half life 2? worth new computer?

Archived from groups: alt.games.half-life (More info?)

Mike wrote:
> i have always been a fan of half life, and im looking to check out
hl2, but
> to do this i need a new comp for mine is ancient. is it worth
spending 900
> bucks on a new computer. i see their are sources out for my favs, cs
and
> dod, but it doesnt seem like much has changed, plus im not really
into the
> story i just like the multiplayer but not just DM. any good looks
links u
> can give me on some of the cool stuff you can do in this version.
>
> --
> mike

I can't speak for the multi-player, but if the graphics in the Source
versions of CS and DOD are the same standard as HL2 SP then it will
look significantly better.

However, graphics and sound are just eyecandy. The biggest single
improvement to gameplay is the physics engine.

You can now carry and throw stuff around. Loads of stuff. Pretty much
everything that isn't bolted down (and some stuff that is). Every
object has a weight, friction, buoyancy etc and obeys basic physics
rules. Barrels roll downhill when on their side. Pallets float in water
(and the water can have a current). Objects cause damage if you throw
them at someone (or get hit by them). In the SP game there is a
"gravity gun" which can pick up and throw around objects (you can also
use your hands). You can block up and unblock entrances, and build
little forts to hide behind. You can stack crates to climb up or down.
In the SP game, there are puzzles that require the use of physics to
manipulate seesaws and the like.

HL2 also has realistic vehicles, although not as many or as generally
available as Far Cry. (In Far Cry, the vehicles are optional, in HL2
they are obligatory. Also the enemy can drive the vehicles in Far Cry
and you can hijack them and take the controls yourself.) But it's the
same engine underneath, so it should be possible to have Far Cry-style
vehicles available in HL2 mods.

At the moment, I think the Sourced MP games are basically remakes of
the old games, so the physics and vehicles are not really taken
advantage of. DOD is still under construction so they may tweak it a
bit to make use of this. There are some mods out there where you can
throw toilets at each other, but I'm not sure there's a really good mod
yet that makes use of the physics engine to any great deal.

However, I'm not a MP expert, so take my opinions with a pinch of salt
and let's see if someone more knowledgable can supply frist hand
evidence.

As to your original question - is it worth upgrading? - I would say
definitely yes if you want to play the SP game and other titles such as
Far Cry or Doom3. If that isn't your scene, it may be worth waiting a
while until there are mods with more than just eye candy improvements.

Archived from groups: alt.games.half-life (More info?)

"Mike" <micaaronfl@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:nuOZd.3601$hA3.1036@trnddc09...
>i have always been a fan of half life, and im looking to check out hl2, but
>to do this i need a new comp for mine is ancient. is it worth spending 900
>bucks on a new computer. i see their are sources out for my favs, cs and
>dod, but it doesnt seem like much has changed, plus im not really into the
>story i just like the multiplayer but not just DM. any good looks links u
>can give me on some of the cool stuff you can do in this version.
>

What are your current specs? HL2 will run on a suprisingly old setup, so
maybe a bit of spit and polish will get yours going

> --
> mike
>
>
>
>
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.games.half-life (More info?)

> The one indispensible requirement for HL2 is a fast internet
connection -
> 500Kbps minumum.

Or patience.

Mind you, if he's playing multi-player, then he'll need a decent
connection anyway, whether it's HL2 or any other game.