Just finished Half-Life 2 (for the first time)

OK so I finished Half-Life 2. Fantastic story!! And thanks to the Orange Box I bought I have Eps 1 & 2 left to play. Anyway, I have a few questions:

1. Steam downloaded (I think it was steam anyway) downloaded Half-Life Lost Coast. Where does this fit into the Half-Life 2 story line?
2. Without the search feature I figure this answer is somewhere here, what's the latest on Eps 3?

Thanks in advance!!

 

1) I don't think it had anything to do with the HL2 story. I believe it was made to show off some new Source feature. Correct me if I am wrong.

2) Not too sure on this one. I have heard different things throughout the net.

 

Lost Coast is a waste of time, just a mini game to show off some new graphic features a few years ago (HDR, high dynamic range rendering)

You can still play episodes 1 & 2, both continue the story. Portal is AWESOME also if you haven't tried it.

Steam also has a game called SIN Episodes Emergence, which is a police shooter based on the Valve engine....in other words, it plays just like HL2 but in a different genre.

 

1) Lost Coast was supposed to take place between Highway 17 & Sandtraps

2) There is no release date set yet by Valve.

 

Rusch is right. There's no story with Lost Coast. It's just showcasing of new Steam engine stuff.

As for EP3, they haven't even given us a release date, but it's certainly in the works.

 

Actually darksmiley is correct as well, lost coast is more of a deleted scene in the game and it does show off the " Source" engine technical stuff like HDR. There is developer commentary in lost coast that you can check out to get more info.


As for Ep3, not word yet from valve, it probably wont come out till 2009 or 2010.

 

No info on EP3 at all, except for these concept drawings:

http://www.intothepixel.com/artwork-details/winner_details.asp?idArtwork=757

http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/half-l...a-20080710155756131049/g-20080710154921839018

Without a doubt, advisors will play pretty important role in the final installment. And I suspect, one or more main characters will most likely die... eehhh....

You know, we should turn this thread (or make new one) into a HL2: EP3 speculation thread, unless there's already one somewhere.

 

Episode 2 will give a lot of insight into what MIGHT be in store for Ep3. My guess is that we will finally get to take a crowbar to an advisers face-thingy and also I do believe The Borealis will tie Aperature into the story along with the portal gun. These are just my ideas and what makes the most sense to me.

 

Half Life 2 is my favorite game for sure ... I have episode 1 but still haven't installed and played it yet because my old gaming computer had troubles and I have been pretty busy but now I'm not sure if I should buy the whole Orange Box considering I already have HL2 and HL2: Episode 1, it would be kind of a waste.

 

Solution: sell half life 2 and HL2 ep1 on ebay and get the orange box! Its way worth it since TF2 and portal together is worth the money already.

In any case, I think part of the reason for EP3 taking so long in development is that they'll be making EP3 into Half life 3. This is speculation only but it makes alot of sense.

Ep3 is the closing chapter of a 3 part series. Half life 1, half life 2, half life episodes. And theres alot that havent been covered, including a full blown war. This last installment needs to be long.

Its been in development for a years now without any updates, from the time of its press release to its release usually takes another 6 months. So the earliest time we'll get EP3 is probably mid 2009. All the timing justifies valve putting alot of work into this last episode.

All the more to look foward to i think.

 

I think I will just keep HL2 and Ep. 1 anyways because I will end up getting like $5 for them on ebay, so it really doesn't seem worth it. Orange box here I come!

 

You can send the HL2 and episode 1 as a gift to someone, via Steam.

 

that's not true, you're making that up!, Lost coast has no story and doesn't connect to the HL story in any way, it's just a brief demo to show off the HDR feature..

 

i don't think valve will make EP3 into HL3, i guess if there will ever be a HL3 then it'll use a completely new engine and will propably take place in completely different locations and timeline!, nothing is for sure since valve don't let on much. anyway i think EP3 will be considerably longer than EP2, maybe almost as long as HL2 and will be much bigger in scope than we've ever seen before. they'll propably ship it in late 2009, and even if they push the release date to 2010 it'd still be fine with me, because valve know what they're doing..

 

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Just finished Episode 2 last night. That big scene at the end - good grief that took some time to get through! I'm sure people have done it but WOW - to save every building just doesn't seem possible!

ANYWAY - the ending!!! WOW that totally sucked! I mean sure it was powerful, emotional, sad as heck, anger inducing, I wasn't sure if I should cry or scream or what. I can't say I've been so emotionally invested in a game in a long time. Again I just finished that huge battle at the end, driving around, jumping outta the car while it's moving, GG, bomb, hunters are everywhere, drive over them, quick save, etcetc. Hearts pounding and then a HUGE sense of relief - the battle is over. Cool launch scene, lead into some EPS 3 moments - and then BAM - Valve takes away someone I really liked.

I can only imagine how others, who played EPS 2 when it first came out, must be feeling. The time periods between HL2, HL2EPS1, HL2EPS2, and what ever comes next, must have been painful.

oh well - just rambling now I guess - totally a cool game, thank to Gateway for making such an awesome affordable laptop, thank you Valve for sucking away 25+\- hours of my life, it was one of the coolest and most engrossing stories I've played in some time (years and years considering my lack of decent gaming hardware).

 

yeah, Valve left everyone off on the biggest cliffhanger.