THE LOST SCIENCE LAB

Half Life 2 custom level

I developed a custom level for Half Life II as part of a university project, ensuring it seamlessly integrated into the existing campaign. In this level, players navigate an underground, abandoned laboratory after "Chapter Five: Black Mesa East," blending atmospheric exploration with suspenseful enemy encounters.

REFLECTION

I appreciate the dark mood and dynamic pacing, which effectively transition from the preceding narrative-driven segment to more action-oriented gameplay. The design of a maze-like room with crowded shelves was an intriguing concept; however, it did not translate well into gameplay, underscoring the challenge of implementing interesting ideas without compromising user experience. I would also reduce the overall enemy count in favor of more challenging group encounters and enhance the level’s structure with clear, sequential objectives.

CONCLUSION

This project was both challenging and instructive, highlighting the gap between a concept and its real-world execution. It provided valuable insights into balancing environmental storytelling with linear progression in level design.