Recent reviews by FriendlyChemist

I have about 1k hours beteween KF1 and KF2 and was excited to hear about KF3 but then a bit scared after the beta (I didn't get in). I wanted to post a review once I hit level 30 in one perk so here it is. I also decided I'm probably not going to play it much anymore until some of the Cons I have listed out are fixed.

It's a fun game and having cross platform opens the doors to playing with more people. However, there's some really basic stuff missing as well as bugs and various other problems listed in the Cons section below that just really detract.
I really like the movement in the game for the most part. Sliding around does make you go faster though which is a lil goofy but its fun to slide out of the way of a raged FP and shoot it in the back of the head. I liked the level design and will have to boot the game back up when a new one releases.

I don't like how t he health system works. Medics aren't really even needed unless you're playing HOE. You have to buy syringes and medics have to buy healing darts (instead of the darts recharging). Syringes refill like all your health so you basically avoid using them until you are near death.


No text chat (I know they say this will be added but really should have been at launch)
No server browser (same note as above)
Minimal guns to choose from (again same note as above)
Only one length of game (no short and long??)
I tried to bind my throw dosh button to mousewheel down to drop tons of $ at once like I did in KF2. When I tried it, it didn't work and also broke my throw dosh even after resetting the key. Like I literally cannot throw dosh, probably a reinstall to fix.
Tab frequently doesn't bring up the scoreboard when spectating
Esc frequently doesn't bring up the menu especially at wave end so you are forced to load the next map even if you want to return to stronghold
Zombies get stuck (on city streets esp) and you just have to disconnect, they dont teleport/die when stuck like in kf1/2
Random dead zombies or parts of players weapons are frequently just floating around the map
Depsite not having all those basic features they were sure to implement microtransactions and battle passes, sheeeeesh
I haven't seen this one but a friend managed to get his gun to show it had negative ammo but shoot like it was unlimited


All the bugs listed above, I know it's a new game and in theory should get better but the state it is in at launch really should have been classified as early access. I hate that this has become such a trend in new games, please just wait until you have a more polished product.
No server browser or text chat but they def got that battlepass
I'm not sure what Battlepass locks out because I didn't buy it but I hate when games lock content behind a subscription-based model
Health system - really makes the game play different imo
Where are stalkers?
Money system - you can pretty much never get enough money to get two primary weapons unless doing well in HOE
Cant kick players - AFK players seem to just stay in spawn and die each round
Can only work with perks and weapons outside of a server in the singleplayer menu
Only have 3rd person for spectating`
UI interaction is very clunky, having to jump between multiple long loading screens sometimes and a lot of the UX design isn't well thought out; lots of uneccessary clicks and loading screens to sum it up
Having to run to the vtol when joining online as a single player is very annoying
Money should be given a bit more freely. It's very difficult to actually get two guns which is very helpful on HOE later waves when you have a zillion scrakes and FPs
Could be more optimized (games these days amiright)
Cringe voice lines. Really would have been better just to rip off KF1 and 2 than what they did.
I think because of the player outlines and how much VFX there is (explosions, fires, etc), people tend to play really spaced out unless on HOE which makes it feel less like a coop and more just like survival.
Cant pick up teammates weapons - would also help with money.



But of course there are nice things about the game.
Cross platform play, always love to see this. I have mostly PC friends but the flexibility to play with ANYONE is awesome
Entertaining gameplay, the "mutation" waves spice things up
Weapon upgrade system is more fun than the in game "upgrades" KF2
Character design for zeds and bosses including animations are great
Gunplay; this is probably an unpopular opinion but I think the weapons that I've been using play pretty well; keep in mind that is mostly limited to commando in my experience
Ziplines add a nice dynamic element that can be used to escape from sticky situations and regroup for a second (I do think some are too long and can be abused by players to drag out games that are lost)
Player movement is intutive, after a couple hours you get very used to it and can start really improving your movement
Level design is mostly good, maps are visually very nice and flow is mostly good. Always room for improvement there of course.
Outlines of players while in game is nice and helps you know where people are but partially encourages spreading out and not playing together.

I hope custom content makes a comeback, would like to try some HOE+ on this one and all the maps that get ported over. I'm ok with that one not being avaiable until after launch, as long as it does come.

Bought because it was on sale for $17, and am still requesting a refund.Extremely lazy port, and then they ask for $60?? Shame on Bethesda and Steam.
First couple times I launched the game I got stuck in menus as there seems to be no way to go back with Index controllers (maybe this one was just me but it already put a bad taste in my mouth as it were)

Then when I finally got the game going, the wagon you start in was flying all over the screen and not really progressing. Tried 3 different times and the last time I made it almost all the way through town before the wagon just got stuck in a corner; this game is actually unplayable.
From other reviews it sounds like you can mod the game into working and while I'm no stranger to modding I am refusing to do it to get a game working in the first place. This game should be pulled from the market until a patch is released to fix it. Too late for me though I lost my patience with it and requested a refund.

VR
The game that convinced me to get VR. I'd had my eye on VR for quite a while but I hadn't seen a game yet that had convinced me to take the plunge. As a huge Half Life fan this was naturally it (I assume I am in the same boat as many people out there). Managed to snag an Index a week and a half before writing this review.

General
Generally the game feels like a true half life in terms of story, puzzles, and ambiance. The use of the VR tech here is extremely good and you can tell the game was designed to only work in VR. There are new puzzles that need the 3d space and they are all pretty cool, my favorite is defusing wall mines.

Gravity Gloves and Weapons
Gravity gloves are awesome and as many people say you really get used to them quite quickly. Within an hour or two I could walk into a room and start flinging stuff towards me with ease. They stole an idea from HL:2 regarding the gravity gloves towards the end of the game but with a unique spin on it (think blue gravity gun). They are just plain fun to use.
I do wish there was a bit more diversity in the weapons though. While I do like all of the guns and being able to upgrade them is a nice touch there is still only 3, pistol, shotgun, and SMG. Compare this to the ~10 in other HL games. I was really hoping for a uranium gun (Gluon gun or Tau Cannon) or rocket/grenade launcher. There is a grenade launcher in the game but it is mounted to the ground so you can't take it with you.
Spoiler: The grenade launcher is at the very end and you use it to kill a Strider. My problem with this part was that I just ran through the whole area without getting hit at all by the strider. There was too much cover and it was too easy to blink teleport from safe spot to safe spot. Then at the very end when you actually use the grenade launcher it puts a shield around you so you can't even get hit by the strider! Maybe I just got lucky and stood in the one spot it couldn't hit me? This was just so easy for a final boss battle I was only playing on normal difficulty but still.

The Highlight
The chapter that everyone is talking about is about in the middle of the story. It has a very Amnesia feel to it and this part of the game is the best example of what VR can be. I won't spoil it for anyone who intends on playing through this game but you'll know this part when you get to it. It makes great use of VR and puts you into situations where you know what you have to do but also know what will happen when you do.
Spoiler: Jeff. This is a zen infected human zombie thing that has infinite health, can kill you pretty much instantly (even on normal), but can't hear. So basically this whole chapter you're down in this basement area with Jeff walking around and you you have to do various things without making noise or even coughing (cover your mouth so you don't cough when walking by the Xen creatures pumping out "smoke"). The scary part is you half to lock him into a freezer to open a door but then you have to let him back out to get at the wiring in the room.

The Complaint
Once I actually got the hang of the game though some parts almost felt too easy, the final battle in particular. I pretty much just ran through the whole thing and killed the boss while getting hit maybe twice. I think this whole part could have been lengthened and made a bit more difficult. There also wasn't many puzzles in this portion.

TLDR
Overall EPIC game valve, glad this game broke my VR cherry. If you have the means to invest in a VR capable system I highly recommend it
Wish there was more weapons and the last couple chapters had been a bit better though.

A classic valve game, this is a game that all computer gamers should play through.
The environments are varied, distinct, and of high quality for a game that came out over 15 years ago.
The gravity gun is the most unique and fun to use "weapon" of any game out there imo.
You get to spend a good deal of time driving first an airboat then a dune buggy; both are great fun.

I watched the development of this game since the beginning more than 10 years ago. It is amazing to see it in its final state now all these years later. Crowbar collective did an epic job completely remaking the game with modern assets and textures while still being true to the story.

Xen was a bit weird in the original half life and was definately the weak spot in the game. Crowbar collective did an excellent job re-imagining it and making it much longer and more fun while building a bit on the story. Xen is very resource intensive though so you may struggle to maintain playable framerates if you don't have a powerful CPU and GPU.
Interloper is still annoying though and probably the weakest part of the game. Its better than it was in Half Life but still not the best.

The final boss battle against the Nihalanth is so much better in this remake. My only complaint there is the lack of the jump pads, which I did like in the original.

Overall 9.5/10 if you played and enjoyed the original or are just interested in getting in to the half life world with the release of HL:A this is 100% worth a play through.