Half-Life 2 Hi-Res Texture Pack

[bapenguin]

Filefront (http://halflife2.filefront.com/file/HalfLife_2_Fakefactory_Cinematic_Insane_Hires;5435 2) is hosting the Insane Hi-Res Texture Pack for Half-Life 2. The pack adds quite a bit of detail to character models and other object textures in the game. A 256 MB video card is required to run this.

This is the long awaited next version of Fakefactory's Cinematic mod but this version changes all of the textures to an insane high level of detail which is brilliant. And it also adds the following game changes. Music: It adds a more of an musical score to Half-Life 2 which makes the game a whole lot better. It actually gives it an "Hollywood" feel. Textures: It changes almost every Low-Resolution texture to an High-Resolution texture. Which gives the game a more immersing feel to it. It almost makes it look life-like. Weapons: It adds more balancing to weapons and strengthens the weapons to a more realistic level and the damages are life-life as well (e.g. One shot to the head = One kill) but unfortunately for you that same rule applies. Full disclosure of all of the changes can be found in the readme file.
Looks pretty good. I don't notice too much of a difference in the player models though, wish they had some side by sides of that.

[Atorak]

Definitely looks good, I might have to play through HL2 again before Aftermath comes out.

[Captain Awesome]

Very nice, but would make my computer 'splode :P

[Lodin]

I was actually considering reinstalling HL2 now that I've just finished Hidden & Dangerous 2. This just gives that idea more incentive.

[StoneGut]

I'm downloading it now (780 mb!!) and hoping it won't kill my 'puter when I get home tonight.... please don't!

[Dr Quincy]

Blimey. Who put all this work in?

[Spiffae]

some before and afters. frankly, i think some of the befores are more natural looking. More wear and tear and contrast in the textures can make the game look too busy. There was a careful balance of textures and effects in hl2. also, the characters looked better before. more bumpmapping does not equal better models.

http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_4.jpg
http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_8.jpg

http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_9.jpg
barney looks pretty bad now. none of the subtle facial expression he had before, now he looks terrifying.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

1st is better, 2nd either way, 3rd looks bad, is that before or after and can you post whichever it isnt.

[Dr Quincy]

The change is very subtle when actually playing the game. Barney... looks different. But not glaringly so. More of a spit-and-polish than a complete overhaul.

Not to diminish the effort that has gone into this with that comment though. That ultimately the change goes unregistered indicates how seemless the integration is. Only played the first 10 minutes without audio mind.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I already thought HL2's audio was amazing, I was just talking to my dad about that last night when he was playing. I think the hi-res pack looks great, I just wish my computer could handle it.

[Citizen Philip]

Damn you ATI! Send me my videocard so I can finish construction/place order for everything else!

[sflufan]

Did they correct Mossman from the last high-def pack release? She looked like she just stepped out of a Botox clinic in that one.

[screwtape]

Anybody remember those old E3 videos showing the G-Man's face? His expressions were a thousand times more realistic. I wonder if that was completely pre-rendered, or if they had to scale back the facial expressions for the official release due to technical limitations.

I still think HL2 has the best overall graphics, at least compared to games that are trying to look real. I'll probably download this pack and play a few levels.

[EdgeTurn]

I dunno, screwtape - as I remember, those old E3 videos were pretty accurate to the final product. I analyzed the Gman demo a lot and while it looked amazing, it still looked like a low-poly realtime character to me, albeit with skilled edgeloop flow and great face morphing. There wasn't anything about it to lead me to believe it was prerendered.

[screwtape]

Overall, the game was as fantastic as I thought it would be. I'm only referring to the quality of the facial expressions in my compaint. While they are well done, and convey an amazing amount of emotion, I remember even more realistic expressions in that E3 video. I'll have to dig it up - perhaps I'm reminiscing through rose-colored lenses.

[Pluvious]

Wow.. the new intro movie and soundtrack really add to the experience. The high res runs fine on my rig even with 2x AA on. (all HIGH) Until you get the flashlight with the suit you might not notice the detail in the faces. Barney's sideburns are a good example. One problem though.. i had some really weird problems after you get teleported outside near the window. I started seeing CODE(?) in the flashes and the hud got all messed up after that.

[Stormwatcher]

I liked the screenshots, looking good.

[DirtyChimp]

is this worth downloading?

[Pluvious]

OMG YES!.. just finished a 2 hour run with it. Great stuff.

[Logik]

Geez, something else to add to my list of stuff to mess around with once the new video card comes in.

[overdrivechao]

They really like making XB HL2 owners feel bad, don't they?
Doom 3, HL 2, Far Cry, Chronicles of Riddick.
They look so sad on that box.

[Anju]

some before and afters. frankly, i think some of the befores are more natural looking. More wear and tear and contrast in the textures can make the game look too busy. There was a careful balance of textures and effects in hl2. also, the characters looked better before. more bumpmapping does not equal better models.

http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_4.jpg
http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_8.jpg

http://screenshots.filesnetwork.com/32/files2/54352_9.jpg
barney looks pretty bad now. none of the subtle facial expression he had before, now he looks terrifying.

Whoa, are you kidding me? The new textures definitely don't make the game too busy, otherwise you'd have to say life itself is too busy for you! One of the things I really like about the added detail is that now materials actually look real, from closer up. The biggest problem I had with the original textures is that they looked, in my opinion, too sparse for real life.

If you've ever looked up close at concrete in real life, you'd see the detail from the formwork used to actually make the concrete structure in the first place. That's one of the nicer touches of this mod, although yes, you're right, the organic look of the people is a little bit off.

[Thin_J]

I like the added detail to all the environments, but in those shots barney and the other people look freaking terrible.