Okay, who was fucking with the time machine when I wasn’t here?
I think the reason they use apparently “low tech” is probably that the Combine don’t much care about Earth. It’s just a planet they’ve invaded in order to strip its resources, and they’re not going to waste their most powerful technology on such an insignificant part of their empire (they probably would have just wiped us out completely if it weren’t for Breen trying to convince them that we were useful).
That and they tend to emulate the technology found on the planet, which I guess makes sense - we’ve been here a lot longer than they have, so they probably take us as an example of how to live in this environment. It’s difficult to tell how much of the technology you see is original Combine tech, or stuff they’ve modelled from human tech after the invasion.
Alternatively, it’s 'cause it’s a game.
The Overwatch uses kit that doesn’t even exist yet or is still new/prototype today. I don’t know why anyone would call them low tech at all.
I’ve lurked around here for years now; this is the post that finally pushed me to register.
- Their “gas masks” are nothing like the ubiquitous WWI masks; they are MUCH more similar to Soviet gas masks developed during the Cold War. While they may serve some type of air-filtration system, they are most likely more of a HUD-type helmet. They’re designed after Cold War gas masks most likely because those masks are scary and intimidating as shit, and they also look futuristic.
https://www.boingboing.net/2005/06/10/scary_beautiful_sovi.html
- As many have before stated, the Combine are a race that take the “best technology” of the worlds they conquer and integrate it into their armada. This allows for both very quick evolution of technology: finding what works the best and adopting it overall. This can be seen in Breen’s speech in Nova Prospekt, in which he mentions the need to prove the “Transhuman Army’s” value to the Combine overlords.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Combine clearly have limitations when it comes to teleportation; the fact that it takes a massive amount of energy to teleport a human being in a single intraplanetary jump (see the end of the Nova Prospekt level in the player escapes by utilizing a Combine teleport.) Consider, then, how much energy would be required to teleport something much larger between worlds, or galaxies. Clearly, it’d be far more efficient to simply utilize the technology found on the invaded world instead of constantly streaming troops, supplies, guns from other worlds.
This takes care of #3 as well.
4 and 5 are both a result of you playing on easy, and the fact that it is a video game, which means that nearly-invincible enemies, despite being more logical, wouldn’t be much fun to fight.
The Combine have an astounding amount of “high-tech” items, including the Synths, their pulse weapons, Stalkers (a human body with nearly everything vital cut out, yet still animated and functional - real “low-tech,”) those pulse-orb things, etc. This is not at all “low-tech.” I’m not sure what point you’re trying to prove by claiming that it is, but it’s incorrect.
Welcome to the forums, jolly old chap.
I don’t even see how they LOOK low-tech. I mean, they have GLOWING EYES! That isn’t usually associated with being low-tech.
lol
“Son… i am disappoint”
“Ya rly”
XD
but i think these ar2 just a human assault weapon upgraded with pulse round, and smg1 just upgraded mp7 with grenade launcher.
Well compare it to the concept art for the original combine. They looked essentially like more badass version of the assassins in HL. It’s a shame really that Valve left out things like that. For instance, theres a completely unused citadel destruction animation that would have looked absolutely awesome in game.
Actually, what if they did use it and you just couldn’t see it over the blue explosion?
Why thank you, kind sir!
I hadn’t noticed or thought about it before, but you may be right. In fact, the AR2 would have to be, if not a modified human weapon, then at the very least designed after human weaponry. It’s made for transhumans, after all.
https://fc08.deviantart.com/fs37/f/2008/258/6/6/Overwatch_AR_2_Pulse_Rifle_by_SgtHK.jpg
Looking at this, you can easily see how they could have just taken the back half of an AK and modified the front with a pulse cannon and ammo feed.
On a side note, I had always thought that large thing sticking out of the right side of the gun was part of the magazine, not a “protective shield.” Is this gun designed for left-handers or something?
ok they don’t look low tech. i relize that now but come on they do act stuped
. . . because it’s a video game?
. . . because you’re playing said video game on EASY?
nope that seam suped on hard to i disided to play it on hard. they still can’t sue grenade lanchers.
Maybe the Combine never issued grenade launcher ammo to them…?
Combine Elites don’t need grenades, they have discombobulation-ball launchers.
Combine soldiers can throw grenades, which is probably better and safer.
and a game with AI that hasn’t been touched since 2003 is bound to have NPCs that act retarded. Deal with it.
You want realistic AI, Whip out a gun in a Los Angeles subway station. You want realistic ragdolls, beat up a hooker.
For everything else, there’s Mastercard.
I think he was referring to the enemies that have the smg that can launch grenades, but never do, even though when you get that gun and find some ammo, you can. Hence my above comment about perhaps they are not issued grenade launcher ammo for it.