Best Half-Life Chapter Tournament Created 5 years ago2018-04-03 02:09:53 UTC by Jessie Jessie

Created 5 years ago2018-04-03 02:09:53 UTC by Jessie Jessie

Posted 5 years ago2018-04-06 07:47:00 UTC Post #339221
Unforeseen Consequences
Reasons explained above
rufee rufeeSledge fanboy
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-06 16:02:11 UTC Post #339225
Unforeseen Consequences certainly.
It was pretty amazing seeing the facility slowly collapse.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-06 16:26:56 UTC Post #339226
Office Complex

Just because Unforseen Consequences is the part of the game I wish I could skip every time I replay. Most of it is just sitting around in cut scenes waiting for the actual game to happen.

Meanwhile, Office Complex is a ton of fun to run through and doesn't hold you back or waste your time at all.
Dimbeak DimbeakRotten Bastard
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-06 23:07:34 UTC Post #339228
7-2 to Unforeseen Consequences! I think I agree; UC is a relatively impactful chapter, while OC plays a more transitional role between the immediate impact of the resonance cascade and the arrival of the HECU. Anyway, on to...

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Nihilanth vs. "Forget About Freeman!"! Which is better, the final boss fight in all of its crystal-breakin', jump-paddin', teleportin'-away glory; or the chapter with the HECU on its last legs as the player is nearing the Lambda Complex?
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 02:27:28 UTC Post #339230
This took some thinking, but I'll have to go with "Forget about Freeman!". It's definitely not my favorite and I kind of see it as an appendix to Surface Tension, but the Nihilanth level is not the best either. It does have a cool underwater Xen area though.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 04:20:09 UTC Post #339231
Forget About Freeman.
Suparsonik SuparsonikI'm going off the edge to meet my maker.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 07:16:47 UTC Post #339233
I prefer Forget About Freeman.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 07:31:32 UTC Post #339234
I vote FAF
Penguinboy PenguinboyHaha, I died again!
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 07:45:41 UTC Post #339235
Forget About Freeman, the story telling of seeing from the Marines how they were failing in their operation was done really well, especially after the chaos of Surface Tension. Also because this chapter conveys this theme in overlapping into the early chapters of Opposing Force too, which was done really well.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 09:35:01 UTC Post #339236
Forget About Freeman.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 13:53:35 UTC Post #339237
"[m]Forget About Freeman![/m] We are cutting our losses and pulling out! Anyone left down there now is on his own. Repeat, if you weren't already, you are now!"

I prefer this chapter purely for the story elements. The military is on the back foot, completely helpless against the Xen forces, the Black Ops and of course, Freeman himself. They're willing to leave men behind just so they can get the Hell out of Black Mesa as soon as possible.

Having said that, it's actually one of my least favourite chapters, but thankfully also one of the shortest. The battles between the military and the alien forces in the repair bay is pretty cool, but the only real part that stands out.

But it's not a boss fight against a giant levitating fetus, so it wins.
monster_urby monster_urbyGoldsourcerer
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 14:47:18 UTC Post #339238
Forget about Freeman, partially because I prefer the earthbound levels to the Xen ones, and partially because it's more than one map.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 19:47:32 UTC Post #339239
Forget about Freeman +1
The Mad Carrot The Mad CarrotMad Carrot
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 20:08:48 UTC Post #339240
FAF for me too.

I never quite got why it seemed like all the games from the 90's had to end in a singular big boss fight. HL's boss is probably the worst one out there in terms of looks and placement, feels like they just had to cross that one off the TODO list.
rufee rufeeSledge fanboy
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 22:49:01 UTC Post #339242
10-0 to "Forget About Freeman!"! I guess that boss fight isn't the greatest of its kind, but I don't know how Half-Life could have ended any better (short of a straight up better boss). Next up is...

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Blast Pit vs. On A Rail! Which is better, the system-turning-on runaround with a visit to a big ol' generator, or the trip through the old, sprawling rail system with a visit to a big ol' rocket?
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-07 23:29:23 UTC Post #339243
Ooh, this is a tough one for me.
I know most people are probably gonna vote BP, but I think I've gotta go On A Rail - there's nothing quite like your long, less-linear journey through the atmospheric old rail system, and along with the aforementioned Power Up, OAR is part of my earliest memories of watching my brother play HL1.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 00:14:36 UTC Post #339244
Blast Pit is rather tedious and frustrating, especially if you're low on HP.

On A Rail was not only extremely atmospheric, at least for me, but it was also pretty interesting gameplay-wise, full of various secrets and obstacles.

So yeah, it's On A Rail for me.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 06:06:20 UTC Post #339245
I don't really like any of the two. Blast Pit was a tedious run, On A Rail was more atmospheric, so I'm voting on OaR.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 06:56:28 UTC Post #339246
On a Rail is where its at cos Barney died in Blast Pit and you couldnt save him even after he gave good advice on sneaking.

But that end bit of BP where you jump into the tunnels was pretty trippy but Rail still wins for me
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 07:26:12 UTC Post #339247
Dislike both, one is frustrating with low HP the other is a maze I always get lost in. So OaR because trains.
rufee rufeeSledge fanboy
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 10:24:21 UTC Post #339248
I liked Blast pit Because you got to roast that damn worm after he was messing with you for an hour. Then you're rewarded with a .357.
Tetsu0 Tetsu0Positive Chaos
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 11:07:42 UTC Post #339249
I like both chapters equally so this is a tough one to call. On the one hand, On A Rail has some great battles between the grunts and the vortigaunts. It's also probably the most labyrinthine chapter in the game with a whole load of areas to find if you leave the train. I got totally lost the first time I played it so I hated it for a while.

[m]Blast Pit[/m] was the first thing I ever saw relating to Half-Life, waaay back in 1998, about a year before I even got the game. It blew my mind and the scale of the tentacle when it reaches in and grabs the scientist scared the crap out of me. The one thing that let's the chapter down is the backtracking. Getting back up to the control room is tense the first couple of times, but now it's just a slog.

Incidentally, On A Rail was the second thing I ever saw relating to Half-Life, moments later. :P
monster_urby monster_urbyGoldsourcerer
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 13:14:57 UTC Post #339250
Blast Pit hands down. For my money, maybe best chapter in the game.

I actually quite like On a Rail too. It gets a ton of hate due to its length I suppose but many of the areas are optional anyway.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 16:12:30 UTC Post #339252
[m]Blast Pit[/m] because I like rockets (and rocket engines), among other things. I like On a Rail as well but back in the day I hated it as it got me so confused. Today, the On a Rail chapter is like the calm before the storm as it builds towards key events such as the engine test-fire and the rocket launch.

User posted image

Don't you know. :nuts:
The Mad Carrot The Mad CarrotMad Carrot
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 21:13:33 UTC Post #339254
On A Rail wins 5-4! Closest round so far! Frankly I think everyone who voted for On A Rail is wrong, but oh well. On to...

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Anomalous Materials vs. Lambda Core! Which is better, the pre-disaster stroll around Sector C, or the jaunt through the Lambda Complex, from pumping coolant to pre-Xen long jumping?
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 21:51:19 UTC Post #339255
Dang, that's a tough one. I like both!

Ok, Lambda Core!
The Mad Carrot The Mad CarrotMad Carrot
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 22:19:20 UTC Post #339256
Anomalous Materials. Without a doubt.
Following on from the brilliant Black Mesa Inbound, chapter 2 continues to make Black Mesa feel like a living, breathing place.
Lambda Core kinda bores me.
Archie ArchieGoodbye Moonmen
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-08 22:35:20 UTC Post #339257
Lambda Core.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 00:58:21 UTC Post #339258
Anomalous Materials for the world-building.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 01:53:09 UTC Post #339259
i was gonna vote for lambda core, then i remembered the halfway flooding glitch.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 02:19:18 UTC Post #339260
Anomalous Materials, even just for the microwave interaction alone.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 04:17:57 UTC Post #339261
Tough one. Im going with Core.
rufee rufeeSledge fanboy
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 07:19:20 UTC Post #339262
Anomalous Materials
Tetsu0 Tetsu0Positive Chaos
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 12:41:51 UTC Post #339263
Anomalous Materials for me. I love walking around and pestering the scientists, listening to the announcement system and blowing up casseroles. This is again, something that I loved to replicate in Hammer back in the day. Just making a place that seems busy and active.

Lambda Core represents a lull in the gameplay for me. We get the Gluon Gun, or in my case, we ignore the gluon gun for being dull and bad. The grunts are gone and have taken the interesting combat with them. The chapter relies too heavily on teleporting and platforming over green goo. The sense of place takes a complete nose dive, almost the exact opposite of what is established in AM.

Lambda Core gives me a real Sunday evening kind of feel. The fun part is over and you've gotta do these really awkward jobs that you've been putting off, before ultimately winding down so you can get up for Xen in the morning... urgh.
monster_urby monster_urbyGoldsourcerer
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 13:16:34 UTC Post #339264
Anomalous Materials all the way! So the interactions show how Gordon could have been at work - a trolling jerk. I'm not surprised, you get a PhD and push a cart...
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 13:53:31 UTC Post #339265
You are from the Anomalous Materials lab. Yes, I recognize you.

It is the chapter that differentiated Half-Life from all other games of its generation. Entirely non-combat, 100% worldbuilding, no cutscenes or text boxes.
Inbound showed you the facility as a real place, but AM let you live in it.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 18:05:36 UTC Post #339267
Lambda Core. It sends one last handfull of assassins at you, you get to choose which pump to activate first, and you get a death laser that vaporizes anything you point it at.
Dr. Orange Dr. OrangeSource good.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 22:02:50 UTC Post #339269
We had a pretty good weave of votes going there for a while, but Anomalous Materials takes the cake with 7-4. Just for the record, if we ever bump into a tie situation, I'll break it by just voting myself (which I haven't been doing). Next!

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Residue Processing vs. Interloper! Which is better, the post-knockout clamber through the processing facility, or the latter levels of Xen?
(NB: The trash compactor is not part of Residue Processing.)
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-09 22:12:16 UTC Post #339270
Residue Processing.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 00:22:08 UTC Post #339272
These are both kind of bad chapters as far as Half-Life goes IMO, but Residue Processing is probably the more interesting of the two. Just try to not swallow any shit-water.
Notewell NotewellGIASFELFEBREHBER
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 05:42:45 UTC Post #339273
I'll go with Interloper because it's Xen.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 07:04:00 UTC Post #339275
I like Residue Processing that it gives a feeling where you can catch a breath before the action picks up again. However if your'e not a fan of platforming like me the conveyor level seems like it was made by the devil himself.
rufee rufeeSledge fanboy
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 08:29:51 UTC Post #339276
yaya Res Processing.

Nothing like having all your weapons taken away mid game and starting over - shook things up a bit.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 10:20:19 UTC Post #339277
Interloper by a mile. RP is the worst chapter in the game. Give me Interloper's platforming any day.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 12:37:51 UTC Post #339278
I was going to say Residue Processing simply because it's not Xen, but in all honestly, RP kinda sucks. It's the most nonsensical section of the supposed Earth based facility and the whole conveyor belt section is a tedious chore.

[m]Interloper[/m] did have a little bit more to it than platforming and featured the alien factory with the working vortigaunts and stuff. OK, so it's not great by any means, but Residue Processing needs to piss off forever.
monster_urby monster_urbyGoldsourcerer
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 20:38:50 UTC Post #339281
I'm going to make an arbitrary decision and say that we need at least 8 votes, so I'm not going to end this one just yet.
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 21:29:53 UTC Post #339282
This is really difficult. Certainly nobody's favourite two chapters... I think Residue Processing is a little more fun, but barely.

It has a bit of humour to it, at least.
Archie ArchieGoodbye Moonmen
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 23:14:51 UTC Post #339283
Good enough! Residue Processing wins 5-3! I think I agree with that. On to our first repeat with...

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Surface Tension vs. Power Up! Which is better, the HECU's and aliens' main assault, or... uh, Power Up again? (I'll have to change my format once we hit quarter-finals!)
Jessie JessieTrans Rights <3
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-10 23:50:40 UTC Post #339284
Power Up.
Posted 5 years ago2018-04-11 00:10:04 UTC Post #339285
SUUUURFACE TENSSSSSION

The dam, the tank battles, the alien/grunt crossfires, the headcrabs hiding in the sand, the garg at the end with the mortar controls, the cliff face bit, the snipers

how isnt it the best!
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