Well, it only took me one short week to blow through Half-Life 2: Episode 1. But what a week it was.
Seriously though, I was pretty impressed with what Episode 1 had to offer. Sure it was short, but I think Valve is onto something with episodic content. I mean, who really wants to wait 5 years for the next installment of their favorite game? (ahem… Diablo 3, will we ever see you?)
As Valve mentions in one of the commentary tracks (another cool feature that’s been implemented very well), by releasing shorter ‘episodes’ more quickly, they are able to make full use of newer hardware as its available. Not to mention the fact that they keep you hooked and lookin for the next fix… which we’re all already used to thanks to shows like Lost and 24.
I won’t throw out too many spoilers for those who haven’t played it yet, but if you played through Half-Life 2, expect more of the same. More Zombies. More Combine. And a combination of the two called Zombine (careful or they’ll blow you to bits). There’s a few puzzles and some pretty intense firefights but mostly its just more of the excellent Half-Life 2 formula with some High Dynamic Range lighting effects mixed in. I was particularly impressed with how well Alyx seemed to fit into the story as she fights along side you most of the way through this installment. I think they’re trying to build up your relationship with her for events yet to come (check out the Episode 2 teaser if you don’t know what I’m talking about - contains spoilers).
Call me a fanboy if you will, but Half-Life 2 was one of my all time favorite games. Episode one just added to my love of the franchise and made me seriously anxious for the next installment. And how can you complain for only $8 (got my copy on sale at Circuit City. Thanks joystiq for the heads up).
I’ll leave you with a screenshot of Alyx lookin pretty bad-azz and ready to kick some Zombine butt. Click on the pic to head to the our Episode 1 screenshot gallery.
Word on the street is that blizzard has set up a template to make any game into an mmo in 2 to 4 years. They have intentions of making quick hit fixes (you can jump in for 15 to 30 mins at a time - read: guild wars) and WoW clones.
Chances are over the years you will see Diablo and starcraft in mmo form. Probably not what you wanted but with the bulk of the diablo 2 team working for another company (again, guild wars) you may have to settle for what you can get.
8 bucks? I hate you.
Heh. It pays to keep up on your joystiq reading
As for the fate of Diablo, I’m not sure I can go on living. If they change it from what it has been, life as we know it just won’t be worth living anymore. <sob>
Guess I’ll just have to waste away my life playing episodic content from Valve.
And here’s some conspiracy theory fodder for you on the Diablo III topic:
http://www.diablo3.com/
In case anyone cares.
Yeah, I think it will come. I don’t think it will come how those people think it will come though. Since the onus is on the unbeliever I’ll present my argument:
6,000,000 subscribers x 15 dollars a month = $90,000,000 a month x 12 months = $1,080,000,000
That is what WoW is doing today. Granted the asian community is paying less than 15, but the European community is probably paying more.
If diablo 3 would be a license to print money, diablo the mmo would be a license to rob fort knox.
Are you still playing ball on Tuesday? I think I’m interested if you are.
-Zac