02/11: Fun with HL2 Physics
Been playing all day, and I'm having a lot of fun for the most part. It bogs down from time to time into office-to-office hallway fights but the spooky element is done quite well. I've had goose bumps more than once and the story is at least compelling enough to drive you on through the few areas that get tedious.
The squad AI isn't breakthrough but is definitely above average and can surprise from time to time. The pacing is good, almost every time I've found myself wanting something new to see or do it pops up around the next corner. There has only been one real disappointment so far in the rogue's gallery, an enemy that just doesn't fit the game IMHO and is really nothing but annoying. I don't want to ruin any surprises as that's one of the best features of the game so far.
The sound is really good and the weapons are very satisfying, which is punctuated by the gore. There are some nice adult touches like dismemberments and decapitations that keep it from feeling like a kids'
game if there was any speculation. To earn the M rating, the voice tracks are full of profanity, sometimes it feels forced though. The implementation of "bullet time" is about the best I've seen yet: Running up and unloading a shotgun blast to center of mass in an enemy yields a billowing cloud of crimson that floats with a non-spritey volume. There's a gun called the Penetrator that fires what I can best describe as railroad spikes and can pin enemies to the wall like a butterfly collection. Sometimes they'll even be pulled right off their feet and stapled to the wall by the force.
Gunfights tear up an area with objects being destroyed, sparks flying, and some very convincing wall and floor destruction. Apparently this was accomplished using an offset shader. It totally sells the "action movie" feel. Well done. My only complaint on this point is that there's a "reaper" function that comes through and removes most of the surface damage after about 30 seconds so if you hang in an area it's like watching an invisible janitor come through to clean up. Maybe it's in keeping with the supernatural though? Ghost custodians? =)
One neat thing that stands out is that melee attacks actually work. You can punch bullet time if you've got a guy in your sights and run up and deliver a lethal roundhouse kick or a jumping forekick and actually take
him out. It's very satisfying when done right and the physics are good enough to send the body reeling with a feeling of force.
Visually, the effects are very good but some of the levels are a bit washed out and low detail. It's forgivable as the lighting is nicely done and specular highlights and light diffusion keep the eye candy appealing. They did a nice job with the dynamic lights overall and there are neat features like shining a light through a window will both reflect in the window, picking up glass surface features, and pass through to the opposite side. The Lithtech engine isn't bleeding edge in certain respects and some things like skyboxes and just general detail feel a bit behind the times. It's not anywhere near as painful as Area 51 though (visuals from the year 2000 anyone?).
So far, I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a good single player FPS. I have yet to try multiplayer.
The official website can be found here.
The squad AI isn't breakthrough but is definitely above average and can surprise from time to time. The pacing is good, almost every time I've found myself wanting something new to see or do it pops up around the next corner. There has only been one real disappointment so far in the rogue's gallery, an enemy that just doesn't fit the game IMHO and is really nothing but annoying. I don't want to ruin any surprises as that's one of the best features of the game so far.
The sound is really good and the weapons are very satisfying, which is punctuated by the gore. There are some nice adult touches like dismemberments and decapitations that keep it from feeling like a kids'
game if there was any speculation. To earn the M rating, the voice tracks are full of profanity, sometimes it feels forced though. The implementation of "bullet time" is about the best I've seen yet: Running up and unloading a shotgun blast to center of mass in an enemy yields a billowing cloud of crimson that floats with a non-spritey volume. There's a gun called the Penetrator that fires what I can best describe as railroad spikes and can pin enemies to the wall like a butterfly collection. Sometimes they'll even be pulled right off their feet and stapled to the wall by the force.
Gunfights tear up an area with objects being destroyed, sparks flying, and some very convincing wall and floor destruction. Apparently this was accomplished using an offset shader. It totally sells the "action movie" feel. Well done. My only complaint on this point is that there's a "reaper" function that comes through and removes most of the surface damage after about 30 seconds so if you hang in an area it's like watching an invisible janitor come through to clean up. Maybe it's in keeping with the supernatural though? Ghost custodians? =)
One neat thing that stands out is that melee attacks actually work. You can punch bullet time if you've got a guy in your sights and run up and deliver a lethal roundhouse kick or a jumping forekick and actually take
him out. It's very satisfying when done right and the physics are good enough to send the body reeling with a feeling of force.
Visually, the effects are very good but some of the levels are a bit washed out and low detail. It's forgivable as the lighting is nicely done and specular highlights and light diffusion keep the eye candy appealing. They did a nice job with the dynamic lights overall and there are neat features like shining a light through a window will both reflect in the window, picking up glass surface features, and pass through to the opposite side. The Lithtech engine isn't bleeding edge in certain respects and some things like skyboxes and just general detail feel a bit behind the times. It's not anywhere near as painful as Area 51 though (visuals from the year 2000 anyone?).
So far, I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a good single player FPS. I have yet to try multiplayer.
The official website can be found here.
