PENETRATION
Half-Life 2
Any new graphics? Yes
Any new sound? No
Any new models or code? No

Ha1fer
File size: 67.6 mb
Number of levels: 7
Difficulty levels included? Yes
Background story? No

http://files.filefront.com/Penetrationexe/;5447235;;/fileinfo.html

Much like bad sex, Russian designer Ha1fer's "Penetration" can be somewhat intense but a little disappointing at the same time. Set in City 18, the map pack ignores the events of Valve's Episode 1 and tasks the player with infiltrating yet another East European stronghold under the Combine regime.

For the most part, it does a good job of mimicking Half-Life 2's style and sensibilities; you'll drive a vehicle, shut off some Combine shield walls, and even fight some zombies. The pacing is also reminiscent of HL2, allowing the player some rest and exploration time between fights.

However, that's where the similarities end, as the map pack fails to vary its "run and gun" gameplay: The physics simulation is relegated to clutter and needless detail in front of buildings. Enemy types are rarely mixed, resulting in wave after wave of the same combat encounters. Non-combat interaction (i.e. puzzles) is confined to pushing buttons. With the exception of the wonderfully vast first level, the entire map pack seems like a connected assortment of copy-and-paste rooms / hallways instead of actual locations.

Normally this type of design is tolerable. Unfortunately, as with many HL2 map packs, the look of the levels begs comparisons to HL2 throughout the entire unit. But if you're looking for a competent map pack with plenty of combat, Penetration delivers - although there's not much of a climax and it's not as satisfying as it could have been, much like bad sex.