The thought I probably had most often while playing this was "Really? That's the main path?"
I generally mean that in a positive way, it's designed pretty enjoyably! I didn't know much going in, but sometimes more than shooters, I ended up seeing aspects of the modern immersive sim in it.
The combat works, certainly. I don't really have much to say about it, the arsenal of weapons is nice and distinct, though maybe not the most even-keeled, and I'm not really hankering for more combat scenarios or logging on for more Deathmatch.
One thing I know that isn't hitting as hard as it would in 98 is just the fact that all the storytelling and scripting is happening in gameplay, in real time with control over your character. Maybe because of the concessions made to achieve that, the storytelling can feel a little sparse at times? I didn't always feel a strong momentum in where I was headed, what was being achieved, though it definitely picks up in the second half. My favorite level might've been "Residue Processing".
I've heard plenty of jabs at Xen, and I thought the combat could be tough for sure, but I don't think the design of it really manifested as a wall to my progression. In fact, I think the design of the solutions to the Xen levels are largely congruent to the rest of the game, to the point I feel a little down on the Xen levels for not asking more of the player, both as the final act and as this different, alien world. They're these bite-sized puzzle boxes that feel a little unsure of themselves.
I keep thinking about the final boss, too. It's fairly simple, but also more smartly designed than a lot of shooter examples I can think of. I really like the dodgeable teleporter move as this fail state that forces you to go through a trial of sorts, while also doubling as the restock mechanic that a boss arena necessitates. It's a good way to handle that, rather than lining the arena with random crates or something, as you often see. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's just pleasantly designed!
"Pleasantly designed" might be the key phrase I have to say about Half-Life. It managed to hold my interest and I had a nice time!
I generally mean that in a positive way, it's designed pretty enjoyably! I didn't know much going in, but sometimes more than shooters, I ended up seeing aspects of the modern immersive sim in it.
The combat works, certainly. I don't really have much to say about it, the arsenal of weapons is nice and distinct, though maybe not the most even-keeled, and I'm not really hankering for more combat scenarios or logging on for more Deathmatch.
One thing I know that isn't hitting as hard as it would in 98 is just the fact that all the storytelling and scripting is happening in gameplay, in real time with control over your character. Maybe because of the concessions made to achieve that, the storytelling can feel a little sparse at times? I didn't always feel a strong momentum in where I was headed, what was being achieved, though it definitely picks up in the second half. My favorite level might've been "Residue Processing".
I've heard plenty of jabs at Xen, and I thought the combat could be tough for sure, but I don't think the design of it really manifested as a wall to my progression. In fact, I think the design of the solutions to the Xen levels are largely congruent to the rest of the game, to the point I feel a little down on the Xen levels for not asking more of the player, both as the final act and as this different, alien world. They're these bite-sized puzzle boxes that feel a little unsure of themselves.
I keep thinking about the final boss, too. It's fairly simple, but also more smartly designed than a lot of shooter examples I can think of. I really like the dodgeable teleporter move as this fail state that forces you to go through a trial of sorts, while also doubling as the restock mechanic that a boss arena necessitates. It's a good way to handle that, rather than lining the arena with random crates or something, as you often see. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's just pleasantly designed!
"Pleasantly designed" might be the key phrase I have to say about Half-Life. It managed to hold my interest and I had a nice time!