I am a major fan of video games. Not just playing them, but enjoying the storylines, some of which can hold their own against books and films. Recently, I bought the Orange Box for my XBOX 360. I found myself greatly enjoying it, not just for the stellar gameplay but for the well-crafted storyline
The main game in this collection is Half-Life 2, the sequel to the groundbreaking first person shooter Half-Life. Half-Life told the story of Gordon Freeman, an employee of a top secret research institution. One day, an experiment went horribly wrong, allowing aliens from another dimension to invade Earth. Gordon seemingly managed to stop them in their home dimension, but was then frozen in stasis by an enigmatc figure. Half-Life 2 picks up some 10-20 years later, when Gordon is released from stasis to find that aliens have took over the earth and are ruling over humanity with an iron fist.
The game has a very Orwellian atmosphere. Propaganda blares from large television screens, while masked police officers beat up anyone who is even slightly out of line. People live in you make your way through all of this, you begin to understand what happened while you were dilapidated apartment blocks with sparse furnishings. The city looks run down and neglected. As out. The soldiesr and cops speak in electronically masked voices, making them sound inhuman. The police dispatcher can be heard speaking in a distinct semi-British voice issuing ordersto police and citizens alike
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I'm glad to see you utilizing your reading skills to enhance your game play.
ReplyDeleteBTW, this might be the most writing I've ever seen from you, even in ENGL 110.
hey, i know you've had to have played Portal by now - just wanted to say i absolutely love that game! that was the first game i ever actually finished. the half-life story always seemed super interesting to me, too. have you played bioshock?? if you have, please please please do not give the story away! i haven't played it yet, but i want to!
ReplyDeleteinteresting connection between orwell and a video game! it's kind of similar thing in bioshock, too!
This game sounds very interesting, almost to me like something I might even play. I played the original Halo when it came out years ago, but was never very good at it. So what is the orange box? Is that a feature that allows for additional graphics? I used to play Ever quest on the computer but realized it was consuming my entire life so I stopped. Best of luck to you in your conquest.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the half life series is a great example of story telling. The story is well done. It sets up a very believable world. I enjoy the lead female of the story Alyx. She is great example of strong independent women. In contrast to what you normally see in games which is a helpless girl need of rescuing.
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