Half-Life 2: Lost Coast: Saint Olga

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

Half-Life 2: Lost Coast is a technology demo showing off the Source engine’s HDR rendering capabilities.

The town of St. Olga, where the game is set, was originally slated to take place between the levels Highway 17 and Sandtraps, but was dropped.

Lost Coast was released on October 27, 2005 as a free download to all owners of Half-Life 2.

26th May 2013 17 Comments

TREE: Half-Life 2 Podcast

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

As part of The Replay Experience Experiment, here is the fourth of a number of podcasts, discussing one of the games we have played.

In this case, it’s for Half-Life 2. Joining me on this podcast is Don.

We discuss Half-Life 2 from a number of different aspects. Believe it or not we nearly forgot to talk about Alyx!

Both Don and I will respond to any comments you may make, so please don’t hesitate to comment.

26th May 2013 4 Comments

Steampipe and current issues

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

This post was written by James Partridge.
You may have noticed that some Valve games haven’t been working as smoothly as usual.

Well, there is a reason for this and James Partridge explains and offers some help.

25th May 2013 46 Comments

MapTap: Beta Release 2.4.0 RC7

Update: MapTap has been replaced by Gauge.

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

Alex and I have been working hard on the next version of MapTap (well, mostly Alex), and I have decided that from this version onwards, I will release each beta version.

In this case, it’s even more important than usual to get a wide variety of testers. This version should now detect the correct location of your Half-Life installation.

10th May 2013 7 Comments

Half-Life 2: Dark Energy

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

This final chapter details the climactic confrontation between Wallace Breen, Gordon Freeman and the leaders of the Resistance.

After being transported to Dr. Breen’s office, Gordon is reunited with Eli Vance and Alyx Vance, who are both being kept captive in Stalker pods as well.

Dr. Breen tries once again to gain the allegiance of Eli but, after being refused, prepares to send Gordon, Alyx, and Eli through a portal to the Combine Overworld.

8th May 2013 11 Comments

Half-Life 2: Our Benefactors

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

This chapter details Gordon Freeman’s infiltration in the Combine Citadel.

It is also a playground for the newly charged Gravity Gun, having many Combine Soldiers and Elites to kill.

After making his way into the Citadel, through use of a ‘Stalker pod,’ Gordon is caught in a Combine weapon confiscation field.

5th May 2013 9 Comments

Why Once Is Not Enough

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

You see that image to the left? It comes from the Half-Life 2 chapter Follow Freeman, which I have just finished playing. It’s the view from inside the Combine Nexus just as a Combine Gunship passes over the roof.

What struck me today, and quite hard too, was that playing a game like Half-Life 2 once is not enough. That may sound obvious to you but as somebody who is only just playing his way through the games for only the second time, it’s a very important point.

28th April 2013 22 Comments

Half-Life 2: Follow Freeman

Single Player First Person Shooter Maps and Mods for Half-Life 1, 2 and Episodes 1, 2 and 3

This chapter involves heavy urban combat, aided by resistance members, against Striders, Gunships, and both regular and elite Combine Soldiers.

Gordon Freeman teams up with Barney, together leading a battle at the Overwatch Nexus, and finally fighting their way to the foot of the Citadel.

There they encounter DOG, who is running rampant through the streets looking for Alyx.

DOG provides a pathway into the Citadel by lifting up a portion of a Combine Smart Barrier, allowing Gordon through.

28th April 2013 10 Comments