DJPOO Blog

0 comments by DJPOO on Sep 24th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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More ranting on bad Hl2 mods, overrated HL2 mods, ones you should watch out for, being a realism whore, and I has a need for speed.

Ok, first lets start with mods that are not really mods at all.

Worst mods ever.

Moddb.com

Half Life 2, with Halo 2 weapons. I like bullpup weapons, but Halo with the amount of ammo Halo weapons use, it'll make the game very easy even for the worst of players, not to mention it Halo stuff looks like shit on the Source engine. I hope it stays dead, Halo is like Star Wars, all special effects , violence and no plot. Were as Half Life series is like the Doctor Who of FPS, basically the pinnacle of its genre.

Moddb.com

Just a bunch of skins stolen from FPS Banana put into Half Life 2 episode 1really. Plus the author is really nothing more then a damn troll.

Moddb.com

Just like the last one, only its for Half Life 2. What next, a ripoff pack for EP2?

That's it for the worst mods so far.

Now for overrated mods.

The-citizen

Moddb.com

I just really couldn't get into the Citizen as I could with other mods like Minerva:Metastasis, or the Ravenholm mod, I tried it a second time and still couldn't find out why it was good as everybody says it is. Must be because there are not any headcrabs and zombies, at least Half Life 2 had some at the beginning, and the episodes wouldn't let you forget about them. No Antlions either, I guess you need more then the Combine to make a great mod.

infiltration

Moddb.com

This one I couldn't enjoy that much either, feels too predictable, the Combine Gunship AI is just cheap and lazy, and the version I played had serous game stopping errors. Didn't feel that worth while when I finished it either.

City 7: Toronto Conflict
Moddb.com

.I can't see why anyone would like it, the mapping is rather generic, too many scripted sequences, and just right out boring. Not to mention that the final boss fight was confusing. Disguising as a Combine has been done before, but it feel boring and nobody has done it right so far.  Lets hope they can do better next time, and at least use the Episode 1 version of Source.

Get a Life

Moddb.com

Get a Life feels like a Counter Strike Source mod, instead of an actual total conversion too me. The story really didn't make much since, the only good I can say about it is that it was nice to use some bullpup weapons.

These are the mods that I feel are vastly overrated to some that are out there.
Next I list mods I look forward to playing, and these are not that well known.

Mods to watch out for.

Altered Transmission

Moddb.com

Altered Transmission is only demos right now, but the mapper has shown to be skilled enough with the Source engine tools. Trust me, it has no spy were, if it did, I'm pretty sure Sorte would have already been banned by Steam. Don't like it, complain too him and not me.

1187

Moddb.com

Every wanted to see what the world of Half Life looks like after the Resonance Cascade, but before the Seven hour War? Well then, this is the mod for you. The demo was a nice start, but some of the weapons choice mad it rather tough to play. I don't like having to take down poison and fast zombies with the crowbar.

Logistique

Moddb.com

Another unfinished mod, but I liked it demo despite the crashing once. The makers are off to good start, lets hope they keep it up.

Survival 101.

Moddb.com

Another demo, but I promise it isn't bad except for the one glitch were you couldn't get into the library. Zombies can get boring after a while, but you get to fight CPs and Combine at the end. Now if he only was able to make new weapons, so it seems like the pistol actually is a USP compact. I hope there will be better voice acting in future installments.

Hl2 old school style.

Moddb.com

Another beta/demo. It was pretty much shooting zombies and Combine , but there are some bones thrown in the form of enslaved Vortigaunts, one of the few mods that has them. Plus it's set in Japan, so you get hot Japanese and anime chicks, yay boobies! Now all its needs is a button for bullet time and it'll be even better.

That's it for mods with demos. Notice that I didn't list any popular mods in this part of the blog post.

Me likey shotguns.

Onward to more bitching about weapons. I know I already bitched about there being no Spas 15, but I wonder why nobody has done a shotgun model replacement with the M1014(the Benelli M4 Super 90) as well. I already found a G36 model that replaces the Combine AR2. I know more countries have the M4 Super 90 in service then the Spas 12 or 15. Maybe I'm just a realism whore.

Closing statements

Finally, I've yet to see a finished racing mod, I know I can just buy a racing game for the console, but being a collage student, one doesn't have much money for a Ps3 or Wii. Non the less, I need a Tv that isn't a piece of crap first. Those flat screens with built in Dvd players are pretty damn cheep now.

Damn, that was a lot of typing, filled with what I think seems to be innumerable grammatical errors. Remember, this is just the opinion of just one man, so don't get your panties twisted up over the things I type.

0 comments by DJPOO on Sep 1st, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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Well as people may or may not know, Franchi has ceased production of the Spas 12, so they could market the Spas 15. However I have yet to see mods or weapons skins  depicting the weapon. The only disadvantage is that it uses a six round box magazine instead of a manual conventional tubular design, but that doesn't make it a bad shotgun.
 Battlefield Bad Company has the shotgun, but I don't own an Xbox 360 or PS3 yet.(More likely to buy the PS3) Here are some links for the weapon.

Spas12.com
World.guns.ru

0 comments by DJPOO on Aug 21st, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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If a game is too difficult for players with no reward it won't be fun to play at all. I have downloaded Source mods both good and bad, the worst ones bump the difficulty of the game, making it unnecessary hard for seasoned Half Life 2 players. I usually play the game on the hard setting for Half Life 2 Episode 2, and I find it hard enough with out ruining the fun of the game. How ever, some mappers seem to ignore that the difficulty should enhance the game the play.
           The worst maps and mods for Half Life give the Combine Watch superor weapons to the one your using. Facing off aganst an Overwatch Elite is no fun when you don't have an Ar2 youself, that's because it's really hard to kill them youself unless you can use the weapon. There is a reason you giving the weapon(along with the Shotgun and SMG1) long before you fight aganst the Overwatch, because without it your not on even ground. Not everbody plays Half Life 2 Deathmatch so not everybody knows how to deflect the Combine energy balls with the Gravity Gun.
Almost a year ago, I posted a blog here called The good the bad, and ugly of Source mods. The mods listed as ugly represent what I think are the worst of mods for Half Life 2. These mods I feel repersent the worst single player mods for the Source engine. Where as the good I beleave are the best single player mods are I have played. Bad means they could use room for improvement. The worst ones in the ugly catagory bump the diffculty up to unreasonible levels, along with many other reason that make them awful.
       Like most players I like my games to have a mix of diffculty and gameplay, when gameplay is ignored the diffculty can make a game fustrating to the player. When it's too easy gameplay can be boring. Modders need to focus on what makes a game and their own maps/mods fun instead of bumping up the diffculty. I am no noob, I switch the diffculty of games up when it becomes too easy on a lower setting.
Remember, don't purposely make your mod Count Strike: Source with Combine Overwatch in it.

0 comments by DJPOO on Jun 3rd, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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I said I would use this blog for reviewing mods, but sometimes real life itself can get in the way of doing things you want.
Oh, more bullpups please, they all look futuristic and crap. While being pretty damn good guns to boot.
Now then, anybody know what good skins for the Half Life 2 citizens, are. I only replaced the female models with Korin models, because I got tired of looking at filthy hobos of City 17. Don't suggest fake factory, because my computer is too shitty for that.

0 comments by DJPOO on May 22nd, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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Why would anybody put Colt's worthless weapons in video game
mods, especially the M16, and its variants? (The military using it or its popular
are not acceptable answers)

I admit to being a bullpup fanboy, and have even overwritten Colt's piece of crap with the FN Scar in
Counter Strike Source, or replacing Half Life era HK Mp5/Colt M4 with the FN F2000.I
most likely will be using an HK416 or FN Scar in place of the weapon in Left
for Dead.

The only direct impingement weapon that isn’t a piece of
crap is the Desert Eagle. There is a reason Colt products are not used in Half
Life 2 or Crysis (with the exception of story settings), and that’s because
their weapons suck. So please modders, don’t place Colt crap in your mods. Players will usually overwrite weapons anyways, but I refuse to download mods that have the M poor/M shit-teen/ unless I can overwrite Colt' junk without errors.

0 comments by DJPOO on Apr 18th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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It seems more Source mods are switching from Source Engine 7(either one) to Source Engine 14 instead, which I think seems to be a pretty good thing. Because the the Orange Box games seem to run faster on my old peice of crap better then Source 7 ever did, Episode 1 still lags even compaired to how smoothly Half Life 2 Episode 2 runs. I may not be the only one who has experianced this on an older computer. I guess Valve optimizing the Source Engine for consoles may be a good thing for PC gammers, even if the consoles versions are lacking. I even looked at GDC 2008 post Mortem PDF's on Valve's website and this seems to be the case as well.
    They can be viewed here at Valvesoftware.com careful though, it took me about one hour each to read. So unless you actully like reading and learning something, don't bother.

0 comments by DJPOO on Feb 7th, 2008 digg this super bookmark

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I'm thinking of upgrading my computer but first I need a flat panel moniter, so before I replace my five year old Emachine with Ati series 9600 card I need a good moniter first. Though if any of anybody has suggstions I am only looking to buy from Amazon.com or Newegg. I need it to not too break while playing the Orange box games, because the last one broke while playing Half Life 2 about a year ago and am forced to use an old CRT.

0 comments by DJPOO on Dec 1st, 2007 digg this super bookmark

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I know I promised a review of Minerva Metastasis but I feel obligated to point out to other players as to what’s a good or bad single player mod. No multiplayer so far, because the only multiplayer Source game I even bother playing is Team Fortress 2. Unfinished mods will be ignored unless their really bad. Keep in mind this will contain spoilers. I even provided links if you care to play them.

The good:

Riot Act:

Moddb.com

Despite the Strider shooting through walls and respwaning enemies, I found this to be a rather entering experience. It shows how what a good mod should be like. My favorite part is the Gunship battle. That's all I can say sort of a full review. I look forward to the Riot Act mod team making more adventures about their original character Jamil Lee, though the team behind this may not exist anymore.

School Adventures:

Moddb.com

This one is entreating enough to keep the player from being bored and rewards the player for their willingness to explore the School for weapons and ammo. The train glitch can be annoying but that can be fixed by downloading the patch provided. Too bad as the team seems have to have disbanded at the time of this edit.

Half Life 2 Dawn:
Moddb.com

A mod made by a bunch of collage students but that’s not necessary a bad thing (unless it’s in the bad section) Even though it’s short Half Life 2 Dawn was fun despite being a zombie shooter.

 

Combine Destiny:

Moddb.com

It may use an obsolete version of the Source Engine and it’s another zombie shooter I personally found this entertaining enough to warrant multiple plays through. It really gives you the feelling that you are a member of the Combine Overwatch. Play yourself while you’re waiting for its promising sequel.

 

Mistake of Pythagoras:

Moddb.com

It may have the word mistake in the title but this mod is anything but. I played this one while half asleep and it did not disappoint, this mod really shows what the Source Engine is capable of.

 

Minerva
Moddb.com

Hylobatidae.org

 

The best single player mod yet and the only one good enough to keep and waste precious megabytes on my computer. I'll post a real review of MINERVA: Metastasis later. Go download it and play it yourself or I shall consider you mentally ill. Infact I may even replay it again just so I won't make a lair out of myself before Adam Foster releases another chapter of Minerva.

Ravenholm:
Moddb.com

Another zombie shooter and uses an outdated version of Source however I played through multiple times before deleting it off my hard drive. It is the only mod I've played that fighting against the Combine helicopter isn't boring or arbitrary and the Combine themselves are no cake walk in this mod either but its still fun. Look forward to Lord Game’s latest mod Eye of the Storm, until then go play this!

There may be even more good mods for Source games out there but their either unfinished by the authors themselves or I don't have the time and willingness to play them but I can't just go make a list of every mod I like. If their good enough I'll let everyone out there know.

 

The Lighthouse:

Viktorlundberg.com

 

Another mod that uses an outdated version of Half Life 2, but unlike the mods below makes up for it with good game play. The voice acting could be a bit better, but there isn't much of it anyways. So nice I played it twice. I don't have any of the games that Viktor Lundberg has made maps for, but if this is any example then they must be pretty good. I did some reserach and found out that he works for DICE, so I guess single player mod makers could learn a thing or too about what makes a game good or bad.

Bad:

Mods that showed some promise but ended up bad in the end and don't even utilize Source Engine features properly.

Gateways:
Moddb.com

Some of you may hate me for this but I personally find this one boring and confusing with only the music and graphics being any good.

The Citizen:
Planetphillip.com

Even though it had a good story and above average voice acting that isn't enough to save this from being a bad mod. It doesn't even including the Citadel in the skybox while claiming to be set inside city 17. Another thing is that it has Metrocops fighting along side Overwatch troops, only the most noobish mods would even make that oversight. The skybox now has the Citadel, but even all the easter eggs can't save it from lousy voice actors and a lame story. Even the original textures didn't stand out as well as they do in other much better mods.  I find this mod vastly overrated compared to much better ones.

City 7: Toronto Conflict:
Moddb.com

There is no excuse for using an outdated version of Source when it is released after Half Life 2 Episode 2, and seems to go out of its way to ignore was fun and cool about Half Life 2 especially when player training could have been used before the final battle. Respawning enemies and scripted sequences are not fun at all during puzzles. Also the city could have been more run down like City 17 was even if it is based upon locations in real life. The only thing that prevents this mod from being terrible is the part were you are forced to sneak around a Combine base, infact that was the only thing that was fun at all.

The ugly:
Mods so bad they ignore everything good about Source Engine games, crappy artistic design, making the game hard on the normal setting, trying to make the game play like a crappy console shooter (not even similar to Halo style game play and I like the Halo games despite never owning an Xbox) or just plane awful. Don't even bother wasting your time playing these.

Jail Escape.
Moddb.com
Bad voice acting, and crappy textures for even an older Half Life 2 mod.

 

CrySheild:
Moddb.com

Crappy textures, poor story, arbitrary Strider battle, and made little since all together. I want that one hour and a half of my life back.

Hl2-Infiltartion:
Moddb.com

I only bothered to play the first release of this mod and properly never getting its later releases. The comic book style of story telling was really irritating, even text story telling would have been much better. That alone doesn't make this one worth playing through again.

A Frayed Stitch in Time:
Moddb.com

Once again there is no excuse for using an outdated version of Source. I know (and which many others pointed out to me) for a fact that Half Life 2 Episode 1 updates can be used on the SDK base. I found the humor at the end a bit amusing but that wasn't enough to save this one from being awful. The author of this has time to improve or join a mod team to do better.

Outpost Xen:
Moddb.com

Another terrible mod, but I know for a fact that the maker of this one can and has done better. Now we only have to wait and see if the author can make a Half Life 2 mod that has more then thirty minutes of game play.

Resistor:
Planetphillip.com

It says you play as a Metrocop but the makers didn't even bother with a custom skin for the arms. Basically everything that I complained about that makes a terrible mod in the first place. It was so bad I replayed the final chapter of Portal to wash my eyes and mind of it.

City 14:
Moddb.com

It seems to start off good at first but it soon it’s glitchy and confusing, as it’s very easy to miss the airboat. At the very least the author admits this one sucks.

Residual Error

Moddb.com

I know I said I wouldn't make comments about unfinished mods but this one was just so bad.
It plays like a crappy console shooter, rushing enemy encampments instead of lobbing grenades behind cover is not how players were trained in Half Life 2. The makers didn't even bother to make or add a Combine skin for the arms either.(I used one I like to keep on my computer) It gives player little to no hint of where their supposed to go. Metrocops and Combine Overwatch although aligned units is never done in any Half Life game. You also fight against the Citizens, but it gives no reason as to why their allied with the Overwatch. It uses an obsolete version of Source to run, instead of Source Test which at least uses Episode 1's updates. That kind of thing is only forgivable if it was a map pack but it isn’t.Hopefully Vol 2 of Residual Error will be better. I played Team Fortress 2 to wash my mind of this horrible mod.

Power station 17.

Planetphillip.com

This one though good it seems good at first, it's just another example of bad mapping that gives no cover to players while fighting Combine, the physic ammo is put in the worst places, and your supposed to get your weapons from the Overwatch instead given them like the Half Life 2 games and good mods do. The maps design itself is rather poor, as some rooms branch off into two, leaving players to ignore one completely. The map maker seems to forget that the SMG grenade exists.Overwatch Soldiers just use the SMG, he seems to have forgotten that they can also use the Shotgun and Ar2.
It was virtually impossible to finish without having to use cheats. The final annoyance is that at about half way it loops HL1_song10.mp3 over and over until you reach a certain point.
The Gunship battle is extremely annoying as well, as continually respawning Overwatch artificially inflate the difficulty to irritating levels.It's like a bad Count Strike: Source map with Combine and headcrab zombies put in it.
I played the final chapters of Half Life 2 episode 2 to delete the awfulness that was this mod out of my head.

Wall that’s it for my least of complaints about mods I hate and praising the ones I liked. I know I have no idea how hard it is to make a mod in Source. I found it easier to compare bad ones to the mods I did like playing. Even if you don't agree it’s just my opinion anyways and I’ll make no apologies for it. Though I do for my bad grammar. Now to find the will to resist the urge to play Team Fortress 2 and make that review of Metastasis.

0 comments by DJPOO on Nov 28th, 2007 digg this super bookmark

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I might have a review of some Half Life 2 mods in the near future, the first I hope will be MINERVA: Metastasis and other mods that I like playing. Would have actual game reviews if I wasn't short on cash, but I'll do that more often after I upgrade to a better computer. So expect something new when I'm not feeling lazy, which just happens to be most of the time.