Comments on: Gman Island Part 1 – Half-Life http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/ Finishing Half-Life is just the beginning! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:57:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TheUnbeholden http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-358607 TheUnbeholden Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:59:49 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-358607 It has some good level design if only very blocky looking, like the submarine bay doesn't look quite right. Just like when you see the submarine leave with gman on top you can clearly see water inside the open hatch. I think that its a bit easy as there are a few grunts, and you fight a few assassins once. Its got a bit of backtracking but nothing long, the mod itself is quite short so 10-15 minutes is good for a coffee break (or tea). I think its really nothing compared to other mods by this developer. Though I must admit it does have the best prison escape sequence to date, as it makes sense and it only a bit hard trying to quickly maneuver past the turrets (which you can do without getting shot once). The mod could have had a better submarine bay and been longer, some lighting fixes would be nice to the yard and bay. It has some good level design if only very blocky looking, like the submarine bay doesn’t look quite right. Just like when you see the submarine leave with gman on top you can clearly see water inside the open hatch.
I think that its a bit easy as there are a few grunts, and you fight a few assassins once.
Its got a bit of backtracking but nothing long, the mod itself is quite short so 10-15 minutes is good for a coffee break (or tea). I think its really nothing compared to other mods by this developer.
Though I must admit it does have the best prison escape sequence to date, as it makes sense and it only a bit hard trying to quickly maneuver past the turrets (which you can do without getting shot once). The mod could have had a better submarine bay and been longer, some lighting fixes would be nice to the yard and bay.
]]> By: Technic http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-351928 Technic Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:05:49 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-351928 Old mod with non-spectacular design but nice gameplay (HAVEN'T played part 2 yet, but will soon!) Pro's: -Well-balanced -and made gameplay -Good combat sequences -Some new textures, objects (submarines) right? Readme said there are new objects.. and also quite good leveldesign (yard) -Interesting and exciting story -Some clever puzzles Con's: -Sometimes too bright (dockyard), sometimes too dark (yard) -Some poor leveldesign areas and only indoor yet (haven't played part 2 yet) -Minor bugs (elevator) -No HEV at start but understandable as being in prison -Short playtime Old mod with non-spectacular design but nice gameplay
(HAVEN’T played part 2 yet, but will soon!)

Pro’s:
-Well-balanced -and made gameplay
-Good combat sequences
-Some new textures, objects (submarines) right? Readme said there are new objects.. and also quite good leveldesign (yard)
-Interesting and exciting story
-Some clever puzzles

Con’s:
-Sometimes too bright (dockyard), sometimes too dark (yard)
-Some poor leveldesign areas and only indoor yet (haven’t played part 2 yet)
-Minor bugs (elevator)
-No HEV at start but understandable as being in prison
-Short playtime

]]> By: Dr. Amazing http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-329609 Dr. Amazing Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:53:37 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-329609 After replaying it I realized that this map pack is much better than i remember. After replaying it I realized that this map pack is much better than i remember.
]]> By: Dr. Amazing http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-291656 Dr. Amazing Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:38:02 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-291656 Meh. Meh.
]]> By: Wozzle http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-263443 Wozzle Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:17:44 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-263443 I enjoyed this mod. It's not the best looking mod but there was enough action at a nicely paced rate, with some puzzles thrown in, to make up for that. The environments were quite varied throughout the mod and the transitions between the areas seemed to make sense. However, some of the areas did feel a tad bland, with wide open spaces and little to populated them. I feel that the action and the scripted events did make up for some of the uninteresting areas. I thought that there was an interesting mix of enemies to fight through the mod but, best of all, most of the enemies were placed in areas that made them challenging to fight. There were a couple of areas that had some strange scripting triggers in order to move to the next area. I felt a bit confused because I needed to run around a bit before the next event triggered. Once I worked out what was supposed to happen and what I was supposed to do, it all seemed to work smoothly. I guess that was another case of the mapper having a set plan of events but that sequence is not overly obvious to the player. This is the sort of thing that can only be solve through external testing. The puzzles were fairly standard, utilising the 'find the button' variety, but it did help to break up the action and pace out the mod nicely so that was well done. I think I had the opposite problem with the puzzles, compared to most, in that I found the buttons easily but I couldn't work out where they were connected to. Maybe a few signs indicating various areas would have helped navigation a bit. Overall, this mod isn't too bad. It should keep you entertained if you are looking for some more action in a Black Mesa environment. I enjoyed this mod. It’s not the best looking mod but there was enough action at a nicely paced rate, with some puzzles thrown in, to make up for that.

The environments were quite varied throughout the mod and the transitions between the areas seemed to make sense. However, some of the areas did feel a tad bland, with wide open spaces and little to populated them.

I feel that the action and the scripted events did make up for some of the uninteresting areas. I thought that there was an interesting mix of enemies to fight through the mod but, best of all, most of the enemies were placed in areas that made them challenging to fight.

There were a couple of areas that had some strange scripting triggers in order to move to the next area. I felt a bit confused because I needed to run around a bit before the next event triggered. Once I worked out what was supposed to happen and what I was supposed to do, it all seemed to work smoothly. I guess that was another case of the mapper having a set plan of events but that sequence is not overly obvious to the player. This is the sort of thing that can only be solve through external testing.

The puzzles were fairly standard, utilising the ‘find the button’ variety, but it did help to break up the action and pace out the mod nicely so that was well done. I think I had the opposite problem with the puzzles, compared to most, in that I found the buttons easily but I couldn’t work out where they were connected to. Maybe a few signs indicating various areas would have helped navigation a bit.

Overall, this mod isn’t too bad. It should keep you entertained if you are looking for some more action in a Black Mesa environment.

]]> By: Whatever You Want http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-259579 Whatever You Want Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:14:28 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-259579 This is easily one of the best maps in the 100SDoN so far, with a nice mix of puzzles and action. Like I just said this has both puzzle and action and executes them near enough perfectly. It's not easy but not hard both for actions and puzzles and there isn't actually much more to say. "Play It Now!" This is easily one of the best maps in the 100SDoN so far, with a nice mix of puzzles and action.

Like I just said this has both puzzle and action and executes them near enough perfectly. It’s not easy but not hard both for actions and puzzles and there isn’t actually much more to say.

“Play It Now!”

]]> By: Ade http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-258274 Ade Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:52:46 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-258274 Mod is seriously lacking autosaves, replayed the first bits a couple of times cus I would die on Normal, or my f7 would take me waaay back and I only get 1 quick save? The first time I got in the chopper area I saw the ninjas and died but upon reloading, the trigger that made them appear broke and was stuck with 1 bad quick save so of course I blame the author. Won't rate it cus I didn't get a chance to finish it.. And considering that also a lot of enemies freeze when they first see me, I won't be playing part 2. Mod is seriously lacking autosaves, replayed the first bits a couple of times cus I would die on Normal, or my f7 would take me waaay back and I only get 1 quick save? The first time I got in the chopper area I saw the ninjas and died but upon reloading, the trigger that made them appear broke and was stuck with 1 bad quick save so of course I blame the author. Won’t rate it cus I didn’t get a chance to finish it.. And considering that also a lot of enemies freeze when they first see me, I won’t be playing part 2.
]]> By: Hec http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257867 Hec Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:43:34 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257867 Oh ok i played this first time when i found it on Le Phillipe Croquete PS Cosmos HL1 dedicated web page, and it was good, get to those submarines was cool and it was fill with action and classy HL1 touches so that's my recomendation based on those memories so yep u must play this, has the quality the fun and the apropiate action to deserve it! Oh ok i played this first time when i found it on Le Phillipe Croquete PS Cosmos HL1 dedicated web page, and it was good, get to those submarines was cool and it was fill with action and classy HL1 touches so that’s my recomendation based on those memories so yep u must play this, has the quality the fun and the apropiate action to deserve it!
]]> By: Bolx http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257729 Bolx Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:27:53 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257729 Although this was a bit blocky, it was fun to play, but with the exception assassins, was a little too easy. What I did find a little strange is at the beginning you see Gordon in his HEV suit, but for the first few minutes you are playing without it? I would have preferred a little more action in the submarine pen area, but maybe that’s because I’m comparing the section to DAV Sub, which was more polished. Although there wasn’t anything outstanding, I enjoyed this more than most of the releases so far and I’m looking forward to part 2. Although this was a bit blocky, it was fun to play, but with the exception assassins, was a little too easy. What I did find a little strange is at the beginning you see Gordon in his HEV suit, but for the first few minutes you are playing without it?

I would have preferred a little more action in the submarine pen area, but maybe that’s because I’m comparing the section to DAV Sub, which was more polished. Although there wasn’t anything outstanding, I enjoyed this more than most of the releases so far and I’m looking forward to part 2.

]]> By: Unq http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257670 Unq Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:47:06 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257670 Much better than most debut maps, but this is still pretty rough around the edges. The puzzles and layout are well-done, involving some backtracking. The scripting is nicely done for the most part but could use polishing. While the layout is solid, the actual architecture is pretty bland, and I don't think Jack really pulled off the feel of a sub bay in the last map. Enemies are a better mixture than the gruntfests we've seen in the 100 Days so far. Not too much variation, but there are assassins and a couple of aliens thrown in the mix. As an experienced player, I found this a total piece of cake on medium difficulty; I think playing on hard would be a much better balance. Note: Phillip, you might want to update the Installation Instructions - you just need to copy the ja directory to your half-life directory, restart Steam, and select it from the library. Much better than most debut maps, but this is still pretty rough around the edges. The puzzles and layout are well-done, involving some backtracking. The scripting is nicely done for the most part but could use polishing.

While the layout is solid, the actual architecture is pretty bland, and I don’t think Jack really pulled off the feel of a sub bay in the last map. Enemies are a better mixture than the gruntfests we’ve seen in the 100 Days so far. Not too much variation, but there are assassins and a couple of aliens thrown in the mix.

As an experienced player, I found this a total piece of cake on medium difficulty; I think playing on hard would be a much better balance.

Note: Phillip, you might want to update the Installation Instructions – you just need to copy the ja directory to your half-life directory, restart Steam, and select it from the library.

]]> By: mel http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257668 mel Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:40:58 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257668 Having first checked my original and personal records, I was always going to revise my assessment. Back when first released I considered Part 1 a good 6/10, whilst Hunger16 recommended 7/10, either way sounds more like a Play It Later then a Maybe. This mod has some very strict trigger sequences, noticeably in the helicopter pad area, I found that if you did not do sequences in a particular order you never gained access to certain areas, which did not necessary block ones progress. I see by now Phillip has his answer to the pump room access, this also had me fooled for awhile, sneaky button placement. Back to the mod, after a brutal start dodging the Turret guns, the mod takes on a series of twists and turns with short sharp Grunt encounters through a complex of small rooms and air ducts. The conclusion takes part in a hugely proportioned submarine pen which may have you running around in circles, that’s until you tweak the button. It’s certainly a fun to play mod, I enjoyed a second play through after figuring out all the key issues first time through. Set designs varied from basic and boxy at the start, improving with depth of play, then to the more ambitious architecture of act 3. The gameplay was well balances with plenty of combat inter-mingled by way of situation solving in typical HL1 fashion. With Part 2 waiting, I had a look to see what my personal comments said; ‘Quality game, vast improvement on Part 1’, 8/10 with Hunger16 scoring it 8.6/10, can’t wait. Having first checked my original and personal records, I was always going to revise my assessment. Back when first released I considered Part 1 a good 6/10, whilst Hunger16 recommended 7/10, either way sounds more like a Play It Later then a Maybe.

This mod has some very strict trigger sequences, noticeably in the helicopter pad area, I found that if you did not do sequences in a particular order you never gained access to certain areas, which did not necessary block ones progress.

I see by now Phillip has his answer to the pump room access, this also had me fooled for awhile, sneaky button placement.

Back to the mod, after a brutal start dodging the Turret guns, the mod takes on a series of twists and turns with short sharp Grunt encounters through a complex of small rooms and air ducts. The conclusion takes part in a hugely proportioned submarine pen which may have you running around in circles, that’s until you tweak the button.

It’s certainly a fun to play mod, I enjoyed a second play through after figuring out all the key issues first time through. Set designs varied from basic and boxy at the start, improving with depth of play, then to the more ambitious architecture of act 3.

The gameplay was well balances with plenty of combat inter-mingled by way of situation solving in typical HL1 fashion. With Part 2 waiting, I had a look to see what my personal comments said; ‘Quality game, vast improvement on Part 1’, 8/10 with Hunger16 scoring it 8.6/10, can’t wait.

]]> By: Ixon http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257578 Ixon Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:11:44 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257578 I played some HL mods few days ago and this was one of them. I seem to have already forgot it. It has some good design, nice action, but nothing mindblowing. Good fun mod, but don't expect too much. Gman Island 2 is better, but play this one as well. I played some HL mods few days ago and this was one of them. I seem to have already forgot it. It has some good design, nice action, but nothing mindblowing. Good fun mod, but don’t expect too much. Gman Island 2 is better, but play this one as well.
]]> By: Duke http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257569 Duke Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:21:33 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257569 Played part 1 and 2 some years ago now...I kind of remember bits of it...but don't feel the urge to replay, I do remember some bits were really hard (for me at least) I loved the feel, and with a little more effort it could have been a total conversion...but hey, it is what it is... Played part 1 and 2 some years ago now…I kind of remember bits of it…but don’t feel the urge to replay, I do remember some bits were really hard (for me at least) I loved the feel, and with a little more effort it could have been a total conversion…but hey, it is what it is…
]]> By: 2muchvideogames http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257518 2muchvideogames Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:45:42 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257518 The author is a Japanese guy whose mapping MO comprises of tough gameplay coupled with extensive puzzles. This one is only 3 maps; it's the simplest mod you'll ever see from him. (Try Gman Island 2, you'll be at your wit's end trying to get past the second map!) Other mods from him are Portrait of Freeman and Prize. The puzzles are hard to crack; you really have to do alot of backtracking and observation to get past these areas. Heh, I was stumped for like 20 minutes in that sub pen only to realize the answer's in the flippin' screenshots! It's these kind of puzzles that I find reasonable (unlike some really unintuitive ones I can imagine in some other mods) because I'm stumped, yet it is pretty obvious when I figured it out. So then I can finally squeeze myself into that submarine and give chase to the ever-so-evil G-man. (Read: the mod actually gives the player an objective to pursue.) The gameplay is there too. As I mentioned before, along with the puzzles comes the strong resistance from G-man's goons. You can tell from the screens that you'll be up against fierce confrontations with soldiers. The craftsmanship of the maps is decent enough that you won't be reminded of certain maps from last week, but you know his mapping does get better in later mods as his mods become more extensive with custom textures and models, etc. I think you all will like it. P.S. Heads up phillip, part 2 is 13 maps (10 more than this one) and the puzzles are that much more complicated. I think it will take about 10 mins just to get past that osprey yard in the beginning. Good luck I'm rooting for ya! The author is a Japanese guy whose mapping MO comprises of tough gameplay coupled with extensive puzzles. This one is only 3 maps; it’s the simplest mod you’ll ever see from him. (Try Gman Island 2, you’ll be at your wit’s end trying to get past the second map!) Other mods from him are Portrait of Freeman and Prize.

The puzzles are hard to crack; you really have to do alot of backtracking and observation to get past these areas. Heh, I was stumped for like 20 minutes in that sub pen only to realize the answer’s in the flippin’ screenshots! It’s these kind of puzzles that I find reasonable (unlike some really unintuitive ones I can imagine in some other mods) because I’m stumped, yet it is pretty obvious when I figured it out. So then I can finally squeeze myself into that submarine and give chase to the ever-so-evil G-man. (Read: the mod actually gives the player an objective to pursue.)

The gameplay is there too. As I mentioned before, along with the puzzles comes the strong resistance from G-man’s goons. You can tell from the screens that you’ll be up against fierce confrontations with soldiers. The craftsmanship of the maps is decent enough that you won’t be reminded of certain maps from last week, but you know his mapping does get better in later mods as his mods become more extensive with custom textures and models, etc. I think you all will like it.

P.S. Heads up phillip, part 2 is 13 maps (10 more than this one) and the puzzles are that much more complicated. I think it will take about 10 mins just to get past that osprey yard in the beginning. Good luck I’m rooting for ya!

]]> By: Petrick http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257515 Petrick Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:34:45 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257515 That was fun, can't wait for part II. Enough action, small puzzle(s), enough ammo/health.. And this time there was no need to use noclip for that fan, heh.. That was fun, can’t wait for part II.

Enough action, small puzzle(s), enough ammo/health.. And this time there was no need to use noclip for that fan, heh..

]]> By: EmoLevelDesigner http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257509 EmoLevelDesigner Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:14:04 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257509 Another level with the "stop the fan" quest. Here, the fan stops at random position, so you might have to return to the switch and turn it on, then off. Thankfully, in most cases it is possible to go right through the stopped fan. The design is not bad, but very simple. The layout is used very well, making the game longer. There are some different locations, battles, some puzzles, some scripted scenes. They are various and that's good. The last map is the best - its walkthrough is sudden and different from what I initially supposed. Another level with the “stop the fan” quest. Here, the fan stops at random position, so you might have to return to the switch and turn it on, then off. Thankfully, in most cases it is possible to go right through the stopped fan.

The design is not bad, but very simple. The layout is used very well, making the game longer. There are some different locations, battles, some puzzles, some scripted scenes. They are various and that’s good.

The last map is the best – its walkthrough is sudden and different from what I initially supposed.

]]> By: EmoLevelDesigner http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257506 EmoLevelDesigner Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:04:18 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257506 [spoiler]To open that door you need to break the glass on the red button in the control room. You can see it through the window.[/spoiler]
Spoiler Inside SelectShow
]]> By: planetphillip http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-257476 planetphillip Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:31:50 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-257476 I really enjoyed this one. Let me tell you about a little problem I had though. SPOILERS BELOW I couldn't open the door, in one of the rooms in the Submarine yard, that leads to the pump room. I had to <em>noclip</em> which was a little disappointing and frustrating. Brownie points for telling me how to do it. Anyway, I felt the overall feel of the mod was a little blocky but I felt the general atmosphere was well portrayed. The gameplay and action was well-balanced and I didn't think it was too hard. Definitely looking for to playing and posting part 2 tomorrow. I am also curious to see if Mel replay and re-reviews this and if so, if his recommendation changes. I really enjoyed this one. Let me tell you about a little problem I had though. SPOILERS BELOW
I couldn’t open the door, in one of the rooms in the Submarine yard, that leads to the pump room. I had to noclip which was a little disappointing and frustrating. Brownie points for telling me how to do it.

Anyway, I felt the overall feel of the mod was a little blocky but I felt the general atmosphere was well portrayed.

The gameplay and action was well-balanced and I didn’t think it was too hard.

Definitely looking for to playing and posting part 2 tomorrow.

I am also curious to see if Mel replay and re-reviews this and if so, if his recommendation changes.

]]> By: mcrip http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-195073 mcrip Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:30:40 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-195073 Short and not so much fun, nothing i´ve never seen before. Short and not so much fun, nothing i´ve never seen before.
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-161388 piledriver Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:01:43 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-161388 Nice build up at the start. Good mapping skills mixed with well designed fights and some not so easy puzzles make for an enjoyable experience. Ends with a 'To be continued' message. That'll be Gman Island Part 2 then. Hope it's as good quality as this one. I'm giving it a 4 because it has no faults apart from being too short. Nice build up at the start. Good mapping skills mixed with well designed fights and some not so easy puzzles make for an enjoyable experience. Ends with a ‘To be continued’ message. That’ll be Gman Island Part 2 then. Hope it’s as good quality as this one.
I’m giving it a 4 because it has no faults apart from being too short.
]]> By: mel http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-152473 mel Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:50:44 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/gman-island-part-1-half-life/#comment-152473 good map, level finishes by joining-up with the original HL game. good map, level finishes by joining-up with the original HL game.
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