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Monday 14 January, 2008
GAMEPLAY
The gameplay gets far more exciting with the addition on new enemies and more difficult puzzles. Newer creatures now put up more of a fight and it is a real struggle to hold on to your ammo. Also the obstacles are becoming more of a challenge, with the addition of automated turrets, security lasers that set off explosions if you trip them and wide empty elevator shafts where you have to jump from ladder to ladder.
I notice I feel like there is a stronger sense of security when I meet other surviving characters. When I have other characters follow me, I more easily head into uncharted territory where I would normally be more cautious. They can get in the way sometimes, I’ve died quite a few times when one particular scientist obstructed my jumps.
The dialogue has become slightly more useful this far in the game. While they don’t add too much to the current situation, it does allude to what will happen. Many scientists exclaim that soldiers are on their way to help. This of course means that soldiers will come to destroy everything and that I will have a new enemy not far on the horizon.
DESIGN
I think one of the best elements of the game is its use of the environment. Instead of walking safely on the ground and opening doors to advance, you have to be aware of broken equipment that is hazardous, not all doors work and so you need to find a work around (like a shaft or cutting the power). The game also makes good use of shadows. Many of those headcrabs hide in shadows, especially in shafts and it forces you to be more aware of where you’re going. Also there are dark shafts that have nothing in them, making the game more edgy and suspense building.
Also what is good about the game is that it does not necessarily have levels. It’s more like one giant level that progressively gets harder and saves at fairly convenient points. This helps bring a more realistic touch to the game since it does not drastically change after each level.
The game gets a little difficult when it comes to holding on to ammunition. This is not a game where you can be gun happy with your opponents. There were many times when I was facing down with vortiguants, aliens that shoot electricity at you, and ran out of bullets, leaving me to get killed or using my grenades, which I’m horrible at using, which usually end up with me dying anyways. There is a certain appeal to this because it does require you to be more resourceful, but at times it can be really frustrating.
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