Some of you may know about Black Mesa, formerly known as Black Mesa: Source, www.blackmesasource.com A free mod that started back in 2005, which is a re-creation of the original Half-Life designed to use the full capabilities of the Source Engine. As a small reward for reaching 20k likes on Facebook, new screenshots were released and can be viewed here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.442026219149526.104628.391087910910024&type=3 -Update- 7 August 2012 -Video removed, copyright infringement by ValveTime-
Shit like this is exactly why Social Media is retarded. And Black Mesa is such a rubbish looking mod.
To be honest I have felt a bit underwhelmed by this release. Even during their radio silence I knew they were still developing it, I don't need screenshots to confirmed that. I was actually hoping at the very least music, as that would signal the development was coming at an end.
Wow. A bit harsh lads. This isn't my favourite project and deserves some criticism but I think you're been a bit too mean. My thoughts on the new media: Looks decent but still not really in the Half-Life 2 style, which I thought was the point of the undertaking. Certain shots still remind me of Doom 3. Conversely, the Alien Slave is too similar to the Half-Life 2 Vortigaunts. They should be a bit more beaten down and oppressed looking. Alien Grunt is looking better, if a bit low-poly. I think I prefer it to the one from Human Error. Some stuff is a bit overdone. The "look this lab where they keep the aliens it tubes is so evil isn't it?" for one. Also the rocket launcher. How many things does it have attached to it? Overall thoughts: Just get it done lads.
Black Mesa has become the new Nuclear Dawn. That is, it's serving almost exclusively as a portfolio piece for artists. All respect where it's due - they're obviously making some good stuff, I just don't think it's going to meet expectations.
They have clearly put a heck of a lot of work into it, and I am sure if they ever get it released, it will be something they can be proud of. Though I have the nagging question of why? whenever I see it. Half-Life will always be my favourite game of all time, but it's very much a product of its era. Many of the design and story decisions that Valve made were born of limitations in technology and the nature of shooters during the Quake age. It suited its generation wonderfully and was a great success because of it. However, the more definition and density you begin to layer onto those environments, the stranger they begin to seem. The rustic decay and visual clutter that we expect from modern maps drastically changes the appearance and function of those wide and cavernous chambers, which were designed for a player running at insanely fast speeds, and with limited visual fidelity. That said, I am sure it will be great fun to see, and I wish them all the luck in the world with it.
It will be a good thing to see,since "Those things take time,you know",and see a different take on my,and i believe a lot more peoples favorite game.They said that it's not a complete remake,and that they added some stuff,and handled some situations differently...It's a nice try to familiarize younger gamers with the roots of the HL franchise. I have been following the mod for a while now(since 2009 to be exact),and i think they are making good progress... Won't be surprised if they release it before 2013 kicks in.
I wonder what the developers would do if Black Mesa finally got released and everyone hated it. Just about everyone on this forum hates it already just from looking at screenshots.
People make a lot of comments and jokes, but I personally commend the Black Mesa team. They set out all those years ago to emulate what Valve has done, and they've succeeded in spades.