I remember finding it funny too honestly, and then being extremely offput when I found out its' fanbase is comprised of spergs whose first introduction to Half-Life was this series, and seeing that they were drawing characters with transgender surgery scars or whatever the fuck.
I, for one, thought it was appropriate that Dr. Coomer was voiced by someone at the end result of porn addiction.
I think at first I found it enjoyable because it wasn't too in your face about it simply being this guy's discord server doing some sort of LARP improv on a gmod server with him, so that somewhat kept the facade and intrigue going as you could suspend your disbelief just enough to go along with the thought that yeah, something peculiar is transpiring here, but the more nonsensical, "lolsorandom" and incompatible with original material it got, the more it became just whatever.
I've been very impressed with what they've done with Blue Shift, feels like a proper expansion in both gameplay and graphics like the Episodes did. Very glad they're going to roll out the graphical updates to the base game as well. BM looks good but is built on top of very old textures and models. I really hope they manage to get a standalone steam release, and given how HECU Collective might as well be Crowbar Collective 2 I can see it happening. I'd happily pay money for this one. A shame we'll likely never see a rendition of Opposing Force besides OBM, which at this point is a completely separate game.
No. HLA proved to me that they still have it in them. I don't expect it to be better than any of the previous games. As long as it's good and it provides a conclusion that isn't a cliffhanger, I'll be happy. I'd settle for a novelization that isn't Laidlaw seething at this point.
I miss my niggas Barney and Kleiner the most. Barney not even being in Ep2 is even more of a kick in the balls. My hope is they do something new with these characters before more of their actors die off from old age.
I remember hearing ages ago from a rumor that Barney is/was supposed to be your main buddy for HLX. I'm certainly hoping that's true. Eli isn't exactly the most agile guy. I doubt they'd completely remove any trace of Kleiner, or Magnusson and have them be completely missing, the real issue is how exactly you get these characters involved without having them overstay their welcome.
That was 2019. Even the people who worked on that left
I don't think that's entirely true either, a good number sure, but most of the old guard like most people think of didn't even work on Alyx to begin with.
There was a period of mass hiring yeah (see this miro board and look under the Employee Resumes section to the right)
It would be extremely surprising if they didn't return for it given they already are very publicly in close proximity and on good terms with current Valve, honestly. At the very least, I expect them to have some kind of consultation role, if not hands-on developing themselves.
Until I see their names in the credits or "feel their work" I'm going with the safer assumption that they don't have any part. Though, I will concede that a consultation role for a few of them is possible. I just don't want to get my hopes up. Not because I don't think Valve will deliver, but because, let's be honest, it will fall short in some area, you can't make the perfect game. And since most people here haven't played Alyx, I'd advise you guys to do the same.
Got turned into a stalker long ago.
probably, and I think the Wheatley 2.0 being sheleved in favor of more serious characters would be good, but I at least hope they have the courtesy to tell us that.
Funnily enough I somehow timed my playthrough of the series to where I'd start Alyx today.
