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News Valve makes Episode 1 easier

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by WilHarris, 10 Jul 2006.

  1. WilHarris

    WilHarris Just another nobody Moderator

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  2. RotoSequence

    RotoSequence Lazy Lurker

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    If theres one particular part thats more frustrating than fun, all the better. Knowing exactly what youre up to at all times is kind of creepy though :eyebrow:
     
  3. draxar

    draxar What's a Dremel?

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    I found that bit hard, but not "stuck for days" hard. It took maybe half a dozen tries, and accepting that you're going to come out of it on low health.

    Remembering that Alyx is nearly impervious to damage helped too...
     
  4. Veles

    Veles DUR HUR

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    I actually found it quite easy which is new for me as I'm not fantastic at FPSes. I finished the game on normal, was a nice challenge. I then wanted to go through it with commentary on (a very nice addition to the game), and put the game on what I thought was easy but actually turned out to be hard mode :p Didn't manage to finish the game though,
    got stuck at the part where you ferry people onto the train
    .
     
  5. r-gator

    r-gator What's a Dremel?

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    It only took me 2 or 3 tries to get through that part. I didn't find it that difficult really. You just have to keep moving and don't allow yourself to get boxed in on all sides. Using the grav gun to shoot the grenades out of the zombines hands helps too. I think it's alternately neat and scary that they're watching us game and can re-tool the game if they made it too hard the first time around.
     
  6. Votey

    Votey What's a Dremel?

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    I actually am stuck on that part (elevator) and had sort of stopped playing that game out of frustration for a while.
     
  7. eek

    eek CAMRA ***.

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    hmm, I haven't bought this yet as I'm waiting for a price drop/other eps to come out/to complete hitman however I'm a bit put off as I would have preferred to face a challange than this new 'easier' version. Let's hope the game doesn't change anymore between now and when I finally get around to buying it!! :)
     
  8. Da Dego

    Da Dego Brett Thomas

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    Hmmm...I'm not sure I'm happy about 2 things on this...

    1) it's a bit frightening that they watch how I play...maybe I REALLY enjoy that part, or maybe I'm trying out different approaches? How do you distinguish between that or if I just suck too much to be capable of beating it? I'm sure it's cool research, but on the other hand, I yell at MS for just trying to verify whether my copy is legit, much less document my whole playstyle!

    2) challenge is all a part of it. If it's SUPPOSED to get hairy down there, then let it! There's cheat codes for those who want to just get past it if they get frustrated!
     
  9. scq

    scq What's a Dremel?

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    I think I got through that on second try. There was more than enough stuff -maybe because I'm crazy about conserving ammo (old habit from dealing with bosses).

    What I would've liked were more flares. I died most often on the ant lion parkade level,
    until I figured out you needed to push cars from the upper levels to cover the holes.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: 10 Jul 2006
  10. Kipman725

    Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?!

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    Episode one was already too easy!
    they should have added more zombies.. I did the elevator thing first time on hard! and the whole thing too 4hrs from start to finnish.. games should have an "uber uber hard mode" for people who can play.
     
  11. Kumo

    Kumo What's a Dremel?

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    I agree with SCQ.

    With more lights in the elevator area would be better. Only that.
     
  12. Nature

    Nature Minimodder

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    Yoink.
     
  13. Votey

    Votey What's a Dremel?

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    Maybe this is a byproduct of the average gamer age going higher and higher. We old guys can't keep up with you youngsters when it comes to lightning reflexes, etc.

    But we have high-paying jobs and spend more on games, so they have to do what we want, dumbing down your gaming experience for the unwashed masses (me). :D

    Sorry about that...

    What was I talking about? Where am I? :confused: I need my medication! Nurse!
     
  14. LockmanX

    LockmanX What's a Dremel?

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    I actually got though the elevator bit on the first go at it (normal mode) but was kicking myself when I accidently hit quick load instead of quick save. Thats when I had to give it a few trys before getting through again. It wasn't easy but it wasn't hard either. Just have to keep the grenades away is all. There was a more immersive feeling in episode one that wasn't there in HL2. I think this is directly related to the fact that in HL2, I was nearly always at full health. Sort of a comfort that alleviated any pressure to perform. In episode one, I spent the majority of the time damaged and that can put you on your toes. The only bit of the game I wasn't pleased with was the escort arena.
    There wasn't much challenge considering you were always armed with a guided missle.
    That was just plain annoying. The only way I see to save that bit is to somehow give you a motovation for helping those people other than having to do it in order to move on. I certainly had no reason to care if they died. And the reason behind not going in one large group was a bit stupid as well.
     
  15. DeX

    DeX Mube Codder

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    I think it's great that they can see which bits we get stuck on. If they saw how I played Episode 1 they'd see I first of just tried to let Alyx kill all the zombi(n)es first of all but then realised she just dies if you don't help her out. The second try I had to quick load a few times until I got my flash light working and the first few zombies killed without loosing too much ammo and health. Then just rushed to the elevator and used a combination of barrels, cinder blocks, the shotgun etc. to fend them off until the elevator got there.

    The bit I got stuck on was the first time you have to block the Antlion hole with a car. The first time I tried it the car was properly over the hole so it didn't work and instead I just tried turning the wheel thing while fending them off with the gravity gun. They mention in the commentary that they found it was best for the tricky bits if you can ask Alyx for help but otherwise she doesn't say anything. Maybe they should have given more help for that bit but saying that, when my housemate played that bit he solved the puzzle without even thinking about it.

    And in the car park where there are 3 or 4 antlion holes to block you don't even have to block them, just run up to the top level to continue through the door and Alyx eventually catches up.

    Listening to the commentary the thing that impressed me most was how much thought they put into the level design, the gameplay and how the player would feel as they play the game. I think that's what really sets Half-Life apart from every other FPS out there.
     
  16. Bladestorm

    Bladestorm What's a Dremel?

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    That particular section took me a good half dozen attempts, if not more, I think basically the darkness just made what would have been a tough fight in the light into an extreme one.

    Its worth noting that it never really occurred to me to try and snag the zombines grenades with the gravity gun, which made them a lot harder anyhow.
     
  17. TheoGeo

    TheoGeo What are these goddamn animals?!

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    It was difficult, but thats a good thing, I dont want a game that i can just get through in one go, i want to get stuck on parts, i want to have to go back and try again. Just look at the success of hitman: blood money, I doubt anyone can do all the levels first time in that.

    not sure i like them collecting info about how i play the game though
     
  18. Adnuo

    Adnuo Banned

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    God damnit, before I even had a chance to get it. I wish they'd offer a harder version then, because that's how I want games to be. I don't play games to beat them all under a time limit, I play them to get completely utterly stumped. I want to be thrown into a room with no windows and no doors and no way to exit filled to the brim with baddies with nothing but half health and a Yo-Yo. THAT'S what I game for, to be utterly and completely stumped. Sure it's discouraging at first, but it feels damned good once you get past it.
     
  19. speedfreek

    speedfreek What's a Dremel?

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    That wasnt a bad part at all. It wasnt the best part but it was still fun, I got it on my third time because Alyx died the first two. Other than me being obsessive about my health getting below 100 and not having almost full ammo it wasnt the worst part. I thought the escorting part was fun but the rocket crate made it a little too easy.

    It is kinda wierd how they watch people play but for QA reasons it makes sense. I havent had steam in online mode since installing ep1 anyway though.
     
  20. yahooadam

    yahooadam <span style="color:#f00;font-weight:bold">Ultra cs

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    out of this whole game, that was the only bit that i had a problem with

    However, aslong as the difficult settings are still difficult, it seems good to me, i know alot of people had trouble with that bit, however i did manage to find a good way to do it

    Edit
    dont stay near the elevator, find a corner, so that your not getting attacked from 8 sides, just from 1 or 2, the area near the power switch is a good place
    The elevator will still come up even if your not by it, and you will still know when its up even if your not next to it
     
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