Is"On A Rail" chapter much shorther than in hf1? For better or worse?

[OLD MAN ADHD Asperger's-"Aspie"]

I remember the original level back then, and I was surprised by the simplicity of the level in BM.

[Engamer01]

On a Rail was shortened over its original Half-Life incarnation but it's been anyone's guess whether if the change was good or bad. I mean there is a mod for Black Mesa that restores the cut On a Rail segments that didn't make it into final release of Black Mesa.

I do remember feeling like On a Rail went a little too long in Half-Life, but I don't know if I can say Black Mesa's version is an improvement or not or if the modded On a Rail would be any better (I haven't had a chance to play modded On a Rail yet).

[Basarab Laiota]

i like how they made it so you're just riding one tram throughout the level
the original hl1 you would take the trams like 10 feet (you didn't even need 'em)

[Cat]

It got shortened because speed runners and their followers complained about "muh fast paced game".

[halfmonkey]

It wasn't until after the rail section that it dawned on me, "Wasn't there a lot more to that slog before?"
I feel it was shortened/simplified in such a way that it no longer stands out as differently paced from the rest of the game.* In the original, the section seemed overly long to the point of frustration, but in BM the level passed like any other. So, IMO it's for the better.


*Xen however...has been so modified that it seems like it's ten times as long as the original...for the worse.

[Caiman Cachondo]

It was a little strange because in the original half life was the worse of all, but, in black mesa now is more short and that was a relief

[Cat]

I think it's the best chapter of Half-life because it's less linear and has lots of exploring.

[Just Chill]

Originally posted by Veta 'Zogum:

I recommend playing On A Rail with the (extra) definitive On A Rail. It includes On A Rail Loop Mod & Uncut along with the Staff Overhaul Mod

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2807063217
Agreed.


Then again, I just checked BCME and realize it got upated, including to the extra On a Rail Uncut & Loop overhaul.
So my video may be outdated.

[CazadorDeLobo]

Originally posted by Basarab Laiota:

i like how they made it so you're just riding one tram throughout the level
the original hl1 you would take the trams like 10 feet (you didn't even need 'em)

I remember the Playstation port of HL1 was my first experience with it as a child, and I also remember the cheat codes. I used infinite health to skip using any trams in that section, but eventually stopped using cheats altogether(found meaning in actually playing the game properly, lol).

IIRC you could opt out of using trams completely, but it would necessitate taking electrocution damage constantly until you're past the first area. This meant you could also skip major segments of the level entirely and head right to the exit. Since that what I normally do, I'm fine with them cutting it down a bit, until I remember that there were still some good segments and those are completely gone.