This question is directed towards anyone who has played the Half-Life series:
I'm about to starting playing Half-Life 2 for the first time via The Orange Box, but I was wondering if I should read up on a plot summary for the original Half-Life or if that is not necessary?
This question is directed towards anyone who has played the Half-Life series:
I'm about to starting playing Half-Life 2 for the first time via The Orange Box, but I was wondering if I should read up on a plot summary for the original Half-Life or if that is not necessary?
Depends how much you want to envolve yourself into the game. I didnt and it turned out just fine. A lot of the stuff is explained to you and you progress, and even more is explained in the episodes. That being said just try to listen to what teh NPCs are saying. Even the ordinary people off the street give minor clues when provoked.
Hmmm... To me it really doesn't seem all that necessary...
I know Jason's a bit more into Half-Life, maybe he'll disagree
Some of the supporting characters from HL1 make a return (and will hint that you should remember them from Black Mesa, the complex in which HL1 took place), but in the original they had absolutely no personality... They were just there to help you open doors and fight monsters.
Your "old boss" from Black Mesa makes a "return"... If you aren't familiar with the original, you may think you're missing out on something... But you're not... He wasn't even in the first one.
The circumstances in HL2 have changed drastically and in such a random way, it seems like it'd stand on it's own just as well...
The only real important plot details I can think of is that various dimensional rifts were opened up, and at the very end of HL1, Gordon is detained by a mysterious suit (everybody calls the G-Man)...
Basically, you are scientist/badass Gordon Freeman. You work for super secret Black Mesa. Things go haywire, aliens come. Stuff blows up. You blow stuff up. You fight crazy alien boss. You get hired by the G-man. Credits roll. You're not missing much (other than the best first person shooter EVER made).
Hmmm... To me it really doesn't seem all that necessary...
I know Jason's a bit more into Half-Life, maybe he'll disagree
Actually your right, I do disagree. I think you should spend a couple minutes and read a brief story summary of the original Half Life. I mean there's really not much to it and a lot is left to mystery anyways, but I mean it will only take a few minutes of your time and will only enhance the HL2 experience, not detract from it.
BTW, your in for a real treat. Prepare yourself for a GOOD fps, as in not Halo.
There are a lot of theories about the G-Man that are widely accepted. I'd finish episode 2 before googling for them though, I'd hate to have anything ruined for you.
There are a lot of theories about the G-Man that are widely accepted. I'd finish episode 2 before googling for them though, I'd hate to have anything ruined for you.
I actually haven't started playing Ep 2 yet either (despite owning it since it's release) and I wiki'd G-man only to find out that he apparently makes a more significant appearance in Ep 2...
I actually haven't started playing Ep 2 yet either (despite owning it since it's release) and I wiki'd G-man only to find out that he apparently makes a more significant appearance in Ep 2...
Now I need to try to pull myself away from WoW
Eh, I wouldnt say his appearance is more significant, per say...He does have another nice appearance though, but it really dosent answer any of the big questions. As for Bond, im glad you enjoyed Half Life 2. It stands up amazingly well, and dont forget its now over 3 years old.
I still play WoW. I gave up raiding a long time ago. But every other month or so my friends and I sign up again to start a new alt. We quit every time we hit 70, though.
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