Fighting partner

[Paulaner]

Playing HL2, EP1 and EP2 I have to say that I am really annoyed by the presence of people fighting at my side. I need to feel that I am all alone against the odds, having to do all the dirty job by myself. In EP2 I can stand still in the antlion caverns and let the Vortigaunt kill all the bugs. Having other people around at my side distracts me and strips me of some fun. Freeman is a solo man!

 

[LandStander]

Gordon's character can't develop without others commenting on him or the situation. Now the resistance fighters in HL2 were quite annoying, but Alyx fighting by my side was rewarding. I think valve has learned from they're mistakes and will have better mechanic in regards to NPCs. Half-Life has always had people who followed you and backed your play. In HL1 it was the guards, in Opposing Force it was your squad mates. Alyx and the resistance fighters are just an evolution of that. Gordon has received assistance from NPCs in battle from the beginning.

 

[Paulaner]

Gordon has received assistance from NPCs in battle from the beginning.

You are right, but the guards in HL1 offered a bland, short timed and puzzled oriented assistance. Most of the time you were alone and in my opinion that feeling has been lost. Interaction with other people is needed for the whole storytelling section, but I would have preferred less fighting companions.

 

[SpectreBlofeld]

The worst was Barney in HL2.

Barney: "Come on, Gordon! Hurry up, Gordon! Throw some grenades, Gordon! Open fire, Gordon!"

Gordon: ::grits teeth::

:E

 

[nurizeko]

I got bored of being alone so much in HL2.

It seemed like you were trying to be involved in this big rebellion, being involved in a plot, but you kept getting separated and stuck in the pits of godknowswhere fighting or physics puzzling your way out.

Theres sooooooooooooo many FPS games where you are the lone ranger bringing an evil empire to its knees all by yourself, HL2 is enjoyable partly because you actually get other characters involved in the story along with you.


My advice is if you don't like it, go play Halo?.

I hear its popular.

 

[Druckles]

Interesting... most people seem to complain at the lack of people and the fact they send you in to do things alone... *looks at Half-Life*

 

[Irksome]

I really enjoy the fight buddies to be honest - I just wish that they were a little bit smarter, ala the resistance fighters, but other than that Alyx, and the Vort were great teammates and actually, I really hope that, if Barney comes back in EP3 that he'll fight a long side us and Alyx.

edit: It made the game feel less lonely, if that makes any sense.

 

[Druckles]

I really enjoy the fight buddies to be honest - I just wish that they were a little bit smarter, ala the resistance fighters, but other than that Alyx, and the Vort were great teammates and actually, I really hope that, if Barney comes back in EP3 that he'll fight a long side us and Alyx.

edit: It made the game feel less lonely, if that makes any sense.

*pictures barney shooting at headcrabs with his pistol*

Yeah... wonderful ol' barney

 

[Paulaner]

My advice is if you don't like it, go play Halo?. I hear its popular.

Please, be serious

 

[SpectreBlofeld]

Note, I didn't mind Barney being around at all, just wish he didn't try to boss you around so much

 

[Paulaner]

Note, I didn't mind Barney being around at all, just wish he didn't try to boss you around so much

The same for Alyx. "Hurry up, come on, let's go, we are late, we have to go". Hey, stop it! I am trying to enjoy the beautiful sceneries

 

[Druckles]

"Gotta Reload Freeman" etc. of the Rebels

Probably the only annoying npc...

*shoots rebels in head*

Damn FF being off!

 

[akrippler]

Having a sidekick type character along with you (like the vort but mainly Alyx) I felt helped further the story quicker. I'm with everyone else on the fact that having 4 rebels with you inside houses isnt the best idea, but having them outside would work fine. I felt having Alyx with Gordon throughout Ep2 was a step up personally.

edit: The only thing that bothered me about barney was the way he said "Gor-DUN"

"Lay some traps for them Gor-DUN"

 

[attorney general]

My advice is if you don't like it, go play Halo?.

I hear its popular.

Eh.. In Halo 3 you get the arbitor to fight along side you the entire game lol.. So your not alone in that game either. Plus like 30 annoying marines.

As for HL2.. I absaloutely adore the companions, I'm sick of fighting THE WORLD by myself and a little bit of help is always a good thing. Besides, they add a ton to the storyline.

The new halo wasn't nearly as good as the first two.. This one is completely and totally overrated.

 

[Naurgul]

I think they certainly help you get to the story better. It feels strange when you're alone, being (in nurizeko's words) "stuck in the pits of godknowswhere fighting or physics puzzling your way out" when you're supposed to be part of something greater than your personal quest.

With that said, I'd appreciate it if the NPCs were a tad less patronising. They won't even give you a minute without telling you what to do. "Gordon, it's dinner time!", "Gordon, don't forget to brush your teeth before going to bed", "Gordon, get here this instance, young man" blah blah blah. I understand the need for players to be reminded of what they're supposed to be doing but Alyx shouldn't yell at Gordon to get back to the car ten seconds after he got out to check something. Give the player a minute and then start the patronising-every-five-seconds-yelling about what Gordon should be doing.

Seems like I ranted a little and got off topic. Oh well.

 

[Asknoone]

I agree with Naurgul's patronising. There's also a line in the cache chapter where Alyx says something like, "Well, we wouldn't have known this was here if it wasn't for the radar." that annoys me beyond belief. It's just stupid and serves no purpose other than to state the obvious.

 

[Laivasse]

I like some squad/NPC shootout elements, but generally I prefer solo play.

What is unfortunate for me is that I actually prefer generic NPC's and Barney to Alyx. Aside from the comments that they make, I find it less of a blow to immersion to have sidekicks that die in seconds (NPC's) or who take cover and don't wade into situations where you can't imagine them surviving. Having Alyx go toe-to-toe with 5 antlions surrounding her, or a poison headcrab, or even surviving serious punishment from a hunter (in normal play, not the cut scene) - all that kicks immersion in the nuts.

Shootouts like the one at the end of HL2 however, where NPC's are constantly getting minced by strider fire, are SUPERB. In those situations you can at least put Gordon's longevity down to the HEV suit.

 

[akrippler]

Everyone seems to be bothered by Alyx and Barney reiterating everything, when I think back I dont remember them ever saying too much that didint pertain to the story besides when you pressed "use" on them. Or when everyone waiting on you to do a simple task like talk to somone or walk into a room.

 

[Naurgul]

It's just that they nag you far too often to get back on course if you happen to stay still for a few moments to watch the sunset or something. Also, I was exaggerating before, it's not that annoying.

 

[kupocake]

Helpers are a nice touch, but they need to fight less and have better self-preservation ideas to make up for having less health. Having said this, Episode Two manages them a little better than Episode One did. You get a lot of Gordon time in the game (Parts of the first and second chapters and especially the most badass combat sections, in 'Our Mutual Fiend'). Alyx, is also a lot less hands-on, barely being in the first two chapters, and used sparingly beyond that. Her practical immortality isn't shoved in your face in many sequences, and she is useless against the bigger enemies in the game: the helicopter and the hunters in particular. She helps out no more than necessary, and I didn't find her irritating.

The worst section is probably the Tunnel defense, since it's basically you and four immortal turrets versus no more antlions than you could expect the NPCs alone to handle. Only within the last few waves does it become difficult. The final wave with the vorts works, since there's enough carnage to make your feel that everyone is killing their share. Cecil is probably the best companion we've ever had, but yes, he makes things a little too easy... but then, he adds some variety to the Antlion sections, which is very welcome since many are somewhat bored of them.

I hope going forward, that they use sidekicks as sparingly as in Episode Two, and increase their mortality rate somewhat... and I hope we start to see greater intelligence in the Resistance member AI, and less 'hey, that chopper is impervious to bullets, but what the hell!' stagings.

 

[Iron_cube]

100% agree with OP.

On the other hand, I absolutely don't mind npcs. I just like both kinds of gameplay.

But still prefer being alone :hmph:

 

[nurizeko]

Unlike some, Alyx grew on me.

Having had a long term relationship with a nag, I've learned how to drown out a womans voice when the need arises. :cheese:


I mostly liked having her along, just press E on her, she does her little smile, I feel better about a hard bit, and carry on.

Yeah I know, lame.


I agree though that the use of sidekicks wasn't over or under-done.

And yeah, I woulda loved the rebels in HL2 to have been a bit more intelligent, but only if the firefights were a tad more intense.

 

[leib10]

I agree with Naurgul's patronising. There's also a line in the cache chapter where Alyx says something like, "Well, we wouldn't have known this was here if it wasn't for the radar." that annoys me beyond belief. It's just stupid and serves no purpose other than to state the obvious.

Just goes to show you that the dialogue where the story was not being advanced was weaker in Episode Two. I got kinda irritated with the Vortigaunt and, from time to time, with Alyx. It just seems that the script wasn't as well-written at times.

I think the worst was Barney, though.

 

[LandStander]

I like some squad/NPC shootout elements, but generally I prefer solo play.

What is unfortunate for me is that I actually prefer generic NPC's and Barney to Alyx. Aside from the comments that they make, I find it less of a blow to immersion to have sidekicks that die in seconds (NPC's) or who take cover and don't wade into situations where you can't imagine them surviving. Having Alyx go toe-to-toe with 5 antlions surrounding her, or a poison headcrab, or even surviving serious punishment from a hunter (in normal play, not the cut scene) - all that kicks immersion in the nuts.

Shootouts like the one at the end of HL2 however, where NPC's are constantly getting minced by strider fire, are SUPERB. In those situations you can at least put Gordon's longevity down to the HEV suit.

I agree. I wish Alyx had less health. Often times when I see her getting swamped by zombies I know she can take care of herself so I go off and kill a few other enemies. I think she has only died twice out of all the many games that I have played. She doesn't have any armor. She should be a little more frail but no so much that the game becomes a giant escort mission.

 

[attorney general]

It's just that they nag you far too often to get back on course if you happen to stay still for a few moments to watch the sunset or something. Also, I was exaggerating before, it's not that annoying.

You have to realize that this is realistic.. If the whole world was basically relying on you getting to white forest I don't think you'd be spending much time gazing at the sunset. And if you did im damn sure that someone would say something to you.. You need to realize that the NPC's are just giving the Illusion of haste, and you can basically take as long as you want.

And also I think the NPC's constant nagging is a way of getting the player back into the storyline, I don't know how many games I've played where I backtrack not knowing were the hell im supposed to go. So for me, and occasional "over here gordon" really doesn't bother me at all.

I've learned how to drown out a womans voice when the need arises. :cheese:

Haha.. I too have had a long term relationship Heck I live with the girl for 3 years now. So as long as alyx doesn't start singing like a banshee I think I'll be fine

 

[Jintor]

Alyx certainly feels vulnerable but almost always you know that she'll kick whatever's ass that attacks her. :/

 

[Naurgul]

You have to realize that this is realistic.. If the whole world was basically relying on you getting to white forest I don't think you'd be spending much time gazing at the sunset. And if you did im damn sure that someone would say something to you.. You need to realize that the NPC's are just giving the Illusion of haste, and you can basically take as long as you want.

I don't think it's about realism. What's realistic about sending a scientist to kill a gazillion of soldiers in dramatic shootouts? There's a different thing that applies here: verisimilitude. The verisimilitude of Half-Life's world dictates that after accomplishing something, I'm rewarded with a bit of story exposition or a vista (and the player is aware of that, even subconsciously; it's an incentive to fight, after all). If it's the latter, I'll probably want to enjoy it. In my opinion, it's not unrealistic for people nagging you every five seconds; some people really do that. It's just annoying and has no place in the game. Actually, I'd be more than happy if it was only toned down a bit. I don't play like that in the first run.

 

[Asknoone]

Just goes to show you that the dialogue where the story was not being advanced was weaker in Episode Two. I got kinda irritated with the Vortigaunt and, from time to time, with Alyx. It just seems that the script wasn't as well-written at times.

I think the worst was Barney, though.

I don't think that means it's weaker at all, because as you say, Barney could be awful at times in HL2. "This way Gordon!" "Roof access is that way!" Yeah, I'm re-charging my health Barney just a - "Roof access is this way!"

 

[Paulaner]

Alyx certainly feels vulnerable but almost always you know that she'll kick whatever's ass that attacks her. :/

That's the point for me: I am a really bad shooter so in HL1 I had to replay the same sequence again and again until I eventually succeded. This gave me a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
In most parts of EP1 and EP2, when my shooting skills where not enough, Alyx or the Vort did the dirty job for me. (killing zombies, antlions and so on). You know, this left me with a sense of inadequacy. I felt that the game was not giving me the opportunity to learn and, finally, to kick some asses.

 

[akrippler]

Alyx and Barney should have used cover more often IE ducking behind something or pressing agianst a wall shooting around the corner, instead of walking around in circles while shooting.

 

[Acepilotf14]

Akrippler, Alyx does that in Ep2.
I like having Alyx around. It's nice for the scary parts.
'Gordon! SHOOT THAT ZOMBIE!'
'Can you hold my hand?'
'...Fine.'

 

[akrippler]

Maybe during the part where the turrets were liend up at the end of the hallway and you had to use the columns on the side of teh walls as cover, and occasoinaly shell duck, but for no reason and out in the middle of the street, she would getin your way alot simply because of how much she moved around.

 

[Frraksurred]

There are plenty of games out there that pit you all alone against your enemy. Thankfully, Valve did not take that route. There are certainly times I like to be on my own, but I hated how every other game would kill off anyone and everyone the moment they were of no use to the player. Doom 3 was a prime example.

What's the use of saving yourself if no one else is going to be saved with you?

 

[Druckles]

Akrippler, Alyx does that in Ep2.
I like having Alyx around. It's nice for the scary parts.
'Gordon! SHOOT THAT ZOMBIE!'
'Can you hold my hand?'
'...Fine.'

She always distracts me in firefights...

 

[Chug a Bug]

I liked Alyx in Ep1, very much, they obviously put a lot of work into making her a likeable and useful companion. At least, she was for me. So much so that when she was absent for much of Ep2 I was missing her. Having said that though when she was around she just wasn't as lifelike this time around and I felt disappointed. The rebel NPC's in HL2 in contrast were very dumb indeed and were hardly worth the bother of having around except as cannon fodder.

I agree with Naurgul's patronising. There's also a line in the cache chapter where Alyx says something like, "Well, we wouldn't have known this was here if it wasn't for the radar." that annoys me beyond belief. It's just stupid and serves no purpose other than to state the obvious.

That and when she says "lets go to the building up the hill Gordon, thats where the wires lead" or something like that, after about 30 seconds. I mean please, I'm not that dumb, at least give me a chance to work it out for myself.

Just goes to show you that the dialogue where the story was not being advanced was weaker in Episode Two. I got kinda irritated with the Vortigaunt and, from time to time, with Alyx. It just seems that the script wasn't as well-written at times.

I think the worst was Barney, though.

Agreed. She just wasn't as well written for as she was in HL1. She seemed to be a bit too pushy at times too.

That's the point for me: I am a really bad shooter so in HL1 I had to replay the same sequence again and again until I eventually succeded. This gave me a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
In most parts of EP1 and EP2, when my shooting skills where not enough, Alyx or the Vort did the dirty job for me. (killing zombies, antlions and so on). You know, this left me with a sense of inadequacy. I felt that the game was not giving me the opportunity to learn and, finally, to kick some asses.

You're talking about the scene where you have to ascend in the elevator when the acid lions, zombies, etc attack en masse and I agree theres not much you can do except wait by the elevator and let the Vort do the rest. I was thinking, I should be doing that. He was virtually immortal and that irritated too.

 

[Iron_cube]

The cave vort was intentionally set to be invincible against antlions.

Same thing with hunters, some were intentionally set to not dodge out of the way in several areas of the game when using the car.

 

[SpectreBlofeld]

You're talking about the scene where you have to ascend in the elevator when the acid lions, zombies, etc attack en masse and I agree theres not much you can do except wait by the elevator and let the Vort do the rest. I was thinking, I should be doing that. He was virtually immortal and that irritated too.

Yes, that sequence was both perplexing and frustrating. I didn't want to leave him alone because

a) I thought he could be killed and I'd get the game-over-screen-of-death
and
b) I wanted to kill stuff.

I ended up shooting at the enemies below from above, which I guess was just a waste of ammo given that I now know he was apparently invincible for that sequence.

 

[Naurgul]

The funny thing is that the only purpose that scene serves is for the player to get a panoramic view of one of the votrigaunt's attacks.

 

[LandStander]

The funny thing is that the only purpose that scene serves is for the player to get a panoramic view of one of the votrigaunt's attacks.

Yeah but there is also 3 impact grenades at the top s if your like me and you haven't used the ones you've gained so far you can have a little fun.

Alyx is definitely a little too effective in combat. She should take cover more often and provide covering fire for Gordon. You know as if she wasn't wearing some kind of hazard suit.

 

[Planetary]

Yeah but there is also 3 impact grenades at the top s if your like me and you haven't used the ones you've gained so far you can have a little fun.

I had fun there.

There's even a gap in the railing, so that you don't have to balance on top to not blow yourself up by accident, Valve really knows that we like our SMG grenades.

More then makes up for the confusion below.

Oh and incidentally, can the Vortigaunts stun zombies as well? Or just antlions? It would make sense, as they've known much about antlions for generations.