I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to post my weekly Half Life blog since I'm away on business...but the good news is I had the insight to plan ahead and already have some content ready to cover so I could keep to my schedule. Having posted four blogs in this series, I didn't want to throw a crowbar into the gears now. It's been a month now since I've started replaying all of the Half-Life games and I'm having a blast. Seeing the sights, hearing the sounds and experiencing the campaign all over again has been a real treat. Last week I finished off the Power Up level and now we're going to take a look at the On A Rail level.
On a Rail is only appropriate because if you remember where last week's episode ended, I stopped at the end of the track and met a guard who explained what my new missions was.
On A Rail is a bit longer than some of the other levels, but it isn't too difficult. Essentially you have to move the rail car down the track a short distance, stop...explore...or fight bad guys...and get back on the rail car and move on down the road.
I found all sorts of bad guys trying to interfere with my trek. There are aliens and there are human soldiers...and they have this in common, they want to kill you. I discovered if you just take your time and proceed slowly, your chances of survival are much higher. There are a few hidden areas where you can find some equipment. A couple spots with water under the rails. In each instance, there is a ladder leading down into the murky water, which sort of reveals the location. There are actually a few hidden spots you can find in this level. In one of them, you have to shoot out the ceiling tiles and you're able to find some loot.
There is also an interesting battle between the aliens and the human soldiers. I tend to let them duke it out before I join the fray. Saves ammo.
This is one of those levels where I make sure I break down every crate to accumulate as much ammunition and grenades as I can find. It's always scarce as it is, so it's always a good idea to get it when you can.
Eventually you find yourself in the missile (or I think they call it rocket) silo the security guard told you to find. Actually, one of the engineers told the security guard to tell you that. Anyway,
As you progress through the map, you also learn very quickly there are a few turrets strategically placed and they will tear you up if you're not careful.
As Gordon Freeman rides a monorail in the Materials Transport section of Black Mesa, he learns from a security guard that he must ride to the High Altitude Launch Center to launch a satellite, which the Lambda Team can use to reverse the effects of the Resonance Cascade. He also discovers the HECU's true hatred for him, as well as larger reinforcements: sandbag bunkers with rapid-fire sniper rifles, mounted machine gun turrets (manual and automated), and even mounted rocket launchers. After going round in circles, it seems, for a while, he goes up several elevators and at last reaches the surface again. At the launch site, he sends the rocket up into orbit, and regretfully goes back below ground. (SOURCE: Half-Life Wiki).
I saw a reveal that said there is soldier sleeping on watch. I didn't find it so I might have to go back and try to find it. Eventually you reach the spot where you launch the rocket. Woo. Mission accomplished.
That basically wraps up the level, but I'm a little disappointed because I feel like I've missed some stuff. I may try and go back and double check the area. But it is kind of a tougher level, so I'm not sure if I'll have the time. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know.
Regardless, I'm another level through and one step closer to finishing the game again.
Oh, and some other interesting facts about this level from the Wiki.
* If the player presses the rocket launch button through the wall, he can witness the rocket launching without being sealed off in the launch room. It reveals that the rocket clips through closed silo doors, and also disappears entirely shortly after being launched.
* In terms of number of maps, On A Rail is the joint-largest chapter of Half-Life, consisting of 10 maps. The only other chapter to equal this is Surface Tension.
* The moon cannot be full, as there were no full moons on all of the May 16s in the decade that Half-Life takes place in.
Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers.
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