Black Mesa: Definitive Edition - 12a - Surface Tension [Hard]

Chapter 12: Surface Tension - Part One
After escaping from the Advanced Research Facility, Freeman finally re-emerges onto the surface on a hot and sunny mid-afternoon. To reach the Lambda Complex, he must first contend with the HECU, who has completely taken control of the various topside facilities, including the Black Mesa Hydroelectric Dam. His journey across the Black Mesa Desert eventually leads him to the side of a vast canyon, overlooking the mesa valley. There, he must scale the haphazard cliffs and contend with a relentless Apache helicopter.
Playlist with all completed chapters:
• Black Mesa: Definitive...
Notes:
- In the first Apache encounter, Gordon can run back to the generator room and fight it from there (3:20)
- At the dam, the Apache can defeated with the .50 cal emplacements if Gordon manages to land enough hits on it before the nests are destroyed (3:26)
- In addition to the Tau Cannon and RPG, the Apache is also vulnerable to explosives damage (e.g. SMG grenades)
- The walkway to the dam's control tower will not crumble (3:38) if Gordon does not go near it
- If Gordon jumps into the water, the Apache will get bugged and not attack him again when he re-emerges to the surface (3:38)
- If Gordon escapes through the drain without defeating the Apache, it will fly over the Dam and disappear around the corner after being unable to find him (5:52)
Trivia:
- The Apache first appears at 0:08. This is the same Apache that eventually confronts Gordon at the cliffside (22:02). In HL1, there were multiple Apaches, as it was possible for Gordon to destroy one in every map
- Surface Tension is one of the longest chapters in Black Mesa, tied with Lambda Core with a total of 9 maps, and only rivalled by Interloper (10 maps)
- The title is both a scientific term (the physical property of a liquid that allows it to resist external forces) and a reference to the events of the chapter (on the surface, and "tension" due to the conflicts between the HECU and Gordon)
- The gravel at 1:10 used to cause Gordon to slip and slide around in the mod version
- The water at the bottom of the dam at 1:52 is glitchy; depending on the angle Gordon looks at it, it can reflect the skybox, resulting in a blue color rather than being clear all the way to the bottom of the riverbed
- In HL1, the Dam is also guarded by a cannon on the far side of the bridge (1:56). This was removed in Black Mesa
- In HL1, there is only 1 Ichthy in the Dam's reservoir, as opposed to 2 (3:45)
- In HL1, the draincaps were opened by going to the bottom of the reservoir and manually operating a handwheel, as opposed to throwing a switch (5:21)
- If the player was to use noclip to get past the blockade at 6:28, they will find a wrecked canoe at the end of the river
- The map starting at 7:15 omits some of the areas from the HL1 version. For instance, there is no Tentacle in the Desert anymore, and not as many hidden crevasses with loot
- As well, in HL1, the map at 7:15 would have an Apache dog Gordon the whole way if he doesn't destroy it. Aside from a brief cameo, the Apache in Black Mesa does not fight Gordon in that map
- The landmines in Black Mesa are visible (13:27). In HL1, they were all hidden below the sand
- The shape of the mesa at 15:02, centered within the drain opening, closely resembles the Black Mesa logo
- The song at 15:02, "Surface Tension 2" by Joel Nielsen, is a direct callback to the song that plays in HL1's cliff sequence, "Hazardous Environments". Take a listen here, it's amazing how close they sound in tempo: • Half-Life/Black Mesa S...
- In HL1, a single Harrier jet flies past Gordon at 15:13. In Half-Life: Source, there are 2. Black Mesa acknowledges this by having 3 of them fly by
- For some reason, the turret at 15:42 is sometimes already destroyed by the time Gordon gets to it
- As shown at 17:04, a secret area (17:58) can be unlocked by interacting with the panel. This shed belongs to Dr. Horn, who is also the main figurehead behind the game's Pizza ARG. This area also marks the first appearance of the portals that are later seen in Lambda Core
- Some of the notes on the bulletin board at 18:30 include a hilarious plan from Dr. Breen to "take over the world", a reference to the events of HL2
- In the original mod version, the RPG's rockets travelled much more quickly. This was changed to balance the game, especially for Gonarch's Lair in Xen (21:39)
- The detonation at 24:37 occurs approximately 0.85 miles away (It takes 4 seconds for the sound of the explosion to reach the player. Sound travels at an approximate 343m/s. 343*4 = 1372m = 1.372km = 0.85 miles away), assuming ideal conditions at 20 degrees Celsius
- The final headcrab at 25:11 is also in HL1, and is also referenced in HL2 in the chapter "Sandtraps", when a Fast Zombie jumps out of a pipe while assaulting Nova Prospekt along the cliffside

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Surface Tension is my favourite chapter in the game. It's got it all: great pacing, huge variety in gameplay, fantastic art design and a killer soundtrack. It's one of the longest chapters, but it never feels like a drag because every moment of this chapter is exciting and new in terms of what the game introduces to the player. It also has the added benefit of being the only chapter exclusively set on the surface; after countless hours of running through the facility, being able to emerge topside to the piercing hot sun of the Black Mesa Desert is liberating. This video focuses on what I call "Act 1", where the HECU are clearly still in control (well, until a certain orange power armour wielding scientist shows up) and the Xen army hasn't begun arriving en masse just quite yet. What struck me as very memorable in this section is that the sky is still a clear blue, as opposed to the smoky grey of the latter maps. It wasn't until Black Mesa that I realized what mid-day would actually look like in a scenario like this (even the HL1 skybox was pretty drab looking in comparison). Obviously, the canyon sequence is amazing as well - I had forgotten just how incredibly detailed that environment is, from the rocks lining the cliffside, to the mesas on the other side of the river, to the various plants and foliage lining the trails. It actually felt as if I was going through an actual canyon, even compared to the earlier versions of this game. This extends to the entire level, really - Black Mesa does a great job at placing you right in the middle of a scorching hot desert in the middle of New Mexico.

[@omarandresorellano4142]

Mi fantasía fue Sufrace Tension....mi parte favorito jeje👍🏻

[@sillyfella2009]

Same

[@uglies7056]

Yeah more long than the original, I really love Surface Tension Chapter

[@blueversace4447]

This. Was. Epic! I was like yes, another helicopter fight! I’d have to put this as a top 3 level with Questionable Ethics and Interloper. I really felt like this game had some length too, but it wasn’t like it was stretched out. The story requires it.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

@@blueversace4447 Totally. Surface Tension is an important chapter because it's the payoff to Gordon having to crawl around inside the facility for half the game. They needed to up the ante once he emerges onto the surface and I think the chapter delivered.

[@someguyontheinternet68]

Built like a early 2000s high budget action movie, love it

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Indeed - I tried to treat it as such too, diving into the water with the 2 icthys to escape the chopper. Love this chapter for all the high octane action.

[@bearlover8500]

It's a remake of a 1999 game

[@teoborges3949]

​@@bearlover85001998*

[@Browno747]

Yeah I feel like the part from 2:30 is quite Brosnan-era bond inspired. Amazing

[@Aha5653ch.]

“Budget” “render with 6gb ram”

[@Crydove18]

1:40 perfect sync

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Before each combat encounter with music, I always ask myself, "How can I sync my gameplay to it". The timing of the magnum to those two repetitive beats was an idea I had from the start. Glad you liked it :)

[@Lolzz_ya]

Also at 3:07

[@Crydove18]

@@Lolzz_ya awesome XD

[@justinchan6594]

Hell yeah!

[@grandmajenkins]

2:32

[@GeoStreber]

I just wanna point out that at 15:05, when you walk out that pipe, the background mountains looks like the Black Mesa icon. Obviously on purpose.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yup, it's a nice touch

[@angelcriscimeni6213]

For me, it's sierra

[@blockoutenvycatt]

Your vids feel like a movie,i love that.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thanks - one of my goals was to make the entire game feel like one seamless experience, free of any loading screens or jarring gameplay. I'm glad you think I've achieved this (so far)!

[@erikpng]

15:52 Look Gordon, an actual rope! We can use it for big canyons.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

"HELP ME GORDON!"

[@vadimsharanda1052]

God, help me... What's seen, can not be unseen. Let us never again discuss chairs. Or wiki...

[@connorgolsong290]

@@vadimsharanda1052 Do you mean Wikipedia, the free, online Encyclopedia that anyone can edit?

[@rachelo_xuxu4592]

@@connorgolsong290 Gordon, I'm full.

[@vesnabernjak-ord8674]

@@rachelo_xuxu4592Gordon, i need spices.

[@kilimenjiro3753]

10:07 if I didn't know better I'd say that was Gordon sighing upon spotting more soldiers.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

It does sound like it's coming from him haha

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

Is it from Gordon? I prefer he stays completely silent.

[@SixtyFourJr]

It annoyed him so much, He spoke.

[@CharaGonzalez-lt7yw]

​@@AndersonMallony-EricCF nah, it was a marine

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

​@@CharaGonzalez-lt7yw the sound seemed so close and loud xD

[@swatchbox6789]

I really love how this video serves as not only as a walkthrough, but as a showcase of the game itself. Stopping to admire the details, whether it be environmental storytelling like the dead guard at the beginning or simply looking at a chopper fly overhead, reacting like a real physicist would. It’s great, and also somehow makes other walkthroughs of this game worse because of how they hastily run through the game, ignoring the details and just progressing the gameplay (Not to say that’s bad, or it doesn’t help whenever you’re stumped by where to go or something,) but you deserve so much more attention for changing the formula and making these videos so much more enjoyable.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thanks for noticing everything that I wanted this series to be! I would say my goal first and foremost is to retell the story of Half-Life and highlight the incredible work the devs put in, hence my efforts to showcase everything the game has to offer and pretend as though I'm Gordon reacting to events for the first time. Hence there are probably actual walkthroughs that are better for directing the player as I oftentimes do things that aren't really necessary if players are just looking to get through the level :P

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

Exactly, he managed to make this walkthrough both exceptionally entertaining and thoroughly informative.

[@kristianj.8798]

2:32 Joel Nielsen absolutely _killed it_ with this soundtrack

[@Sexy_Nutella]

He did indeed. I believe that part is a remix/callback to Diabolical Adrenaline Guitar from HL1

[@loginnathaneugh9412]

That timing too in this video! The moment the beat drops, so does the shotgun!

[@Cpt_H00K911]

This is my most hated soundtrack in the game

[@Cpt_H00K911]

​@@Sexy_Nutella i believe it's nothing from the original game

[@YourLocalSuppressor]

​@@Cpt_H00K911you've got to be kidding. Surface Tension 1 is Black Mesa's Adrenaline Horror.

[@luckylarry71]

Massive improvement on the environment. The new cliff sides and plants are visibly pleasing and added much needed depth to this beautiful and largely vertical level. Also like the little adjustments to the dam fight, with marines running from the gate, rather than taking a walk back and the M2 nest which gets blown up by the chopper. Little thing I was really hoping to see, was perhaps also a new trigger for HECU, to start pushing again in mass once the player opens the drain cap - an APC along with a hopelessly large group of marines would prompt the player to take a dive in to the water and escape, making it more obvious, that it's the only way adding even more dynamic. Still, the pace will pickup from this point onward :) Great to see you "styling it out" with Snarks and grenades, while returning fire. This feels like what Gordon would've done being surrounded and outnumbered so fiercely. Looking forward to the airstrip part :)))

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I believe there is a tank on the dam in the chapter's menu background - would have been interesting to see it act like the cannon from HL1's map. Grenades are under-utilized in this game. The throwing arc is weird, but once yo get used to it it's very effective in flushing people out or just for spamming an area.

[@naqib5031]

the bombing scene is so good. the shockwave and everything is just *chef kiss* perfection

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah. First time seeing that was awesome

[@ArghyadeepPal]

15:07 Black Mesa logo

[@LipticZone]

same pfp gang

[@michaelferrigno2604]

10:05 did Gordon just sigh?

[@Stongg]

that was a soldier

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, it was an hgrunt. That timing was just a coincidence, but pretty hilarious lol

[@connorgolsong290]

Nah, it's one of the HECU Soldiers. You can see it's their distinct Grey font, as opposed to the White of scientists and security guards.

[@andrewdeluca7352]

"Oh great more soldiers."

[@hbsvictor]

Most gameplays are very annoying and disappointing. You do a very a good job and show respect to the game designers by playing properly. This is what people should look for on gameplay footage.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thanks a lot! I really didn't want this to be a gameplay video where I skip over important things or move my mouse all over the screen trying to figure out where to go. I started this series to hopefully provide a high quality showcase of the entire game and like you said, to pay respect to the dev team.

[@fuffilicious]

One of my favorite, yet simple parts I love here is 1:28. The way you just zoom in on the soldiers moving in on you and then quickly move behind cover feels really cinematic. It's the little things that matter, really.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

The soundtrack really helped me pace my gameplay, it was in a sense flowing through me as I recorded this haha. Down to those camera movements that you mentioned :)

[@ConquerHell]

1:38 this guys death synchronized with the song quite well. I need a surface tension remix where that guy's pain is the song.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Haha, those two repeating notes always sounded like magnum shots to me in the music, hence the timing :)

[@jorgegames7066]

3:05

[@yukikittyyy]

nutella: *looks at soldier camps for freeman* nutella: *rapid spam throwing snorks*

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Snarks are the ultimate distraction. I love it when the game gives you ammo for it.

[@uglies7056]

@@Sexy_Nutella I only use snark at the: Hey, gunny, you hear that?

[@gregorylumentut435]

Fun fact: when interviewed, one of the devs said that building that was bombed in the distance was a 'kitty orphanage' a clear reference to end of the line i tell you

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Haha, I understood that reference.

[@iusproductions9050]

So the BLU's DID successfully bombed RED's Base with that Bird Bomb at the end of "End of the Line", Eh?

[@trainenthusiast5199]

​@Sexy_Nutella great. I'm gonna have nightmares...cause the last time you tried *this,* Doc... We've made *major* strides since then, Barney. *major strides.*

[@AgentStamos]

Its finnaly here. With the ammount of effort you put into these videos... *You deserve more views and subscribers*

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Honestly, knowing that there is an audience out there, no matter how small, that is enjoying this content is all I need to hear :) thanks

[@sarminder4357]

23:00 the timing with the song end was perfect

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you liked it! Took a while to sync haha

[@vadimsharanda1052]

Poor guy on 00:34 is just scared of Freeman. O_o 02:18 - Hurry up, close the gate! Maybe he'll get bored and go away! 04:55 - Freeman shoots copter full of holes. 05:04 - Freeman makes selfie "Another chopper down. Also, cool view!" Everybody else: "OMG, Freeman shoots attack helicopters with CROWBARS!" 06:36 - Freeman: "I don't have time for this pest..." Headcrab: "Fear me, pathetic being! Flee, coward, before I change my mind and turn you in my new skull-slave!" 10:37 - Crate: "Handle me with care, please~" Freeman: "I'm out of care. Crowbar will suffice" Crate: "T_T" 12:04 - Soldier (beats poor little snark): "I hit him! Yeah, I hit him!" 12:05 - Soldier: *dead* 13:06 - Soldier (sees Freeman): "Run! RUN!" Freeman: shoots him in cold blood 17:53 - Headcrab: "OK, so I jump on him, and he either stands, frozen with fear, so I get a new minion, or he stumbles back and falls off the cliff. Perfect plan!" Freeman: steps aside. Headcrab: "We should have never tried invading this cursed world... It isn't made for our kind. Tell Gonarch I lo..." 25:11 - Headcrab: "I'm back, human! That fall was not enough to kill ME! You will not escape your fate again! Now stand still and I will..." Freeman: steps aside. Headcrab: "I hate you so much"

[@Apollo-vc6sc]

That part where the jets fly by is just legendary. Since Surface Tension 2 is CC's version of Hazardous Environments, I wonder if they'd use it for a valve-style intro for other games.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Loved ST2 for that same reason (the callback to Hazardous Environments). Not sure if they'll incorporate it as an intro though

[@cambridgebee3239]

People wonder if they’ll ever make another game. They do deserve the break though, and I actually think they won’t since Black Mesa was their magnum opus and reason for toiling away for 14 years. Maybe some will go on onto other things, but for now they’re relishing in the scale of their work

[@west3783]

The pacing of your videos is honestly beautiful, couldn't have asked for anything better than this, keep it up!

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thank you for the kind words! Next vids coming up real soon!

[@youmadbro9402]

15:03 is my favourite part

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, it's a great moment. Seeing those three jets fly by, coupled with that vista of the mesa valley, is great.

[@youmadbro9402]

@@Sexy_Nutella don't forget the cool music

[@Sexy_Nutella]

@@youmadbro9402 Indeed. Surface Tension 2 is great.

[@nicosauseador]

I love black mesa, and this chapter, the game can be traspasing the feel of desesperation of the marines when combat with xen soldiers, really its amazing.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah! Surface Tension is my favourite chapter in the game :)

[@ciberneticdumb5492]

22:19 There's a feeling in this part, we finally get the gear and gut to say "Who's running now?"

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yup. I love the feeling of empowerment whenever Freeman gets a new weapon

[@cactusmangaming]

ON THE FUCKING BEATDROP!!!

[@marekdvorak1533]

I love your playstyle, but what is the most impressive to me is the way you're able to time your actions with the music. Great job :)

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thank you! I'm glad it's enjoyable to watch.

[@vodkavecz]

Ah, my favourite chapter as well. I always loved the cliffside part of this, in the original and in Black Mesa too. More games should use such environment, it's great, atmospheric. The music they made for it makes it even better. Grats on syncing shots with the music. How many takes did you need? Be honest! :D I was surprised you used snarks, and quite well. I never used them, they felt like a gimmicky "weapon" with no real use, just to see them kill a grunt once. If only there was a part in the game where you needed to stay quiet, so no loud weapons, just the crowbar, crossbow and snarks. Then it would've had a real place. (kinda same with the hivehand. You never really run out of ammo, so it's a bit pointless) Was surprised you went to that easter egg place too. Will you "stumble into" the secret area on Xen too? And that last asshole of a headcrab in the final pipe of the cliffside, in the original on my first playthrough it completely surprised me, and I backed away, falling down the cliff. And also fell out of my chair in real life :D

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I honestly stopped counting the number of takes I do for each clip because I just end up deleting them off my external hard drive to make room for more. If QE's final lobby battle took me 500+, it's safe to say the first Dam fight took me just as many attempts. That single encounter took me two nights to get down the timing and what I wanted to show. I didn't use Snarks much as well when I played through this for the first time, but I realized that the devs added the nests to try to encourage players to utilize them more - I noticed how efective they are at distracting marines after that. I think I will show off the Gonarch's Lair easter egg area too, so long as it makes sense for Gordon to get there.

[@crabulonbestgirl9130]

Only use for the hive hand is the teleporting to xen skip and deleting the portals spawned by the nhilianth in the original. Hive hand is a weapon built off of jank

[@Sco3000]

My favorite chapter as well.... CC did such an amazing job on this rebuild.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yup. This cliff sequence alone is just flat out amazing

[@ConquerHell]

10:07 I always imagine that the sigh is freeman, even though it's a grunt. its just my headcannon that hes getting annoyed at constantly having to fight the military.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Haha, it does sound like it came from him!

[@YourLocalSuppressor]

Perfect timing honestly.

[@0skar859]

1:54 I thought “oh this is a pretty cool dam” then got a closer look and realized “oh it’s Just the Hoover dam.”

[@Sexy_Nutella]

The scale of it does look impressive compared to HL1 though! Love the shadows of the towers on the wall haha

[@the_kovic]

This is my favorite part of Surface Tension - the natural environments, the rocks, the light, the blue sky, the exploration... The rest of the chapter doesn't come close with its grey bunkers and the grey skybox looks funny.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I also love the blue sky. It's so strikingly unique, I haven't ever seen daytime like this in any other game (the unique New Mexico setting also helps). Although I personally am a fan of the smoky grey skies later on in the chapter, it adds to the sense of escalation that I think the devs were going for.

[@bryangoosmann198]

It is so cool seeing the inspiration this level took from the Hoover Dam.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

For sure. That dam looked great

[@MaximG.]

20:45 - I wonder what's the point of these catwalks and ladders in this version of the map? Because that rock looks like it was there for a very long time, before the RC even happened.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

You know what, I wondered that myself. I guess that ladder does lead down to a service hatch right before the boulder, so maybe it was never intended for the two paths to connect. That, or maybe a mini boulder avalanche occurred, as the walkways above are in serious disrepair.

[@HECU.Corpsman]

@@Sexy_Nutella Could also have been a longer catwalk wrapping around the cliff that was destroyed, adding onto your avalanche theory.

[@connorgolsong290]

22:18 Money Shot.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you liked it!!

[@RealEggBeater]

3:05 that magnum sync was fucking AWESOME!

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you appreciate it :)

[@ArghyadeepPal]

Surface Tension 2 is my favourite track from Black Mesa OST.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

One of mines as well :) Though I love FaF just a bit better

[@connorgolsong290]

1:39 Holy shit I just realized how those Magnum shots were perfectly timed. Amazing.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Haha yup, I was happy with how that turnes out in this section

[@Humobo]

1:39 and also 3:06 did you really sync it up

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yessir!

[@HenrikKoh-sk1mm]

Even though I don't have Black Mesa, this chapter seems a bit like a pain due to its length and such, but you did a good job playing cinematically and made it look much better:D

[@atlev]

This chapter is probably the most fun due to the HECU and outdoors.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

It is long but I love every second of it. It's my fave chapter :)

[@HECU.Corpsman]

nah fam, its the most fun. I LOVE the tank / T.O.W Encouter and the dynamic fights

[@juniorof2138]

At 24:34 did those 2 scientist and barney made it out alive

[@Sexy_Nutella]

That facility that is bombed isn't actually the lab from the previous chapter. Not sure what happens to them

[@RhaegarDefense]

18:34.. the drawings are a reference to the plot in HL2, how nice. Also 23:03 hot.. wonder if the jets going overhead thought about the downed chopper that they must have heard of

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, neat little easter egg to HL2. I'm assuming the jets have a higher priority on their agenda, even if they managed to notice the downed chopper

[@yourfellowducky2712]

23:02 Gordon must be thinking, “I am not in danger, *I am the danger.* ” -Walter Hartwell White from Breaking Bad

[@Sexy_Nutella]

This chapter does a really good job of showcasing how badass Freeman is and I love it

[@epictrollmanmoment]

I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS

[@STOAN1013]

22:02 pov: your Chinese and you said the the word “the” to The government

[@Larpr0]

15:24 perfect sync

[@Sexy_Nutella]

You're the first to comment about that :) Glad you noticed!

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

Your gameplay style keep improving, the gameplay synced with the soundtrack is just kickass. I think no one mentioned yet how you killed the last enemy and jumped the bridge exactly at the last upbeat of the music 16:39

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you caught that!

[@sammystrawberry6341]

This is the first video I’m seeing from you and I LOVE how you edited the music to make it fit the action scenes, it just makes this whole thing 1000 times better. Great job and keep doing whatever you’re doing.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Thanks for the kind words! Though I didn't edit the music at all - the music plays independently of my action for the most part except that transition at around the 2:30 mark, which happens when Freeman jumps over the gate. It just seems like the music was edited because I have to match the shots, movements, etc to the track :P

[@sammystrawberry6341]

@@Sexy_Nutella still amazing :)

[@likopinina6803]

10:07 was that 'frustrated sigh' Gordon? xdd If not then wow, what a happy coincidence, perfect timing

[@Sexy_Nutella]

It's one of the marines, but it's hilarious that it seemed like it came from Gordon! lol

[@likopinina6803]

Soldiers: shooting Gordon: UGH, disgusting

[@randomstranger9849]

10:08 DID GORDON JUST SIGH?

[@blake7297]

Finally decided to watch a full playthrough of black mesa since I won't have the hardware to run it any time soon. Your videos have been everything I was looking for. Someone who can make it look organic and cinematic with minimal commentary and few failures and unnecessary backtracking. Excellent work sir, excellent work!

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad I'm able to create enjoyable content for you! The intent behind this series was indeed to make it seem like a movie, while playing somewhat competently.

[@BrandonArielMellusoBraun]

15:13 the new soundtrack here sucks, the "Valve Theme" here fits perfect, it's iconic The unique problem with this game is that the OST don't fit at all in some parts, it feels innecesary and too modern, replacing ALL the memorable songs was just an error

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Aside from the fact that the devs weren't allowed to use the original Valve songs, (at least to my knowledge), I disagree. Black Mesa was never designed to be a remake of the original Half-Life, but rather a re-imagining. So having a completely original score is a necessity and in my view should not be criticized just because it isn't the original - that's the nostalgia talking. I think the new score fits the more cinematic nature of this game for the most part, though I do agree that it often forces players to play one way (e.g. Blast Pit 3).

[@regelsmah5248]

Pretty sure you can find 2 Scenes from HL Opposing Force in this chapter

[@Sexy_Nutella]

One for sure - the Dam where they rig up the Garg in OpFor. Can't remember the other

[@x84pav84x]

14:01 мины легко заметить, это такие колючие полусферы, с шипами.

[@bernhardjanssen9284]

You a true game master never seen some one play like you are doing in Half Life just amazing keep up the good work and thank you for share this with us !

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I'm glad you found the way I play unique and satisfying! No problem at all, comments like yours keep me going :)

[@abdullahtsabita.i.8212]

1:07 Huh?!

[@Sexy_Nutella]

That barney is becoming one with the rock

[@brandonb1681]

9:45 Those fire buckets are a nice touch. Haven't seen those since the 1960's. I may be wrong, but wasn't Black Mesa an old ICMB launch complex? Anyway, this is like watching a movie. TY for the movie.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah I believe you're correct - that missle complex in Blast Pit was supposively Cold-War era so it makes sense. Glad you found the video akin to a movie, that was my intent :)

[@mikekomarinski]

15:13 My favorite theme.😎

[@Sexy_Nutella]

It's one of my favourites too. Such a great tribute to Hazardous Environments

[@mikekomarinski]

@@Sexy_Nutella Yeah.

[@the100radsstalker93]

The way you kited the Ichthyosaur.. Respect+

[@Sexy_Nutella]

There's a lot of luck involved too, sometimes the second Icthy would get me from behind.

[@lupinthenerd439]

what mods are you using for this walkthrought?

[@Sexy_Nutella]

There's a couple: - Alternate Crossbow Scope - Weapon Viewbob Movement Tweak - Glock sprint animation fixed - [VFX] Particle Enhancement Project - Permanent Bloodpools - Improved Viewmodel Blood - BMCE (Black Mesa Character Expansion)

[@DarKKnightt07]

The area in this chapter is so damn beautiful.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I agree. That canyon looks spectacular in the definitive edition.

[@m16-a2]

25:12 This headcrab went to Brazil So did this headcrab at 17:53

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Lmao.

[@m16-a2]

Lol

[@m16-a2]

I wonder if the 3 headcrabs will meet up I Brazil

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

Is this a meme? Hope no headcrab comes to my country, we have enough ticks and zombies in politics already lol

[@m16-a2]

@@AndersonMallony-EricCF yew

[@ottaviosostero7267]

this is how I imagined half life while playing as a kid, superb!

[@Stongg]

wish my pc could run this game ;-;

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah it's demanding for sure. Hope these videos fill the void!

[@ogristorid162]

17:52 to infinity AND BEYOND.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

An effort was made xD

[@MikMoen]

5:30 That is the most terrifying way to get to the other side of the dam.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, I don't know what was going through Gordon's mind but I would be terrified

[@DogukanAyan87_]

Has Crowbar Collective make Opposing Force ?

[@Sexy_Nutella]

No, they do not intend to

[@KyJIaK71rus]

More to Trivia: *10:59 - for me this is a great tragedy that BMS' devs don't added Tentacles to 'Surface Tencion', which shows start of Earth's ecosystem assimilation (which in next maps of 'ST' and 'FAF' are progressing more deep); *15:02 - if you look carefully, you can see Black Mesa logo ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXraiouKodmVf6s ); *18:30 - this drawning with a man riding atomic bomb is a reference to the Stanley Kubrick's 1964 movie 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'.

[@KyJIaK71rus]

@@KawaiianArgument I know, but mods can stop their proper working with BM updates.

[@docta94]

12:03 I hit him, yeah!I hit him! *Dies*

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Famous last words lol

[@vinnyhorapeti2461]

That ending was perfect with synced music 👍 , also please watch gary yourofsky's speech on veganism on KZbin please and end animal cruelty 🥰💗

[@g-d132]

Nice

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you enjoyed! :)

[@Questionable10]

Freeman would finally arrive at the surface again during a hot and sunny mid-afternoon, as the military isnt dominating the surface as much anymore, the soldiers would try to continuously kill freeman, even bringing a apache, gordon temporarily draws the apache away from him, and would arrive at a vast canyon, gordon would traverse through the risky edges of the cliff, jets would fly through the canyon, eventually gordon would fight the apache head on, taking down the apache once and for all.

[@Eysc]

need to play this one, which ver. of the game are you playing?

[@Sexy_Nutella]

It's the most recent version of Black Mesa - if you have the game it should automatically patch to this version. It is important to note that I am also running several mod. The major ones are BMCE and Particle Enhancement Project.

[@lei-2439]

15:01 origin of black mesa Logo

[@standardzombie3454]

1:57 Funny to think, Adrian technically visits the dam but in ruins from the war. Wonder what it would look like.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, I'm excited for that part. I believe the chapter was "Foxtrot Uniform"?

[@standardzombie3454]

@@Sexy_Nutella Yes, it took place in Foxtrot Uniform. Poor place is damaged and infested with weird Alien infestation

[@Larpr0]

Man it would be really cool if Crowbar Collective created a role or chapter that you could play as one of the HECU grunts

[@joseacosta2333]

One thing I when I was playing black mess the part when you go on the other side of the dam one of the fish followed me through the hole and was right behind me me and me friend were scare as hell so kill them first your going to be scared.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Wow, I'll have to do that. Didn't think that was possible.

[@alexsandroangel]

Underrated content, but i'm glad you have your own public who is always thirsty to watch these sick high-skill leveled gameplay =)

[@Sexy_Nutella]

I'm glad as well - my goal has always been to make videos for Half-Life games that hopefully show them in the best possible way. It's nice to know that I've been accomplishing that for many people.

[@kabeam5643]

3:06 was absolutely perfect timing

[@kabeam5643]

i have no idea why noone is talking about that

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you picked up on that! :)

[@kabeam5643]

It's been a few months but I still love so much how you synchronized your gunshots with the music, Black Mesa is such a great game.

[@brandonb1681]

24:33 That bombing run is epic. I love the shockwave.

[@HECU.Corpsman]

yeah look closely, see it? Its the Questionable Ethics Lab

[@brandonb1681]

@@HECU.Corpsman Holy cow. Never realized that. TY.

[@HECU.Corpsman]

@@brandonb1681 yeah i was on my 7th playthrough/w buddha cuz lets face it ITS A HARD GAME and buddha is cool. When i looked closely and was like, wait a second...

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, I believe the devs actually calculated the distance the sound has to travel before it reaches the player too (0.85 miles). Though I don't think its the QE lab, the layout doesn't match up with Gordon's path once he exits the lab.

[@engyahmed7056]

What did happen in 18:00

[@Sexy_Nutella]

My guess is it's a hidden portal that Gordon steps into.

[@sm2008_]

Imagine there's a source 2 version of half life 2 and its episode(remake) Imma call it "City 17" (hl2) and the Episode Two is "White Forest" (HL2: EP2) and Aftermath (HL2: EP1)

[@Sexy_Nutella]

One can dream :)

[@Larpr0]

3:06 I wonder what goes through an average HECU grunt's mind.. The HECU Grunt : *"IM HIT! AUGH!"* (Also Perfect Sync)

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you liked it!

[@Hqnmol-rt6lh]

Crazy how some people think CC should have used the Valve theme song for the cliffside section. Like, thats basically Valve’s motif, the song that plays when you boot up a Valve game. Of course CC isn’t going to use it.

[@Legostarkrieger]

THAT'S ThE PlaCe FrOm SKibIDi ToiLEt!!!1!1!!11!

[@WastedPotentiaI1]

In HL1 the hardest part of this chapter where the ladders during the ledge section lol.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

HL1 ladders were a pain lol. HL2 ladders were a much better improvement despite the complaints surrounding them.

[@WastedPotentiaI1]

@@Sexy_Nutella I never had problems with hl2 ladders, probably the best ladders I've had.

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

I died so many times in these ladders. Strongest enemy in HL1.

[@kquack]

this is the best remake of a game ever made (AND ITS ALSO MADE BY FUCKING FANS), change my mind

[@gregorylumentut435]

Man, surface tension 2 is my fav song of all time (Edit: the reason i love it is due to the strings and perfect line-up with hazardous environments)

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Yeah, I only recently discovered how the beats line up perfectly with Hazardous Environments. Super cool.

[@RedFortress]

Was the chopper using flares?

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Don't think so! Not sure if it would've helped it as the rockets that Gordon fires are manually guided

[@scottevans182]

Surface Tension part one. I am near the end of it at the cave. I have cleaned out the cave and head out of it but no chopper appears so I can shoot it down and this clears the way (the big rock) so I can proceed. What is wrong? I have ran the verify the game files in Steam, but nothing is fixed. I have played Black Mesa at least 12 times now.

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Maybe one of your mods is conflicting with the game? Are you running the latest version?

[@DyslexicHampster]

I guess I'm the only one who had trouble destroying the helicopter in the cliffside level... god i suck balls

[@munkiandtrunktvofficialchannel]

2:00 Sony/Universal/PlayStation Microsoft/Paramount/Xbox

[@Just__Garbage]

Hey, i was wondering what addons you use, it seems you're textures and effects look way nicer than base game. Just wondering, thanks.

[@cliotexATC]

17:53 hahahahaha

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Favourite way to kill headcrabs tbh

[@attractivegd9531]

This is a weird experience for me, as these are the only videos in my life that I prefer to watch rather than play the game. Great content mate, thanks for sharing 🥰

[@Sexy_Nutella]

That means a lot, thank you - I'll definitely keep em coming!

[@lecombine9141]

24:33 POV: Someone clicked the nuke button in crossfire.

[@fireblade7542]

The gunshots at 1:41 were on beat

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you picked up on them :)

[@bastianporwol8318]

Frustrated sigh (10:06).... Is this Gordon speaking for the first time?

[@mylonoceda]

0:31 That grunt was like "Ooh, I wonder what this does"

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Lmao, silly dude just walked right up to it

[@worldsmostevilman]

combat training for years and months just to walk into a flaming barrel and die

[@TheDarkJoker7]

Great gameplay

[@greenshroomgames]

I got very tensed when I played this for the first time it has different feeling from the original half life I was stressed and feel like the chapter is quite long for an intense chapter

[@noobgamersland6969]

1:38 guy's completely on beat..

[@Sexy_Nutella]

Glad you caught that :)