Episode 2, Portal and you

RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Discussion, Speculation and Spoilers aplenty</div>Yet another topic on the Orange Box, I know, but I felt that people were holding back on making good comments in order to avoid spoilers. Here's a discussion for those of us who've finished both and want to speculate freely.

To get the ball rolling, what did you think of the connection between Portal and Ep2? I personally find that Portal ties in beautifully with the HL universe. The leap from local portals to the intergalactic ones of HL isn't far. The rivalry between Black Mesa and Aperture is also fun but of course the Borealis is the big mama. I wonder if the portal gun will make a cameo in Ep3?
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  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    So, you want speculation:

    In EP3 gordon will find a dead body with a portal gun lying next to it.

    Portal2 will be released together with EP3 and in portal2 you will play yet another mice-lab that after a while joins forces with the girl from portal to escape together. At some point one of them will die and leave the portal gun behind for gordon to pickup.
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  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    The tie in was interesting, though I thought they had decided to drop that. In any case, the tie in has a few problems because of the silliness mixed in with the sinister nature of Portal. Not just GLaDOS but the website too.
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  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    The inside of a cargo ship would be an ideal closed system for some Ep3 portalling goodness. However I don't think Gordon would even get the portal gun though, it doesn't really fit the theme.

    --Scythe--
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  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    edited October 2007
    I beat Ep2 before I beat portal so I initially thought that perhaps you were in the ship but I guess that isn't the case. It'll be interesting to see how they connect the two.
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  • Flying-BastardFlying-Bastard Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1859Members
    im pretty sure you'll get to use the portal gun in ep3, valve just needs to make sure its use is very restricted in the environments you are in when you get the gun, and make sure you eventually destroy it.

    <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>at the end of HL2 you got to use a ridiculously overpowered gravity gun, but could only use it while inside the citadel, which shows its possible to have some ridiculously overpowered weapon if the scene is set up correctly. valve could make it so players only acquire the portal gun in special *puzzle* rooms inside the borealis, and have gordon destroy the gun /have it destroyed in some way. eli said that you should "destroy the borealis and all it contains" so it's going to be part of your mission in ep3.</span>
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  • RobRob Unknown Enemy Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 25Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1655856:date=Oct 13 2007, 09:44 PM:name=KungFuDiscoMonkey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KungFuDiscoMonkey @ Oct 13 2007, 09:44 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655856"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I beat Ep2 before I beat portal so I initially thought that perhaps you were in the ship but I guess that isn't the case. It'll be interesting to see how they connect the two.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I don't think that theory is totally out of whack. My money's on Borealis being where Portal is set, you know... AI goes nuts and the ship disappears. You blow it up as the girl and it comes back, leaving you dead on the sidewalk.
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  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    Except at the end of Portal you're outside and it is sunny. The clip of the Borealis showed it stuck in ice and it was snowing outside.
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  • RobRob Unknown Enemy Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 25Members, NS1 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1655902:date=Oct 14 2007, 11:07 AM:name=KungFuDiscoMonkey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KungFuDiscoMonkey @ Oct 14 2007, 11:07 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655902"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Except at the end of Portal you're outside and it is sunny. The clip of the Borealis showed it stuck in ice and it was snowing outside.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Details, details...
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  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    Am I the only one who was disturbed by the part with the lobster?
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  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    I don't remember any lobsters.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    I really liked the slide show in Portal. And at the very end, when you beat the boss, the whole explosion thing was reminiscent of the resonance cascade and the Citadel going all pear-shaped. I can't wait to see how they all tie together in Ep3.
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  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    yes, it definitely leaves you wanting more. But you must wait so long.
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  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1655940:date=Oct 14 2007, 11:45 AM:name=Gwahir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gwahir @ Oct 14 2007, 11:45 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655940"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->yes, it definitely leaves you wanting more. But you must wait so long.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Apparently Episode 3 has been in production as long as Episode 2 has. It also seems that the Borealis was planned to be in HL2. Maybe we can hope to see Ep3 come a bit quicker. What struck me from the commentary in both Portal and Ep2 is the insane amount of playtesting Valve seems to do. It looks like that alone took many months.
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  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    in the beta the Borealis was the boat you arrived on, but they scrapped that.
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  • Corporal_FortierCorporal_Fortier Join Date: 2005-03-22 Member: 46079Members, Constellation
    I don't think Gordon would use the Portal gun, but who knows, maybe only in a restricted area (like said above). I wouldn't be surprised if Gordon would have to use already opened portals though, shower curtains anyone? Or maybe an NPC would assist Gordon and make portals for him? I don't know... But if there was to be new weapons in EP3, I guess it would be a special one to use against advisors (even though I'm sure my good ol' .357 would do the trick <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />) or against hunters, or any new creatures we'll find on our way to the Borealis.
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    edited October 2007
    I am hereby giddy with excitement and require episode 3 immediately <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />

    I am SO glad they are bringing back the Borealis, since I was sad it got nixed from the game. On the subject of Gordon using the portal gun meaning it would need limited use... Gordon going to the combine homeworld to kick ass ala HL1, anyone? They could make some more strange environments like we had with Xen that are suited for portalling <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
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  • MalevolentMalevolent Join Date: 2003-08-03 Member: 18842Members
    Even though Gordon is a complete badass, there's no way he could take on the Combine homeworld(s). Their total army is humongous, not to mention there would be countless advisors and other powerful aliens. I don't think they'll have him going anywhere near there anytime soon. Possibly in Half-Life 3 (or 4 since these episodes are supposed to be 3). I think the main story for now is just trying to save earth and completely eradicate the Combine presence.

    I do agree that they'll introduce a new weapon, though. They know that everyone has been seeing relatively the same thing for 3 years, and by the time Episode Three comes out, four or more years. The only way Gordon will be going to the Combine's homeworld is if he has a ridiculously powerful gun, and even then, it might be more of a sneaking in type thing and killing the leader (telepathically controlling the army?). But from what I can see, the portal gun is no where near this caliber.

    Things that I really am looking forward to: how to fight advisors, possibly killing Breen (he's supposed to be in a host body, so he could make an excellent boss), seeing if you get to save Eli like you did for Alyx, hopefully a new weapon, a massive battle (striders, Combine troops, hunters, gunships, etc. all at once), and of course, the story.
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  • Corporal_FortierCorporal_Fortier Join Date: 2005-03-22 Member: 46079Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1655996:date=Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM:name=Malevolent)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Malevolent @ Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655996"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Even though Gordon is a complete badass, there's no way he could take on the Combine homeworld(s). Their total army is humongous, not to mention there would be countless advisors and other powerful aliens. I don't think they'll have him going anywhere near there anytime soon. Possibly in Half-Life 3 (or 4 since these episodes are supposed to be 3). I think the main story for now is just trying to save earth and completely eradicate the Combine presence.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yeah I don't think Gordon would be ready to go and rambo against the Combine. I also think the Borealis will offer enough content to fill an whole episode (or even more), and including a trip to the Combine homeworld(s) would be too much new stuff for one episode, unless they make it much longer than the two first.
    <!--quoteo(post=1655996:date=Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM:name=Malevolent)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Malevolent @ Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655996"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Things that I really am looking forward to: how to fight advisors, possibly killing Breen (he's supposed to be in a host body, so he could make an excellent boss), seeing if you get to save Eli like you did for Alyx, hopefully a new weapon, a massive battle (striders, Combine troops, hunters, gunships, etc. all at once), and of course, the story.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I thought Breen didn't have time to get his host body. He talked about it, but I thought he needed it in order to escape but you screwed his plans at the end of HL2. Maybe he survived though but I doubt it. Although seeing his transmission again in EP1 makes me wonder if this wasn't a hint or something... I guess time will tell <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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  • 0x000001940x00000194 Join Date: 2007-09-04 Member: 62167Members
    I really do hope for a tie-in between the HL universe and the Portal universe.

    While Portal itself may be much more jovial than HL2 is, I don't see how that would stop a tie-in attempt.

    The way I see it, Portal takes a look at the dark-humor of Aperature Science, with GLaDOS's narration.

    The HL side of things could focus on the actuality of Aperature Science, that is the darknes and depression the other test subjects seemed to endure, and the ruins of the Aperature Science facility. The content of the AS system as a whole would really fit in well with the drama of HalfLife, and without GLaDOS to lighten things up I really think it would easily be made dark enough for the half life universe.
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  • enf0rcerenf0rcer intrigued... Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14584Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1655996:date=Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM:name=Malevolent)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Malevolent @ Oct 14 2007, 06:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1655996"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Possibly in Half-Life 3 (or 4 since these episodes are supposed to be 3). I think the main story for now is just trying to save earth and completely eradicate the Combine presence.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    As far as I know, it's been stated by valve that there are no plans for a half-life 3. The story will effectively be complete by episode 3. I don't doubt they'll come up with something fresh afterwards though.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1656006:date=Oct 14 2007, 07:20 PM:name=0x00000194)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(0x00000194 @ Oct 14 2007, 07:20 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1656006"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I really do hope for a tie-in between the HL universe and the Portal universe.

    While Portal itself may be much more jovial than HL2 is, I don't see how that would stop a tie-in attempt.

    The way I see it, Portal takes a look at the dark-humor of Aperature Science, with GLaDOS's narration.

    The HL side of things could focus on the actuality of Aperature Science, that is the darknes and depression the other test subjects seemed to endure, and the ruins of the Aperature Science facility. The content of the AS system as a whole would really fit in well with the drama of HalfLife, and without GLaDOS to lighten things up I really think it would easily be made dark enough for the half life universe.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    There's already a tie-in. Didn't you play Episode 2?
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  • MalevolentMalevolent Join Date: 2003-08-03 Member: 18842Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1656017:date=Oct 14 2007, 11:17 PM:name=enf0rcer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(enf0rcer @ Oct 14 2007, 11:17 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1656017"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As far as I know, it's been stated by valve that there are no plans for a half-life 3. The story will effectively be complete by episode 3. I don't doubt they'll come up with something fresh afterwards though.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Hmm, really? Wikipedia says that Valve plan to continue the Half-Life series after Episode Three. I've never seen anything from Valve saying that they are going to start a new IP afterwards.

    And to me, it just seems like it would be incredibly hard to finish the series in one more episode (so many things left unanswered, etc); the last one would have to be the length of a regular game to do it. If they did manage to fit it into 6 hours of gameplay, it'd probably feel rushed and uneven.
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  • A_Boojum_SnarkA_Boojum_Snark Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
    edited October 2007
    Yeah, I remember reading once they intended to make HL3, and these episodes were stuff they wanted in 2 but couldn't within the time constraints (and now they've probably been expanded to include much more stuff, so yay). I think HL3 was also going to be on the next engine, so a long wait if that's still the case.
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  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    Gaben has said that Valve consider Ep1, 2 and 3 to be HL3. The next game would likely be HL4.

    --Scythe--
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  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    Perhaps it's deliberately vague but there's something I don't understand. How can the Borealis relate to Aperture Science? It seems that Aperture is based in Cleveland, Ohio, working on AI and portals. How does an ice breaker ship in the arctic have any relation? How can it be so important?
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  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited October 2007
    I want to see the Gargantua return.
    Imagine a Garg stomping down towards a strider, that desperately tries to use its freaky blasty thing but only slowing Mr Garg down, then getting its legs punched out from under it, and get stomped in the <b>FACE. </b>By a<b> GIANT, BLUE, ALIEN FOOT</b>.

    Or the Garg could go all RIP AND TEAR and remove the legs from the strider altogether.
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  • MonkfishMonkfish Sonic-boom-inducing buttcheeks of terrifying speed&#33; Join Date: 2003-06-03 Member: 16972Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1656041:date=Oct 15 2007, 08:56 AM:name=RuBy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RuBy @ Oct 15 2007, 08:56 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1656041"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Perhaps it's deliberately vague but there's something I don't understand. How can the Borealis relate to Aperture Science? It seems that Aperture is based in Cleveland, Ohio, working on AI and portals. How does an ice breaker ship in the arctic have any relation? How can it be so important?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    they own the Borealis..man you really weren't paying attention.
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  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1656038:date=Oct 15 2007, 09:56 AM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Oct 15 2007, 09:56 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1656038"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><u><b>Gabe N.</b></u> has said that Valve consider Ep1, 2 and 3 to be HL3. The next game would likely be HL4.

    --Scythe--<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
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  • ConfusedConfused Wait. What? Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12904Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester
    For those of you asking important questions like how did the Borealis got from Ohio to some sort of frozen eastern European north country i have this to say to you.
    <div align="center"><img src="http://dev.podded.us/images/lol-copy3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    <!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Now you are thinking with portals.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
    <!--sizeo:2--><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> you see on the left side we have sunny ohio with a blue portal
    and on the right we have god knows where with its iceberg. yes its an iceberg not a mountain.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
    </div>
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  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    From an artistic point of view, the artic portal should have been blue and the Ohio portal should have been yellow.
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