A Question

[TheIdler]

Perhaps it's against the rules for a newbie to post so much? Well, I hope you can forgive me as I have a question I've been wonder ever since I read something about episode 3. Episode 3 is supposed to end this story arc, right? So what exactly is this story arc anyway?

Does this story arc begin with HL2 or the original? Is the goal of this story arc to send the combine back to where they came from or simply cripple them in some way? Will Gordon return for HL3? Hell, will the combine return for HL3?

I realize only Valve knows all the answers, but I've gone through all the games and still know very little about what's going on exactly. Sure, that makes it more exciting. I love the mystery but at the same time if I'm missing something I'd like to know what it is.

Yes I used the search function, but I tend to be vague so there's still a chance this has already been discussed.

 

[kineaesth]

HL2 to Episode 3 is the arc.


You want to know a secret?


I doubt Valve know for sure what they're going to do.

 

[Druckles]

8 posts isn't "too much". Asking questions is what this forum is all about. As long as you haven't asked an ignorant question or bothered to use the search function, we'll let you off. If you show signs of cute stupidity or newbiness to the game, we'll also be glad to help.

I'm not entirely sure what the 'arc' is, because that could mean anything from "the escape from the city" to "defeating the combine" or even to "killing off Gordon Freeman". Half-Life's story can tie in pretty well to the plot of Half-Life 2, with the presence of the Gman and the fleeing of the Xenian aliens. But I think as far as Valve separate the arcs, the first Half-Life definitely covered the defence against the waves from Xen and the Nihilanth. From that, however, you could separate "Half-Life 2" into multiple arcs - the first Half-Life 2 covering bringing down the citadel and then the episodes covering the escape from the city and ridding the earth of the combine. As to defeating the Combine once and for all, I doubt that's possible to be covered in the episodes. Similarly, the story of the Gman is shrouded in so much mist that it's unlikely to be finished up in the final episode. It's hard to predict, however, because we know so little.

So when Valve say "this arc", they refer to the Episodes, but as to what the arc entails, I don't think anyone really knows outside of Valve. I don't think Valve really know what they're going to do after the Episodes, but I'm pretty sure Marc has some vague idea.

 

[Lizardizzle]

....Half-Life's story can tie in pretty well to the plot of Half-Life 2,...

Also, the rocket you send into space at the end of Ep:3 apparently docks/ collides with the rocket you send into space to shut down the xen portals (at the bunker, with the marines controlling it, when you get outside the facillity)

 

[kupocake]

I'm going to hazard a guess that the game involves the closing off of Combine attacks with the implication that something else will come through some back-door in Half-Life 3. Because destroying the Borealis is going to end up being some kind of trap as surely as my name isn't Admiral Ackbar.

 

[elkaebee]

Holy balls of Moses!

 

[Van Kayne]

I'm going to hazard a guess that the game involves the closing off of Combine attacks with the implication that something else will come through some back-door in Half-Life 3. Because destroying the Borealis is going to end up being some kind of trap as surely as my name isn't Admiral Ackbar.

QFT

By "Story Arc" I assume they mean the Combine Invasion scenario. The way I see it, there are two "story arcs" in Gordon's Quest (for want of a cooler sounding name) so far: Firstly, the Black Mesa Incident, which is told in HL, Opposing Force, Blue Shift, Uplink etc.
The second one is the Combine Invasion, told in HL2, and Ep 1-3.
Who knows if another one'll be done? Probably not even Valve.

 

[LackingSaint]

I'm going to take a complete shot in the dark and say I tihnk that HL3 will most likely involve the Combine attempting to pick themselves up from their destruction in ep3, whilst another alien race from Xen (either a brand new species or current species) begins attacking the Earth.

Just a thought.

 

[krazyfragger]

My bet for HL3 will be Gordon's and Alyx's son going out to the combine home planet and blowing it up. Eventually.

 

[LackingSaint]

If Valve makes a HL game that's NOT an expansion featuring someone other than Gordon as the playable character, I will hate it forever. And please, we know the idea of 'GordonXAlyx 4eva' seems like a fangasm to alot of people, but it's not going to happen. It really isn't.