Have you ever noticed how different Alyx is in HL2, HL2: EP1 and HL2: EP2? I have to admit that I didn’t until Jasper pointed it out to me and suggested this poll question.

Let’s look a little closer, and these are Jasper’s descriptions, so feel free to compare and contrast each Alyx with your observations.

You find yourself arriving at some sort of Combine facility. You are taken to a room where you are attacked. Next thing you know you wake up in a bin, presumably assumed dead.

Wasting no time, you begin to explore and you find two identical rebel twins who tell you exactly what you need to do, it’s just they tell you in Russian!

As in most mods, you don’t really need to hear what they say, just do what you do best; find and kill Combine. And so, starts your journey to Abyss!

Want to breakout from jail and leave Alyx behind? If so, then this is the mod for you!

A very basic, linear map with a simple objective: escape.

Combine soldiers stand in your way, but don’t let them stop you.

This is a great question that came from Jasper and those who visit the forum will know that his partner also plays video games and has even started to comment on the site.

I fear he is one of the lucky ones, the chances are that a lot of men will at least give gaming a try, even if they don’t like it, whereas women seem to be less inclined to try and that’s a shame because it’s cool to share some activities with your partner.

There has been some discussion on the forum about “the rise of puzzle mods”. Personally I don’t see that they are becoming more popular or being released more often.

Considering how long physics has been in the HL games, it’s almost strange that we haven’t had more pure puzzle mods. Ideally, I think 95% of players prefer a balance between action, exploring and puzzles, but the operative word is “balance” and for some 30% of each is too much.

I need to clarify this question, because “limitations” sounds such a negative word.

When you look at how HL2 works in regard to movement and weapons etc it can seem quite limiting. For example, a lot of games have headbob, and changes of view while sprinting, bullet time etc.

This is something that occurred to me while walking yesterday and watching a couple of cats stalk a bird. It’s probably been done in games before but I can’t remember seeing it – that’s one of the problems of not playing other games.

The idea is that when you press the backwards key somewhere on the screen a small window appears that shows the view behind you. The size, placement and transparency of the view would be controlled by the player in an options window, same as other in-game options.

Imagine this: A warehouse over flowing with crates, but not just ordinary crates, oh no! Crates that have different attributes, floating, burning, exploding etc.

The question is do you have the necessary patience and skill to destroy all the crates. Oh, did I mention there is over 1000 crates. Good luck!

Start in a lobby and explore the Black Mesa Research Facility.

Of course, you will find plenty of enemies and obstacles in your way, so move carefully and pay attention to the signs.

Only the smart and fearless will succeed!