Replaying HL2 - Help me make it better!

Half-Life Series
#1

As the title suggests, i finally reinstalled Steam and Half-Life2. i haven’t played it in over 2 years which is strange considering i used to play BOTH Half-Life games annually…

Anyway, i lurked around Google and i prodded some (old) forums, but i can’t seem to get any straight, clear answers or suggestions. My computer has gone through some serious upgrades, so i’m willing to push the envelope a little further both graphically and in variety. What mods do i want to use to make Half-Life2 a better experience this time around?

Most of the mini-mods i tried were old and refused to work right thanks to Steam updates. One promised bloom and HDR effects but only delivered a purple checker pattern across my screen (thanks alot, Steam!). i’m looking for serious additions to the HL2 game. SMOD sounded like fun but i want something serious. i like the idea of physics and melee attacks but throwing explosive bananas?

if anybody has any suggestions, i’m all for them…provided i don’t have to download 5gig of new HDR maps.

-Kawai Tei-

#2

SMOD: Redux 7.1 is pretty fun and adds, to a certain degree, better realism and graphics to the game as well as some guns. If ur lookin for all out realism, then go for Fakefactory’s Cinematic Mod 10.

#3

Crap! i forgot to mention that i don’t own Ep1 or Ep2 or Portal or any other Source games. JUST HL2. i’ve played them though with my friend’s copy of the Orange Box. Sadly, it says i need Ep2 to make use of FFCM…

-Kawai Tei-

#4

If you get Fakefactory, You’ll want to remove the music and get a different Alyx model. The music doesn’t fit HL2, and Fakefactory made Alyx look more and more like a whore in each version of the mod. I’d be suprised if the latest version has anything more than underwear on.
EDIT: Whoops, only skimmed the part about Ep2. Download some skins, I guess, or some sound packs.

#5

i only own HL2. i don’t own Ep1 or Ep2 or the Orange Box.
With that in mind, which Cinematic Mod do i need? Which version will work ONLY on HL2?

i’m reading into that now. Thanks for the help!

EDiT : So is version 2 just like version 1 with ADDED details or is it like a WHOLE NEW mod? They look so different in how each version has such drastic differences in characters’ appearances…namely Alyx. gag So far it looks like i want #2

-Kawai Tei-

#6

Buy the orange box. Simple.

#7

That would work, plus you have more gameplay for when you play the HL2 saga.

#8

if i could afford it, i’d buy it.
Yes, i’m THAT poor right now.

-Kawai Tei-

#9

Try FPSBANANA.COM/Skins/Hl2, there are some nifty weapon replacements. Sometimes you can snag a cool port before it gets deleted by an admin.

#10

Tell me about it. That Ultimate Team Pack was super cool and got deleted within a week. Most ports usually end up on Facepunch anyway, so its no big deal.

ALSO: As for skins, Modderfreak does the best weapon replacements IMO, but this Combine Soldier replacement is beast (and partly ported from COD4)

https://www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=51716

The only FF thing that I ever put on HL2 was the improved facemaps. Everything else makes the dudes look like stoners and the gals look like slutzillas.

#11

I’d advise against Cinematic mod & any variant of Smod. Even the ‘serious’ Smod variants are still have excessively exaggerated effects & generally shit all over what makes HL great, and Cinematic mod makes people ugly as shit, uses excessively high rez textures & replaces all of HL2’s music with crap.

There really isn’t any light mod out there that is worth playing.

#12

That’s why I just skinned the shit out of HL2. More worth it than a separate mod.

#13

How does that replace the combine? A replacement has to at least keep the general concept of the original.

#14

They still use the same body armor and camo scheme. All that has changed is the helmet, COD4 gasmask, and pouches.

Also, I don’t know how that veers away from the concept of a heavily armored, faceless soldier.

#15

It doesn’t matter how true to the original concept, you can still replace a Combine with Renamon made out of hotdog links if you so wished.

That’s part of the novelty of modding the game that makes it fun to replay.

#16

Exactly. I try to make my HL2 feel less futuristic, from replacing all the plasma weaponry with assault rifles and deleting less glowy things, such as Combine eyes. There is no reason why I should just keep it the way it originally was.

#17

I think Tei wants to improve HL2’s graphics while still keeping true to its general concept and style. Like adding HDR, replacing models and textures with higher quality versions of the same thing, stuff like that.

#18

He should probably then just download some High Quality reskins.

#19

To each his own. To me, I like the combine as this futuristic force. It makes the game feel like you are being controlled by an alien power not some invading nation. Plus glowing eyes make them easier to see when you flashlight runs out.

EDIT: Also, if you could upgrade your computer, why can’t you afford the Orange Box? Just occurred to me.

#20

Try the smod tactic, it is fun for me.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.