Operation Nova for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Level name: Operation Nova

Author: Ben Greenwood


Release date: 14 september 2008

Size: 5 813 ko

Number of maps: 7


website: here


download: At filefront.com

Story:

authors's note :

A single-player episode for Half-Life 1. The episode takes place during the events featured in the original Half-Life; specifically, the episode entitled On a Rail. The player plays John Skinner, a cleaner who wears a similar HEV suit to Freeman, and is hence mistaken for him by the military. Skinner’s objective is to destroy a surface-to-air missile launcher, which the military have brought in to take out the sattelite delivery rocket being launched by Freeman. The episode features voice acting performed by experienced voice actors (including some with professional voice acting experience).”

Review :

This one seems to be the first release from the author who manage to create a short but well balance episode with a lot of integration in terms of puzzle, AI interaction and Even more.

Design was correct and quite varied there was no tremendus work in terms of architecture and even if some places seems to be to squary they were well mixed together adding outdoor and indoor travelling. The interconnection and the items placement makes it a perfect sequel with creativity to what has been provided by the original game there isn't any new stuff except some prefabs and a high quality voice acting environment.

Gameplay is well balance and perfectly script some puzzle are dificult to solve (but there is a hint.txt in case of) and AI interaction is well set to make you travel through the complex in a well organized mission. This is really the interesting point, hints and tips are given by acting voice AI and you will need to go a lot backward in a non linear way. Ammo and health are wells spread to make the challenge increase with you progression end place is aztmospheric but lack an outro cutscene

In conlcusion: For a first effort Ben put a lot of energy as equal in scipting as in mapping to create and enjoyable mission integrating correct environment, good and even sometimes a little hard puzzeling but an interesting and immersing mission. It's really worth the effort to play this one

Playtime: 40 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (86%)

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Note :I test this one with my old Half-Life copy using 1.1.1.0 update without any problems