I finally got around to playing Half-Life 2 last weekend (I never thought my ancient computer could have handled it before) and I just finished it off this weekend. (AWESOME game by the way). The same friend I borrowed it from is gonna let me play Episode 1 soon, so hopefully it'll be just as good. Anyways, my question is this. How many episodes are Valve planning on releasing? I've heard different things on the interwebs, and I'm wondering who's right about it. I've heard 3, I've heard 6 (with a new story arc starting in 4), and I'm wondering which one.
three episodes are planned; after that they are going to reconsider episodic structures. however the HL2 story arc will be finished with ep3 - a new arc will start with whatever they do next.
Maybe. They've signed on to do at least three. The third episode will close this arc, but will leave the story open for future sequels etc. Valve has not ruled out further episodes after that, but they have said that the three episodes together constitue Half-Life 3. There could be more episodes afterwards, there could be a break and a new bigger game. They've told everyone they'll assess that after Ep3 is out. There'll also be a Portal 2 and probably a Portal 3, the second of which will release with Ep3. Personally, I'd like to see the story return to Adrian Shephard for a wee bit. Oddly, I found more of an attachment to him and Barney than I ever did with Gordon.
is it because they have talked in the seires? Didnt valve have a poll to see if people would pefer episodes or full game after ep3 (personnally full)
Adrian hasn't talked, but I do think it's because I've actually seen them properly and got more of a feel for their character. Gordon is OK, but I could take or leave him. He's a blank slate, which is fine for story telling, but bad for story immersion and sense of character. We get brief glimpses of how other people see him, but not of how he sees himself. Adrian and Barney meanwhile we know more about because of how they speak, look, act, and interact. We know Barney has a sense of humour and that Adrian is naturally suspicious, but with Gordon all we know is that he has a PHD. To me, that makes him very boring. Oh, and episodes, if done twice yearly to a proper schedule. Esp. if with other games, ala portal.
Adrian is from Blue Shift is he not? I've wanted to pick up Half-Life 1 and all the expansions, but I've never got around to it... are they worth whatever small amount of money you pay for them now? How good is the first compared to the second?
Adrian Shepherd is from Opposing Force. His story in that game was also left open. It was quite a nice ending, too!
Opposing force is worth it, Blue Shift is missable. You'd be far, far better off getting a Dreamcast and playing Half-Life: Decay, the little known co-op game which was for that console only. You played as two new doctors and a vortigaunt. It was a very good game.
Yeah, I'll believe that when it finally happens! I've been following that project closely. It's been going on pretty much since HL2, with no signs of release.
I'm pretty sure that Valve won't even begin development of Ep3 till after Christmas... they've said that the current three episodes finish the Combine/City 17 story arc, but that the half-life universe has masses more story threads that they wish to follow.
he doesn't Spoiler die! he just volunteers to partake in the combine Spoiler brain donation programme also, fishlock, spoiler that you twunt!!
