Vol.
2, Issue 3
November 24, 1999
ake
one highly successful game. Extract its core technology, backdrop,
and feel. Add in a decent amount of new talent. Liberally sprinkle
in some of their new views and insights. Shape into a fairly decent
story. Mix thoroughly together and let simmer for a year. With
this recipe, is it any surprise that the result is a real taste
treat? Actually, while its no surprise that it’s good –
it is a mild one at just how nice Half-Life: Opposing Force
turned out!
As you
probably already know, you play the role of Corporal Shepard –
a fairly new face among the ranks of the armed services. You were
one of the guys sent in during Half-Life to find and stop
Freeman – and make sure that no one got out alive. Of course,
you’re not REALLY a bad guy in all of this – and, thankfully,
you don’t seem given over to the task of playing a marauding
soldier who goes around killing scientists at random (as the military
seemed to do in Half-Life). As with all things, disaster
will strike, and you find yourself in more of a desperate situation
– where your goal is to get out alive; and escape the horrors
of Black Mesa (sound familiar?).
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You're
on the opposite side this time around (30k)
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Before
I begin talking about the game, let me point out a small detail
that many people might overlook. The “Hazard Course”
in the main menu has been replaced with “Boot Camp”.
I highly recommend playing that, because while some things will
be just like the hazard course, there are many new game-play elements
(and hearing the drill instructors throughout the course is hilarious.
“Full Metal Jacket” fans will smile at the references
and tributes paid to that movie in this area). After you’re
done being a “maggot” (trainee) in what has got to be
the shortest boot camp a soldier has ever gone through (though
for the purposes of the game, its perfect), you’ll be ready
to hop into the single player game.
Oh, you
want to know about the what? The multiplayer aspect? Well, if
that’s all you’re interested in – then skip to
the bottom of the article. Are you sure you’re playing the
right game if you’re asking me that? Let me tell you something
right now – to skip the single-player part of this game is
as much a travesty (and an affront to all of the hard work that
the Gearbox team put in) as it is to skip the single-player portion
of Half-Life itself! This isn’t just a fancy, commercial
mod – this game truly is an extension, and a new chapter/story
in the Half-Life universe.
Okay,
the single-player game then... The story starts out with a nice
intro. sequence that fully immerses you in that “Half-Life
mood”. I’m not going to describe even one bit of it
in detail; because I don’t want to spoil ANYthing –
but I will say that right from the start, you will see (if you
look in the right directions at the right time) that the Gearbox
folks put in as many touches and locations from Half-Life
as necessary to make you believe that you really are “back”
at the Black Mesa labs. Of course, in these type of games nothing
ever gets good until disaster strikes – and that’s precisely
what happens. You’ll be treated to a few more scenes, and
then you’ll black out. The whole sequence is much shorter
than Half-Life’s – which, while revolutionary
for its time, does tend to get old after playing the game through
several times. AND, being an expansion pack, its nice to see that
they didn’t waste any time – just set up the story,
mood, and backgrounds; and then dump us players into the action.
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Say
howdy to Otis - who's a little hungry. (35k)
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You’ll
come to in a makeshift medical area; with refugee scientists trying
to administer first-aid (the sequence that happens as you fade
into consciousness is hilarious, and well done) – as well
as check out the “crab-creatures”. Scientists and their
undying curiosity... sheesh! Anyways, just as Gordon had to get
his HEV suit, you’ll need to grab a similar device for Shepard
– before you can claw your way out of the Mesa. The device
is a little less believable than Half-Life’s HEV suit;
but it works, and doesn’t distract you from the game-play
by wondering about armor/shields. Almost immediately, you’ll
be introduced to one of the “Otis” characters. He’s
the new security guard type of character that you’ll run
into. Even more humorous than the original Barneys, “Otis”es
will also come in handy – as their Desert Eagle .357 pistol
is accurate and deadly (and ammo for your own Eagle pistol is
a little on the rare side, especially in the beginning of the
game). Just don’t stand in front of him while he’s shooting,
okay? He’s a little trigger-happy when monsters are around.
