Half-Life 2's Ravenholm is peak Valve level design
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Date: 2023-12-10
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Comments and reviews: 30
-pabroah6434
On my first playthrough I was mowing down the zombies it was a lot of fun, until I realized there's next to no ammo packs in the entire chapter, so I ran out of ammo in all of my weapons, meaning my only weapons to rely on are the crowbar and the gravity gun, this really made it scarier since I don't have any gun to defend myself with, but still fun since I could still scan around my surroundings for props to kill zombies with, not to mention the fact that there's like a million zombies spawning one after each other which really made this chapter stand out by limiting your arsenal, Introducing new stronger and scarrier zombie types (i like how they forshadowed fast zombies with their ragdolls all over the place and then put 2 random poison zombies instead) and tighting the space and design it so well that it fells so big, I just really love this chapter
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On my first playthrough I was mowing down the zombies it was a lot of fun, until I realized there's next to no ammo packs in the entire chapter, so I ran out of ammo in all of my weapons, meaning my only weapons to rely on are the crowbar and the gravity gun, this really made it scarier since I don't have any gun to defend myself with, but still fun since I could still scan around my surroundings for props to kill zombies with, not to mention the fact that there's like a million zombies spawning one after each other which really made this chapter stand out by limiting your arsenal, Introducing new stronger and scarrier zombie types (i like how they forshadowed fast zombies with their ragdolls all over the place and then put 2 random poison zombies instead) and tighting the space and design it so well that it fells so big, I just really love this chapter
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-SimpleArt93
If you're interested in Ravenholm I'd recommend watching NoClip's newest documentary on the history of Arkane Studios.
They were working on an episode for a Half Life 2 expansion back in the day with the same name. They even show some pretty polished Alpha footage of the game.
Very interesting as a whole, all very amazing work, but you can skip to Ravenholm's part if that's all that you're interested in and still enjoy it.
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If you're interested in Ravenholm I'd recommend watching NoClip's newest documentary on the history of Arkane Studios.
They were working on an episode for a Half Life 2 expansion back in the day with the same name. They even show some pretty polished Alpha footage of the game.
Very interesting as a whole, all very amazing work, but you can skip to Ravenholm's part if that's all that you're interested in and still enjoy it.
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-russetwolf13
It's funny how Half-Life came out in 1998, Half-Life 2 came out in 2004, the Portal games just. This information has been around forever and yet Valve is still the only ones who bother to use their rule book despite the whole world seeing how effective it is.
But it doesn't get you money right this very second so big publishers will never, ever actually follow the recipe.
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It's funny how Half-Life came out in 1998, Half-Life 2 came out in 2004, the Portal games just. This information has been around forever and yet Valve is still the only ones who bother to use their rule book despite the whole world seeing how effective it is.
But it doesn't get you money right this very second so big publishers will never, ever actually follow the recipe.
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-theansweris421
I remember my step-brother introducing me to half life 2 at the age of 10 or so in 2004. The first level I ever played was ravenholm and it scared the ever living shit out of me but it blew my mind at the same time. It makes me sad to think that I will probably never experience that feeling again with a game. Hl2 was truly an unforgettable experience.
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I remember my step-brother introducing me to half life 2 at the age of 10 or so in 2004. The first level I ever played was ravenholm and it scared the ever living shit out of me but it blew my mind at the same time. It makes me sad to think that I will probably never experience that feeling again with a game. Hl2 was truly an unforgettable experience.
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polygon
This was a huge throwback to the old Brian and Pat streams where Brian was playing Half-Life 1 for the first time and Pat was trying to tutor him but couldn't remember, like, any of the level designs, and kept ending up at topics like -Pizza soup? Opinions? - and Woodstock 99 and Brian's mom calling him halfway through a stream.
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This was a huge throwback to the old Brian and Pat streams where Brian was playing Half-Life 1 for the first time and Pat was trying to tutor him but couldn't remember, like, any of the level designs, and kept ending up at topics like -Pizza soup? Opinions? - and Woodstock 99 and Brian's mom calling him halfway through a stream.
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-bigman88george3
I -Hated- ravenholm. Scared the crap out of me. Those poisonous black spider headcrabs had my stomach gurgling with anxiety, the cave full of those fast moving headcrabs and the super fast and strong zombies they create. I was honestly relieved when that level was done. Hated it
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I -Hated- ravenholm. Scared the crap out of me. Those poisonous black spider headcrabs had my stomach gurgling with anxiety, the cave full of those fast moving headcrabs and the super fast and strong zombies they create. I was honestly relieved when that level was done. Hated it
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-CharlesAnjos
another thing that I absolutely love on HL2 is the perception of a journey that it has. the events of the game are linear, so you spend the whole day running from the combine, and arrive at night in ravenholm. this kind of linearity is not something games have very often
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another thing that I absolutely love on HL2 is the perception of a journey that it has. the events of the game are linear, so you spend the whole day running from the combine, and arrive at night in ravenholm. this kind of linearity is not something games have very often
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-Preda. Y
I'd love a video looking how these design principles are applied by the devs of Black Mesa. I noticed very quickly that, for instance, Xen has that Citadel-landmark element ripped straight out of HL2, and I feel there is a lot more under the hood
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I'd love a video looking how these design principles are applied by the devs of Black Mesa. I noticed very quickly that, for instance, Xen has that Citadel-landmark element ripped straight out of HL2, and I feel there is a lot more under the hood
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-bpcgos
Ah, thanx god. Im also felt always lost when playing control, thats why Im just cant get into it like other remedy games (except quantum break. Valve is trully masterclass on what they've done.
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Ah, thanx god. Im also felt always lost when playing control, thats why Im just cant get into it like other remedy games (except quantum break. Valve is trully masterclass on what they've done.
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-s6th795
I love how polygon can just. casually reference concepts from behavioral psych. No need to explain them. You trust your viewers will understand, or at least be able to do the research.
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I love how polygon can just. casually reference concepts from behavioral psych. No need to explain them. You trust your viewers will understand, or at least be able to do the research.
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-Sam-lr9oi
lol I didn't realize Polygon had a Quibi show, congrats on getting some of those bills (probably a disgustingly small amount compared to what they spent on their -prestige- shows)
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lol I didn't realize Polygon had a Quibi show, congrats on getting some of those bills (probably a disgustingly small amount compared to what they spent on their -prestige- shows)
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-jdudeman5043
Nicely done. I HATED Ravenholm and loved it, truly made the game for me. An interesting breakdown of why my favorite game company was so good at making. GAMES.
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Nicely done. I HATED Ravenholm and loved it, truly made the game for me. An interesting breakdown of why my favorite game company was so good at making. GAMES.
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-oscarbarrios
When she mentioned -The orange box- I initially thought she meant the old Box set of Half Life 2 + Tam Fortress 2 they released in like 2008 or something.
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When she mentioned -The orange box- I initially thought she meant the old Box set of Half Life 2 + Tam Fortress 2 they released in like 2008 or something.
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-isnanesavant
Sometimes I love to replay these valve games, but somehow end up bugging out with the grav gun and breaking sequence then I feel like a total clown
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Sometimes I love to replay these valve games, but somehow end up bugging out with the grav gun and breaking sequence then I feel like a total clown
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-GrabbinPeelz
it is not peak valve leven design have you ever played portal 2. this is definitely over-analysis, and clearly ur opnion but trying to make it fact
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it is not peak valve leven design have you ever played portal 2. this is definitely over-analysis, and clearly ur opnion but trying to make it fact
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polygon
I thought Ravenholm stuck out like a sore thumb in the game. Not that it was bad, just felt like a zombie horror level in the middle of a sci-fi game.
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I thought Ravenholm stuck out like a sore thumb in the game. Not that it was bad, just felt like a zombie horror level in the middle of a sci-fi game.
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-tylerchiu7065
And then there's just the speedrunners that fly through the level by backwards bunny hopping to go faster than speed and fly over the puzzles
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And then there's just the speedrunners that fly through the level by backwards bunny hopping to go faster than speed and fly over the puzzles
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-user-dj8yz7vq8o
What's bright about everything up to Ravenholm? The people being tortured and opressed, the constant overwatch control, the memory theft?
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What's bright about everything up to Ravenholm? The people being tortured and opressed, the constant overwatch control, the memory theft?
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-donalias812
can believe how this game aged so well it still relevant nowadays, I will stop trying to get them by torrent, I deserve this by all costs
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can believe how this game aged so well it still relevant nowadays, I will stop trying to get them by torrent, I deserve this by all costs
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polygon
when doctor Isaac says our friend came to his lab I thought it would be father Gregory and I still wish it was father Gregory instead of dog
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when doctor Isaac says our friend came to his lab I thought it would be father Gregory and I still wish it was father Gregory instead of dog
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-throwachair4574
You knew what-s a good way finder? The planets in Mario Galaxy. You always see them in the background and you-re like -he-ll yeah-
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You knew what-s a good way finder? The planets in Mario Galaxy. You always see them in the background and you-re like -he-ll yeah-
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polygon
This sorta shit is why Valve is my favorite game-making corporation. And also my main inspiration for if I were to make an actual game,
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This sorta shit is why Valve is my favorite game-making corporation. And also my main inspiration for if I were to make an actual game,
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-sefacanos316
It was not even being designed by Valve. (was being developed Arkane Studios) So Valve levels and Valve ways of developing? ?
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It was not even being designed by Valve. (was being developed Arkane Studios) So Valve levels and Valve ways of developing? ?
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-erroldtumaque3430
part of this seems like. oh basic gaming elements but then you realize and appreciate how much thought they put into it
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part of this seems like. oh basic gaming elements but then you realize and appreciate how much thought they put into it
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-ryandavis7986
I always hated half life's level design, it was interesting to see the perspective of someone that likes it. thank you
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I always hated half life's level design, it was interesting to see the perspective of someone that likes it. thank you
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-lucaa890
I'm currently playing Half Life Alyx and I'm honestly mindblown how well all these apply to that game's levels as well!
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I'm currently playing Half Life Alyx and I'm honestly mindblown how well all these apply to that game's levels as well!
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-firewaffles8208
The first time I played through Ravenholm I was 12 and home alone. The fast zombies still scare me to this day
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The first time I played through Ravenholm I was 12 and home alone. The fast zombies still scare me to this day
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-druout1944
you must not have played many games then; this is one of the most boring and unnecessarily lengthy levels ever made
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you must not have played many games then; this is one of the most boring and unnecessarily lengthy levels ever made
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-TheShmrsh
Valve's design? Do you even imagine that that company who made hl2 don't exist anymore, why throw such titles?
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Valve's design? Do you even imagine that that company who made hl2 don't exist anymore, why throw such titles?
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polygon
-Noob Gamer: - Half Life is a boring scripted game, we want a giant open world game with a ton of tree in it
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-Noob Gamer: - Half Life is a boring scripted game, we want a giant open world game with a ton of tree in it
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