian face will be the same, but really as long as there's decent variety (i.e. more than 10) then it'll be fine.
And the Combine soldiers definitely speak english.
It explains the dilemma as to why you killed him in HL1 for his ammo, and he'd end up somewhere along in the next level, completely friends with you once again.
In real life, if a guy wearing a Gas-Mask walked up with a Prod inhand, not relaxed but not tense, you can't see his face, and can't determine his intentions...I think the start of the demo, when the Combine soldier walks up to Gordon in the apartment as he goes up the stairs shows that well.
Edit: Missed Tequila's post. Oops.