This is currently a small mod intended to be expanded over time. The first chapter, "Oz", is a single level that represents what I hope to be a series of exciting and interesting ideas created with the Source Engine. The overall idea is to create experiences that represent different events and experiences from characters within the Half-Life universe, not necessarily bound to the main storyline. This freedom should allow for greater experimentation within the engine while adding some unexpected and unique experiences.
Currently rating the first chapter, "Oz", will update with new chapters as a total score.
In "Oz" I liked the introduction to the restrictive, but well-defined goal-oriented gameplay;
the oldschool feel of it;
and the balance, which didn't fall into unfun territory with the challenge and wasn't too easy either, despite collecting effectively the entire arsenal.
I suppose graphically it's on the "modest" side, but it's stylish. Style comes from execution of ideas, not from greeble.
Just try it, there's nothing easier than trying!
Gameplay is tight and dense, very oldschool in the ways it challenges you, great use of layout. Turret is a bastard, and combine arrival can feel overwhelming, but thanks to tons of health and batteries it feels manageable (I played on Normal). I only had some clueless running around when tring to figure out where to get more rockets for the turret, but realized how it works eventually.
Visually, it really feels like HL1 kind of mapping translated to Source, but I like that, and there are some curious setups here and there and only a few nitpicks like a brief glimpse of nodraw at the very end.
nice map for a short chapter so this gets a 8/10 for me