Project Overview
When I started this project I hadn't played Half-Life 2. I simply wanted to work on a small singleplayer FPS level and had heard good things about Half-Life 2. I decided that a non-linear approach would not only be something fun to work with considering all the fun mechanics in HL2, but would also be a good opportunity for me to learn a lot. The gameplay video above shows me playing through the level once, while trying to nod at different routes and approaches the player could have taken.
The Process
I like being sneaky. But a lot of players also love just going in guns blazing. Why not allow for both? I built the level in "stages", where every room was optional and would give the player access to a new weapon or path. This meant that
some players just grabbed the crowbar and started whacking the Combine cops over the head with it, while others were a bit more explorative and sneaky, like I had hoped for, and explored the different paths of the ventilation system and found new ways to kill
the Combine forces.
I scripted events to grab the players' attention and direct them to the different rooms, where either weapons or Gordon's suit (important equipment, improves movement and allows switching in between weapons) were visible behind whatever was going on. These
scenes were also intended to motivate the player to go into the rooms and avenge the civilians that were executed before their eyes.
Lessons learned
My main lesson learned was about balancing affordances and clear guidance with world logic. I blocked off doors with furniture so that players could clearly see that they cannot enter through there.
But how did the civilians and the Combine cop get inside? Did the three cops looking for Barney place the furniture there and lock the civilians in with their teammate? It didn't quite make sense.
So while it made for clear affordances, it could have been done differently. If I were to rework it I would probably put visible furniture behind the door, which the player could then use their weapons to break once they've found their
way inside.
