I feel like I've been here before, only it's different now
I've gotten myself into a bit of a quandary with the whole "God Mode" issue. Now that it's on, I'm not quite sure how to turn it off. Now I've read and respect the opinions of the lifelong gamers on here and those that told me I should turn it off. But I've actually kind of enjoyed it. I've been able to play closer attention to what I'm doing and the story going on, instead of constantly getting owned by flying worms, stationary guns, and soldiers. I will turn it off once I figure out how, but what's wrong with just moving right on through and picking up what I can of the story.
I learned today that I'm on the 9th chapter of 18 total. I'm into my seventh month of playing this game and I'm only half way done. I don't want to stop playing (although it seems like I do when I take such long breaks between postings). I want to finish and perhaps just moving on through with invincibility is the way to go. I will listen to any arguments for or against this idea.
As for my play tonight, I moved through the first little bit of apprehension. It should be dubbed water world because that's all it seems to be. It's very detailed, lots of places to go, doors to open, things to figure out, plus the obstacle of swimming. Of course with god mode on I'm not dying, but I can only imagine how painful it would be for me to try and move through this level having to constantly go up for air.
Here are my screenshots:
The flying wormy squid things provided and interesting challenge. I noticed while swimming that there were several options as far as doors to go in with crates in the floor like similar places earlier in the game. I realize this is another puzzle level that I'm going to figure out. I just hope it comes easier than some of the previous chapters.
More to come ...
I learned today that I'm on the 9th chapter of 18 total. I'm into my seventh month of playing this game and I'm only half way done. I don't want to stop playing (although it seems like I do when I take such long breaks between postings). I want to finish and perhaps just moving on through with invincibility is the way to go. I will listen to any arguments for or against this idea.
As for my play tonight, I moved through the first little bit of apprehension. It should be dubbed water world because that's all it seems to be. It's very detailed, lots of places to go, doors to open, things to figure out, plus the obstacle of swimming. Of course with god mode on I'm not dying, but I can only imagine how painful it would be for me to try and move through this level having to constantly go up for air.
Here are my screenshots:
The flying wormy squid things provided and interesting challenge. I noticed while swimming that there were several options as far as doors to go in with crates in the floor like similar places earlier in the game. I realize this is another puzzle level that I'm going to figure out. I just hope it comes easier than some of the previous chapters.
More to come ...
Labels: ethical dilemma, fps, half-life, overcoming obstacles, progress
8 Comments:
If you want to play that way, that's fine, but it makes the whole blog rather pointless. There are plenty of walk throughs available on the net that describe what happens in the game.
I was finding this blog enjoyable because it allowed me to re-experience the challenges and suprises of a game I really loved playing. I bet a lot of other people feel the same way. Listening to a walk through is going to be about as exciting as watching a slide show of my aunts vacation pics.
By all means, play the game however you feel you can most enjoy it. Sorry if it sounds a bit harsh, but I don't see much point in reading about.
Brett pretty much nailed it. The interest in this blog lies in the experiences of you as a non-gamer, the challenges you overcome and your improvement over the time. Yes, it's frustrating, but god mode won't just make this blog pointless, but kill a lot of the feel of the game. If anyone still plays the standard multiplayer, you might want to try giving that a few tries -- I know that helped me out a lot.
To turn off godmode is the same as it was to turn it on -- you just type the same command again and it should say "godmode off" in response. I believe the command is simply "god" though I may be wrong.
Also, at least one chapter in the future is really short, and at least 2 are boss fights, so keep that in mind when considering the progress you have to make yet.
This post is stupidly long; please forgive me. (:
I've played through adventure or puzzle games with a walkthrough, which for the genre is akin to God Mode in that it removes the primary challenge: the enemies in Half-Life, the puzzle-solving of an adventure game. When I did use a walkthrough, it was usually because I wanted to play the game's story, but didn't have the time to invest in puzzling it out. We're busy people, especially as we get older. (;
God Mode in Half-Life? ...it's a little different, because one could argue that the game's story element is much less compelling by itself. Compared to other games of its time, Half-Life was revolutionary for its storytelling; most FPS games were simply "kill enemies, find keys, progress to the next map." Half-Life was a shocking evolution.
Today? Half-Life still stands tall as what some might call the father of today's FPS genre, but it is at this point ten years old, and it's showing its age. Perhaps the "just run through for the story" option is more acceptable.
That said, here's the other side of the coin:
You started this blog to write about your experience learning to play an FPS, and you've had plenty cheering you on... but God Mode is putting the bicycle away in favor of a Big Wheels. Your readers will be far less interested (though this is your blog, not theirs, of course).
More importantly, I wonder if you should ask yourself if this is a rewarding experience to you? Why are you playing Half-Life... to learn to play FPSes? To find out the story? Are you still planning to play HL2 when, if, or even if you don't finish?
If you're playing to learn an FPS, then we're back to the Big Wheels analogy. I'm not saying you need to become some crack shot bunnyhopping multiplayer god, but if you want to master the mechanics of the genre, the negative feedback is part of the learning process.
If you're playing so that you can eventually play Half-Life 2, then perhaps it's worth "skimming" HL1 for the plot. But you're also failing to exercise the skills that will help you succeed in that game and any others you decide to try.
__________
But in the end it comes back to the question: Is it rewarding? You said in your very first post:
"I thought if I was ever going to get into gaming, a good FPS was the way to start...
...I though it would be interesting for all to read my adventures in blog form. So here you go ... I'll try to keep this updated as I try to conquer Half-life. It may take me years but I'm determined to finish it."
The day playing a game feels like work is the day you should look for something different (and I say that as someone who works in the industry - so in some sense my work *is* playing games). Should you play with God Mode? Should you play at all? Totally your decision. Hopefully my long-winded ramblings were marginally helpful. Good luck either way.
(Call me crazy, but here's an option: start over. You know a bit more what you're doing now and you'll be somewhat familiar with each area, so you'll complete it faster and hopefully refresh and improve upon your skills. Yeah, crazy.)
I find it fascinating how invested your readers are into your experiences. Not that I'm not alongside them.
Evaluate your reasons for wanting to play... If you play only with godmode on, you will probably not gain the skills needed to succeed in HL2 without godmode on there. (I recall that the combat learning curve for HL2 jumped up pretty steeply once you entered it, and kept pretty steep.)
One comprimise you could make- quicksave each time you defeat a series of enemies without losing too much health; if you do lose too much health, quickload and try to do better. Use what you know about the locations and equipment of your enemies to your advantage.
You should decide why you are gaming and then decide what you want to do. What you should definitely not do is force yourself to adopt someone else's idea of what gaming should be.
If you are seeking bragging rights or want to become some sort of l33t gamer, then god mode is a definite "no"!
But if, like myself, you just want to enjoy yourself, then you should do anything you feel will make you enjoy the game. I try to avoid things like god mode but I'm not above using a walkthrough if I find that a portion of the game is just too hard for me.
Here's the deal: some of us like FPS but do not have time to spend to become über gamers. I have a wife, step-kids, deadlines, a house to take care of, etc. When I was a teenager, I had time to blow on games but not anymore. However, I still enjoy games. So what am I to do? I have little interest in casual games. So I've found that the way to continue to enjoy FPS, RPGs, etc and keep my gaming time manageable is to use walkthroughs. I try to avoid god mode but if one day I find that's the only way, then I'll use god mode.
PapaBoo, we can all discuss the philosophical reasons for why or why not Godmode or walkthroughs are or are not "Ethical". But it doesn't matter. The reality is that we play games for fun. Frustration is not fun and if Half-Life is anything it is frustrating. If you can not, for the life of you, get past a scene, by all means, go for it, godmode it up.
But, remember. Weather you are playing Half-Life for the skills or the story, fearing for your life is a crucial element to experiencing what Gordon Freeman is going through. Its not just the adrenalin rush you get when something jumps out and tries to kill you. It is also the feeling you get the next day or next week or even many years from now: The feeling that you did it. The sense of accomplishment that you figured out the puzzle, you killed the alien, you beat the boss, and you completed the journey. That is why I game and that is why Half-Life was so ground breaking. You are the story. You are Gordon Freeman. You share his fears and his excitement and you will escape Black Mesa and right what you helped set in motion all those months ago in the Test Chamber. Just remember, frustration is not fun. If you really hit a wall, you can skip a scene or check a guide, but make sure to turn the cheats off again so you can really experience the rest of the game. Also, some people consider Quick Saving cheating. Don't listen to them. Quick Save is your Anti-Frustration button. Good luck. Finishing Half-Life 1 is no walk in the park and many, many "gamers" have not made it as far as you have. This is truly your trial by fire, HL1 is not an easy game. But the story is the experience.
Uh, sorry for the book, I am excited to keep following your adventures and re-live my old frustrations and sense of accomplishment that I survived Black Mesa.
Most people are saying the same thing it seems, and I have to agree.
Moreover; the pacing of the half-life games is such that the hardest parts are usually the ones that teach you a new skill to be used later. If you just walk past them you'll be doubly screwed if/when you start playing properly again.
I hope you pick up the challenge again mate, there's no point wishing you luck otherwise.
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