Comments on: Times Of Troubles – Half-Life http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-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/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-363594 TheUnbeholden Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:59:24 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-363594 A relatively short mission but it has quite a good balance on difficulty. Its never quite hard or easy and it has some puzzle solving, vent crawling. The mod takes the 'what if?' route of story telling and you have to go through a totally different chain of events which ultimately are definitely not as good as half-life's. The level design has a good mix between realism and progression as trying to get the 2 right is a juggling act. Theres some new content in the form of easter eggs, and eggs here is a pun :D If you find it you'll see why :) the big enemies are absent along with the assassins. You feel like you felt trying to escape Black Mesa. I wanted it to be longer and felt the ending was a little weak but its worth playing if you liked half-life. A relatively short mission but it has quite a good balance on difficulty. Its never quite hard or easy and it has some puzzle solving, vent crawling.
The mod takes the ‘what if?’ route of story telling and you have to go through a totally different chain of events which ultimately are definitely not as good as half-life’s.

The level design has a good mix between realism and progression as trying to get the 2 right is a juggling act.
Theres some new content in the form of easter eggs, and eggs here is a pun :D If you find it you’ll see why :)
the big enemies are absent along with the assassins.
You feel like you felt trying to escape Black Mesa. I wanted it to be longer and felt the ending was a little weak but its worth playing if you liked half-life.

]]> By: Technic http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-354454 Technic Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:42:07 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-354454 Yay!!! Now this is what I call a well-done mod! But I've to admit that I didn't realized there were areas from Blue Shift, so where? O:) Only played BS for about 3 times hihi So what have we here? A standard story, but packed into a graphic orgy with nice puzzles, awesome combat and an outstanding design, high above average, I'd even say Valve quality! Pro's: -Extremely superior level design and architecture, very detailed, always fitting plus nice lighting - a fest for the eyes! -Excellent and good-balanced combat -Some very nice puzzles -Humor ("If you can read this, you've been eaten a lot of carrots!" / chickens! xD) -Great atmosphere created by announcements, soldiers etc. -Just feels like an official HL mod -No long walkways -Very nice and sometimes surprising scripts Con's: -Pretty short, such a pity! -Some puzzles are hard (at least that's what I thought) but still logical -Some mean placed enemies -Minor bugs (clipping) Overall it's simply a must-play! PLAY IT NOW! Yay!!!
Now this is what I call a well-done mod!
But I’ve to admit that I didn’t realized there were areas from Blue Shift, so where? O:)
Only played BS for about 3 times hihi

So what have we here?
A standard story, but packed into a graphic orgy with nice puzzles, awesome combat and an outstanding design, high above average, I’d even say Valve quality!

Pro’s:
-Extremely superior level design and architecture, very detailed, always fitting plus nice lighting – a fest for the eyes!
-Excellent and good-balanced combat
-Some very nice puzzles
-Humor (“If you can read this, you’ve been eaten a lot of carrots!” / chickens! xD)
-Great atmosphere created by announcements, soldiers etc.
-Just feels like an official HL mod
-No long walkways
-Very nice and sometimes surprising scripts

Con’s:
-Pretty short, such a pity!
-Some puzzles are hard (at least that’s what I thought) but still logical
-Some mean placed enemies
-Minor bugs (clipping)

Overall it’s simply a must-play! PLAY IT NOW!

]]> By: Cap. John Matrix http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-195035 Cap. John Matrix Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:05:21 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-195035 It's a time of warranted entertainment, it deserve your attention. It’s a time of warranted entertainment, it deserve your attention.
]]> By: Ade http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-186748 Ade Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:41:01 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-186748 In the first maps, the lighting is nice, coming from below. I liked the overall architecture. But the corners are kind of rough, need a little polishing so not to stop when moving around them. The vent system isn't the usual 90 degrees left and right style, so.. nice welcomed change! New batteries and a new box texture, new models, probably from Blue Shift. I can't say for sure, I think I played it a long time ago, but can't remember the models, as I've seen so many conversions by now. There was a sort of audio bug: sounds getting stuck and repeating. The chicken part was indeed funny, even though I didn't actually find any by myself. You can find an easter egg guide on the author's site. As for gameplay, the fights are balanced with plenty of sidetracking routes for exploration and some puzzling puzzles. The story itself is simple and classic and it works: get topside alive, with the help of Barney. Iiii liked it. Definitely worth a play! In the first maps, the lighting is nice, coming from below. I liked the overall architecture. But the corners are kind of rough, need a little polishing so not to stop when moving around them. The vent system isn’t the usual 90 degrees left and right style, so.. nice welcomed change!
New batteries and a new box texture, new models, probably from Blue Shift. I can’t say for sure, I think I played it a long time ago, but can’t remember the models, as I’ve seen so many conversions by now.
There was a sort of audio bug: sounds getting stuck and repeating.
The chicken part was indeed funny, even though I didn’t actually find any by myself. You can find an easter egg guide on the author’s site.
As for gameplay, the fights are balanced with plenty of sidetracking routes for exploration and some puzzling puzzles. The story itself is simple and classic and it works: get topside alive, with the help of Barney.
Iiii liked it. Definitely worth a play!
]]> By: Ade http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-186739 Ade Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:59:50 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-186739 It's amazing how you can spin round and round without noticing any way out, take a break, then come back to the game and the solution is just sitting there, not that obvious, but even so, you're wondering how you missed it the first time round! There's a crack in the booth's glass, at the left end. You can shoot the door panel through the crack, enter the booth and activate the elevator. Nice mod! It’s amazing how you can spin round and round without noticing any way out, take a break, then come back to the game and the solution is just sitting there, not that obvious, but even so, you’re wondering how you missed it the first time round!

There’s a crack in the booth’s glass, at the left end. You can shoot the door panel through the crack, enter the booth and activate the elevator.

Nice mod!

]]> By: shawn http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-186674 shawn Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:23:13 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-186674 Huh--I'm in the area where you have to kill the power to the tracks in order to proceed, I do that, run down the tracks, kill some grunts... and there doesn't seem to be any way to continue. The elevator won't open, the pair of doors with the areas pointing in opposite directions won't open, the security area isn't accessible, the glass to it is unbreakable... anyone have any ideas? Through this point a good mod, well thought out. Huh–I’m in the area where you have to kill the power to the tracks in order to proceed, I do that, run down the tracks, kill some grunts… and there doesn’t seem to be any way to continue. The elevator won’t open, the pair of doors with the areas pointing in opposite directions won’t open, the security area isn’t accessible, the glass to it is unbreakable… anyone have any ideas?

Through this point a good mod, well thought out.

]]> By: mel http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-153718 mel Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:33:51 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-153718 Good game, smoth running, fairy easy, not much new, Good game, smoth running, fairy easy, not much new,
]]> By: Ezequielhl http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-144519 Ezequielhl Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:23:57 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-144519 A short ride, but very fun while it last! You'll find yourself in Blueshift locations! A short ride, but very fun while it last! You’ll find yourself in Blueshift locations!
]]> By: . http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-140935 . Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:15:22 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-140935 ]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-128085 piledriver Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:37:41 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-128085 Yes. Download, double click the exe, you must browse to the HL folder during installation. The installer will also update OpFor if you have it. Yes. Download, double click the exe, you must browse to the HL folder during installation.
The installer will also update OpFor if you have it.
]]> By: andrej http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-128077 andrej Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:03:04 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-128077 i have half life version 1.1.0.4 can i directly update it to version 1.1.1.0 i have half life version 1.1.0.4 can i directly update it to version 1.1.1.0
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-128054 piledriver Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:30:37 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-128054 andrej, you don't need blue shift. Just asked in case you have installed it, in which case you need the HD Fix patch. Which you haven't, so dont bother. Like goddess, I have installed with it no problems. The readme and reviews say no bugs known. If you have Win XP, delete the mod via Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Or manually deleting the game folder c:/Sierra/Half-Life/tot Then reinstall to C:/Sierra/Half-Life You should have a folder in there called tot containing 8 folders and 10 files. andrej, you don’t need blue shift. Just asked in case you have installed it, in which case you need the HD Fix patch. Which you haven’t, so dont bother.
Like goddess, I have installed with it no problems.
The readme and reviews say no bugs known.

If you have Win XP, delete the mod via Add/Remove programs in Control Panel.

Or manually deleting the game folder c:/Sierra/Half-Life/tot
Then reinstall to C:/Sierra/Half-Life
You should have a folder in there called tot containing 8 folders and 10 files.

]]> By: Goddess Alyria http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-128002 Goddess Alyria Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:53:57 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-128002 <blockquote>i`m using sierra half life and i don`t have blue shift i can`t find my cd</blockquote> Make sure your HL is version 1.1.1.0. Just installed it to my Sierra directory and works fine, so there's no problem with the mod itself (which is sometimes the case).

i`m using sierra half life and i don`t have blue
shift i can`t find my cd

Make sure your HL is version 1.1.1.0.

Just installed it to my Sierra directory and works fine, so there’s no problem with the mod itself (which is sometimes the case).

]]> By: andrej http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-127903 andrej Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:31:05 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-127903 i`m using sierra half life and i don`t have blue shift i can`t find my cd i`m using sierra half life and i don`t have blue
shift i can`t find my cd
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-127722 piledriver Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:11:44 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-127722 And, andrej, have you installed Blue Shift? And, andrej, have you installed Blue Shift?
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-127721 piledriver Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:08:06 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-127721 Are you using Steam or 'old' sierra Half Life? Are you using Steam or ‘old’ sierra Half Life?
]]> By: andrej http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-127658 andrej Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:56:09 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-127658 i haven`t got time to play the mod but now when i tried to play it i`m starting new game then i get LOADING and nothing more the mod don`t want to start some help i haven`t got time to play the mod but now when i tried to play it i`m starting new game then i get LOADING and nothing more the mod don`t want
to start some help
]]> By: andrej http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-125814 andrej Thu, 22 Nov 2007 05:49:35 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-125814 thanks thanks
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-125631 piledriver Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:59:34 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-125631 andrej - The mod has its own installer. If you have Steam it will detect the correct location. eg: c:\Program files\Steam\steamapps\email@provider.tld\half-life If you do not have Steam then it's: c:\Sierra\Half-Life or you can browse to your Half-Life folder from the installer dialogue. The installer will create the folder for the mod. andrej – The mod has its own installer.
If you have Steam it will detect the correct location. eg:
c:\Program files\Steam\steamapps\email@provider.tld\half-life
If you do not have Steam then it’s:
c:\Sierra\Half-Life
or you can browse to your Half-Life folder from the installer dialogue.
The installer will create the folder for the mod.
]]> By: andrej http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-125626 andrej Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:38:38 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-125626 where do i need to copy the mod so i can play it where do i need to copy the mod so i can play it
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90786 piledriver Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:09:46 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90786 Andyb, post 3, kept Barney safe in the lift, eliminated the opposition, opened the gate with a switch down some tunnels. Went back to the chopper (osprey) and Barney was waiting in it. Joined him and off we flew into the sunset. The end. Fairly standard short mod. No zen world. Some aliens, some soldiers. Some chickens! :) Detailed environments. Worth a quick blast for about an hour. Seems like a large file for the length of play. No bugs. 3.5/5 Andyb, post 3, kept Barney safe in the lift, eliminated the opposition, opened the gate with a switch down some tunnels. Went back to the chopper (osprey) and Barney was waiting in it. Joined him and off we flew into the sunset. The end. Fairly standard short mod. No zen world. Some aliens, some soldiers. Some chickens! :) Detailed environments. Worth a quick blast for about an hour. Seems like a large file for the length of play. No bugs. 3.5/5
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90656 piledriver Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:51:48 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90656 Thanks Stef. And I have to you too! Actually I am feeling a bit stoopid, some doors will open if the 'use' key is pressed! Doh! Must be losing my grip. Thanks Stef. And I have to you too!
Actually I am feeling a bit stoopid, some doors will open if the ‘use’ key is pressed! Doh!
Must be losing my grip.
]]> By: Stef http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90647 Stef Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:03:50 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90647 since i can edit your post i saw you email adress i have send you a mail hope i can help you ;) since i can edit your post i saw you email adress i have send you a mail

hope i can help you ;)

]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90642 piledriver Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:54:05 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90642 Thanks Stef. I've mailed Jan but if I need more help I'll do as you suggest with the screenshots/save. Do I mail them to Phillip? Thanks Stef. I’ve mailed Jan but if I need more help I’ll do as you suggest with the screenshots/save. Do I mail them to Phillip?
]]> By: Stef http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90623 Stef Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:54:02 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90623 You could contact the author is website is still update and he will certainly help you out (jan.ripper@gmail.com) (he did help me a lot back when i played it) Otherway with a help of some screenshots or you last save i could perhaps help you out You could contact the author is website is still update and he will certainly help you out (jan.ripper@gmail.com)
(he did help me a lot back when i played it) Otherway with a help of some screenshots or you last save i could perhaps help you out
]]> By: piledriver http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-90617 piledriver Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:22:12 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-90617 Anybody help me out? I'm in map2 near the infirmary. Can't progress. There's a thing on the wall that, when used, says 'status: armed'. Theres a broken hatch in the ceiling I can't reach and nothing to climb on. Theres a breakable vent in another room with a zombie and a bigger thing saying 'status: armed'. Can't get in there either. Don't want to noclip - would rather find the triggers but I have to admit I'm stuck. Anybody help me out? I’m in map2 near the infirmary. Can’t progress. There’s a thing on the wall that, when used, says ‘status: armed’.
Theres a broken hatch in the ceiling I can’t reach and nothing to climb on. Theres a breakable vent in another room with a zombie and a bigger thing saying ‘status: armed’. Can’t get in there either. Don’t want to noclip – would rather find the triggers but I have to admit I’m stuck.
]]> By: andyb http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-43522 andyb Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:19:20 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-43522 Surprisingly I missed this mod when searching for good mods to play.Its very well done.Only beef I have and it may be that I just didn't do something right,but is the end at the helicopter?I got a stupid barney standing there and he wont move or follow and if i get on the chopper nothing happens.Doesn't seem to be anyplace else to go. Surprisingly I missed this mod when searching for good mods to play.Its very well done.Only beef I have and it may be that I just didn’t do something right,but is the end at the helicopter?I got a stupid barney standing there and he wont move or follow and if i get on the chopper nothing happens.Doesn’t seem to be anyplace else to go.
]]> By: Kyle Johnston http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-32604 Kyle Johnston Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:26:33 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-32604 <b>Rating: </b>4/5 <b>Good: </b>Great map layouts (architecture); Scripted sequences are good; Easter eggs are cool! <b>Bad: </b>Short; no new content. <b>Review: </b> This mod was fun to play. Made by Jan the Ripper, Times of Trouble has you once again assume the identity of the intrepid Gordon Freeman. ToT picks up after you have jumped into the giant teleport that in normal HL, takes you to Xen. In ToT, you are instead squeezed through the space-time continuum to another part of Black Mesa (fortunately no Xen!!) Times of Troubles gradually (and nicely) pulls you in, without being too hard or easy at the same time. I got enough play time in, and it was all fun, never frustrating. From a lab, to a train yard, to the outside, you see many different places throughout all the maps. Speaking of the maps, they are all very well laid-out, without any noticeable errors that I could see. The architecture is top-notch, as are the scripted events that take place in a few spots. There are also a few 'puzzles' that you will need to figure out, so it's not all shoot-em up 'n kill-em fighting. There are a nice mix of aliens and grunts, but the deadly Black Ops/Assassins are absent (happily missed by myself and others I assume). The only negative things I can say about ToT are that its a bit short at only 7 maps (11.8MB is probably good for dial-uppers though), and there is no new content such as models or skins. Overall however, I must recommend you download this one, as it's a lot of fun, and worth your time! Rating: 4/5
Good: Great map layouts (architecture); Scripted sequences are good; Easter eggs are cool!
Bad: Short; no new content.

Review:
This mod was fun to play. Made by Jan the Ripper, Times of Trouble has you once again assume the identity of the intrepid Gordon Freeman. ToT picks up after you have jumped into the giant teleport that in normal HL, takes you to Xen. In ToT, you are instead squeezed through the space-time continuum to another part of Black Mesa (fortunately no Xen!!)

Times of Troubles gradually (and nicely) pulls you in, without being too hard or easy at the same time. I got enough play time in, and it was all fun, never frustrating. From a lab, to a train yard, to the outside, you see many different places throughout all the maps. Speaking of the maps, they are all very well laid-out, without any noticeable errors that I could see. The architecture is top-notch, as are the scripted events that take place in a few spots. There are also a few ‘puzzles’ that you will need to figure out, so it’s not all shoot-em up ‘n kill-em fighting.

There are a nice mix of aliens and grunts, but the deadly Black Ops/Assassins are absent (happily missed by myself and others I assume). The only negative things I can say about ToT are that its a bit short at only 7 maps (11.8MB is probably good for dial-uppers though), and there is no new content such as models or skins.

Overall however, I must recommend you download this one, as it’s a lot of fun, and worth your time!

]]> By: Ryan Rouse AKA Quakis http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/comment-page-1/#comment-30447 Ryan Rouse AKA Quakis Mon, 28 Aug 2006 10:17:39 +0000 http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/times-of-troubles-half-life/#comment-30447 <b>Gameplay:</b> Action packed with a lot of exciting and interesting moments in this episode with a recognisable area from Blue Shift in the episode too. The mod isn't too hard or too easy, with plenty of health through out and a good enemy balance. Travelling from location to location was done and thought out well too. <b>Design:</b> Above average, sometimes average is a few areas, but most areas detailed well with good lighting and well picked textures. Design in different areas look good and textures fit well in their locations and the destroyed locations look realistic. <b>Conclusion:</b> A good Half Life mod with good gameplay and design, worth playing this one! <b>Rating:</b> 79% Gameplay:
Action packed with a lot of exciting and interesting moments in this episode with a recognisable area from Blue Shift in the episode too. The mod isn’t too hard or too easy, with plenty of health through out and a good enemy balance. Travelling from location to location was done and thought out well too.

Design:
Above average, sometimes average is a few areas, but most areas detailed well with good lighting and well picked textures. Design in different areas look good and textures fit well in their locations and the destroyed locations look realistic.

Conclusion:
A good Half Life mod with good gameplay and design, worth playing this one!

Rating: 79%

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