Let's start over, shall we? [Not "THAT" much over but yeah] We love Half-Life. We love Opposing Force. We love pretty much everything about the whole universe...and so much on. Anyhow, I still respect Valve and what they've done until the very late but unfortunately the last episode of Half-Life. But you can't, of course, ignore the mistakes and wrongs that's been done throughout the evolution of Half-Life. I mean, me, him and her can list the mistakes and wrong-doings all day all long...fort and night. But who cares? Those are something and something. There is only one wrong-doing...and that's the reason why HECU gets to be the coal boy when the fun part begins. When we first encountered the HECU in Half-Life...the first time when we faced them, we wanted to play as one to see the different perspective. I mean, especially when you see they're badasses and such bringing the whole firepower and all. But then we get Opposing Force, we only get to see something pretty much close as in Half-Life is that the Intro of the game. The other parts are pretty much being alone and fighting off with the enemy. I mean, sure you get to meet some fellow marines along the way to the hell while acquiring new weapons and seeing new monsters but still, it's pretty much the same stuff what you do and where it takes you. Being alone and killing any hostile creatures or humans along the way. Same old same old.

I'm not judging you, alrighT? I know that you guys are trying and doing your best to remake the whole game [and of course adding new things here and there expanding maps and all]. But still, you really gotta think what makes it cool to play as one of the members of HECU. I mean, what's the whole reason to be one and going after the one FREEMAN, right? I know most people are gonna defend the timeline going on between two games. But I'm saying something else. Some improvements that'll make everything understandable as it is. I know HECU loses most of its firepower as in late in the game. Yeah, sure...they were already evacuating, so they don't/didn't have any more tanks, ospreys, Apaches etc. stationed on the goddamn hell-ish roads of the Black Mesa. WRONG! Even though they were evacuating, they still fought back. Those soldiers who missed the evacuation, they were still following their orders on capturing/neutralizing Freeman. That pretty much explains how Gordon got captured while trying to reach the surface [you know the time where two hgrunts who were talking about whether or not killing the Freeman or carrying him all the way to the surface].

Look, what I'm trying to say is you gotta make those AI of Hgrunts smarter than the original game. Yeah, don't worry I've seen your AI presentation. And I say, you pretty much did alright. But I can't say if they will follow Shephard to some places [I'm not saying they should follow him all the way to the ending part. But at least you gotta be able to bring them to big-fights] Climbing up and down...yeah all seems unnecessary and useless to work on. But at the very least you gotta think about how to keep the game alive. I played Black Mesa. Did things here and there. Looked every corner of empty spaces. Watched different reactions of friend and foes. But it gets pretty much lame after some point. That should be a lesson for you...I mean, now that you've seen what they've done all those years developing the game and releasing the final product [update by update]. Don't get me wrong, I want you to be successful. I'm not a programmer, mapper, modeler, scripter or any other things which require unique skills to develop any simple or complex game. I know how hard it can be to manage to create all those stuffs and to make the game success. I wish I had some knowledge to back you up on any of that. I just don't want you to see me as a bad guy who is trying to make the whole things difficult for us'. 'Cause of course in the end, the choice is yours. You decide what's best for your game. I'm just sharing my ideas [if you call it that :U].

The things would be cool and proper to see in Operation Black Mesa:

1-[Ospreys at some points in space *not in real space just the space where you fight with enemies and all :E*. Ospreys backing you up by deploying soldiers against enemy attacks.]

2-[A real-big-hardcore-bloody BATTLEFIELD! Where we can see some real fights between HECU and Race X. Finally a proper welcoming committee. (You can also make Ospreys to deploy HECUs when that happens. To keep the fight long and fun) What we've all been craving for HECU VS Race X]

3-[A real interaction with a real radio. I know Shephard is a muted protagonist. But that doesn't make it any feel better not having him to call any backups at some points in the original game. Which is lame...'cause in Half-Life you never see any marines alone on his own. They patrol together or stationed places more than one.]

4-[Apaches, tanks or any other help would be appreciated at some point. You don't have to make them permanent...just put them at some places to help us at some point until they get destroyed by alien aircraft or something else. (more like scripted sequences)]

5-[I saw the artwork for the voltigore's nest. I gotta say that was pretty neat work. If you really can manage to make something similar we see on the picture but also scarier than that. A real nest but also a maze where it's goddamn hard to find the exit, eh?]

6-[ZOMBIES! I don't know, how you're gonna model them or is there gonna be a variety of them...Surely, there's gonna be 4 types: z_scientist, z_security, z_soldier, gonome as in the original game. But I'm also expecting a chubby zombie asides from the big guy we've got in the original "Gonome". Maybe Zombie Otis...poor bastard.]

7-[HECUs talking...yeah the reason why it made me love HECUs is their radio talking. Yup, for some people it's like robotic. But still, the way they communicate...that's what should happen here. I know HECU talks directly in Opposing Force. Because they talk to another marine who is close to them or to Shephard (even he's muted) anyhow, what I'm trying to say is to make them using their radios once in a while. Like in Half-Life. Let us hear the same kind of talking we hear in Half-Life. *Not the robotic style*]

8-[INTRO...I'm hoping for some big fight before the plane crashes. I mean, Ospreys. I don't know what you're planning for that one. But expecting more than one crashes.]

9-[Black Ops...yup, lethal guys. I'm very so much hoping to see some damn killer fight between HECUs and Black Ops. I mean, not just one timing. Also, make the assassins deadlier than before. I mean, when we're moving with other fellow comrades, we hear something and damn 2 of us died already and the rest is trying to survive.]

As for the final suggestion...

10-[Headcrabs...here's the crazy idea. We never ever see them turning people into zombies by managing to get onto their heads and injecting their toxin (or whatever its called). I mean, think about it...headcrabs always jumps at NPCs and the player right? But nothing happens except damaging them little by little. So, how about this instead of that "When/If NPCs health is lower than 10 then headcrab can attack the NPC to turn them into zombies". Not just jump at them and poof here you have a zombie. But hop on to their heads to control their hosts nerves system.]

OK, WOAH to you too. [Not any kind of hatred towards you though]

Anyhow, I know the whole timeline, alright? Don't take me someone who played the game yesterday and found this mod today AND decided to start yelling at people and also demanding things must happen in their games. --- This is definitely not the case nor it was my intention. I'm sure I made it clear those are just suggestions which I thought would be cool to see. And I mentioned that "This is their game so the choice is theirs to make. They do whatever they think its best for their game" I clearly said that.

So, let's get back to the businesses at hand. You're right, they started pulling out at that time in Half-Life...which that happens in Chapter 3 "We Are Pulling Out" in Opposing Force.
But still, I didn't ask something out of the ordinary nor suggested. Again, it was all just a suggestion. I get your point but do you?

They might have started pulling out but you can't say everyone got extracted. But I also know that is not what you're referring to. So, what is the problem here?

Yeah all the choppers [apaches], tanks, ospreys etc. pulled out but only the foot soldiers left. Right? Nothing but just armed marines are on the field. And they also don't know who is where. I mean, they're in the blind. They can't even call for any backups because they're trying to survive on their own without knowing where their comrades are left behind and so much on.

Look, this is just a fiction. Not some reality thingy. I'm sure we all know it. I'm just saying why the hell not. Don't tell me it wouldn't look cool to see an osprey being attacked while pulling out or an apache was just shot down by Black Ops while fleeing and so much on. Imagine. Just imagine. Seeing only marines dying or fighting back as in the original game, gets kinda repetitive don't you think? Just saying a battlefield would be the biggest change for it.

You don't need a battalion to create that much of a scene. Forces are scattered across the bloody walls of Black Mesa. So, I've heard...humans are smart. They can gather and create a safehouse. And stationed there. Gathering resources and planning an initial fight. Shephard just steps in "Bam*".

In imagination, there is not limitation.

Anyhow, I'm gonna say it again. These all are just suggestions. You don't have to follow or like or read any of them. I'm just sharing my ideas. It's up to you to follow them/take what you think is best or leave them to rot in their own hell. I'm sure either way, your game is gonna be something else. Waiting sucks but I know it's worth.

You're "all" always welcome...

It's the least I can do.

Wish I had more knowledge than sharing my ideas.

Anyhow, I'll do my best to not complicate things as for the rest :X

You remember the time when Shephard meets with other soldiers to leave the black mesa because of the air strike? [Location: ”We Are Pulling Out”; Commander’s Center.]

Commander: Shephard, you’ve made it. I take it you didn’t find Freeman. Forget it Corporal. We are puling out. The air strike has started. Get to the hanger while we await evac!

Commander: I said, get to the hangar Shephard, that is an order!

So, that time when Shephard tries to get out of the hangar "hangar door closes" due to Gman. After last soldiers [who were stationed at the center] getting into the Osprey, they pulled off. They just left. Didn't even care enough to look for Shephard. Why? I mean, Commander knew Shephard was heading that way...I mean, he's the one who told him to go to the hangar. Right? So, do you think maybe and also Gman wanted him to go there? [Well, it's obvious...since Gman is the one who closed the damn doors to not let Shephard escape from the Black Mesa. So, I'm thinking that Gman made Commander to order Shephard to go to the hangar. I mean, they all knew Shephard was gonna left behind.

Anyhow, my question is "Are you gonna make any changes there?" Of course you can't tell me any specifics but the whole thing makes me feel like a plot hole if you ask me. [Original Game]

Besides that, I have some other ideas for you. Again, you don't have to take any single one...just sharing.

About Gman...who or how many people are aware of his ---> it? 's existence? I mean, in game...there are only those who are worthy enough for his employers are aware of him and his intentions [a little bit of his intentions maybe] at least enough to know that he's gonna keep an eye out for themselves.

Anyway, are we gonna hear any mentionings about Gman from soldiers? Like saying some stuffs about him "I bet the guy in suit with his briefcase know what the hell happened here" ... "You know what's crazier other than the shit that is happening right now? Sensing the guy in suit stalking us." [Pretty creepy way to think about that don't ya think]

It doesn't have to be mentioned directly. Just some stuffs here and there maybe?

I don't know how many theories are out there [crazy or not] but I don't know if Gman is visible to those who are not worthy for his employers and himself.

If he is not visible to anyone but a specific person then when the hangar door closes the soldier who was waving at the other soldiers to get in to the Osprey - can clearly see or should see Shephard who got trapped inside the hangar and immediately should run to his aid to try to open the door but after failing few times...then he gotta change his mind about helping Shephard...and get into the Osprey to escape.

Or that soldier should see Gman and point his gun to make him open the damn doors and saying stuffs etc. But then the helicopter guy gotta say "We're leaving...get into the Osprey or you're gonna be left behind" so he must change his mind and get into the Osprey.

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What do you think?

Thank you for reading. I mean, even some of my suggestions&ideas might sound ridiculous or unnecessary for the game...knowing that you're {whoever else] reading it...I simply can't thank you enough.

Anyway, I have one or two new suggestions&ideas you may consider. Again [you don't have to take any of them into consideration or so]

{Side Missions}

Well, not exactly what I have in mind. But something close to it, I guess. Like, helping few civilians along the way or some soldiers who got cornered by aliens/zombies or whatever you throw at them. I'm not saying carry them over from the battlefield or some collapsed building or something. Just saying, if we're gonna hear some voices while passing down the sector [any place]. For example, some scientists are hiding behind big crates [well, when you think about big crates it's so simple, right? but it's just an example] and you see some zombies are eating [harvesting...don't know how you describe this one] corpses and it's your call to kill the zombies and save the scientists or leave them to their fates. And for the soldiers, you may place them around while taking heavy casulties [not that heavy I guess...since some people mentioned and even pointed out that they were evacuating the black mesa...I also know that but still, it's pretty neat to imagine all the fighting] anyway, like I said they were cornered by some alien grunts, or some voltigores and shock troopers...again, it's up to you to help those soldiers or leave them to their fates.

{Something about Security Guards}

Alright, here's the thing. Remember the first chapter of Opposing Force. Where you wake up and pick your P.C.V to pass through the security checkpoint. But in order to pass that checkpoint you gotta wear your P.C.V [like I mentioned before this sentence which I didn't need to, :A] Otherwise security guard never let you pass, right? So, I was thinking what if you don't need security guards to pass through some high level areas. [Actually there is no point in adding this since there is no other doors that you need them to open except the armory where you need Otis to unlock [you know the one where he was trying to pick Candy!]] My point is...if you consider it adding then you can let them drop a security keycard or something like that. But still, there were two doors where security guard unlocked so you don't need to make it happen I guess unless you're planning adding some secret places or some armories along the black mesa. Just saying.



[/i]Well, I guess this is it. Keep up the good work and take your time to finish&make it something to remember! [No doubts just saying]

Well, first of all that truck idea of yours is kinda bit empty. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm saying it doesn't need to happen. Because it's unnecessary to do all the work in the game to blow some doors etc. I mean, opposing force...even in the Original Half-Life, we never needed to do that kind of thing. You gotta ask yourself this "Do I really want to see Shephard riding a truck to get "some Explosives (or anything)" just to blow something on the way?" Some script sequence might happen...and it could really look cool to see some soldier sacrificing himself to save the rest of the squad [even that would be...too much?]...sure. But really? Shephard riding a truck? [But then again, I'm not one of the devs...so you don't want to hear anything from me, I get it.]

Other than that, that place is pretty much big enough to be lively. I mean, defending the area seems like a good idea if there will be other soldiers as well. I mean, are we gonna defend it for what? Last I remember, there was a soldier who were communicating with us through the radio and he's killed by black ops, right? So, maybe...there can be fight between all together? We can defend the area from Xen forces and Black Ops.

Then again, black ops were already in the area. So, I don't see if [devs] really want to change it into a warzone.

Look, pal. I get it. I know what you're referring to. I also said the same stuff and agreed.....except the part where Shephard has to/should drive a truck to get all the stuff. I mean, that place ain't that big enough for us to drive and gather the explosives from point B and get back to point A.

Alright, let's pretend that they made it bigger...meaning the place [map]. And they put a lot of space to race to the other side. What then? You simply are gonna get out of the car and collect the explosives and get inside the truck? Or are you gonna carry them over to the truck? Then you're gonna turn back all the way down and pull the whole thing off the truck and set the explosives to blow the wall, door, hangar whatever the hell it is. Is that it? [not angry :P]

Can we please kill the spotlight for a moment and think this through?

While we're doing the whole thing, there has to be something going on in the background. I mean, are you gonna run all the way down just to watch the sunlight? Nobody likes that. Are we talking about the same thing that happened in Half-Life 2 Episode Two? [Where you had to go through all the way down to Whiteforest [Even then, there were some considerable action at some point of the story]]

But we're talking about this...[Wait, wait. Everybody just calm down. Not saying anything bad :D]

Even if there is a fight going down the hill, what then? While driving the truck they're gonna fire at us? [Meaning the Black Ops or even Xen [?]] Then I guess either we're gonna take some hits or the truck is gonna explode...right?

I know we're not talking about reality here...this game is just a fiction. So, did you like it? I mean, the part where I explained getting shot while driving or being exploded by some rocket launcher on the way? [Wait, what rocket? [That's what I figured]] That's what I'm saying, sure.

But anyway, it is your suggestion. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying your way of thinking is wrong. Everybody can share their ideas. I may don't like it. Doesn't matter. But maybe devs loved it. Who knows? Sorry, if I sounded bad...didn't mean to. Anyhow, whatever happens, this game is gonna be something to remember.