I mean, its a bit tricky to help you if you don't actually give any details at all.

Originally posted by Marksman Max:

I mean, its a bit tricky to help you if you don't actually give any details at all.

That's the point. Focal Point needs more context.

Originally posted by JeffMakesGames:

Originally posted by Marksman Max:

I mean, its a bit tricky to help you if you don't actually give any details at all.

That's the point. Focal Point needs more context.

I had no issues at all, except for one point where the game just bugged out and didn't actually open the path it was supposed to. Just tell me where you're at (maybe a screenshot or two) and I should be able to tell you what to do.

Personally, I thought there was enough context in Focal Point to figure everything out.

I think it's fine, but the only puzzle that was a bit bizarre to me, even for Half-Life standards, was using the satchels on a leaf pad, only to be propelled up into a restricted area once shooting the purple blob. Landing the satchels on the pad and then expecting them to stay up there so it would activate the blue blob and open up the way was a bit of a stretch. It was the longest puzzle for me to figure out just because I didn't think that mechanic would work. Perhaps if there was a hint that you're supposed to put the satchels on there, would help the player understand that it works. Otherwise, the satchels didn't even collision with the leaf properly, so again, felt like not the right answer.

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

I think it's fine, but the only puzzle that was a bit bizarre to me, even for Half-Life standards, was using the satchels on a leaf pad, only to be propelled up into a restricted area once shooting the purple blob.

This level was the first time you found a crate with infinite satchels (unless I'm misremembering) and almost every single objective with an infinite MP5 crate was because you had to shoot something, so logically, if there's a crate with infinite satchels, they're a part of the puzzle.

Originally posted by Marksman Max:

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

I think it's fine, but the only puzzle that was a bit bizarre to me, even for Half-Life standards, was using the satchels on a leaf pad, only to be propelled up into a restricted area once shooting the purple blob.

This level was the first time you found a crate with infinite satchels (unless I'm misremembering) and almost every single objective with an infinite MP5 crate was because you had to shoot something, so logically, if there's a crate with infinite satchels, they're a part of the puzzle.

Yes, I was aware satchels played a part in the puzzle, but using them like that seemed to go outside the box what would be possible in a Half-Life puzzle. Not to say you can't do things differently, but it was awkward since it's hard to land satchels right on the pad and the models clip. It didn't give me the impression I was doing the right thing. I knew I had to get satchels near one of the blobs, but it wasn't obvious which one in which sequence.

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

Yes, I was aware satchels played a part in the puzzle, but using them like that seemed to go outside the box what would be possible in a Half-Life puzzle.

Satchel charges are literally used exactly like this in a Half-Life puzzle in Residue Processing. This puzzle took me all of four minutes to figure out.

Originally posted by Marksman Max:

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

Yes, I was aware satchels played a part in the puzzle, but using them like that seemed to go outside the box what would be possible in a Half-Life puzzle.

Satchel charges are literally used exactly like this in a Half-Life puzzle in Residue Processing. This puzzle took me all of four minutes to figure out.

If you're talking about the conveyor belt detonation, I thought that was much easier to figure out and just felt instinctual, as you're given the satchel charges, obviously for a time detonation, and using the system of a moving belt to carry the bags seemed like the only obvious path forward. Also, the satchels don't bounce very far in the Goldsource engine and don't clip through the belt. It's different here in my opinion since landing the bags takes a second to adjust to the physics and it doesn't feel like those are going to land up by the blob, so it just didn't feel like the right choice. Perhaps I'm just digging too deep into it or I'm the one at fault, but it was the only moment in the whole chapter I felt like I had to cheat to progress.

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

I think it's fine, but the only puzzle that was a bit bizarre to me, even for Half-Life standards, was using the satchels on a leaf pad, only to be propelled up into a restricted area once shooting the purple blob. Landing the satchels on the pad and then expecting them to stay up there so it would activate the blue blob and open up the way was a bit of a stretch. It was the longest puzzle for me to figure out just because I didn't think that mechanic would work. Perhaps if there was a hint that you're supposed to put the satchels on there, would help the player understand that it works. Otherwise, the satchels didn't even collision with the leaf properly, so again, felt like not the right answer.

I agree with this - the leaf REALLY needs to collide with the satchels. I didnt think it was going to work when i finally tried it due to the lack of collision

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

the satchels didn't even collision with the leaf properly

Will have to see if anything can be done about that, but I do agree it was a bit awkward because of the collision. It is colliding it's just a bit off.

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

it was awkward since it's hard to land satchels right on the pad

You can pick up the satchels after throwing them, like any other physics object by the way.

Originally posted by Jofoyo:

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

the satchels didn't even collision with the leaf properly

Will have to see if anything can be done about that, but I do agree it was a bit awkward because of the collision. It is colliding it's just a bit off.

Originally posted by filmtoaster:

it was awkward since it's hard to land satchels right on the pad

You can pick up the satchels after throwing them, like any other physics object by the way.

That's cool and I think it could just improve the presentation a little bit, and make it more obvious that's what you're supposed to do. Other than that, everything else about Focal Point was wonderful and a shining example of excellence in the Half-Life modding community. Really loved it and have adored the previous chapters as well. Nothing else had me stuck and I think the difficulty overall is just the right balance. Keep up the good work.