Is this game really just for fans?

[Jakobb]

Never played any HL games, or any of the spin-offs like CS. Was too buried in world sims at the time (except I did adore the first GR, so there's that), and it was too late when I finally did start playing FPSs ten years later.

No disrespect to the dev's who seem to run this discussion (and sweated blood for 13 years) or any of the fans who clearly own this board, while I know this is held-up as the gold standard for FPS, is this remake really just for fans dusting off the memories of their 14yo selves going nuts over a solid game, or does it really hold its own in almost 2021? This release does seem to still show its age, and gameplay is reeeaaally certain to have changed over 22yo.

I guess I wouldn't mind hearing from older players, good or bad experiences, who never played the original, like me, but have played BM this year only (as opposed to throughout the dev cycle).

[a7]

I have never been an ardent fan of Half-Life, but still liked the original and wanted to revive the experience with modern reimagination. The problem is that the development of Black Mesa took too long and the game is quite obsolete again with its aging engine.
I wished mainly for bug-free experience and smooth gameplay on modern system and got lags in some areas (Surface Tension, Lambda Core, On a Rail, Xen), even few crashes and also lack of full controller support with Definitive Edition. My system is not high-end, but meets recommended specs.
Graphics is very noticeably improved, but still not on par with modern games and gameplay is a mixed bag. There are improvements, but for example fighting extremely quick and bullet sponge soldiers can be nightmare even on normal difficulty, as they are more numerous than in the original.
New Xen is much longer than it the original and looks nice and interesting, but now it is rather a maze/puzzle like game than FPS with little guidance in the labyrinthine areas. There were some convoluted parts in the original game, but now it is worse.
You can try Black Mesa, it still may be worth it, but I would recommend healthy scepticism unlike of some zealous Half-Life fans that just praise anything in this franchise.

[Peter Brev]

Hello.

The reply above contains subjective information. Please take it with a grain of salt.

In order for players to provide an accurate answer, please answer the following question. What are you looking for if you were to buy Black Mesa?

[a7]

There may be some subjective observations, but not exclusive. As I said, I was looking mainly for smooth experience more suitable for modern systems than the original and I'm definitely not alone with performance problems while the full controller support issue has been just evergreen.

[JefferyNothing]

Of course its not. There's a reason why this game was remade, so that those who have a have not played it can do so with a fresh coat of paint (so to speak). Even if you've never played it before its worth doing so now if you're interested.

They don't make games like this anymore. It's still a great ride. And pretty damn good remake.

[Nutsnut]

My first half life game was half life 2 and the associated episodic content, I have never played half life 1 so just bought and finished black mesa.

I thought the game was brilliant, especially considering the age of the core game. My only gripe is the game makes me feel instantly nauseous and causes a headache, the only game I have ever experienced this with.

[Dexter]

It boggles the mind how anyone could play this with a controller. The action is so fast paced, I struggle even with a keyboard and mouse sometimes...

This is remake of a game from an era when there was a lot less hand-holding in first person shooters, so there are areas where you will have to use your brain to figure out how to progress. Even though this is a linear game, you will be required to back-track within certain areas. I played Half Life 2 even before I played Half Life and I noticed the environmental puzzles were somewhat harder in Half Life (and therefore Black Mesa) compared to Half Life 2. If you like fast paced action shooters which are punctuated with puzzles/platformer areas, you will enjoy this game.

I would disagree with the guy above saying the graphics aren't as good as modern games. This game really pushes the source engine to the limits and it looks really good because of that in my opinion. Noticeably, the game looks "sharper" than a lot of modern games, which can appear sort of "blurry" and "smudgy" to my eyes. It's not just an anti-aliasing thing either, I think it's overuse of certain effects and filters that developers love to put into their games these days.

[a7]

Originally posted by Nutsnut:

My own gripe is the game makes me feel instantly nauseous and causes a headache, the only game I have ever experienced this with.

I had headaches after longer gameplay and think that my problem might be due to FPS drops in some areas. I have no such issue with other FPS games that run more smoothly.

Originally posted by Dexter:

It boggles the mind how anyone could play this with a controller. The action is so fast paced, I struggle even with a keyboard and mouse sometimes... This is remake of a game from an era when there was a lot less hand-holding in first person shooters...

Well, it is no-brainer for somebody who suffers with the carpal tunnel problems that controller greatly alleviates and also plays the games on a big-screen TV. BTW, the original PC version of Half-Life even had aim assist support plus lots of people played console port of Half-Life on PS2. There is no excuse for not having full controller support today.

Originally posted by Dexter:

I would disagree with the guy above saying the graphics aren't as good as modern games. This game really pushes the source engine to the limits and it looks really good because of that in my opinion.

Although nice and definitely much better looking than the original, the game simply does not look as good as the modern FPS, see up close some written texts on posters or various gadgets and you will notice rather low resolution. Still I agree that the engine has been pushed to the limits and probably even beyond as some performance problems might be related to it.

[Kolibria]

If you're asking if this game makes a good introduction to the Half Life Universe, then yes, it does.

[FireFly]

Originally posted by a7:

There is no excuse for not having full controller support today.

Full controller support is coming. It has apparently been a nightmare for the developers.

[stuff]

Hey there. I've completed about 2/3 of the game, playing since 2 days.
The game is not only for fans, I guess, but if you are a fan you'd most likely appreciate it more than if it's your first HL game.
Without the fan goggles, I think the game still holds up today, but some things might be a bit dated. I think the wohle physics and movement can feel a bit iffy at times and there are some frustrating passages. The experience won't be as smooth as today's standard.
That being said, the game is still very good. The original was ground breaking and influenced a lot of modern games. So one could say there already are a lot of modern things in this game. It's still a (very) good game, just don't overhype your expectations.

A small heads up: The fights can be quite fast paced. Despite the realistic look, don't expect to be able to play it solwly, hide behind cover and pick your targets one after another.

[His Majesty's strawberry cart]

just bought and am impressed...still hard though...nothings perfect...I like finding things that go into the MIT trash cans round and juicy;3

[Doctor Go-Go]

It would depend on what you like. Some people like straight forward shooters. I can agree that when some games like Half-Life, Doom, Quake II, Quake IV RTCW, were hot games that was during a time when games were more primitive and games like Soldier of fortune, Soldier of fortune 2, IGI 2, Deus Ex, Kingpin Duke3D, Blood, Redneck Rampage Raised the bar.

NOW the standard is games like Grand Theft Auto and Fallout 4. People want games like those. So they are looking towards games like Cyberpunk and Star Citizen.

Some people still like action platformers. I was playing Black Mesa and Opposing force the other day.

What's great about these style games, they are easy to get into, straight forward, fast paced and short. So they are great for a player just wants a quick endurance. Other games are more about exploration, story and they are time consuming.

It's what the player feels like and has time for at the moment.

[ilikedingo]

Graphics are just like any modern game such as NMS or HL2 - very good.

It's actually very different from HL1, in terms of map layout and whatnot, so nice and unique.

Although I'm not even halfway done with it (I got it yesterday), it's definitely worth it. (BTW I got HL1 and 2 like a year ago)

Plus, there's workshop support, which is pog.

[V I D A L]

Not sure what is the purpose of your thread and what you wanna hear.
There is no baggage required to enjoy this game. It's a remake of the first Half-Life and it plays like most modern FPS.

[tekhedd]

Originally posted by Dexter:

It boggles the mind how anyone could play this with a controller. The action is so fast paced, I struggle even with a keyboard and mouse sometimes...

Actually, the first time I *finished* the game was on the PS2 version with a controller. It was PS2 right? I originally bought the PC version but never even really got started, because I got stuck at the corner on the slippery floor where you have to jump over the lasers or something like that, which is to say a FPS jumping puzzle. After a bunch of tries I rage quit, uninstalled it, and only gave it a try years later on console. That corner doesn't appear to be in the remake LOL.

What I'm saying is: the original HL was/is surprisingly playable with a stick. And I *hate* playing FPS's with a controller.