ETC2 is a single player mod made by DaveJ for Half Life. Set within the Half Life universe, it brings back Gordon Freeman to fight against aliens, zombies and soldiers.

RSS Reviews  (0 - 10 of 43)

Two amazing mappacks from Dave Johnston, the creator of de_dust2 (and many other great maps). ETC and ETC II are perfection for me. This is how HL maps should be: detailed but not overly, clever use of regular textures, great setpieces and fantastic scripted sequences.

I would go so far as to say that these two, especially ETC II, are the best old-school mappacks that you'll ever play. This was true back in 2002, it's true in 2022.

ETC
------

One of the best mappacks ever made, period. It starts out simple, but once you get past the initial map the levels start to shine continuously. Every map is better than the last. When you consider that this pack was released in 1999 it becomes even more impressive. At its core, it's a gruntfest with some aliens sprinkled here and there. No puzzles, full action with some humor. I liked the fact it presents problems for you first and let's you solve it next. You see a section filled with toxic chemicals and search a switch to drain it, you find a lowered bridge and go on a hunt for a button to raise it, it's not a simple trek from point A to point B.

Also, I find this mappack extremely influential for old-school mappers. Whenever I replay it I find myself imagining different setpieces. Not only a fun time but a very good incentive to urge someone to start mapping. The only negative I can think of is the fact that it ends too abruptly and without clearing anything up. Who were the two HEV guys? Why is Gordon there? Where does the teleport lead? etc. luckily we have the sequel. Other than that, a masterpiece of design.

ETC II
----------

The sequel starts with a bang, literally. Compared to the first mod the mapping has improved tremendously. Every section is insanely detailed. The maps have that cramped style I really like. Instead of open spaces, we mostly run-and-gun in industrial looking underground sections. If I had to compare it to the original game I would say ETC II feels like an amalgamation of "On a Rail", "We've Got Hostiles" and "Forget About Freeman!". There are multiple paths to take and secret areas with goodies if you know where to look. Long story short, the mapping is fantastic.

The scripted sequences are great too. There are many smaller ones that are fun to observe but sometimes some heavy hitters will be dropped on top of you. There is one section with a scientists that you have to escape from a gargantua together. Everything is perfectly created. The dialog, the scripted sequence itself, the way you defeat the garg, what happens afterwards, it's great. The mod also has custom voice acting, it's mostly humorous chatter. The playtime is decent too, it's longer than the first mod.

One criticism I can make is that some maps can be a bit complicated. They're big, not linear and sometimes you trigger a level change and find yourself in different section of a previous map. It's a bit frustrating if you're trying to explore everywhere but of course, this is a bitter-sweet pain, detailed maps with branching paths isn't a bad thing.

Overall, both ETC's are must play mods for anyone who loves HL. You'll rarely come across level design this consistently good.

ETC

I love a mod that makes me feel relief to get just the HEV suit. Usually it's the search for your first weapon, but a little excitement while you're naked goes a long way. This mod just thrusts you into it.

Dude that mustached security guard was terrifying. Like this ************'s wearing somebody else's face and I have to sit here and pretend like that's not craziest thing happening to me today. It's not even the same color as the rest of his body.

I liked that you could really get in the groove dispensing soda from the vending machine. This often feels like a chore to get health... the juice ain't worth the squeeze. But not today! Press those buttons one at a time and by the time you've hit 'em all, they start resetting for a second pushing. That soda flow. It's the details that I appreciate.

That massive switchback killed me. There's nothing I hate more in a Half-Life game than not knowing if what I'm doing is correct. It's a waste of time. Be clear in your direction.

Autosave frequency was kinda brutal, especially when you're going to dump me down an elevator shaft like that. Low blow. Back to my last quick save which was JESUS CHRIST I HAVE TO DO ALL THIS AGAIN?! Save early, save often.

Featured many classic Half-Life elements. Great scripting, tutorializing, and a thinking man's combat.

A bit tedious at times, but overall a highly intelligent entry into the Black Mesa universe. 7/10

---

ETC 2

Great intro! Dumps you into the **** immediately with immersive environments that respond to the player. Just a blast to navigate through.

Intensity doesn't let up as we're hit with banger after banger and intense combat sequences.

These games really do love their perfect height headcrab ambushes. Along with the crowbar ambushes, talk about catching you with your pants down. A bit unfair with the ladder attacks. Ladders are supposed to be safe places, not boobytrapped with tripmines...

Momentum really slowed with the On A Rail section. Janky train car controls and "gotcha" moments made this part tedious and exhausting.

Dialogue was wacky. Amusing, but out of place!

Xen fell a bit flat with a confusing ending. Shame, since the mod started off so well. Overall a great experience with some minor flaws. 8/10

ETC 1 and 2 are two of the best Half-Life mods I've ever played. I really enjoy these two mods a lot. Definitely would recommend to anyone.

I cannot think of a single way to improve these two classics, a lot of these mods level design is executed so well it would fit in the original game perfectly.
simply timeless.

10

ETC I and ETC II as one, is truly a hidden gem of its era.
Brought into the shoes of Gordon Freeman in a different timeline serving the same resonance cascade survival deeds.
The atmosphere is a true Half-Life experience featuring breathtaking mapping and detail.
For any other run think shoot live fan, this is the right mod.
Make sure you start playing from ETC I then get ETC II.

10

One of the best mods of Half-Life.

3

I hate this mod because there no HEV Charger and you dont have any choice about this game so hard so stupid and bad

9

Brilliant mods both of them, with good length and story and nice level design this is a MUST PLAY to all the fans of half life and is up there with the classics.