is Dreamcast Half-Life playable?

[c0ldb33r]

I've never played the first half-life. I was going to download the DC version, but I know it wasn't released - was it finished? Can it be beaten?

Since this game wasn't released, I don't think dicussing downloading the game vioates the TOS, but if it does I apologize, and please delete :)

[NayusDante]

I tried it and the framerate was a bit low. Your best option is to just buy it on Steam. You might also want to look at Half-Life Source.

[Darkman2K5]

I never played through the whole game, but what little I did play was very good. Framerates didn't take a big hit through the sections I played in. There is a bug involving vmu usage though, I've heard something about how sometimes the game can take up an entire vmu, so if you have an extra one lying around I would dedicate it to the game. The benefit of playing it on dreamcast is that the character models are better than the one found in the original pc version, and it also comes with the blue shift expansion pack. The character models used in the DC version later went to the pc version in a "High Defition" pack. I don't know if that is still offered on Steam, I don't think it is, I haven't seen it.

[sheath]

My only gripe with Halflife on Dreamcast is they didn't optimize the loads at all, so it loads from the CD every time the PC version would load from the Hard drive. The Dreamcast could do so much better than that, and that's all I could think about during those frequent loads.

Wait, I have a video somewhere, here it is (http://www.gamepilgrimage.com/sites/default/files/DCPS2Movies/HalfLifeComp001.AVI).

[Kitsune Sniper]

I tried it and the framerate was a bit low. Your best option is to just buy it on Steam. You might also want to look at Half-Life Source.

It plays about as well as the PS2 version of Half-Life. Expect load screens. Lots. They're not as godawfully slow and tedious as the ones in Soldier of Fortune but they're noticeable.

And avoid Half-Life Source. The game is ported just fine, but the Source engine added a few weird physics bugs (not that the original game was perfect in that regard, but still.)

Darkman2K5: Yes, the high definition pack is still offered on Steam.

If you're looking for a cheap copy of Half-Life and the expansions on PC, I have an unused key code handy. ;)

[c0ldb33r]

Thanks for the responses guys. I've got the PC version already, but I'd prefer a console port. My wife gets a kick out of watching me play games, and that's not possible on the pc.

[NayusDante]

If you're considering the Dreamcast version, why not just get the PS2 version? If I'm not mistaken, it has the co-op expansion.

[Kitsune Sniper]

If you're considering the Dreamcast version, why not just get the PS2 version? If I'm not mistaken, it has the co-op expansion.

Yep, it has Half-Life: Decay... which was also recently ported to PC by fans.

[Vlcice]

There is a bug involving vmu usage though, I've heard something about how sometimes the game can take up an entire vmu, so if you have an extra one lying around I would dedicate it to the game.

The bug is affected by chapter progress - I think it comes from a memory leak. The further into a chapter you are, the larger the savegame gets. It can end up meaning that the savegame is too big to fit in a VMU period, even if you dedicate an empty one to it. I'm pretty sure it was fixed for the final version of the game, but that version hasn't been leaked as far as I know.

[Leo_A]

The PS2 version doesn't have the saving issue, has a smoother frame rate, and supports dual analog sticks (Honestly, that's by far the biggest problem I have with the Dreamcast port).

It's the way to go if you want to enjoy the original game on a videogame console.

[todesengel]

The PS2 version doesn't have the saving issue, has a smoother frame rate, and supports dual analog sticks (Honestly, that's by far the biggest problem I have with the Dreamcast port).
Doesn't the Dreamcast port support the keyboard and mouse? I vaguely remember being able to use those on it.

[SpaceFlea]

Doesn't the Dreamcast port support the keyboard and mouse? I vaguely remember being able to use those on it.

It certainly does. I just tested it out.

[c0ldb33r]

Does the ps2 version by usb

[Leo_A]

Does the ps2 version by usb

Yes, the PS2 version has USB keyboard/mouse support.

I suppose keyboard/mouse support alleviates the control issues of the Dreamcast version like todesengel said. I just never gave it much thought since I'd personally just rather play the original PC version if I wanted to use such control methods. But it's nice that both console ports offer a full range of options for those that would like to use a keyboard and mouse with their console game.

I'm shocked we're in 2011 with XBLA and PSN in full swing and still no port of Half-Life for both systems yet. I'd of lost a bet since I figured it was a sure thing several years ago. Seems like Valve is leaving money on the table while other classic 90's PC shooters are ported and rereleased as digital downloads.

[Robocop2]

I was honestly kind of surprised that it wasn't released as part of The Orange Box to be honest.

[Darkman2K5]

Yes, the PS2 version has USB keyboard/mouse support.

I suppose keyboard/mouse support alleviates the control issues of the Dreamcast version like todesengel said. I just never gave it much thought since I'd personally just rather play the original PC version if I wanted to use such control methods. But it's nice that both console ports offer a full range of options for those that would like to use a keyboard and mouse with their console game.

I'm shocked we're in 2011 with XBLA and PSN in full swing and still no port of Half-Life for both systems yet. I'd of lost a bet since I figured it was a sure thing several years ago. Seems like Valve is leaving money on the table while other classic 90's PC shooters are ported and rereleased as digital downloads.

Well now that the PS3 has Steam support, I can see Half Life making its way there sometime in the future.

[The 1 2 P]

I have a Half-Life review demo for the Dreamcast that actually has the whole game included. What I hate are the controls. Beyond the default controls are a few alternate controller set-ups but theres no way for you to remap each button the way you can on some of todays shooters. With the set-ups the way they are I found it to be very uncomfortable to play and didn't get very far in it because of that.

[kainemaxwell]

Half-Life DC has the compression issue when the game does an autosave or when you save games. PS2 Half-Life is pretty smooth, moreso than the DC and PC version, and it does load,b ut it takes only a few seconds each time.

[Ballermann2D]

I have a Half-Life review demo for the Dreamcast that actually has the whole game included...

pressed or burned?