But the gameplay is still as boring as ever.
…the gameplay, its essentially mindless jumping/button hunt puzzles. But this time around theres alot more running around in big environments which gets dull quickly when you play in such bland environments (stylish yes) but they are literally empty apart from the occasional phone booth that you choose whether to live or die, and the custom textures on walls. Oh and there are some crates in a few sections.
There is a bit of comedy but not my taste…

I liked the way the NPC’s look which fits the world, but the mod is far to empty and boring gameplay wise to possible consider playing unless you just want to be frustrated.

One of the aspects that I paid much more attention to this time around was the technical workings of the maps. Many are simply built and textured, but there are quite a few effects in the maps that were interesting from a mod maker’s perspective. It gave me some more respect for mudda and the team, beyond respecting them for sticking to their creative vision.

There are still ultra-frustrating parts here, beyond what you get in the original HQ. In particular, the room where you have to find the right 2 buttons out of dozens (in a given time), the area full of white blocks you have to jump between, and the final Somos area. Just so many jumping puzzles, with instant death as a penalty, mixed in with pressing buttons. As in HQ, when you boil things down the substance just isn’t there. And don’t even get me started on Patience, which is literally 20 minutes of waiting.

Although the pain lasts much longer in this sprawling mod, it gets a slightly higher rating than HQ. I like the creativity, the vision, the funky music, and the humor. The actual experience of playing HQ:A leaves a lot to be desired, though.

For my part i just say that HQ is a relevant piece in modding stuff but is not the freakin’ holly grial or anything like that, stop being so appasionated and accept that point, u can certainly love or just hate that mod, and for me, i liked the first 2 but i just don’t love them because as bolx said, is not my very kind of mod to play, but i like to play the loveley variety of things PP post.

The last HQ well dont get mad mr. Barnz, but i HATE IT!!!, and even though i’m going to post my review based ond what i liked, and is not going to be good, so sorry if i offend you mr. Barnz, but i have the right to write that even if u disagree.

I appreciate your comment a lot, as far as I know you are a Mapper/Modder and I’m just a player! But I do respect the efforts of anyone who makes a Map/Mod no matter if I enjoy it or not.

Thank you for your follow up, it is appreciated and no, neither you or Barnz offended me.

Looking back over you and Barnz’s comments I will attempt to answer your questions

Barnz

You clearly don’t like the original mod, is that right? Then why on earth do you download, and play the sequel?

I am participating in a PP event, had this been just a mod posted on PP, I would never have downloaded it. I’m treating this in the same way I treated the 100 SDON, there were maps and mods I hated and a number I liked, the ones I hated I played only because it was part of the event.

Whatever You Want

You said it is only for a small audience, but considering there are 11 recommendations

So far only 6 recommendations since the start of the event from 160 downloads in the last 7 days (at the time of writing)! That’s a lot of people who have potentially played this but not commented, I wish they would comment because that is what to me PP is about.

Because of your follow up I will probably continue, BUT I will still say as I see.

I hope my comment hasn’t been taken the wrong way, because I was just asking a simple question, not trying to offend you. I hope that you don’t stop participating because it would probably make the rest of the competition too one sided. Also it is clear you are trying to give the mod series a chance, which is something many people don’t do.

The best recommendations are the honest ones, remember.

Phillip, you didn’t need to change the word Barnz used in the first line of his reply, I wasn’t offended

I did, because I was.

After yesterday I am seriously thinking of discontinuing participation in the HQ event (I haven’t decided yet) as it appears I’ve upset some people unintentionally.

Despite pre-conceptions based on trying to play these in the past, I have replayed with an open mind and in fact wanted to prove myself wrong. What I didn’t realise however, is that being honest would offend.

Phillip, you didn’t need to change the word Barnz used in the first line of his reply, I wasn’t offended, as if that’s his honest opinion then so be it.

You said it is only for a small audience, but considering there are 11 recommendations, that would say that it is for more than just a small audience.

It’s natural that his is the only Avoid It!. Most people who hate mods never post anything, they just stop playing. Bolx has decided to continue in the spirit of the event.

I actually agree with him, I bet out of 100 who start the mod, only a few will actually enjoy it. The recommendations or ratings of any site never full represent the feelings of all who play something.

Then why on earth do you download, and play the sequel?

Because in the spirit of the event, he has chosen to try each mod. That’s actually an admirable characteristic.

It’s like buying an expansion pack for a game that you hate, or forcing someone to play a game that he or she does not like. It’s pointless.

Not really, these are free. But again, at least he is open to trying and I respect that.

You don’t like the mod, that’s fine, but please don’t post the same thing on every page.

He can post whatever he wants, as long as it’s his honest opinion and it’s not rude. IF he doesn’t like everything Muddasheep released he has just as much right to post as you.

Events that are on PP should, in my mind at least be supported by the community that visit the site. No one is forcing me to play any of the HQ series, but no one is going to tell me what think. Yes I’ve already indicated these are not the style of gameplay I like more than once, but as part of the event I am trying to give my point of view even if that goes against the flow.

My recommendation is based on WHAT I LIKE and enjoy, not on a consensus of opinion, at the time of writing this reply you have not posted a recommendation or opinion on the mod.

The HQ series as I already have said is not my preferred game style, but what? You want me to sit back and not say what I think or do you want me to cowtow to the opinion of others even if I disagree.

Ok, at least the author did something original, but he must of realised this would be for a small audience.

Out of all the comments on this page, your recommendation is the only one below a “Maybe”. You said it is only for a small audience, but considering there are 11 recommendations, that would say that it is for more than just a small audience. I’m not saying that the majority would enjoy this mod, but I’m not saying that the minority would either. Maybe half way?

This is not the type of gameplay I enjoy. I like Half Life but if it weren’t for the use of some Vorts and Barney’s I would have thought it a totally separate entity. I’d like to have finished this just to say ‘I did it’ but I can only take so much, I got about half way judging by the screen-shots but I have to say enough’s enough. I play for fun and for me there was no fun at all right from the start.

Ok, at least the author did something original, but he must of realised this would be for a small audience. I can appreciate the hard work and skill that went into it but that alone doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it. Black and white doesn’t make it boring the gameplay (for me at least) does.

I considered giving this a maybe because I didn’t finish it, but to use the Marmite analogy I used in a previous post, one taste and I know I’m not going to finish the jar!

A few times I was even writing this comment in my dream. Geez, these mods really do affect me.

One thing I forget to mention is that when I was trying to pass the hammers with the lava, I tried for about 15 minutes and gave up. The next day, I cam back to it and passed it on the first go.

It’s amazing how the brain assimilates the technique. Shows that to improve you actually NEED to take breaks.

I may even replay these mods because when you know what to do, you can focus more on the experience, rather than just getting past the level.

In this opus you will endure some painful activities which will make you suffer psychologically. Walk across huge grounds, climb a stairs with too hight steps, resolve useless quest, beat Somos again and choose your death.

Of course HQA is not required for conformist but if your are a Gothic person (or not) or looking for originality you will enjoy it (or endure it).

The Presents a little Add-on with same characteristic with a “The Cake is a Lie” taste.

Die on it at own risk.

Here we have a solid mod story argument, a really main and strong pshyco environment and atmosphere of that persists till the last second oof the mod which is great. We still have a WEAPON!!!, and some ennemys to beat whit that weapon!!

The main lack in here is the traps that could get ruined and just make u start all the tortuous part again!!, but here i think mudda’ still have the sadistic element more stick to the mod and not just in the freakin traps!!

Anyway this is a won’t regret it for sure.

P.D. Oh by the way that Fat’s dommino great voice in the lines of: I FOUND MY THRILL and then u got smashed was a just sweet classic moment in hq for sure!!

Also this could have done without the screenshots because they are reinforcing my dislike already!!

That’s why the download link is always above the screenshots, so you don’t have to see them before playing.

I’m expecting many Avoid It and Play it Now recommendations here.

Me too. And now that you say that, it’s really like the mods colours; black and white. Even though I am a grey, you are right it’s mostly a Love or Hate situation.

I’m seriously going to try to get through this, BUT, if the 2006 posts of heyzors and Darth Marsden are correct, then the enforced 20 min wait at the train station will be an automatic AI from me!!!!!

Also this could have done without the screenshots because they are reinforcing my dislike already!!