Grip-iT Review

This is just a short review of the Grip-iT controller add-ons. I really found these to work great on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. I use them mostly on my Xbox 360 controller and find them to work great.

Oh Valve, How You Steal My Heart -- Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2

Following one of the best video games to ever be made with a sequel seems like a near impossible challenge, especially with the rules changed so much. What I mean by this is that back in 1998 there were only a handful of games that tried to follow a narrative. This was partially due to a lack of technology, and partially due the immaturity of the industry. When it came to Half-Life 2, a little of the ridiculous was shaved off the edges of the Half-Life formula. Gone were the random teleportation sequences or errand platforming missions. Half-Life 2 seemed, from the beginning, to take itself much more seriously.


It makes sense to change the formula, what is another alien shooter with military baddies in a world populated with Halo and other war games. The feeling is immediate that the world is not without order, on the contrary, order in being mandated rather heavily. Upon starting the game you are almost immediately introduced to this scenario as you are forced to witness abuse by the authority with no ability to help or save the victim. You feel powerless as you start to move through the gates and are herded wherever the Combine soldiers feel like sending you.

As it turns out, you are immediately introduced to the idea that this isn't a run and gun game. Sometimes it's best to find a way around. You are also introduced to the idea that you alone cannot succeed and will need the help of your allies. This game is a must play for any fans of adventure, puzzle, shooting, and platforming games. I think it's time for a <ul>.

• New array of weapons
• Clearer enemy
• Great use of Havok
• Transition to character driven story
• Huge adventure elements
• New methods of transportation
• A clear goal
• Oh, and of course, Alyx Vance

So, as Gordon Freeman, you progress through some of the most elaborate environments I've ever seen in a game just to get back to your friends. Really, if you think about it, the whole [spoiler spoiler spoiler] leading up to the final [spoiler] with Breen, was only to get back to Eli after the disaster that sent you to Ravenholm.

Turns out, someone at Valve figured out how to make awesome AI for both enemies and allies. It's actually preferable to work as a team in this game. Remember Nova Prospekt? Pretend you weren't sad when Alyx left your side. Anyways, Gordon becomes the big hero of the day finishing the game by wielding one of the most amazing weapons ever conceived. After beating the game the first time, I started it over. That's just the kind of game it is.

Lists are fun you say? Let us <li> about my top five favorite things about Half-Life 2 to finish up.

1. The zero point energy field manipulator
2. Physics gameplay
3. Alyx Vance
4. Ravenholm
5. First Level

Alyx image from Half-Life 2: Episode 1 Steam page. Box picture from Wikipedia Half-Lfie 2 page.

Oh Valve, How You Steal My Heart -- Half-Life

It seems like only a few days ago that I first strolled up to a metro cop. It was in 2006 when I had my brand spanking new Xbox 360. My friend says "hey, check out this game called Half-Life 2, it's got physics." I played just a bit on his orignal Xbox and was hooked. Little did I know that compatibility on Xbox 360 was just awful. I was permanently stuck in Ravenholm because the zombie crushing autos decided to float away. That evening I ran to the store and bought the PC version and it's been love ever since.

Most people think the idea of loving a game is ridiculous, but come on, I'm not talking marriage love with a husband and wife and 2.5 kids. We're talking love like the kind that makes you cry when Mufasa dies or is the reason your can still play games like Super Mario 64 and get a kick. This may in fact have lead to my desire to find new games and tell the world about them. For a game as excellent as Half-Life 2 or it's expansions, mods, or prequels, it is extremely surprising how few people have played it. Now, let's step back in history and look at the games.

Half-Life

Why is it that dropout nerds make such amazing entertainment? Half-Life introduces itself like no other game; a rather long and boring tram ride with an annoying voice telling you all about a place called Black Mesa. As terrible an employee you seem to be, arriving so late and all, everyone seems so happy to see you because you get to do their dirty work in the test chamber. A wonderfully pure test substance has been given to your research department by a mysterious man in a blue suit (who is actually made of wood in Half-Life: Source.)

Well, things get messed up and the whole place basically gets messed up and lots of people died. Also you are introduced to parasitic aliens as well as other monsters that have great control over unknown forces. You are given a melee weapon and a healthy American supply of guns. Let's do a quick recap.

• guns
• aliens
• zombies
• army
• one man army
• huge environment
• everyone has a common enemy, you

Half-Life was available for PC and Playstation 2. There is also a Dreamcast build floating around online if you don't want to cough up the whole couple bucks a legit version will cost you. There was a remake of the game on the source engine which added better effects and performance. Oh Valve, you're so thoughtful.

This game had it all and deserves every reward it got. The game is extremely long and challenging in the style of older games. New games are far too easy on us. Autosave is a luxury and we were lucky to map the function to a key. I applaud you if you got through all the Xen levels without a little godmode or noclip. I didn't have the patience but still loved the game. It replaced Duke Nukem as my favorite PC shooter of pre-millennium times. I wish I could recommend this more, maybe a review is in order...

Case picture and video were taken by me. Valve eye picture thing is from developer.valvesoftware.com

Be More Obvious Sprint!

I'm talking about the connections.