HL2 Orange Box and TF2

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:44 pm

Spooky wrote:Haven't had enough play time to make any serious comments/impressions, but...

Does the audio seem awfully loud, like distorted?

Is there any surround audio?

Is there any vibration in any games?

I didn't have any problems with the audio, but I only played TF.

Didn't even notice if there was vibration

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:25 pm

Audio in this one is absurdly loud, across the whole thing. And the mixing is putrid. Given that you only have control over 'game level' and 'music level,' and the fact that it's unclear if the one affects the other, and then add in the fact that there may well be Gear of War style audio cues that aren't subject to the volume control options, and you have frustration for someone like me who prefers to stream music while playing MP.

The final touch of 'WTF?' is that all the volume controls are specific to each game, so there is no control for the main menu. Ugh. But hey, if it weren't imperfect, we might not know it was real.

I played some HL2, having only ever got a bit past halfway in the Xbox version, and damn but this is a great game. It is still the same game as I played before, but it's so freaking good, and I can't wait to get through it and on to Ep. 1 and especially Ep. 2 which all accounts indicate is well above par. There just aren't very many single player games at all, much less shooters, that are anywhere near this good all the way around.

I tried to play some TF2, but I have to say, the days of refreshing the game list or sitting in a room waiting for it to fill are so 1990s. It's such a shame to me this game has no party system, and it really is almost enough to completely kill the thing for me. If we had any hope, any hope at all, of having a decent DSP turnout for this in MP from time to time, it would surely be absolutely lights out great, but having played Halo2 so many years ago in the last-gen, and having played some billion hours of SR, it sucks something royal to go back to the days of GR:IT and the refresh-tryagain-sit in lobby mini-game. I call BULLSHIT! These assholes should have done the minimum and put in a basic party/ matchmaking system, but no.

I'm still looking forward to serious time with it, though. The whole 'only 6 maps' thing is not an issue with me at ALL. The maps seem superbly designed and balanced to their gametype, and the only thing that is even close to a shame in my mind about that is that there is only one map for the breifcase game. Surely, there will be dlc. Let's hope it's FREE.

Oh, and I haven't even touched Portal, which I'm sure will be something I will treasure, since it's so unique and suits me perfectly. Hoping for dlc for that, too, since it appears to be super short.

In closing, I would say anyone on the fence should get this game and ignore all the bitching and complaining I have been doing just now. It is a rare example of the highest quality of game release, and it is, to be fair, overstuffed with diverse games. TF2 will provide absolutely the best DSP online experience we could ever hope to have, but only if people get the freaking game. GET IT!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:04 pm

Zeppo wrote:TF2 will provide absolutely the best DSP online experience we could ever hope to have, but only if people get the freaking game. GET IT!

Soon. Very soon.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:07 pm

Zeppo wrote: I tried to play some TF2, but I have to say, the days of refreshing the game list or sitting in a room waiting for it to fill are so 1990s. It's such a shame to me this game has no party system, and it really is almost enough to completely kill the thing for me. If we had any hope, any hope at all, of having a decent DSP turnout for this in MP from time to time, it would surely be absolutely lights out great, but having played Halo2 so many years ago in the last-gen, and having played some billion hours of SR, it sucks something royal to go back to the days of GR:IT and the refresh-tryagain-sit in lobby mini-game. I call BULLSHIT! These assholes should have done the minimum and put in a basic party/ matchmaking system, but no.

I'm still looking forward to serious time with it, though. The whole 'only 6 maps' thing is not an issue with me at ALL. The maps seem superbly designed and balanced to their gametype, and the only thing that is even close to a shame in my mind about that is that there is only one map for the breifcase game. Surely, there will be dlc. Let's hope it's FREE.

Agree about the lack of "Party" system, but hey, it never stopped us from having some incredible GoW sessions...

I also agree about the maps. They seem really, really well designed and it's nice to know that each one was designed specifically for each mode. Makes it even tighter.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:16 pm

Zeppo wrote:TF2 will provide absolutely the best DSP online experience we could ever hope to have, but only if people get the freaking game. GET IT!

Well, my copy shipped from Gamefly this afternoon. So that means I should have it by ... June 2012

slyguy · Post by **slyguy** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:57 pm

Don't worry Zeppo i pick this up tomorrow

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:17 am

mixdj1 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:TF2 will provide absolutely the best DSP online experience we could ever hope to have, but only if people get the freaking game. GET IT!
Well, my copy shipped from Gamefly this afternoon. So that means I should have it by ... June 2012

Ditto. I also DL'ed the PC version but it doesn't play full blast graphically on my laptop so I'm holding off on any major comments about TF2 until I sit down for a game on the 360. What little I did play I really liked although I'm having a tough time spotting spies for some odd reason. I think someone on my team stuck a "enemy knife goes here" sticker on my back or something. All the classes were fun to play and none of them seemed super awesome or overpowered compared to the others.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:01 pm

I put in a nice long time with TF2 last night. I have virtually no complaints regarding the gameplay. The balance is still dead on. The maps are brilliantly designed and the game is fun. The only problems appeared in the matchmaking process, with frequent hang ups, lag and games that wouldn't initiate out of the team screen. Judging from the talk online, it was a widespread problem.

Some people were having trouble with lag in-game, but I didn't see any at all. There is some slowdown when the explosions get going and there are a ton of people in a tight spot, but I only saw it once or twice. I never saw actual lag at all.

The quality of the competition was varied, as there is definitely a learning curve for people who think you can just run and gun with no teamwork. I was racking up enormous kill numbers as an engineer on people who thought they could outrun my sentry guns. I suspect that will not be the case for long.

btmmayor · Post by **btmmayor** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:21 pm

RobVarak wrote:I was racking up enormous kill numbers as an engineer on people who thought they could outrun my sentry guns.

Those things are a pain in the ass. If you have a team that is smart with their engineers and turret placements they can be very tough to beat.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:45 pm

btmmayor wrote:
RobVarak wrote:I was racking up enormous kill numbers as an engineer on people who thought they could outrun my sentry guns.
Those things are a pain in the ass. If you have a team that is smart with their engineers and turret placements they can be very tough to beat.

There's nothing more fun than keeping a nice defensive system up and running and watching it mow people down. I'd play engineer every game if I could

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:48 pm

I hate, hate the character art for TF2. I have no idea why, but this thing here:

is like the visual analog to nails scratching down a chalkboard for me. I don't care that the characters are not realistic. I've played sci-fi shooters, I dig some cartoony games, cell-shading, etc. It's just that this particular style, I dunno, summons up some sort of visceral flight-or-fight thing within me. At least I can shoot it in game.

Speaking of which, after thinking I would pass, I picked this one up today at lunch. My wife gifted me with a gift card, and I figured that I did want to play eps 1 and 2 and Portal enough that it was worth it even if I didn't care for TF2. That said, however, I do want to give TF2 a try. I have a good upload, so maybe I can host a room for us. Anyone want to try tonight? I am a complete TF2 newb, though!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:50 pm

I picked this one up yesterday but didn't really get a chance to play TF2. I never finished HL2 on the pc. I probably made it half way through so I'm anxious to catch up to where I left off. It is so nice to play this game without having to worry about that damn Steam crap. Portal is pretty cool too but I only checked it out for about 15-minutes. I tried playing TF2 but I got disconnected and then ran into the difficulties of playing randoms without a party system in the main lobby when I came into a lobby where guys had the room set to auto-assign teams yet would b*tch at the players who were auto-assigned to switch teams. I kept checking for an opportunity to join Rob's game but it was never a choice. I've never played TF so a DSP room to get to know it would be great. How about a Friday night TF2 night?

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:56 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:How about a Friday night TF2 night?

I'm down. On the 360? I should be getting my copy later today or tomorrow.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:14 pm

webdanzer wrote:I hate, hate the character art for TF2.

Different strokes, indeed. I love the design, and find it a welcome departure from the template of most shooters which stretches from gray to greenish gray

Scoop, I didn't see you logon or I would've bailed to get into a room. I would've stared a Poker Night thread, but I can't guaranty my presence at a set time. I'll definitely be on playing tonight though.

Quick primer for those that have never played before:

There is no friendly fire. Don't be afraid to bust a cap in someone if you think they may be a spy. Also, don't be shy with area effect weapons.

You can change classes anytime that you die! This is huge in games with fewer players. You can also change while you're alive, although this will cause you to die immediately.

Use the Y button. The scoreboard will familiarize you with your teammates and hopefully make it easier to spot spies. Again, this is very easy in small rooms. If there's a heavy running around and you know there is no heavy on your team: Fire!

Rocket jump when you can. The maps are designed with rocket jumping in mind, and it can be a huge advantage. HEavies can do it with their mines as well, but I've never been able to pull that off.

Finally, and most importantly. ALWAYS SHOOT THE MEDIC!

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:18 pm

RobVarak wrote:...a welcome departure from the template of most shooters which stretches from gray to greenish gray

I think that is why it bothers me so much, because I agree the departure from the norm is nice...I just don't happen to like the particular place where this one landed!

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:16 pm

Man I am so freakin bad at TF2 on the PC. I dunno if it's my crappy mouse and keyboard set-up or what but I just can't kill anything to save my life. Scouts kick the crap outta me when I'm a heavy, everybody knows when I'm the spy, my engineering creations always take a direct hit from enemy rockets after 1 maybe 2 kills. I got my work cut out for me. Maybe the 360 version will afford me some better luck using a controller.

This game is waaaaaaay faster than I thought it would be too. I think it's all the Halo 3 I've been playing lately (much slower pace than TF2).

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:20 pm

macsomjrr wrote:This game is waaaaaaay faster than I thought it would be too. I think it's all the Halo 3 I've been playing lately (much slower pace than TF2).

You've got to be kidding me. Halo is all twitch. TF2 must require telekinisis if its faster.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:42 pm

JRod wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:This game is waaaaaaay faster than I thought it would be too. I think it's all the Halo 3 I've been playing lately (much slower pace than TF2).
You've got to be kidding me. Halo is all twitch. TF2 must require telekinisis if its faster.

A pair of scouts dueling with shotguns is like watching a gunfight in fast forward. It's much faster if you're fighting scouts, not so much if you're fighting Heavies, etc.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:48 pm

JRod wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:This game is waaaaaaay faster than I thought it would be too. I think it's all the Halo 3 I've been playing lately (much slower pace than TF2).
You've got to be kidding me. Halo is all twitch. TF2 must require telekinisis if its faster.

Hey there is nothing funny about game speed JRod. Nothing at all. This is all business.

maddoc1979 · Post by **maddoc1979** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:51 pm

I've got the PC version and it's awesome. Scales very well (I certainly do not have top of the line equipment) through all the games. I've really only gotten into Portal (though I played HL2 when it first came out) and it's without a doubt some of the most fun I've had recently. Very addictive and definitely gives you that "just one more level" style of play. I could see modders doing amazing things with level creation for this game.

Has anyone on DSP set up a Steam Community yet? If not, we should for the PC players.

Doc

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:40 pm

macsomjrr wrote:
JRod wrote:
macsomjrr wrote:This game is waaaaaaay faster than I thought it would be too. I think it's all the Halo 3 I've been playing lately (much slower pace than TF2).
You've got to be kidding me. Halo is all twitch. TF2 must require telekinisis if its faster.
Hey there is nothing funny about game speed JRod. Nothing at all. This is all business.

Games like this make me feel old. Is it wrong to want to go back to the NES days with a joystick and only an A and B buttons.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:22 am

That was pretty fun last night, and I did better than I would have expected. Faves are the Demoman, Spy, and Soldier. The Sniper seemed fairly useless to me last night, at least for the maps on which we played. Definitely up to playing it again.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:56 am

webdanzer wrote:That was pretty fun last night, and I did better than I would have expected. Faves are the Demoman, Spy, and Soldier. The Sniper seemed fairly useless to me last night, at least for the maps on which we played. Definitely up to playing it again.

Yeah, the maps have a huge impact on the value of the classes. Snipers are excellent on Well because that warehose is pretty wide open, but basically useless on the other two maps we played. Engineers are the key to the 2Forts map, but almost no value on the last map etc.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:57 am

I had fun as well but I didn't like getting switched teams in the middle of a match.

I also don't know enough about the classes and how to do everything. I had no idea when I was the spy how to put on a costume.

I also felt like the map was kind of small and of course getting dumped out after each match sucked. Also this is the first shooter on the 360 where i am having trouble aiming, it is so sensative and the players move so fast it almost makes weapons like the shotgun useless for me anyway.

slyguy · Post by **slyguy** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:09 pm

Danimal drop down the sensitivity down in the controller options remember scouts and spy's move the fastest so adjust according. I like the spy the best so far. I loved it when i had the other teams medic heal me or sneaking up on someone and giving them a knife in the back