So, as I mentioned in the intro, I have just finished playing most of a beta for City 17 Episode 1.
Now, as with all betas, there are a few areas that need improvement but the version I played is the latest version and also about 80% finished. With this amount finished it’s clear to see where the developers are aiming for in terms of quality and gameplay style and also to see whether there are close to achieving that.
I just want to say one thing before I continue…This is without doubt one of the best mods I have ever played, even in its unfinished state. I stopped because I was enjoying it so much. I hate playing mods twice and decided that as much as I wanted to continue I shouldn’t because then I would have trouble playing the finished version.
Now, regular readers should know that I NEVER replay mods, never. It’s not because I hated them, it’s because I just don’t enjoy doing it. Therefore please understand that stopping playing the mod is a compliment, not an insult. If I wasn’t loving playing I would have simply finished and saved myself the trouble of playing it when it is finally released.
The start is both dramatic and challenging which is nice to see instead of the usual simple room fade in. All the environments are very detailed both architecturally and gameplay wise. In fact the style of levels I played are exactly the types of levels I enjoy.
There was no custom voice acting included in the beta I played but I am told this will be added soon Other new elements will including a new HUD and some animation I believe.
I really wanted to include some panoramic shots and perhaps even a short movie of the gameplay but I don’t want to give too much away.
You find yourself in the ruins of City 17, obviously, and this provides plenty of cover but also some unexpected surprises regarding the location of the Combine. The lighting is almost perfect with areas neither too bright nor too dark.
I only encountered one puzzle but it fit perfectly with the setting and rather than seeming like an after thought, as so many puzzles are, it was a natural inclusion.
Gameplay was balance between frantic and controlled, and I never felt it was too easy or too hard. A couple of times the enemy just looked at me but to be honest I quite enjoy walking up to them and sending them to a heaven of their choice.
At each level change I kept saying, “Okay, stop now before you spoil it for yourself” and each time I replied “Just a bit more”.
Once this is released (And before you ask, no I don’t know exactly when it will be released) players will be in for a very pleasant surprise. (Well maybe not now that I have told you how good it is!) Mods like this come along once or twice a year and with Strider Mountain and Combine Destiny 2 due soon we could be in for a great early summer.
The only decision you’ll have to make is which to play first!
Click on the thumbnails below to open a 1024 pixel wide image.
WARNING: The screenshots may contain spoilers.
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I have been reading about and waiting for City 17 quite some time. It was actually when searching information about this mod I first came across planetphillip.com, about a mounth ago. This preview has made me even more interested in this mod. This is absolutly one of the gaming related stuff I am longing for most right now.
I hated combine destiny.
Leon’s coastline, Minerva, Rock 24, Offshore, Riot Act, City 7 Toronto Conflict & Das Roboss were all 100 times better.
This mod looks like it’s going to be amazing though.
This mod looks awesome. I’ve been keeping an eye on it for a while now, very excited that it will be released soon. Looks like these people know what they’re doing.
Now I know the reason why im not buying anymore retail games this year because of the quality single-player mods that each one seems to add something new or old into the mix.
Well I wont judge it til I played it (final version) everyone is different point of view of these mods some love/medium/hate them.
Thank you Phillip & The Mod Team responsible for making HL2 a bigger playing field:)
hmph…. SMOD (or another mod) in Episode 1 ?
If not, (It) have some interest?
Hmm I sure hope it does. 😀
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>_< cant wait to play this! hope to see a demo soon =P
I’ve been watching this mod for some time now and it is one of the one I’m looking forward to more than any other.
The screenshots show great level-desing, they wanted to use the new particle system and the their story seems original enough.
What I would like to know Phillip: is the gameplay like Half-Life 2 or have they made some changes? No need to tell them, just want to know if we they are there.
And I forgot that the other two mods were coming out soon as well.
In terms of Gameplay, we’ve made some different changes thats for sure, but yet at the same time, we’ve taken simple spins on the puzzles introduced into HL2, and tweaked them to a different venture. We mainly focus on action though in terms of gameplay, and then we move on to make puzzles fit in the environment, and get them as natural as we can, instead of hurling puzzles at the player. So we won’t go: “Oh lets put a puzzle here, and then one here and here.” Gameplay is probably one of our biggest issues, mainly due to the player is NOT Gordon Freeman, and does not have a Gravity Gun. So we had to make the mod feel fun, and interesting, because even though the gravity gun isn’t present, it’s a large part of the game.