I know.

The only complaint i ever had about the Thief series was i need a good map system due to getting lost easily and the Thief series intentionally had a vague system.

Trying to avoid the whole keyboard/mouse - controller debate my main reason for console gaming became the fact i don't have the technical knowledge to maintain and keep up a gaming rig. A new console i can just buy (and until this generation) it would work without patches/incompatibility issues etc.

Was the multiplayer on AvP2 any good? I just started the single player and it didn't hook me.

The multiplayer on AvP2 was amazing. Each race had several distinct classes, and each class had different strengths and weaknesses. So in addition to the race balancing, you had class balancing on top of it. And each level had ways that would allow you to be successful as any race, as long as you knew what you were doing. I had so much fun trying out the different classes in each race and trying to learn the optimal playing styles.

Yeah, the map system was intentionally vague to add to the "realism". Realistically, Garrett would not have detailed maps of high-security areas and such. He did have adequate maps to low-security areas though.

I agree with you there. I used to be a diehard PC gamer because I always felt console games were just too simplistic in comparison. All the dumbed down console versions of classic PC games will prove that. Constantly upgrading hardware and dealing with patches and incompatibilities just got too much for me, so now I am just an occasional PC gamer.

Just picked it up off ebay for $10. Yea! + $5 shipping: Boo!

Awesome. So you finally get to experience Half-life ten years late. I hope the dated graphics don't ruin the experience. It was revolutionary being the first FPS to have an actual storyline and scripted cinematic sequences instead of being another generic Doom clone. Nowadays, those things are a dime a dozen so hopefully you won't be jaded by that.

I just played Peggles, god that's addicting! I kinda wanna buy the full game now!

Agreed. I like that you get the 5 challenge levels after finishing the 10 main levels. Very nice freebie, but they are going to end up selling a lot of the full game. It is damn good.

The HL1 PS2 version actually isn't bad. Try to use a controller where the analog sticks are still in decent shape because you will need the precision for aiming. I played through a fair bit of it, but the 2nd hand disc I bought was scratched, so my PS2 always made this weird whining sound when reading it which was kind of annoying.

Waiting patiently for TF2 Beta to start, I have class till 4:30 so I'll be rushing through LA traffic to get home to play it... Everyone on Steam, join the DVD Talk community group:

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/dvdtalk

Can't wait to get the TF2 party started.

I would be VERY interested to hear how TF2 compares to COD4 beta and the Halo 3 beta. Please post any info that you can.

is the beta only on PC or is it going to be on 360 too?

This just in on CNN: Gabe Newell is on the roof of Valve corporate headquarters surrounded by a SWAT team. He's holding the keys to the TF2 Steam server room hostage. He's demanding five million dollars, a fueled and ready helicopter for a flight to Canada, and three buckets of extra crispy KFC.

So now that Team Fortress 2 is out (They say it's a beta, but it has everything that was intended to go into the game, including all 6 maps) what do we all think?

I'm having a blast so far! Amazing graphics, great character design, great map design, great great great! I haven't been so into Team Fortress since I played Classic for Half-Life for hours on end. Thank you so much Valve!

The visual design for Team Fortress 2 is absolutely amazing.

Reminds me of old school Loony Tunes.

I can't wait, won't get a chance until Friday tho. Also "beta testing" Sega's Universe at War.

I'm having no luck, but I always seem to have problems with the fucking Source engine.

It gets past the Valve intro and then while loading it crashes and tells me that HL2.exe has caused an error.

I'm going to delete it and redownload. I'll give the beta another shot tomorrow. Drives me crazy that I can play Unreal Engine 3 games flawlessly, but always have to fight to get Valve's stuff to work correctly. Price of being a PC gamer I guess.

I'm having a lot of fun with TF2 right now. Been playing for a couple hours and it's been a blast.

I joined the DVDTalk group, my id is rsra13

I'm also having a lot of fun with TF2.

I joined up with the DVDTalk group too. I'm a total newb with co-op online stuff in general, but I loved the original Half Life and wanted all of the HL2 content, so I figured why not try this Orange Box thing and see what the fuss is with Team Fortress 2. So... um... am I gonna make an ass out of myself the first time I fire this game up? I really have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing.

Amazing game, I've just been having problems with it crashing on me. It seems to crash every 15-30 minutes. I hope they get this fixed because it's really great when I'm able to play it.

Checked today and there was an update. My crashing issues are fixed!

It is an amazing game. I am not really a big fan of the online shooters like this, but this one is a lot of fun. I played two full battles and picked up a few of the achievement points. I tried all of the classes and really had the most fun with the support characters.

TF2 definitely lives up to the hype and considering it will be played long after people finish HL2 and Portal it is a major reason to buy the Orange Box.

I joined the DVDTalk group as aagstn.

Enjoy my awesome ranking of 1.1 - El Terrible!

Yep, same here. I was very pleased.

And I see people are finally starting to trickle into the DVDTalk group. Hopefully by the time the game gets a regular release, we'll have enough to hold some events. I'd like to do at least a weekly TF2 night, but I'm not sure if we've got enough people yet. I've been playing with the NeoGAF group (and you guys are welcome to jump in there too if you want) but if you guys have any ideas for times or days, let me know.

I want to know if there is going to be some difference in the "beta" and "full" release. I broke down and bought the 'Orange Box', it's a great deal. Only problem is now I will have HL2, HL2:Episode One and HL2: Episode 2 and I know I'll never finish them. Hell, I never finished HL and with TF2 , I will be lucky if I even bother loading another game up.

TF2 rocks. Hundred times better than TFF (Team Fortress Forever, which was recently released).