Valve Supports Top 5 Source Mods
Valve once again showed what makes them a top gaming developer with the release of five player made Source Engine mods for download over Steam (briefly mentioned here), free of charge (well you do have to own Half Life 2, but I mean come on who doesn't have Half Life 2? 5 games for the price of 1 with the Orange Box, you'd have to be crazy not to have it). I spent the weekend testing out the different mods, and here's how they ranked:
5. Insurgency
Of the 5 mods, I have to say this was the worst. As the name suggests, the game puts you in a battlefield in the middle east as either the U.S. or as the Insurgency. You will spend most of your time fighting in urban settings, like many modern day warfare games. Honestly theres not much difference between this and any other shooter like it, well besides the team killing have I mentioned that? Of course you have your usually 12 year olds killing you for lol's, but the teams look ridiculously alike when taking cover which of course leads to friendly fire. If you are looking for a terrorist/counter-terrorist urban combat game, just play Counter Strike instead of wasting your time here.
4. D.I.P.R.I.P. Warm Up
This mod was pretty cool, its basically Twisted Metal (that awesome vehicle death match game for the ps1) done in the Source Engine. The only gripe I have hear, is that its a little hard to get used to the controls, especially if you are used to playing Twisted Metal, controller in hand. Other than the issue with the controls this game is pretty solid if you just want to get in game, drive around, and blow people (cars) up.
3. Synergy
Synergy is a little different than the other mods. Instead of pitting players against each other (well there is a death match mode, gravity gun + saw blade = death), Synergy emphasizes its co-op play. You can once again take on the role of Gordon Freeman, only this time with multiple people. You get to travel through Half Life 2's story mode in co-op as you and some friends plow through hoards of combine, headcrabs, and zombies over teamspeak. Synergy doesn't just stop there either, it lets you play all new player created co-op and deathmatch maps. What this game really makes me want to do is sit and wait for G-man to show up as my teammates catch that fleeting glimpse, so I can finally figure out how the fuck he runs away so quickly. I suspect something like this.
2. Age of Chivalry
Ever play a FPS and think, “you know what would really make this game great? If you got rid of all the guns and gave everyone swords, maces, crossbows, and plate armor.” If so, then this is the game for you. Age of Chivalry will let you play as either an archer, footman, or a knight, as you plunder villages and raid the other teams castle. You'll find this game is a lot of fun, from launching yourself in a catapult to get inside the enemy castle to capture their flag, or to try to kill the peasants in a village. The combat style reminds me of something you'd find in the Elder Scrolls series, which means pure essence of awesome basically. You might have some issues with lag because of the increased popularity now that its downloadable on Steam, but I haven't come across a horrible server yet. Aiming is a little tricky at first with the longbow and crossbow, my advice, use the arrow head as the crosshair. Almost nothing is more entertaining than jumping into the front lines swinging a battle axe as you decapitate the silly footman that get in your way.
Of course if you have Steam and have already played these mods you know what my number one pick is, if not, you'll just have to wait to see =P.
5. Insurgency
Of the 5 mods, I have to say this was the worst. As the name suggests, the game puts you in a battlefield in the middle east as either the U.S. or as the Insurgency. You will spend most of your time fighting in urban settings, like many modern day warfare games. Honestly theres not much difference between this and any other shooter like it, well besides the team killing have I mentioned that? Of course you have your usually 12 year olds killing you for lol's, but the teams look ridiculously alike when taking cover which of course leads to friendly fire. If you are looking for a terrorist/counter-terrorist urban combat game, just play Counter Strike instead of wasting your time here.
4. D.I.P.R.I.P. Warm Up
This mod was pretty cool, its basically Twisted Metal (that awesome vehicle death match game for the ps1) done in the Source Engine. The only gripe I have hear, is that its a little hard to get used to the controls, especially if you are used to playing Twisted Metal, controller in hand. Other than the issue with the controls this game is pretty solid if you just want to get in game, drive around, and blow people (cars) up.
3. Synergy
Synergy is a little different than the other mods. Instead of pitting players against each other (well there is a death match mode, gravity gun + saw blade = death), Synergy emphasizes its co-op play. You can once again take on the role of Gordon Freeman, only this time with multiple people. You get to travel through Half Life 2's story mode in co-op as you and some friends plow through hoards of combine, headcrabs, and zombies over teamspeak. Synergy doesn't just stop there either, it lets you play all new player created co-op and deathmatch maps. What this game really makes me want to do is sit and wait for G-man to show up as my teammates catch that fleeting glimpse, so I can finally figure out how the fuck he runs away so quickly. I suspect something like this.
2. Age of Chivalry
Ever play a FPS and think, “you know what would really make this game great? If you got rid of all the guns and gave everyone swords, maces, crossbows, and plate armor.” If so, then this is the game for you. Age of Chivalry will let you play as either an archer, footman, or a knight, as you plunder villages and raid the other teams castle. You'll find this game is a lot of fun, from launching yourself in a catapult to get inside the enemy castle to capture their flag, or to try to kill the peasants in a village. The combat style reminds me of something you'd find in the Elder Scrolls series, which means pure essence of awesome basically. You might have some issues with lag because of the increased popularity now that its downloadable on Steam, but I haven't come across a horrible server yet. Aiming is a little tricky at first with the longbow and crossbow, my advice, use the arrow head as the crosshair. Almost nothing is more entertaining than jumping into the front lines swinging a battle axe as you decapitate the silly footman that get in your way.
Of course if you have Steam and have already played these mods you know what my number one pick is, if not, you'll just have to wait to see =P.
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