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Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

half-life.com

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Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#211

Post by IntelMiner »

keybpo wrote: post #112

I love the fact that on the games requirements on the Steam page it still says it runs on Windows XP when in fact all support has been cut for long now, leaving out many of us who got into Steam on the first place because we either wanted a legal digital copy of our physical collection or because many physical game keys WOULD also activate a digital license. I still keep Windows 8 because it's still supported on Stea…

Steam uses Chrome for its web integration. They *can't* support OS's that Chrome doesn't anymore

If you already own the game though arguably it's not unreasonable to download a "NOSTEAM" torrent (if any still exist) of the relevant game you'd want to play on your XP rig

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#212

Post by beebeepka »

solardev wrote: post #95
hotnfresh wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m waiting for an update that lets me play it without VR. I’m probably never going to have a VR rig that’ll play it. My wife has a couple for work (not capable of playing that game, though) and we’re both free to use them for whatever we like, but never bother. Certainly not gonna pay for a headset just for one game. I have enough barely-used electronic crap around as it is.

I tried it in VR for half an hour or so. It was really nice compared to most VR shovelware. High production values, fun interactivity, etc. But remove the VR and you're left with an above-average short FPS that would've been entirely unremarkable if not for the Half-Life tie-in. If they released it for non VR, it would probably get trashed just for not being HL3. Honestly I don't think you're missing much. It's a goo…

Well, yeah. It wouldn't have worked if it had been a proper shooter. Imagine playing Doom Eternal in VR. It's going to suck.

I almost broke my TV with Alex and that is a slow, slow game.

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#214

Post by pipes »

SturgeonsLaw wrote: post #209
kirso wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the worst things that happen to MacOS is cutting support. Apple really is careless about gaming :(

Apple doesn't care about backwards compatibility at all. Mac software is OS version dependent, and the OS version is hardware dependent, and if you don't have the approved OS and hardware combo then tough luck. Say what you will about Windows and Microsoft, but they live and breathe backwards compatibility. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/windows-95-went-the-...

I agree, more on this:

https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2004/06/13/how-microsoft-lost...

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#215

Post by pipes »

Can anyone tell me what's the best version to play: black mesa or the original (this anniversary update)? I installed both last night, original plays 4k out of the box.

I ended up comparing the intros, in the rail cart bit last night. They are quite different surprisingly. (Hrm, I'm developing weird habits as a sleep deprived parent).

I'm on a good pc, 3070, Ryzen 3600.

I never really played this back in the day. Though I did buy half life 2 around release and nearly completed it but this was before steam did cloud saves so I don't have my save file anymore.

I see I can buy the full collection for a bout 4 pounds. Opposing force looks interesting.

I really shouldn't be buying games I don't have time to play!

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#216

Post by pipes »

bsimpson wrote: post #158
haunter wrote: post #9

It's also free until Monday (as in free to get, not just limited free play) https://store.steampowered.com/app/70/HalfLife/

I grabbed the free copy…and then fell down the rabbit hole and bought a bunch of other HL games for $6. I'm just now getting into PC gaming via Linux. I've always had a Mac, so I missed a bunch of games like Half Life. Now I'm wondering when I'll get to play any of them…

I'm about to do the same! Genius marketing on valves part!

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#217

Post by frippertronics »

pipes wrote: post #215

Can anyone tell me what's the best version to play: black mesa or the original (this anniversary update)? I installed both last night, original plays 4k out of the box. I ended up comparing the intros, in the rail cart bit last night. They are quite different surprisingly. (Hrm, I'm developing weird habits as a sleep deprived parent). I'm on a good pc, 3070, Ryzen 3600. I never really played this back in the day. Tho…

Play the original!

Black Mesa is a modernised version, so it plays different, more like a modern shooter. The original has aged well compared to many other games from its era.

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#218

Post by messe »

ascagnel_ wrote: post #205
messe wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was never any good at aiming with the analogue stick in FPS games. On the deck I'll usually use the trackpads (configured as a trackball with haptic feedback) to aim approximately and then gyro for fine tuning, and I've found my aim is significantly improved. It's no keyboard+mouse, but it's close enough for me, that unlike with the analogue sticks, I don't find myself needing to reduce difficulty levels or enable…

> I sometimes find myself wishing I had a controller with the same layout as the deck that I could use when I have it docked to my TV. You can pair basically most first-party controllers for the PS4, PS5, XSX/XSS, and Nintendo Switch (the exception being the original non-Bluetooth Xbox One controller) to the Deck, should you have one laying around.

I’m aware of that, but you’ve missed my point. Not one of them has the same layout/control scheme as the deck with its trackpads and rear buttons.

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#219

Post by dajoh »

fbdab103 wrote: post #183
seritools wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just the original game touched up to work on modern systems. It's still the original experience. Black Mesa is a full reimplementation (and partly reimagination) by a fan team, with large changes, while keeping the feel mostly intact.

Unless you are looking for the full-on nostalgia trip, I think Black Mesa is how people should play the game today. Many quality of life improvements and stream-lining decisions. Except for Xen. Worst part of the game, and they made it longer.

I don't agree at all, Xen was my favorite part of Black Mesa and my least favorite part of the original Half-Life. I was blown away by how good they managed to make it look (with a 2004-era engine, albeit with updates), it's absolutely gorgeous. The gameplay and puzzles were far more fun for me too, and I greatly appreciate that they made this part of the game longer.

But to each his own.

Re: Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update

#220

Post by timvisee »

bsimpson wrote: post #158
haunter wrote: post #9

It's also free until Monday (as in free to get, not just limited free play) https://store.steampowered.com/app/70/HalfLife/

I grabbed the free copy…and then fell down the rabbit hole and bought a bunch of other HL games for $6. I'm just now getting into PC gaming via Linux. I've always had a Mac, so I missed a bunch of games like Half Life. Now I'm wondering when I'll get to play any of them…

Black Mesa (the game) is also factastic. Highly recommend!
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