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Half-Life 2 Graphics MODernized With Extra Shine

by - source: Tom's Hardware US

Want HDR? Want the updated Orange Box Engine? Want new Models and Textures! Mod to the HL2 rescue!

A first-person-shooter that looks better on a console than on the PC? Blasphemy! But that's the way things were for Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode One, which when ported to the Xbox 360 as part of the Orange Box, received several graphical upgrades.

PC gamers longing for the upgraded experience needn't wait any longer, as modder Filip Victor took matters into his own hands and created a mod which bumps Half-Life 2 up to slightly more modern times.

Half-Life 2 Update Mod Features:

↗ Updated to Orange Box Engine.

↗ HDR (HighDynamicRange) Lighting.

↗ Updated Models & Textures.

↗ Includes 32 Steam Achievements.

Check out the YouTube comparison here. (Be sure to view it in one of the HD formats for a better look!)

There isn't any official comment or word yet on whether or not Valve approves of this mod, so those of you wishing to revisit one of the best PC games of all time with a fresh spit-shine should check out the download links here.

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Gin Fushicho 01/07/2010 12:44 PM
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knowom 01/07/2010 12:47 PM
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-4+

Gotta love the mod scene to disapprove would be brash move considering if it weren't for mods like team fortress and counter strike valve certainly wouldn't be the company it is today.

SneakySnake 01/07/2010 12:50 PM
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Gin Fushicho :
Doesn't look any better to me , just looks less blurry.



I would consider less blurry to be better looking. ;)

soldier37 01/07/2010 12:53 PM
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"A first-person-shooter that looks better on a console than on the PC? Blasphemy! But that's the way things were for Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode One, which when ported to the Xbox 360 as part of the Orange Box, received several graphical upgrades."

LOL when consoles can do 1920 x 1200 with af and aa settings maxed or 2560 x 1600 let me know otherwise this isnt news. HL2 was good for its day but its old news now. Much much better looking games to play and take up my time now, move along people.

sliem 01/07/2010 12:57 PM
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alvine 01/07/2010 12:58 PM
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sicpric 01/07/2010 1:00 AM
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Meh, it's always looked as good as in the second picture to me.

Netherscourge 01/07/2010 1:04 AM
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It's not only less blurry, the textures are much much sharper and there's light glare from several light sources now.

It looks spectactular, IMO.

rodney_ws 01/07/2010 1:12 AM
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alvine :
long live steam engine



Uhh... it uses the Source engine.

jisamaniac 01/07/2010 1:15 AM
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[citation]A first-person-shooter that looks better on a console than on the PC? Blasphemy![/citation]

Marcus you make me proud.

kato128 01/07/2010 1:18 AM
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Uh...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't HL2 already have HDR patched into it for PC?

steiner666 01/07/2010 1:24 AM
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kato128 :
Uh...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't HL2 already have HDR patched into it for PC?



thats what i thought too. but then i thought that maybe i'm just thinking about one of the episodes...

anyways it doesnt matter to me anyways really. the only time i feel like playing HL2 or the episodes is when i'm playing them co-op through the synergy mod, and i highly doubt i could run both mods.

djcoolmasterx 01/07/2010 1:30 AM
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kato128 :
Uh...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't HL2 already have HDR patched into it for PC?



Yes, just checked and it does have a setting for HDR. But it says that its only available on certain maps. I assume the mod just makes it available on all maps.

cappster 01/07/2010 1:31 AM
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Half life 2 + one of the greatest games ever. I am not sure if I will download the mod, but from the pictures, the graphics are quite intriguing.

lifelesspoet 01/07/2010 1:37 AM
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I think what we really wanted was episode 3.

smitty6123 01/07/2010 1:51 AM
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I bought Orange Box off steam on the holiday sale 2 days ago, this is perfect timing. The download and install was flawless and everything looks great!

smitty6123 01/07/2010 1:52 AM
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Regulas 01/07/2010 2:06 AM
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sliem :
After finishing HL1 (original), which I actually enjoyed, I can't find myself making through HL2.


You will be missing out on one of the best FPS games to ever be released. I played both and allot of other FPS games. HL2 rocked, it is not even close to the same game play as the first one. Do yourself a favor and play it on a PC with a mouse and keyboard, the best way to play FPS games.

The kiddie consoles will want their kiddie achievements like in the article, "Includes 32 Steam Achievements." I make sure to keep disconnected from Dragon Age servers because of the stupid kiddie achievements.
To paraphrase Mel Brooks,
Badges, I don't need no stinking badges. Just give me a good game.

footsoldier 01/07/2010 2:53 AM
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djcoolmasterx 01/07/2010 3:31 AM
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In the before and after picture in the artical, the before picture has some rediculously massive blur applied.

brendano257 01/07/2010 3:40 AM
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Sigh....although the source engine is not bad, it's been used for EVERY possible scenario by now and has made Valve millions. It's time they make a new engine, I'm getting tired of this HL2 mod, and that HL2 mod, source engine this, source that. It's time for a new engine.

B16CXHatch 01/07/2010 4:00 AM
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After playing through it 20 times, I really could care less how good it looks. BUT, I applaud the modder for doing this. It does look pretty nice in a few places but overall, what sells HL2 is the story... which I'm tired of now.

The big question: where is Episode 3? Isn't the point of short episodes to reduce development time between releases? I love TF2 (only online game I play anymore) but for the love of Heavy, we don't need new hats every other week. Get to work on Ep 3.

christop 01/07/2010 4:51 AM
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Looks much better...

mariushm 01/07/2010 4:53 AM
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B16CXHatch :
The big question: where is Episode 3? Isn't the point of short episodes to reduce development time between releases? I love TF2 (only online game I play anymore) but for the love of Heavy, we don't need new hats every other week. Get to work on Ep 3.



It's in development, probably will be ready this winter or in summer next year. Right now they're busy with l4d2 and in spring they'll launch a DLC that will combine L4d1 with l4d2 and then they'll probably take a break and work on episode 3.

My guess is they're also working on Portal 2 and will probably also include it in a "Gold box" (orange was, remains gold, platinum etc) or some Collector's box with all Half-Life games.

matt87_50 01/07/2010 5:02 AM
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lol, so a console had a slight and arguable upper hand against PC, which was quickly quashed by they other great advantage of PC, user customizeability.

what will MW2 look like in a few year? AS AVERAGE AS IT DOES NOW!

is this anything to do with that "cinematic mod" I think it just upgraded all the assets, textures ect. need like 4G of ram (so 64bit) and 1GB GFX to run it!

hixbot 01/07/2010 5:02 AM
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Would be nice if we could use this on CS:S and still play online.

Gin Fushicho 01/07/2010 5:23 AM
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iboomer 01/07/2010 5:52 AM
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mariushm :
It's in development, probably will be ready this winter or in summer next year. Right now they're busy with l4d2 and in spring they'll launch a DLC that will combine L4d1 with l4d2 and then they'll probably take a break and work on episode 3.My guess is they're also working on Portal 2 and will probably also include it in a "Gold box" (orange was, remains gold, platinum etc) or some Collector's box with all Half-Life games.



They are waiting for BlackMesa to be done, so they can ship the fully redone Half Life 1 with it.

IMHO

anamaniac 01/07/2010 6:39 AM
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Gotta love the modding community.
So often they do better than the actual developers.

-Delorian mod for Crysis.
-Maps for Warcraft 3.
-Gameplay and graphics mods for Fallout 3.
etc.

dtemple 01/07/2010 6:56 AM
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Episode 3 or GTFO

jenesuispasbavard 01/07/2010 7:22 AM
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-3+

Umm, Cinematic Mod anyone?


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