I'd like to start out by saying that from this moment on, these are not going to be reviews.
Also, I've been gone a long, long time.
To make up for it, this blog will (hopefully) serve as a guide for players like me, who are looking for games with a greater focus on the story and the characters rather than repetitive action elements.
So, I'll begin with the one game that left a lasting impression on me. Like, literally. I threw up on myself 15 minutes into it.
First off, I'd like to clear one thing up : I loved Half-Life. The incident was not in any way a comment on the content of the game, which was without a doubt revolutionary for the late 90s. This happened, in fact, three years ago. I have always had a thing with FPS games. I don't know what sets it off, but whenever there is a game where I have to look - or move - around a lot - you know, move the camera about, rapidly, so much so that sometimes it's all a blur - like when you have to turn around in an instant, or run real fast, I get all dizzy, nauseated, sweaty; it's not something you want to go through.
(Have any of you ever experienced something like this?)
I ended up uninstalling Half-Life after having a go at it - twice. But that was three years ago. Recently, I came across an article proclaiming Half-Life as the greatest game of all time. My interest in gaming having increased substantially over the last couple of years, and feeling adventurous, I re-installed the game. And hoped for a better experience this time around.
And I wasn't disappointed. Not that the sick feeling (similar to that feeling you get due to motion sickness) had subsided; no, it still lingered. But with restricted gaming time and a brightly-lit room, I managed to complete the game within two weeks. It was an amazing experience!
If you want to go in without any idea of what Half-Life is all about, then skip the rest. Just know that it's a unique gaming experience.
***
(*MINIMAL PLOT REVEALED AHEAD*)
With minimum plot spoilers, this game is about a theoretical physicist trapped at the Black Mesa research facility after an experiment goes wrong and opens a rift to another world (Xen), allowing aliens to run free all over the facility.
There's an array of weapons (not too many to overwhelm you) and a decent variety of aliens to kill as you make your way through the facility, enlisting the help of security personnel or fellow researchers (those who have survived the invasion) to progress through certain areas. Overall, it is a fun experience.
There are certain elements that must be praised - even though this is not a review. You have complete control of your character - Gordon Freeman - even during "cutscenes." I call them "cutscenes" because this game does not incorporate traditional video-clip cutscenes where you lose control of your character.
You have full freedom of movement even when a scientist is telling you what to do next. It makes you feel completely in control.
***
Cover for GOTY edition
Technically, this is an FPS game - an action game. But it was fun to watch the story play out. And I haven't played any other FPS games with a similar alien-invasion theme (yet) so I pretty much loved it.
This is the game for you if you love a game with :
-shooting (lots of action)
-aliens
-situations where military forces fail to deal with aforementioned aliens
-an engaging story
-a sequel to look forward to
What was your experience with Half-Life? Did you get sick too (I am not making that up) or love it or hate it? I'll write about Half-Life when I am done playing it. Not that I am planning on taking it up right now.
I'll be back soon. Next time, I'll be writing about Virginia.
Also, I've been gone a long, long time.
To make up for it, this blog will (hopefully) serve as a guide for players like me, who are looking for games with a greater focus on the story and the characters rather than repetitive action elements.
So, I'll begin with the one game that left a lasting impression on me. Like, literally. I threw up on myself 15 minutes into it.
First off, I'd like to clear one thing up : I loved Half-Life. The incident was not in any way a comment on the content of the game, which was without a doubt revolutionary for the late 90s. This happened, in fact, three years ago. I have always had a thing with FPS games. I don't know what sets it off, but whenever there is a game where I have to look - or move - around a lot - you know, move the camera about, rapidly, so much so that sometimes it's all a blur - like when you have to turn around in an instant, or run real fast, I get all dizzy, nauseated, sweaty; it's not something you want to go through.
(Have any of you ever experienced something like this?)
I ended up uninstalling Half-Life after having a go at it - twice. But that was three years ago. Recently, I came across an article proclaiming Half-Life as the greatest game of all time. My interest in gaming having increased substantially over the last couple of years, and feeling adventurous, I re-installed the game. And hoped for a better experience this time around.
And I wasn't disappointed. Not that the sick feeling (similar to that feeling you get due to motion sickness) had subsided; no, it still lingered. But with restricted gaming time and a brightly-lit room, I managed to complete the game within two weeks. It was an amazing experience!
If you want to go in without any idea of what Half-Life is all about, then skip the rest. Just know that it's a unique gaming experience.
***
(*MINIMAL PLOT REVEALED AHEAD*)
With minimum plot spoilers, this game is about a theoretical physicist trapped at the Black Mesa research facility after an experiment goes wrong and opens a rift to another world (Xen), allowing aliens to run free all over the facility.
There's an array of weapons (not too many to overwhelm you) and a decent variety of aliens to kill as you make your way through the facility, enlisting the help of security personnel or fellow researchers (those who have survived the invasion) to progress through certain areas. Overall, it is a fun experience.
There are certain elements that must be praised - even though this is not a review. You have complete control of your character - Gordon Freeman - even during "cutscenes." I call them "cutscenes" because this game does not incorporate traditional video-clip cutscenes where you lose control of your character.
You have full freedom of movement even when a scientist is telling you what to do next. It makes you feel completely in control.
***
Cover for GOTY edition
Technically, this is an FPS game - an action game. But it was fun to watch the story play out. And I haven't played any other FPS games with a similar alien-invasion theme (yet) so I pretty much loved it.
This is the game for you if you love a game with :
-shooting (lots of action)
-aliens
-situations where military forces fail to deal with aforementioned aliens
-an engaging story
-a sequel to look forward to
What was your experience with Half-Life? Did you get sick too (I am not making that up) or love it or hate it? I'll write about Half-Life when I am done playing it. Not that I am planning on taking it up right now.
I'll be back soon. Next time, I'll be writing about Virginia.
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