Black Mesa: Definitive Edition - 08 - On A Rail [Hard]
Chapter 8: On A Rail
With the Gargantua dead, Freeman descends into the decommissioned rail tunnels of Sector E Materials Transport. His objective: take the tram to the High Altitude Launch Centre, where the military had aborted the launch of a satellite delivery rocket that is instrumental in the Lambda Team's plan to stop the alien invasion. To get to the rocket and launch it himself, Gordon must fight through scores of HECU soldiers who want nothing more than to avenge their fallen comrades.
Playlist with all completed chapters:
• Black Mesa: Definitive Edition (Full Playt...
Notes:
Black Mesa's version of OAR cuts out a significant chunk of the original HL1 chapter, which was a design choice by the developers as they felt that the original length caused the pacing of the game to suffer. While major sequences remain, many other sequences were removed entirely (for instance, the loop in the first map, the various traps/ambushes set by the HECU, and additional HECU/Vort fights)
However, for those who wish to restore the length of the chapter, Black Mesa developer Chon Kemp has released a mod called "On a Rail Uncut", which I highly recommend: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfile...
As well, the "OaR - Loop Mod" by Sunset Shimmer restores the loop in the first map: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfile...
Similar to the Emplacement guns in HL2, the .50cal mounted guns in Black Mesa never run out of ammo (10:10)
Taking the Guard with you all the way through the rocket silo is a new addition to the Definitive Edition; in prior versions you are forced to leave him right outside the silo
The HECU soldiers at 19:30 will notice Freeman if he gets too close; it is impossible to stealth past them
The rocket silo and outdoor areas of the chapter are notorious for performance issues - apologies for the lower framerate during those section
The .50cal emplacements at the big launchpad fight can be destroyed by the HECU wielding an RPG (20:34)
Trivia:
Unlike HL1, the rails in this chapter do not shock Gordon if he stands on them
Gordon takes the same tram all the way to the end of the chapter. In HL1, and previous versions of Black Mesa, Gordon has to take multiple different trams due to the tracks being obstructed
If noclip is used to go up through the grate at 2:02 where the zombie torso is, you will be able to see two Headcrabs wandering around as well
Unlike HL1, Gordon does not have the ability to switch tracks while on the tram; all routes have been preset, such as at 2:11
The infamous "DIE FREEMAN" graffiti returns at 6:55. In HL1, there is also additional 'YORE DEAD FREEMAN" graffiti in the chapter, which pokes fun at the HECU's spelling skills
The Guard will occasionally bug out and charge the .50cal emplacement at 9:21 by himself, even if he has been following Gordon
The Guard seems to always get damaged when boarding the tram (11:50). In some instances he can gib upon stepping onto the tram as well
If noclip is used to get up the area at 12:06, Gordon will discover a secret room where the dead body of a Dr. Horn can be found, alongside a whiteboard with "The Pizza is a Lie!" scrawled on it. This easter egg refers to an ARG in the game which involves numerous pizzas and Dr. Horn (I am not familiar enough with this ARG to explain how it all ties together unfortunately)
The sequence at 12:10 where a lone HECU grunt is fighting off several headcrabs is a callback to the same sequence in HL1
The Zombie on the far right at 12:45 is grabbed by the Barnacle, and lifted all the way to the top before the Barnacle is killed by a HECU SMG grenade
The first instance of the HECU using a Satchel charge at 13:04
A stinger version of the track "Resonance" plays upon the Guard's death at 16:03. This track initially played right after the Resonance Cascade in Chapter 3
The HECU radio message at 16:35 played at the launchpad in prior versions of the game
The map starting at 17:33 was first revealed in a leaked video prior to the original mod's release, and has remained largely unchanged, as shown in this video: • Black Mesa: Source - Leaked "On A Rail" Ga...
If noclip is used to enter the room at 19:02, a wall with the logo of the Advanced Biological Research Lab (where Chapter 11 - Questionable Ethics takes place) can be seen, with a row of neatly arranged pizzas in front of it
In HL1, the first sniper would have appeared once Gordon gets outside at 19:29
The line at 19:39 was changed so that the Hgrunt says that Freeman has been killing marines, as opposed to "my buddies"
In prior versions, the launchpad was accessed via the main gate at 20:11
Ironically, Gordon can't shoot the lock off the door at 20:11 even though he does so numerous times in HL2
In HL1, the entrance to the control room was rigged with an explosive trap that Gordon had to navigate (21:41)
Black Mesa is set in New Mexico (22:05)