Anybody know how to get to the balcony of the house?

Through a window.

However, if I was to be broad, I’d say that many may find it to be uninteresting or at least they may suffer a case of ‘been there, done that.’ At times, enemies were placed quite well but enemy placement comes off as ‘arcade-like’ at times, which is unfortunate. Item and weapon placement was surprisingly good, though.

The worst thing about gameplay was the wasted potential in the form of the Combine encounters. There’s a severe lack of humanoid enemies, sort of contradicting that the objective was to get this ‘artifact’, yet the Combine really wanted it too. Wouldn’t they chuck everything at you in order to retrieve it? I know it’s nitpicking, but there was so much potential at this point, both in a practical and gameplay sense.

Another thing is that when you actually attain the ‘artifact’, the game is over too quickly. The player has to really set him/herself a slow and steady pace, or you may come of with a case of ‘that was over way too quickly.’

One last thing about gameplay – If you are the type of person that likes to wander and explore, prepare to be rewarded.

Design is average, but it is still quite interesting. The map is large and fairly open (Thus why it’s great to wander.) but the main area of play is still fairly compacted. Some of the more interesting things include a houseboat, which was neat, but it was quite blocky and, at times, a bit bland. The tower was a bit too simple and very bland. The house is also quite simple and bland, but comes off as being quite a nice piece of brushwork nonetheless. There was this ‘goast train’ that was quite out of place.

What really do come off as interesting are the little details and constructions. A lamp on the houseboat provides dynamic light for those so inclined. (I thought it was neat!) Little boats on the lake next to the house hold candles and shine like little stars. It’s cute but still very neat.

Overall, the texturing is ok. Nothing special. Lighting is decent, but could be better. Brushwork, as stated above, fairly bland and average, but at times comes off as quite interesting. Etc. etc., you get the point.

Yes, that was a bit of a long review for just ONE MAP, but who cares. I had fun, but I wanted to be broad, so I did just that. Not the best thing in the world and certainly not polished or coming off as revolutionary, but still fun.

Overall, a decent little adventure, that’s quite fun if you give it a chance, but is still too short, fairly bland and chocked full of wasted potential. Phillip very much sums up this map in a broad sense.

My recommendation:

I have no idea if I achieved the objectives or not. I have no idea if I was suppsoed to reach a certain point or flick a switch!

Anyway I played for about 15 minutes and had a bit of fun.

If you want Polish and story look elsewhere.

If you wany some fun consider it.

My Recommendation

My Five Word Review (What’s This?)
Nearly good, but not bad.