Edit can a mod correct the title please.
Half life 1 is a masterpiece in gaming, level design, story conveyance and enemy encounter, even if xen sucked.
Half life 2 isn't. The gravity gun and that robot might be cool and fun but I feel like the game holds your hand on safe rollercoaster, going down a call of duty corridor, while being spoon fed stuff about the combine.
Story
Hl1 while minimalist it's superb. You're thrown in thinking wtf is going on and you think everything is your fault, although if you search before the cascade you can see aliens. You piece together what's going on, what to do and needs to be done. Although I can't remember why you had to launch that rocket mid game. It's mysterious but gives you enough easy pieces to put together. Not to mention part of the story is just to survive and escape.
Hl2 story sucks. Typical alien invasion, save the world crap. No real explanation why g man brings you back other than it's time lol. Most of the story is just thrown at you by nps, while they tell you what to do next. The end of the games Clift hanger sucked, can't remember episode 1, but episode 2 seemed better.
Enemy variety
Hl1 has many different aliens including those face lurkers that legit shit you up the first time you play it.
Marines and black ops.
Hl2 mainly alien foot soldiers and the odd bullet sponge mechs.
Giant tentacle thing you have to solve like a puzzle.
Level design
Hl1 while a linear game would make you think it isn't the first time you played it, especially in the late 90s. Many areas are open with different paths leading to stuff, the game wants you to explore and rewards you fairly. This openness, especially in areas with encounters is great. Sometimes you would be left thinking where to go next and watch to check without being overbearing.
Hl2 level design isn't on the same level. I legit feel like I'm walking down one huge corridor and encounters with the enemy foot soldiers who all have guns reflect the level design too. Tbf there are some areas that are fun and have good encounters but they're usually those scripted defend areas ie mini horde sections.
Weapons
Hl1 most guns feel great and add to the survival horror near the start when you're using your crowbar and pistol. The shotgun is one of the best shotguns in gaming and is super useful. The marine is machine gun is fantastic as well.
Hl2
That sub machine is utter shite in this and the shotgun is nowhere near as useful since you're fighting soldiers majority of the time. The heavy machine gun bouncy ball thing is good though. Gravity gun is overrated imo.
When I played hl2 on release I just felt something was missing and didn't get the urge to surge on I got form hl1. Hl1 got better and better as you went along bar xen which isn't a big part.
I'm sure there's more, but that's it for now.
Half life 1 is a masterpiece in gaming, level design, story conveyance and enemy encounter, even if xen sucked.
Half life 2 isn't. The gravity gun and that robot might be cool and fun but I feel like the game holds your hand on safe rollercoaster, going down a call of duty corridor, while being spoon fed stuff about the combine.
Story
Hl1 while minimalist it's superb. You're thrown in thinking wtf is going on and you think everything is your fault, although if you search before the cascade you can see aliens. You piece together what's going on, what to do and needs to be done. Although I can't remember why you had to launch that rocket mid game. It's mysterious but gives you enough easy pieces to put together. Not to mention part of the story is just to survive and escape.
Hl2 story sucks. Typical alien invasion, save the world crap. No real explanation why g man brings you back other than it's time lol. Most of the story is just thrown at you by nps, while they tell you what to do next. The end of the games Clift hanger sucked, can't remember episode 1, but episode 2 seemed better.
Enemy variety
Hl1 has many different aliens including those face lurkers that legit shit you up the first time you play it.
Marines and black ops.
Hl2 mainly alien foot soldiers and the odd bullet sponge mechs.
Giant tentacle thing you have to solve like a puzzle.
Level design
Hl1 while a linear game would make you think it isn't the first time you played it, especially in the late 90s. Many areas are open with different paths leading to stuff, the game wants you to explore and rewards you fairly. This openness, especially in areas with encounters is great. Sometimes you would be left thinking where to go next and watch to check without being overbearing.
Hl2 level design isn't on the same level. I legit feel like I'm walking down one huge corridor and encounters with the enemy foot soldiers who all have guns reflect the level design too. Tbf there are some areas that are fun and have good encounters but they're usually those scripted defend areas ie mini horde sections.
Weapons
Hl1 most guns feel great and add to the survival horror near the start when you're using your crowbar and pistol. The shotgun is one of the best shotguns in gaming and is super useful. The marine is machine gun is fantastic as well.
Hl2
That sub machine is utter shite in this and the shotgun is nowhere near as useful since you're fighting soldiers majority of the time. The heavy machine gun bouncy ball thing is good though. Gravity gun is overrated imo.
When I played hl2 on release I just felt something was missing and didn't get the urge to surge on I got form hl1. Hl1 got better and better as you went along bar xen which isn't a big part.
I'm sure there's more, but that's it for now.
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