Mind Rape (Episode 1 Spoilers)

[ríomhaire]

From EP1 and the EP2 trailer we have already seen what the Combine can do (Mind Rape™ and tearing a bridge apart respectivly). I wonder how extensivly used they will be in EP2. Imagine, you're driving along, avoiding hunters and striders when suddenly a Combine pod flies overhead and scrambles your brain (don't tell me that didn't freak you out in EP1) adn you crash right into a tree. It could add a lot to gameplay if not used to the point where it's annoying.

 

[Asknoone]

We don't know what caused the bridge collapse. Doubt it was the Advisor, to be honest.

 

[Darkangel]

lol Nice title

 

[G-Dub]

From EP1 and the EP2 trailer we have already seen what the Combine can do (Mind Rape™ and tearing a bridge apart respectivly). I wonder how extensivly used they will be in EP2. Imagine, you're driving along, avoiding hunters and striders when suddenly a Combine pod flies overhead and scrambles your brain (don't tell me that didn't freak you out in EP1) adn you crash right into a tree. It could add a lot to gameplay if not used to the point where it's annoying.

Mind rape?


Remind me...

 

[Jintor]

It's the awesome effect where the screen gets cut and half of it is still moving and the other half stays in the position where it was when it was attacked.

By the Combine Advisor in those pod things.

 

[smwScott]

Yeah ... I really don't think the advisor was destroying that bridge. I mean, otherwise what keeps them from just exploding you whenever they feel like it?

 

[s1e9a8n5]

Isn't the blast(flash) from the destruction of the Citadel?

 

[Cuthbert]

I can't understand how people think advisor destroyed that bridge. Just because that bridge scene is right after the advisor (in trailer) doesn't mean that. Like smwScott said, if they were capable, they would have finished Gordon whenever they wanted. Especially when they were seeing where Gordon and Alyx is through the monitors, not when he is in wilderness, away from the eyes of Combine.

 

[bigburpco]

If it really was mind rape then the advisor would be repeatedly doing it, would he not?

 

[bbson john]

Imo, the advisors won't attack on their own initiative. They are advisors, not soldiers!

 

[bigburpco]

No... mind rape.

Of course they'd do it more than once!

 

[586FAC75]

Hmmm..."Psyonic Blast" seems more appropriate

I thought the bridge destruction scene was due to the effect of some kind of shockwave, from what though, I haven't a clue.

Good old speculation. Where would we be without it, eh?

 

[G-Dub]

Good old speculation. Where would we be without it, eh?

I missed it after HL2 was released... hence why I'm back on the boards!

That's the beauty of episodic content

 

[ríomhaire]

What the hell was it then? That bridge didn't break and fall, it tore itself apart.

 

[Gordon-Shepherd]

anyone ever thought that the advisors attack was foreshadowing something for later on? and no, I dont mean breen using it as a host body, or it destroying the bridge (if it does, which it probably doesnt) I mean it was quite a futile attack, it didnt seem to be doing any serious damage.. maybe it wasnt an attack, but it was seeding something in you/alyxs mind.. something eeeeevil...

 

[Calhoun]

Isn't the blast(flash) from the destruction of the Citadel?

It probably is. There's nothing that can really indicate otherwise that I see.

 

[ríomhaire]

Well, the cidadel blows up when you are on the train. The blast takes place when you are off the train and the bridge isn't just blown up, it tears itself apart.

 

[Asknoone]

Repercussions from the City centre.

 

[ríomhaire]

Unless I saw a different video to everything else, it didn't look like it collapsed as it would from a shockwave, it tore itself apart.

But anyway, lets get back on topic, how do you think Combine will be implemented in EP2 (I mean the slugs for any smart-asses out there)

 

[A Big Fat CoW]

Unless I saw a different video to everything else, it didn't look like it collapsed as it would from a shockwave, it tore itself apart.

But anyway, lets get back on topic, how do you think Combine will be implemented in EP2 (I mean the slugs for any smart-asses out there)

The Combine is a form of government, not an alien species. The Advisors are no more the Combine than congress is the united states. They may be high ranking members and/or representatives of the Combine, but they, themselves, are not the Combine, so calling them "the Combine" in that context is incorrect.

But as for the bridge, I tend to agree that it doesn't look like its destruction was caused directly by the citadel; the point of origin for the energy blast is way too close to have come from the citadel's explosion (unless the citadel's explosion caused a mini-explosion elsewhere, but that seems unlikely.)

Whatever caused it had to have been just over the cliffside that Gordon is facing in the video.

 

[ríomhaire]

Get Raising the Bar. The slugs are the true Combine, they are the Combine species, where it all started from.

 

[A Big Fat CoW]

Get Raising the Bar. The slugs are the true Combine, they are the Combine species, where it all started from.

I have RtB. Where does it say that?

 

[Asknoone]

Yes, the Advisor Slugs are the true form of Combine. The Combine started out as a race not too different from ourselves, but they became greedy, and the technology they developed ultimately devoured them to the point where they couldn't live without it. They then went on a genocidal campaign across the galaxy/universe to wipe out, or often enslave other species, forcing their technology upon them and augmenting them into their ranks.

There is a true Combine race burried beneath the layers of other species.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

We don't know what caused the bridge collapse. Doubt it was the Advisor, to be honest.

I reckon it was low-frequency harmonic resonance, a side effect from the Dark-matter reactor going kaplooee!

 

[A Big Fat CoW]

Yes, the Advisor Slugs are the true form of Combine. The Combine started out as a race not too different from ourselves, but they became greedy, and the technology they developed ultimately devoured them to the point where they couldn't live without it. They then went on a genocidal campaign across the galaxy/universe to wipe out, or often enslave other species, forcing their technology upon them and augmenting them into their ranks.

There is a true Combine race burried beneath the layers of other species.

Again, where does it say that the Advisors are the "Combine species" itself?

Yes, the Advisors are apparently high up in the ranks of the Combine, but as yet I don't believe we've seen anything to say for certain that they are the ones completely in charge, or the race that started it, let alone the "combine itself".

Unlike, it would seem, a good portion of the members of this forum, I deal in facts, not speculation. I'd like to see an official source that backs up this claim, but as yet none has been presented.

Calling Advisors "The Combine" would be like calling Controllers "The Xen", or calling George Washington "The United States". So far, every source I'm aware of points towards the Combine being a conglomeration of several species, not the name of a single race or entity, and unless or until I see an official source contradict that, I'm sticking by that analysis.

 

[Asknoone]

Well certainly your facts aren't up to scratch.

Page 83 of Raising the Bar confirms that the Combine were originally a race unlike humans who began to depend too heavily on the technology they had created to improve their quality of life.

However, more direct and factual confirmation stems from the Half-life 2 walkthrough, where story essential sections were penned by Laidlaw, and all facts that appear are entirely credible as these sections were cross checked by Laidlaw, who is noted highly in the credits.

"Behold the true face of the Combine.

Of course the Advisors aren't in charge, their presence on Earth betrays this - as does their title "Advisor". You are absolutely correct in saying that the Combine is a "conglomeration of several species", because that is exactly what they are. But beneath the layers of species there is a true Combine race that was devoured by their own technology and the only glimpse we've had of it has been through the Advisors themselves.

 

[bigburpco]

anyone ever thought that the advisors attack was foreshadowing something for later on? and no, I dont mean breen using it as a host body, or it destroying the bridge (if it does, which it probably doesnt) I mean it was quite a futile attack, it didnt seem to be doing any serious damage.. maybe it wasnt an attack, but it was seeding something in you/alyxs mind.. something eeeeevil...

It's like a kind of link between the Episode 2 Advisor storyline and the whole Episode 1 storyline.

I think it was confirmed in the commentary of that section.

 

[A Big Fat CoW]

Well certainly your facts aren't up to scratch.

Page 83 of Raising the Bar confirms that the Combine were originally a race unlike humans who began to depend too heavily on the technology they had created to improve their quality of life.

No, it doesn't. It says that the Advisors were, yes, but not the combine as a whole. It specifically says that they took that approach "when designing this character", not when designing the Combine. Nowhere on that page does it say that the Advisors are the Combine themselves.

However, more direct and factual confirmation stems from the Half-life 2 walkthrough, where story essential sections were penned by Laidlaw, and all facts that appear are entirely credible as these sections were cross checked by Laidlaw, who is noted highly in the credits.

True face, not true race. That comment could very well have been colloquial; Saying something like "behold the true face of [...]" could (and often does) simply mean "look at the dude in charge." Again, not definitive evidence that the Advisors are actually the "Combine species" itself.

Of course the Advisors aren't in charge, their presence on Earth betrays this - as does their title "Advisor". You are absolutely correct in saying that the Combine is a "conglomeration of several species", because that is exactly what they are. But beneath the layers of species there is a true Combine race that was devoured by their own technology and the only glimpse we've had of it has been through the Advisors themselves.

I'm not arguing that there was, at some point, a race that founded the Combine. I'm arguing that we don't know for certain that this race is the Advisors, and even if they are, that the name of their species wouldn't be something as silly as the "Combine". The Combine is the name of their government, not their species.

What I'm saying is that calling an advisor "A Combine" is in error, similar to how calling a human grunt "A United States Army" is in error. It is part of the larger organization, and should be referred to as such ("A Combine Advisor", "A United States Marine", etc.)

 

[eber]

wouldnt it be a little bit sad if a pathetic jiggling mass of goo was the actual head of the combines ? yet, isnt it pretty obvious that those slugs are not the real combine species... they are just a pawn for whatever reason, i do not even understand why one would need a worm to control the earth.. but anyway.. i bet it will make sense to us at some point -_-

 

[ríomhaire]

wouldnt it be a little bit sad if a pathetic jiggling mass of goo was the actual head of the combines ? yet, isnt it pretty obvious that those slugs are not the real combine species... they are just a pawn for whatever reason, i do not even understand why one would need a worm to control the earth.. but anyway.. i bet it will make sense to us at some point -_-

What possible use could a giant slug be as a pawn?

 

[Asknoone]

No, it doesn't. It says that the Advisors were, yes, but not the combine as a whole. It specifically says that they took that approach "when designing this character", not when designing the Combine. Nowhere on that page does it say that the Advisors are the Combine themselves.

True face, not true race. That comment could very well have been colloquial; Saying something like "behold the true face of [...]" could (and often does) simply mean "look at the dude in charge." Again, not definitive evidence that the Advisors are actually the "Combine species" itself.
I'm not arguing that there was, at some point, a race that founded the Combine. I'm arguing that we don't know for certain that this race is the Advisors, and even if they are, that the name of their species wouldn't be something as silly as the "Combine". The Combine is the name of their government, not their species.

What I'm saying is that calling an advisor "A Combine" is in error, similar to how calling a human grunt "A United States Army" is in error. It is part of the larger organization, and should be referred to as such ("A Combine Advisor", "A United States Marine", etc.)

Stubborn to the end, eh. Now you are just arguing your point for the sake of it. The facts are plain for all to see, and it is very, very obvious the Advisors are the true Combine. That piece in Raising the Bar isn't going into specifics about the Advisor, it is going into specifics about the Combine.

The Combine is a human term, and not what the Combine call themselves.

 

[Max35]

You know, it is somewhat hard to take someone's arguments serious when their username is "A Big Fat Cow"....aside from that I have nothing to add to this current debate.

 

[SpotEnemyBoats]

I disagree, I think the advisors could just be "Combine secretarys" doing computer work for them & such. We never really saw the combine for real. There has to be a higher guy thats the "Big cheese" somewhat like Nililanth was during Hl1.

I feel there is a higher guy running this show. Also think about it, the combine are just synths with flesh. How did they start when they didn't have their technology? What was there stone age like? How did they become what they are now? When they didn't have their technology how did they survive?

Because look with out their technology; With out their technology, they're just meaningless slugs that will eventually starve to death & suffocate because of lack of oxygen.

They have become heavily reliant on their technology & this is the race that conquered a couple of galaxys & a dimention; they're just synths.

 

[eber]

What possible use could a giant slug be as a pawn?

i really dont know, but how could sluglike creatures be intelligent at all?

 

[Geogaddi]

i really dont know, but how could sluglike creatures be intelligent at all?

That's the point...They were so intelligent that their advanced technology began to reverse engineer their own evolutionary process, turning them into a slug.

 

[Darkside55]

Cow, I wonder if you're just arguing semantics now. Saying that "calling the slugs 'the Combine' is like calling George Washington 'The United States'" is just way off. I wonder if you're thinking of it like, the Combine now are the gathered synths and founding race instead of just the slugs, because elsewise I can't see how you're defending your argument here.

The race that started the Combine was the slugs. There can be no doubting this. They are a race that grew fat on technology and they got bored or ran out of resources on their planet or for one reason or another started up an empire and went out to plunder other planets. In their conquests they added new species and technologies, but they are the originators of the Combine empire.

I don't see how you're arguing against this. Taking into account their technological prowess, their backstory, their obvious malicious intent, their greed, the fact that they're the only things not synthefied under the banner of the Combine, could it possibly be anyone or anything else? Do you really think there's some other spectre out there more malignant than the slugs who employed or conscripted them, somehow?

Also, I just got done mentioning this in a completely different thread, but I'll repeat it here in brief: if someone from Valve says something VERY CLEARLY, you can't misconstrue it just to suit your argument. Marc Laidlaw said it's the true face of the Combine. Saying, "true face doesn't mean true race" is just absolutely absurd and I'm sorry but it's a little childish.

The slugs are the Combine.

 

[SpotEnemyBoats]

I disagree,

I think there is a higher being, like a nihilanth out there. A masive giant baby alien thats the last of his kind; Sounds cliched? The purpose was to give short example, not a theory. I think we have not have seen the big cheese as of yet.

I don't see how these fat slugs conquered various worlds of different galaxys & dimensions. All they can do is sit on their fat ass & do nothing. I also concider them 'Combine secretarys'. I feel there somebody else higher thats running the show. Mind blasts are not what I expect from galaxy conquering aliens.

Also take note, 'The Combine' are a combination of various alien races. So we don't know the 'Founder' of the combine; there is nothing for sure right now.

 

[eber]

That's the point...They were so intelligent that their advanced technology began to reverse engineer their own evolutionary process, turning them into a slug.

that doesnt make sense dude.. if the evolutionary process of the bodies would be reversed and they turned into slugs again then they would loose all their intelligence they had. and anyway.... there is no way for slugs to be intelligent, they have nothing to develop intelligence... inteligence doesnt matter for a slug, that was my point. hope you can see it..
anyway, im not arguing wether the advisors are the combine or not, i just sayd if they were it wouldnt make sense.

 

[ríomhaire]

I don't see how these fat slugs conquered various worlds of different galaxys & dimensions.

How do people kill people? We don't use our bear hands, we use bloody guns and tanks, technology.

 

[Darkside55]

The original purpose of this thread, recall, was the slug's "mind rape" ability. How do you conquer a world as a fat slug? Well, if the super-advanced technology that Riom just mentioned doesn't do it, I'm sure an ample amount of psionic brain-bashing would do the trick.