Reviews - banan2288

I'm surprised how it could keep me scared like when I was playing half life 1 for the first time, atmosphere is perfect, difficulty level satisfy me, no wonder it's been tested so many times, there is a lot of sequences I enjoy, and of course level desing- very detailed, rooms layout feels consistent and reliable, also gameplay desing is sensible, there was no situation where game put me in some annoying situations because of it's ill-considered solutions. It is just perfect, balanced, innovative. Must have for all Half Life fans. It fits present gaming conventions with it's desing, it puts Half Life modding in the new level, I thought nothing gonna surprise me anymore in Half Life modding, but I was wrong when I played Echoes. Author must be a genius, with enviable imagination. Also it gives hope that GoldSrc modding will never end, and maybe some day we will see more masterpieces like this.

Completely unique mod for hardcore player who is looking for something challenging, requires great platform-related skills (jump, long-jump), timing and logical thinking on a maximum level. Mod w/o the combat (excluding target range), but still one of the greatest mod I've ever played.

Pros:
-You'll feel like you are in "real" Black Mesa again
-original gameplay
-incredible atmosphere
-satisfying puzzle completion
-rewarding secrets
-great and funny NPC sequences
-well-made bonus levels!
-"You can do THIS in GoldSrc?!?!" level design syndrome
-"Black Mesa Steelworks" production line is probably the best thing made in Half Life Engine
-appropriate completion time
-you'll hate and love it simultaneously

Cons:
-quickload, quickload, quickload, quickload...
-bugged in certain areas
-engine limitations in some levels has been completely ignored by author (bugged moving platforms, stupid AI e.t.c.)
-some levels, like train maze, are a pure evil where fun definitely ends (some of them are additionally bugged)
-your patience will be tested uncountable number of times
-did I mention it's bugged?

PROS:
+great atmosphere and gameplay
+new weapon that add some gameplay features, clever puzzles
+physics greatly implement, you can feel "liquidity" of the levels
+professional work, great level design

CONS:
-way too short
-poor optimization in some areas even with modern PCs

Technical Info(played on gtx 970, 8GB ram):
Engine just couldn't handle those physics and shadows made with "env_projectedtextures" (maybe more area portals and skip/hints brushes should be used). Fps may drop below 40/30 but it won't break a gameplay.

Finally some new ideas in Half Life world. Good level design, every level has it's own atmosphere and looks different. Only one think that hasn't been changing it's horde of zombie- non-stop zombie killing could be boring for some players. Another worth praising think is music- completely new soundtrack sounds professional and builds the climate.