Half Life 2 Level - structured gameplay test
An experiment into structured gameplay in a Half Life 2 map I created. This is unfinished placeholder stuff - just done as practice - but I feel it's interesting enough stuff to throw onto the internet.
The video goes through the various approaches the player can take at completing the same 30 seconds of gameplay. By putting these different - and entirely optional - solutions in, the player can get an 'oh yes, Im a genius' feeling.
If, for example, the only way to proceed was by using the steam valve to kill the enemy in the corridor, the player would only get a sense of having been forced into a decision. Chances are, a good many people would not even spot this solution and would either use the vent to sneak around, or just smash through the target. Both other methods are, however, equally rewarding to those that would choose them.
I feel that by putting the extra effort into the level (it doesn't look it, but this bitch took about 10 hours) the quality of the gameplay can be pushed up immeasurably.