Recent content by X-Vector

I like the big boxes of old a lot more, DVD cases lack mystique. It's a bit like comparing a record sleeve to a CD jewel case, the artwork just doesn't get a chance to shine on the latter..

"It's a design decision".

- I'd like to delay the installation of Steam as long as possible - I want to own a physical product - I like the game buying, home taking and installing ritual - I don't want to give Valve a bigger piece of the pie after their multiple screwups and, erm, displays of misinformation...

Namkce, see here: http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/index.html The black/orange motif is so much more classy than that of the current article.

Roger that. I only found out relatively recently that there is an alternative way of dealing with the "electrified puddle" mini-puzzle in Blast Pit. Previously I had always thought the idea was to use the boxes as a runway and then jump over the water, but I would never quite make it and...

Perhaps it does, but I just don't trust that there's enough objectivity to the book. What I have read so far about Raising the Bar suggests to me that it's too much advertisement and too little critical analysis. Maybe I'll give it a look if I see it on a store shelf somewhere, sometime.

I don't doubt that the books add to the knowledge of HL2's background. However, that doesn't mean they are essential - people will be able to experience the game just fine without them. If not, then Valve (and/or the player) haven't done their work properly. BTW, IMO strategy guides take...

Interesting stuff; shows that Gabe Newell definitely isn't the anti-christ, but also confirms an almost embarassing lack of professionalism on his part. A project lead that for a substantial period of time remains in the dark about the development status of the game and the sentiments of his...

No they are not, the only essential part of the Half-Life 2 experience is the game itself. This is like saying the EU books and the docs on the Original Trilogy DVD set are essential parts of the Star Wars experience. So Prima got this sales pitch for free?

That's why I consider HL:S a non-event; I don't care for CS, so there is no incentive to buy the CE.

I haven't kept up with the ins and outs of HL:S, but it would be an idiotic situation if owners of HL and HL2 would be disallowed to play HL mod content on the Source engine. Don't give a damn about Valve's HL:S non-event, but if some mod team can get a faithfully updated HL out of the door...

Let's see, a bespectacled mute versus God's Great Gift to the spoken word - not really a contest, is it? Gordon's got to pray just to make it a, erm, second.

This looks a bit schizophrenic - it's staying faithful to the original, but it's not. Such an in-between approach runs the risk of producing a neither-fish-nor-flesh product, IMO it would be better to either do a faithful port with no thematical changes and only minor architectural updates or...

My preference clearly lies with Half-Life. OpFor is cool and has some nice additions but IMO has less atmospheric quality than the original (no shame in that) and also does not have quite the impressive environments, alien designs and set pieces that HL offers - tram ride, tentacle monster...

Gusolson, I don't know if that post is directed at me; if so, it's only partly true. Being angry and holding a grudge are too extreme descriptions for my view of Valve as a company, however I do take issue with their PR policy and in particular the fact that they have repeatedly offered...