First Half Life 2 Review Scans *56K*

[jerryhussain]

Updated 4th page with the scans of the first review. ;)

Time to revive this thread as CS:Source is being released next week, HL2 should not to be too far.

43 pics from PCGamer where it was rated at 96%:

http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/Image000.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image01.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image02.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image03.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image04.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image05.jpg
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http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image08.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image09.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image10.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image011.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image12.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image13.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image14.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image15.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image021.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image031.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image041.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image061.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image062.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image071.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image081.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image091.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image101.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image111.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image0111.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image121.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image131.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image141.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image151.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image0411.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image0811.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image0911.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image1111.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image1311.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image1411.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image1511.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image10111.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/slimshady/image12111.jpg



Half Life 2 System Requirements:

Minimum:
1.2 GHz Processor
256MB RAM
DirectX 7 graphics card

Recommended:
2.4 GHz Processor
512MB RAM
DirectX 9 graphics card

[sfu_lifer]

Losers!
I can't believe Doom 3 beat them to the punch...

[othy]

Out of curiosity, who is going to use steam for this and who is gonna buy the CDs?

Is there a discount for using steam? I'd do it for 5 bucks less.. heck having more CDs around isn't really a big bonus for me (although after you buy it on CD and reg the key with steam you can download it from them whenever..)

[jerryhussain]

Losers!
I can't believe Doom 3 beat them to the punch...
Yeah.

I was disappointed somewhat when Doom 3 went gold. I used to think that HL2 would come out earlier and capture a sizeable %. I am looking forward to both games, just a bit more to HL2.

[canook]

Out of curiosity, who is going to use steam for this and who is gonna buy the CDs?

Is there a discount for using steam? I'd do it for 5 bucks less.. heck having more CDs around isn't really a big bonus for me (although after you buy it on CD and reg the key with steam you can download it from them whenever..)

CD's all the way! Can't stand the idea of having to authenticate my copy on the internet every time I want to play. It's a bit draconian.

Now, where did I put that tin foil hat...

[PrinceMS]

I think ppl will be somewhat dissapointed of HL2, since the graphic engine is in works for what about two years now? gameplay should be the best though. too much hype build up about it....
Lets hope its worth it.

[othy]

CD's all the way! Can't stand the idea of having to authenticate my copy on the internet every time I want to play. It's a bit draconian.

Are you sure they have to authenticate before you play? I recall seeing on a FAQ that as of a recent version of steam you *dont* need to be connected to the internet to play the games..

Also, if you want to play online, it will have to authenticate your CD key anyway! So wots the big deal?

[Grayson M]

isnt this what they said last year :D

[Fantaz]

Yay! :D

It shouldn't come out until I finish Doom 3. ;)

[canook]

Are you sure they have to authenticate before you play? I recall seeing on a FAQ that as of a recent version of steam you *dont* need to be connected to the internet to play the games..

Also, if you want to play online, it will have to authenticate your CD key anyway! So wots the big deal?

I'm a little fuzzy on the details, I believe they've changed it a few times since coming out with the whole Steam idea. So, you could be right. Or they could change it again. As per the "tin foil hat" thing, I'm a bit paranoid. :)

I love using the internet, but I just don't like the idea of my applications tied to some central deployment server. I just prefer to have my software on my media lying in a mess around my computer. :D

To each his own, just a personal preference.

[Carnage]

I'm with you Canook.

I want a physical copy of my game.

[othy]

I have a ton of 5+ year old game CDs cluttering up the place, and I can't bring myself to sell/toss them even though I'll probably never play em again.. So having the steam thing looks good to me ;)

[Gordon]

IMO.

screw steam its so slow.

I hacked my steam so i get condition zero for free.

Downloading the game from steam took around 45 impatient mins :lol: ( on highspeed )

Well Back to HL2.

For sure im going to buy the legitament game. ( due to the fact that having a legit cdkey is always better )

So for sure i am going to go buy the cds at futureshop than to wait 3hours and + for downloading hl2 off steam.

The download speed on steam would be useless due to the fact of the high demand of the game. Steam was always always slow and weak.

So your choice your call. Choose wizely.

[jerryhussain]

BUMP for some new screens. :twisted:

[canook]

jerryhussain, you are a bad, bad man.

Do you know how long I've been waiting for this game?

Do you know the *pain* of seeing rubbish like Doom 3 hit the shelves before a classic-in-the-making like HL2?

And you reopen the wound and get me all excited all over again!

Why, if I had my trusty crowbar that I found discarded in the Black Mesa research facility, all the Barneys in the world couldn't hold me back!

Um... yeah. Time to go take my meds.

[Carnage]

Aren't those just 3 screen shots from the E3 videos?

[evilserge]

cant wait for this to come out! been waiting yeaars for this one.
halflife was the first game i ever bought, halflife 2 will be the second game i ever buy =D doom 3's gameplay was okay, nothing ih avent seen before, but halflife 2's gameplay will just hook me like it did in the first one. :cheesygri

[voodoo401]

What will hte retail price of the game be? I heard that there will be something like 3-5 different versions (singleplayer, single+ multi, monthly ect).
If the cost of steam is the same as cd's I am going to get the cd's

[kyo_death]

steams pretty fast for me, i just hate that its really buggy when it updates its game files.

i got a 440+kps/sec download off of that for DoD

[akito925]

I'll be buying hl2 for sure.. don't want to wait for steam to download.. it will take too long, plus eb games is just a 5 mins away.. so 5mins vs sitting at my computer waiting for hl2 to finish downloading.. lol

3 hours +

plus there going to be over welmed on steam when the game comes out so many people would be downloading it!

[GTI]

I got a code to download it when it comes out. I got it with my video card so it looks like that's the way I am going...

[JayPatel]

http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide15_hi.jpg
http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide16_hi.jpg
http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide17_hi.jpg
http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide23_hi.jpg
http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide24_hi.jpg
http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/sigg04/phl_c17_Slide02_hi.jpg

[jerryhussain]

Nice screens Jay http://forums.redflagdeals.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

All these are widescreen captures, does that mean having a widescreen monitor is going to eleviate HL2 experience ?

[voodoo401]

Looks better then Doom 3 :twisted:

[jedijome]

hehe far cry looked better than doom3. :D
then again maybe once people make a game using the doom3 engine that actually has lighting, and trees and open spaces i might end up changing my mind. :D

still i cant wait for hl2, and i think i'm going to buy it. cd's though not steam, i cant stand having to be connected to the net to play an offline game. what if my net isnt working, and why should i let them collect free usage statistics which arent even anonymous?

[sumfunny]

I might get it I'll see reviews first, as for cd vs. stream its all about $$ if steam is 1/2 price then I might consider it but if they are both the same then obviously cd.

[Carnage]

still i cant wait for hl2, and i think i'm going to buy it. cd's though not steam, i cant stand having to be connected to the net to play an offline game. what if my net isnt working, and why should i let them collect free usage statistics which arent even anonymous?

I'm pretty sure you'll still be able to play offline wether or not your internet is working.

[JayPatel]

someguys have already imported the doom3 models into the Far Cry engine. The only problem is the animation of the model. I saw it at Rage3d.

[Xavier]

firstly.....steam = d/l ?? :confused:

then....hmmmmm.....perhaps i should play farcry b4 installin doom 3 then .. lol.

I dunno if my 9600 pro can handle HL2....oh man........i just bought this card this year !

[canook]

firstly.....steam = d/l ?? :confused:

then....hmmmmm.....perhaps i should play farcry b4 installin doom 3 then .. lol.

I dunno if my 9600 pro can handle HL2....oh man........i just bought this card this year !

From an article on Eurogamer.net


Taking time out to post on HL2Fallout's forums last week, Newell said that the minimum spec would be a 1.2GHz powered PC with 256MB RAM, Win 98/ME/2000/XP and a DirectX 7 compatible graphics card.

But for those who want to see the game running in all its glory, be prepared to spec up to around a 2.4 GHz machine, with 512MB RAM, Windows 2000/XP and a DirectX 9 capable graphics card.

Woohoo! When my new video card arrives this week, I'll be set!

[nonphixion]

new interviews:

http://www.planethalflife.com/features/articles/hl2qa/

and

http://www.sogamed.com/?s=sgfeaturednews&sub=viewfeature&feature_id=219

Q - First, I'm wondering how many discs HL2 will be? There was a picture of a HL2 package with 5 HL2 CDs +1 CS:S disc. Is it true that it will be 6 CDs? (if so, can a "full install" be done?)

A - Four CDs

cant wait, im buying this game for sure, it will be the first game i actualy ever bought

[canook]

Out of curiosity, who is going to use steam for this and who is gonna buy the CDs?

Is there a discount for using steam? I'd do it for 5 bucks less.. heck having more CDs around isn't really a big bonus for me (although after you buy it on CD and reg the key with steam you can download it from them whenever..)

Pulling an old sub-thread out here...

With release dates looming nearer and the crackle of excitement in the air,
has the general feeling about Steam changed? Under what conditions would you choose online deployment over a boxed copy?

I originally was very anti-Steam (as you can see earlier in the thread). But, I've been thinking about it, and there are a few factors that could influence me to go through Steam instead.

1) Price - Is it cheaper to download?
2) Time - can I get it sooner? Once it's gone gold, it's done. But it takes a few weeks to duplicate CD's and get the packaging ready and get it onto store shelves. Could Steam beat the stores to the punch?
3) Reinstallation - If I download HL2 from Steam, can I reinstall it on my machine after a reload / crash / upgrade / whatever without having to be connected to the internet? Basically, can I make myself a set of install discs so I have all the advantages of the CD version? I have games from 10 years ago that I still play - I don't want to have to depend on the Steam server still working down the road to keep playing a great game.

Low price, early release and the ability to reinstall would change my mind on Steam. Anyone have any thoughts (particularly if you're a Steam user and can comment on numbers 1 and 3!)

Number 2 is a biggie as well. I'm getting antsy.

[canook]

To anyone who intends to get this game over Steam, the pre-load began this evening.

For the rest of us, that can only be a good sign that they may actually get the game finished at some point in our lifetimes! :)

[Fantaz]

I think they might first release this on steam and then come to stores. That's probably why they aren't telling retailers the release date. It's going to be a big surprise.

[canook]

I think they might first release this on steam and then come to stores. That's probably why they aren't telling retailers the release date. It's going to be a big surprise.

My understanding is that this won't happen - I believe Valve has stated that the game will not be available on Steam before it is available in stores. This probably has more to do with their distribution agreement with Vivendi (ugh) than anything else - Steam sales are worth 2 and a half times more to Valve than store sales. Of course they'd want to give it an edge... but store sales are good for Vivendi.

No, I'm afraid we've got to wait for the game to go gold (hopefully soon), be duplicated, shipped, stocked, etc. If the pre-loading is any clue, I'm guessing before the end of September we'll see it on store shelves.

Of course, I could be wrong. This game has been delayed a year already. Nothing would surprise me now.

[Fantaz]

I hope that if I get it through Steam they will then also send me the box, manual, cds and everything through the mail.

[Carnage]

Of course, I could be wrong. This game has been delayed a year already. Nothing would surprise me now.

I probably wouldn't even use the word delayed. No way that code leak caused this delay.

I wouldn't be surprised if they just said last September to raise interest. There was no way that game was going to be completed last fall, even without the code leak.

[canook]

I hope that if I get it through Steam they will then also send me the box, manual, cds and everything through the mail.

Nope. They don't do that. I think that's the whole point of Steam. :)

[voodoo401]

They could release HL2 as a steam exclusive and then after a week or so release the retail version.

[canook]

They could release HL2 as a steam exclusive and then after a week or so release the retail version.

They've said they won't - likely for the reasons above (distribution agreements).

[grant]

agreement or no, it would just be plain stupid. Retailers get really pissed off when manufacturers undercut them, and you need retailers to survive. Even Sony & Apple, with their own distribution stores, won't do that.

[voodoo401]

I don't think they will be releasing the game in Sept.


Hope Iam wrong :D

[jerryhussain]

Updated with good news.

[voodoo401]

Or maybe not this was posted on shack news


"After a close scrutiny of Gabe Newell’s account history on the forums, we've come to the conclusion that the gold post is a fake. While we can't be 100% certain at this stage, all indicators point towards someone hacking the forum account. That said, all Gabe's previous posts on these forums are quite legitimate.

We apologize for the confusion and will be investigating further. Theoretically, an IPB forum account should be very difficult to hack. Well, that was the theory at least. We'll keep you updated."

[blueboy]

Come on already!!! I went through a box of kleenex after reading HL2 went gold!!

First day buy regardless of the price!

B
Wouldn't be suprised if it went gold in the next 2 weeks though!

[jerryhussain]

damn, cant believe this hacking sh*t.

[Fantaz]

I knew it was fake anyways. Can't trust those boards. :(

[temporalillusion]

Oh well, finished my pre-load off Steam last night.. so when it does come out I'll be ready! :cheesygri

[akito925]

Out of curiosity, who is going to use steam for this and who is gonna buy the CDs?

Is there a discount for using steam? I'd do it for 5 bucks less.. heck having more CDs around isn't really a big bonus for me (although after you buy it on CD and reg the key with steam you can download it from them whenever..)

downloaded it off of steam last nite.. I'd had to leave it up over nite to get the entire game update, plus I'd had to goto sleep so didn't know how long it was.

opened up the files this morning to take a look whats was inside the gfc file.. wow neat.. its just models, and intro movie, and sounds.. hehehe. you guys should go take a lookie.. :D

[jerryhussain]

Updated first post with 43 pics, have some patience while they load. :lol:

[othy]

There are a lot of purchase options available, 2 boxed versions and 3 steam ones.. Unfortunately I didn't see any prices along with em.. I did hear a rumour that the basic steam one was 5 bucks less than the basic CD one.. 6 CDs too, ouch.

[canook]

There are a lot of purchase options available, 2 boxed versions and 3 steam ones.. Unfortunately I didn't see any prices along with em.. I did hear a rumour that the basic steam one was 5 bucks less than the basic CD one.. 6 CDs too, ouch.

Still, if we pay U.S. retail price, we're paying too much. In my experience, games are typically cheaper in Canada when you factor in exchange rate. Of course, with the dollar pushing 80 cents U.S., who knows?

Will Steam have a special price for Canadians? If so, what would keep the Americans from abusing it to get the game cheaper? It's all so complicated.

Here's the one big advantage Steam has put forward, though (at least, for me) - while latest estimates for retail (and Steam) release of Half-Life 2 are towards the end of November, you can begin playing Counterstrike: Source next week if you buy HL2 on Steam.

Still, I refuse to pay more to download something and get no physical media or manuals than I would pay at Wal-Mart the day it comes out. Bring on the Canadian prices, Valve! :)

[jerryhussain]

Just got some HL2 Review Scans, posting them here since Page 1 is overload with 43 pics. :lol:

AFAIK there are no spoilers in it.

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/9278/Page1HL2Review1.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page1HL2Review1.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/9662/Page2HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page2HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/6711/Page3HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page3HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/4783/Page4HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page4HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/2494/Page5HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page5HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/6541/Page6HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page6HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/5106/Page7HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page7HL2Review.jpg)

http://img81.exs.cx/img81/4472/Page8HL2Review.th.jpg (http://img81.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img81&image=Page8HL2Review.jpg)

Now to do some reading ... :twisted:

[Fantaz]

Where do you find these pics jerry?
Simply amazing. I can't wait!!

[jerryhussain]

Where do you find these pics jerry?
Simply amazing. I can't wait!!
http://clientes.netvisao.pt/dreamer/Halflife2Review.rar

[jb22]

firstly.....steam = d/l ?? :confused:

then....hmmmmm.....perhaps i should play farcry b4 installin doom 3 then .. lol.

I dunno if my 9600 pro can handle HL2....oh man........i just bought this card this year !


I played the leak demo/beta whatever you wantto call a few months back and it ran great on my P4 2.8HT with a 9600 Pro 128mb (also with 1gb of ram) so I wouldn't worry. Doom 3 also run great at high res with high detail at 1024 x 768.

[Sheky]

What's the word on CS Source? Does it come with the retail version of HL? What about other mods like DOD? I must be the only one who doesn't give a rat's ass about HL2. I just want the mods...

[blainehamilton]

To heck with the mods...

Just the story and to gravity gun itself will make the game worth playing...

[canook]

What's the word on CS Source? Does it come with the retail version of HL? What about other mods like DOD? I must be the only one who doesn't give a rat's ass about HL2. I just want the mods...

CS:S comes with HL2 - word is, it's the only multiplayer initially shipping with HL2. Mods will quickly pick up the slack in creating normal deathmatch (Why, Valve? It seems so simple? Not like you haven't had enough time....)

DOD:S, HL:S, and other mods will be available via Steam for a small fee. There will be a Steam package offering HL2 plus all current Valve games, including those mods for HL2 when they come out.

[Carnage]

CS:S comes with HL2 - word is, it's the only multiplayer initially shipping with HL2. Mods will quickly pick up the slack in creating normal deathmatch (Why, Valve? It seems so simple? Not like you haven't had enough time....)


Maybe they just figured it wasn't worth the effort. The official deathmatch in half life just plain sucked. Not many people played any of the official ones, it was all CS, and DoD,etc.

We played some official deathmatch at a lan party once with some freinds. It took us about 10 minutes to go "this sucks, lets go back to CS".

So maybe they learned a lesson and let the mod community do all the work.

[canook]

Maybe they just figured it wasn't worth the effort. The official deathmatch in half life just plain sucked. Not many people played any of the official ones, it was all CS, and DoD,etc.

We played some official deathmatch at a lan party once with some freinds. It took us about 10 minutes to go "this sucks, lets go back to CS".

So maybe they learned a lesson and let the mod community do all the work.

All a matter of opinion - I used to play HL1 DM against my roommate ages ago when HL was still new. We had our computers networked, and went one-on-one. When you don't have a large number of people, DM is pretty much the only way to go.

These days I mostly just play Enemy Territory, but even with that I find that servers with less than 25-30 people just aren't much fun.

I'd still like to see HL2-themed multiplayer levels with the HL2 weapons, not just CS:S. I'm sure it'll happen - but letting the modders do your job for you could backfire.