FREEMAN’S MIND 2: EPISODE 16

Hey, thanks for the new FM2 episode!

I've noticed I'm starting to feel bad about the way Freeman treats Alyx, despite Freeman isn't that much more of an asshole he'd been since FM1ep1, and I still find the way Freeman unsuccessfully hits on women hilarious.

Perhaps the reason for that is not a change in the Freeman's character, but the fact that HL2 characters (1) have more personality than most HL1 NPCs Freeman interacted with and (2) Alyx and most of the Black Mesa East drama is there for the player in front of the screen, not Freeman the character. This can't help but conflict with the series where we pretend that the game world is the real world and Freeman has a mind of his own. Also, the beginning of HL2 is more intense. Black Mesa, especially the underground parts, offers a opportunities to relax; Route Kanal to Water Hazard is just a single death march.

Looking forward to seeing Ravenholm (wait what?). No idea what could be the spin (and Freeman's motivation) regarding Nova Prospekt and all that follows.

Subs up!

On 11/8/2021 at 3:54 PM, aitap said:

Perhaps the reason for that is not a change in the Freeman's character, but the fact that HL2 characters (1) have more personality than most HL1 NPCs Freeman interacted with and (2) Alyx and most of the Black Mesa East drama is there for the player in front of the screen, not Freeman the character. This can't help but conflict with the series where we pretend that the game world is the real world and Freeman has a mind of his own. Also, the beginning of HL2 is more intense. Black Mesa, especially the underground parts, offers a opportunities to relax; Route Kanal to Water Hazard is just a single death march.

 

Looking forward to seeing Ravenholm (wait what?). No idea what could be the spin (and Freeman's motivation) regarding Nova Prospekt and all that follows.

The format just does not work for this game. And Ross thinks he is "holding Half Life 2's feet to the fire" by making him oblivious to every character not mentioned in the original game, as if Freeman came into existence on the tram to Black Mesa, when all he is going is reminding the viewer that they aren't really seeing into Freeman's mind but watching a game playthrough.

Everyone looking forward to Ravenholm is in for a rude awakening. Ross has decided to make the Gravity Gun unusable (I can only imagine how he plans on getting through the Citadel where Freeman has no other weapon) and half of the enjoyment we all remember from that level is the Gravity Gun. Ross seems to be more interested in criticizing Half Life 2 than making an entertaining story, so if he sticks to form he is just going to dismiss Father Grigori as a lunatic and spend 90% of the time screaming.

On 11/10/2021 at 7:16 PM, daisekihan said:

The format just does not work for this game. And Ross thinks he is "holding Half Life 2's feet to the fire" by making him oblivious to every character not mentioned in the original game, as if Freeman came into existence on the tram to Black Mesa, when all he is going is reminding the viewer that they aren't really seeing into Freeman's mind but watching a game playthrough.

 

Everyone looking forward to Ravenholm is in for a rude awakening. Ross has decided to make the Gravity Gun unusable (I can only imagine how he plans on getting through the Citadel where Freeman has no other weapon) and half of the enjoyment we all remember from that level is the Gravity Gun. Ross seems to be more interested in criticizing Half Life 2 than making an entertaining story, so if he sticks to form he is just going to dismiss Father Grigori as a lunatic and spend 90% of the time screaming.

 

Damn you're on a mission. 

On 11/10/2021 at 8:14 PM, Im_Unemployed said:

Damn you're on a mission. 

I just need to take a break from Ross's content, I think. Maybe the problem is with me not him.

im not really concerned about the gravity gun thing, i think its certainly possible to make it work fine without it, and if anyone could find a way to make that entertaining ross likely could

>All this talk about NPCs interactions not being realistic.
There's always a possibility of a reveal, that Freeman simply doesn't talk out loud anymore. He's so used to stalking corridors of Black Mesa, strung up on adrenaline and paranoia, he subconsciously avoids making any unnecessary sounds. Not to mention he only had two proper sleeps in over a week of non-stop active combat, and one was a concussion. Hell, he's met Nihilanth and G-man, both of which seem to be capable of psychic/telepathic communication. Who knows what effects does that have a on a human mind. Could even be a deliberate action from G-man.

So while he used to speak before, now he simply thinks aggressively, unable to realize no sound is actually escaping his lips. Maybe he's even permanently mute now from all the trauma. Or maybe when he realizes this, and tries to speak, he can only make extremely stuttering noises. PTSD is helluva drug, and constant supply of splattering alien juices doesn't help.

I really enjoyed the episode. I like the fact that even around friends that won't hurt him, he's constantly on a hair trigger and afraid of when he'll be attacked next. His reactions to Dog in particular I thought were pretty damn funny, and I loved the idea to make the gravity gun very unwieldy, it will lead to some interesting changes for sure. I look forward to seeing how Gordon will react to Ravenholm.

By the way, I did like the subtle callback to Freeman not buying into string theory, though I was somehow expecting a stronger reaction to learning that he was expected to work for a team whose entire model hinges on it. But then, he has more pressing issues on his mind by this point, and doesn't really want to work for them either way.

FWIW, I liked the episode, and I thought there were cool ideas, but I'm also starting to have trouble with the way Freeman reacts to NPCs.

I like the series more when Freeman rolls with what the game throws at him, when he reacts in a way that makes it look like he's actually interacting with the NPCs. So for instance I really liked the way he reacted to Judith Mossman, because it feels like he's actually bouncing off her lines and not just berating her for not listening to him.

maybe once the gravity gun gets overcharged during the citadel sequence its detrimental mods will be removed. i hope that if that happens, it's permanent - even when the gravity gun loses its supercharge in episode 1 and episode 2

I can't tell you how absolutely thrilled I was when FM2-1 came out; wasn't it done on April Fool's day too? At any rate, I still enjoy watching FM2 and look forward to every episode. That said I'd hate for Ross to be trapped doing something he has no passion or interest in. So while I would be disappointed if he chose not to continue, I certainly wouldn't be angry or feel like I was "owed" anything. You do you, Ross! We're along for the ride.

On 11/11/2021 at 1:43 AM, daisekihan said:

I just need to take a break from Ross's content, I think. Maybe the problem is with me not him.

I don't think the problem is with you. I feel exactly the same way. And I'm baffled by responses that seem to be implying that you shouldn't criticize just because "most people don't agree" or "your opinion doesn't matter" or "you can just stop watching". As if that means you can't possibly be right. You're making thoughtful criticisms about a show you care about, and it seems nobody can even be bothered to actually engage with the criticisms, instead they just say you shouldn't be making them, or that they're irrelevant because he's still getting views. Well, I happen to agree with many of your critiques, and even if I didn't I think it's valid and valuable for you to contribute them.

Not all criticisms must be heeded, but you have to actually see the criticism in order to decide whether to heed it or not. If we say that all criticism should be withheld just because something is "still successful", then even the most helpful criticisms are lost, and with them any potential for something to improve. Of course it's Ross's decision how to make the series — no one said otherwise — but receiving feedback and considering it is part of that process. The fact that what Ross does is up to him is exactly why we should encourage feedback regardless of whether we like it or agree with it — because it's not up to us whether someone's opinion is valid, it's up to him. He's the only one who can decide what feedback to listen to, and he can't decide if he never sees it in the first place.

Yea I think aside from overtly and deliberately trying to drive ross insane we probably should be able to say when we dislike something, I assume he more or less knows what to expect from random internet people at this point anyhow