10 Things We Want Regarding Half-Life 2: Episode 3

Half-Life 2: Episode 3 is Moby Dick for us Valve and Gordon Freeman fans.  News regarding the game has been as scarce with only a few teaser images since the release of Episode 2, some of which you can see below.  I decided to toss together a slight refresher on the game via this wishlist.  There are a few plots questions below.  On top of that there are a handful of gameplay requests and mechanics issues covered too.  I hope you enjoy the list and be sure to offer up your own requests regarding our beloved crowbar-wielding franchise. 


10.  Why did the G-Man save Alyx at Black Mesa?
- For those of you that need a quick refresher the G-Man revealed in Episode 2 that he saved Alyx back at Black Mesa for some of his own long term plans even though some unnamed associates were against it.  We know Gordon's role seems to be picked out as some sort of Combine-beater but what is Alyx's significance?  Merely to aide Gordon's cause or does she have some other part that has yet to be fleshed out?  A no, the nude patch isn't her "role" either pervs. 

9.  What significance will Aperture Science and the Borealis play?

- We know Aperture Science is going to be shown in some form or another.  When we last left our heroes they were preparing to take a helicopter into the arctic (presumably) where the Aperture Science research vessel the Borealis was found.  Eli Vance insists the ship's cargo must be destroyed as it could cause a disaster which rivals Black Mesa.  We can assume this may be some sort of portal technology which could potentially be used by the Combine to further their world-conquering plans.  Tell me you wouldn't **** bricks if there was some sort of GladOS prototype on board the ship?

8.  We want to use the Portal gun!

- I know some of you are thinking it;  Aperture Science, teleportation, portals, the cake, GladOS, etc.  If we are going to interact with Aperture Science it may very well be possible to see the Portal Gun in some in Half-Life 2: Episode 3.  I don't want Portal-like challenges levels but some small use of the gun could be exciting and a nice homage to the much loved Portal.  Maybe the gun could be used in some sort of climax event or boss battle and happen to "break" after thanks to its beta status. 

 

7.  Improved enemy A.I. and weapons
- When Half-Life first came out the A.I. was fantastic.  I remember the army working as squads to take down our science-loving Gordon and that was a new spin on enemies at the time.  It seems the A.I. has only marginally improved over the years.  There is still too much hesitation from our foes and they need to coordinate their efforts even more.  I want some merciless enemies that are smart and fast.  On top of this we need some new weapons.  Yes, the Strider buster was cool but really wasn't a "new" weapon.  Give us some new toys to play with, maybe some more science-based weapons as in the first Half Life. 

6.  More team-based battles

- One of my favorite parts of Half-Life 2 is when you work with friendly A.I. and not just Alyx.  Fighting with fellow resistance members in grand battles was something I always looked forward to; from Combine drop ships, Strider battles, you name it.  Reserve this kind of thing for big climatic battles as I don't want them around when you deal with merely the rank and file Combine and aliens.

5.  More of that "you against the world" vibe

 - Considering the last request this probably seems a bit odd.  More team based battles yet I want more solo play as well.  I guess I want a better balance of Half Life 2's action and Half Life 1's "no one else to depend on" vibe.  I love having Alyx around but sometimes it takes some of the tension out of the game (see Resident Evil 5).  Even when you two were apart, besides for the antlion cave, it always seemed other people were not far off.  You never really felt "alone" and that aspect was key to the overall feel of Half-Life 1. 


4.  More Barney and Adrian Sheppard
- Where the hell did Barney disappear to in Episode 2?  Blue Shift may have been average but that doesn't mean you can just write Barney off as you please Valve.  We saw him escape City 17 on a train and that is the last visage we have our overly-timid security guard.  Basically we need to know what is going on with Barney and tie him back in to the story.  This last one is a bit of fan's service but I really want want to know what is going with Sheppard the lead protagonist from Half-Life: Opposing Force.  OppFor was one of the best expansions to a game ever but we haven't seen Sheppard since.

3.  A Gordon and Alyx kiss

- It is that time, some hot Gordon and Alyx action.  Does Alyx like the tongue?  Will Gordon's beard cause chaffing?  Is Gordon a typical science nerd or is he Rico Suave when it comes to the ladies?  So many questions, so few answers.  What we do know is that something is brewing between these two and some part of Gordon was used to help heal Alyx via the Vortigaunts.  With Eli now gone it is now up to Gordon to provide all the testosterone that Alyx needs. 

2.  Who is the G-Man aka "our mutual friend"?

- This may not be answered until some future game, maybe even Half Life 3 or beyond.  The G-Man seems to occupy some sort of intergalactic peace keeper role but I can't help feeling there is something more to him.  It could be possible he has some ulterior plans or some personal gain out of all this Gordon manipulation.  When talking to Gordon why does Eli refer to him as "our mutual friend"?  It seems Eli knew more about the G-Man's role that even we as players did.  It is time for Valve to give us some snippets of the overall story.

1.  When is the damn game coming out?

- One of the biggest questions on all of our minds, where the hell is the damn game?  We hoped to hear something at the past two E3 events and instead were treated to zombies and more zombies.  Valve suggested news would come around the beginning of this year yet we are still in the dark.

We seek answers Valve and not only regarding the story and mechanics.  Our favorite non-speaking protagonist needs to get back in to action against the Combine, avenge Eli, save the world and possibly the universe but we need your help to actually play the game.