Absolutely spellbound by this mod’s lofty creative and narrative ambitions. They’ve done a frankly brilliant job at realising a Central Asian post-Soviet locale in a world embittered by HL2’s Combine forces, ideologically split resistance forces and an MC with a hilariously unfortunate concussion. There’s this very keen eye for attention to detail by way of populating this campaign with an incredibly unique style of architecture and set-dressing. I don’t want to understate how blown away by the environment design I am - this feels like such a labour of love that deserves to be explored. punctuated by one of the most knockout game soundtracks I’ve heard in years - sometimes taking it upon itself to re-imagine classic Half Life songs for the setting, it’d be corny if it wasn’t honestly so hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Ar8lKYsQA
There’s a bit more of a focus on realism here, which is intriguing enough for a HL2 game - does lend itself to its more down to earth downtrodden rebel unrest narrative focus, with cool little additions like tossing aside used health items as physics objects. Enemy fire seems to hit harder and you can’t just HEV Faceroll around the pitch like Gordie.
What stops Swelter from really falling into my all killer no filler stockade is in how much it feels to be buckling under the weight of the Source Hammer Editor, it’s somewhat telling to me how once you blossom your HL2 puzzle design beyond a few switches and physics see-saw puzzles the cracks start showing. Has its own overly-lengthy train section and HL2:E2 roadrip for good measure as well. Turning cranks to slowly open gates and the devious addition of those god damn wired electrical plugs. Strongly dislike the new weapons and how the enemies feel to shoot. Twitter lowbie VA quality plodding around a story that kind of bites. Ah well!!!
Very very charming little thing. Free, too. Dat’s what’s so magical about hl2 mods 🕊️
There’s a bit more of a focus on realism here, which is intriguing enough for a HL2 game - does lend itself to its more down to earth downtrodden rebel unrest narrative focus, with cool little additions like tossing aside used health items as physics objects. Enemy fire seems to hit harder and you can’t just HEV Faceroll around the pitch like Gordie.
What stops Swelter from really falling into my all killer no filler stockade is in how much it feels to be buckling under the weight of the Source Hammer Editor, it’s somewhat telling to me how once you blossom your HL2 puzzle design beyond a few switches and physics see-saw puzzles the cracks start showing. Has its own overly-lengthy train section and HL2:E2 roadrip for good measure as well. Turning cranks to slowly open gates and the devious addition of those god damn wired electrical plugs. Strongly dislike the new weapons and how the enemies feel to shoot. Twitter lowbie VA quality plodding around a story that kind of bites. Ah well!!!
Very very charming little thing. Free, too. Dat’s what’s so magical about hl2 mods 🕊️