Half-Life 2 - Nova Prospekt Overwatch Broadcasts and Radio Chatter

All the Nova Prospekt dialogue, both from Overwatch soldiers and the Overwatch Voice, heard during Gordon Freeman's journey through the prison.
Overwatch terms:
Restrictor - Thumper
Stabilization delegates - Combine soldiers
Hardpoint - mounted gun
Biotics/Exogens - Antlions
Boomers - Gunships (ghost drop may refer to reinforcements)
Skyshield - Combine air force
Sterilizer - Combine turrets
Viscerators - Manhacks (not seen in A5)
C&C - Command and Control
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
Malignant viral interface bypass - Terminal hacked by Alyx
Polyphasic - Multiple successive peaks of activity (according to one definition I found. Is also a medical term)
Containment fields - Force fields

[@forsaille4655]

Half-life: Enemies have coded chatter which progresses through the events of the game. Other games: "Scream loudly in German, Arabic or Russian"

[@Yusuke_Denton]

That man is a spy!

[@Nova-vk5qb]

@@Yusuke_Denton I've had it up to here with you, boy! *T e x a s S t y l e*

[@wommyu]

Im german

[@GreedAndSelfishness]

@@wommyu I'm sorry.

[@akeiai]

@@Yusuke_Denton That spy is a double agent!

[@PedanticPig]

The "political conscript" mentioned at 4:18 is the vortigaunt you find dead in a chair later on in the chapter. They had been torturing it and were then told to kill it to prevent it from being able to talk to you.

[@PedanticPig]

You play as Wallace Breen and have to try and keep the advisors happy so they don't exterminate humanity, while trying to keep the number of human rights violations and warcrimes a low as possible?

[@twentyninedoesnotlastforev5455]

@Terraria Heaven Half Life technically already is a political game.

[@Kehwanna]

@@PedanticPig It would be 150 hours of paper work, endless graphs, board meetings, centralized city planning (meaning more paperwork along with calculations and talking to contractors), voting on bills, getting status reports, talking to other politicians about their precincts' performance, public speaking to appeal to the masses, and avoiding an assassination attempt at the very end of the game. There would be no physical combat, just the combat of stimulating your mind in a dystopian political adventure. Who said office work wasn't fun? -_-

[@ygorschuma3059]

They prevented him to have any contact with the Guard, the Overwatch acknowledges what the Vorts are able to do with Guards.

[@Journey_to_who_knows]

I don't get why they bother keeping prisoners instead of just execution? Is it for interrogation

[@kaffykathy8729]

I like how Leader Twelve is just a bit taken back by the idea that Freeman can control the Antlions.

[@chucanoris]

Lilian Lamp timestamp?

[@s7r1der]

@@chucanoris 4:35

[@chucanoris]

S7R1DER thanks

[@geeworm]

It just goes to show how much the Combine fear the Antlions. They're a ruthless and terrifying force now controlled by an intellect.

[@alohadubs7683]

EchO Imagine hearing that two out of your three worst nightmares just suddenly became one. *If you’re able to live, you won’t be sleeping soundly*

[@wdaswwqads]

4:42 Combine a little bit confused when he realizes Freeman is controlling the antlions

[@NoNameTaken117]

I never realized on how confused the combine was, goes to show on how they can keep their composure and professionalism in the heat of battle.

[@woopyinator021]

Transhumans can get confused????

[@dylanjanssen9627]

@@woopyinator021 I mean sure, they're just humans with tactical fighting skills put into their brains and metal legs

[@aquatic4760]

@@woopyinator021 keep in mind that their emotions weren’t wiped, it was the occasional memory wipes that cause them to act such a way. You can see that their emotions still kick in, such as fear, when you throw a grenade into a window of a combine sniper, he might shout out 'shit!' out of fear

[@saywhaat595]

@@aquatic4760 Or when they are burning.

[@Kavukamari]

i like how 1984 esque hl2 is ..... they never say bad things, only "ungood" like "anticitizen" and "deserviced" instead of "enemy" or "dead"

[@GreedAndSelfishness]

Kind of reminds you of the modern left, doesnt it? Unless talking about white males.

[@666Tomato666]

@@GreedAndSelfishness not the right, no sire, no birtherism, no states right's, no pro life here, no dog whistles what so ever on the right! Just like Jeezas™ intended! (just don't mistake him with the hippy, love thy neighbour impostor illegal immigrant from middle-east)

[@LordofDiamondsMetal]

@@GreedAndSelfishness Good one

[@bigmek2903]

@@GreedAndSelfishness Someone finally said it

[@dang0s804]

shut up you fat righties, have sex and become MAN, the actually state of the right is more disgusting than the left.

[@desfox3685]

Props to Leader 9, he realized his comrades were in danger and wanted to disengage to face Freeman himself, that's pretty hardcore.

[@tonny8881]

timestamp?

[@desfox3685]

@@tonny8881 1:40

[@infernohellfire6806]

Too bad that leader nine died tho...

[@desfox3685]

@@infernohellfire6806 unfortunately :( I think leader 9 was the one commanding the unit in the flare lit tunnel from the corner. Nice profile pic btw

[@infernohellfire6806]

Thanks

[@softy8088]

I like "deserviced" meaning "dead" and "deservice" meaning "kill".

[@cj-3810]

softy8088 Fun fact all the reasons you don’t see any prisoners in the cells is cuz as you arrived they fucking executed them to prevent them from helping and contacting Freeman

[@user-xh8df9oz4y]

@@cj-3810 That makes sense, I was wondering why it had no prisoners.

[@scottl.1568]

They derived that from the U.S. Air Force, ironically... I remember watching the first Desert Storm on CNN and some general would mention "servicing the target" during a press briefing and it took me a few days to realize "servicing" = "bombing the hell out of it"

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Dont forget "verdicts"

[@n0m4r22]

Go deservice yourself

[@geeworm]

This just shows how the Combine are more than mindless husks. They're smart and might show some emotion at times.

[@icecold1805]

It's a shame the game goes against all this details and ensures you see them as mindless target practice. The map design lends them little chance to flank or manuever, forcing the AI to merely sit idle in cover and shoot at you, making them "look" mindless. The game never applies enough pressure on the player to make it tempting to hear the radio chatter to predict your enemy's movement, you just push foward and strike them down.

[@geeworm]

@@icecold1805 Agreed. The AI is extremely advanced in squads but the maps made were never capable of showing these features.

[@geeworm]

@Stale Bagelz Their fear. You can hear their stuttering and when they encounter an Antlion Guard.

[@icecold1805]

@@geeworm Indeed. I am honestly not so sure if the AI is really that good, haven't seen any analysis of it, but it's clear that even if it was really smart, the maps never lend to help the AI look smart, just as mere target practice, as I said before.

[@geeworm]

@@icecold1805 You should watch Marph's videos. They explain the AI and some others too.

[@Pllayer064]

7:15 hey she said "please" for once.

[@TouhouFan]

When Overwatch says "Please" shit is going on

[@skeetermcswagger0U812]

Yeah 'desperation' is a stinky perfume though..... She's gonna be saying more than please before they deactivate and hit her 'off switch'......

[@hgpbm9572]

:)

[@-Melancholy-]

Stop it Freeman-san, please!

[@DarkSamael55]

@@-Melancholy- Spank me Freeman-san, pleaaase!

[@roiukko4945]

I love all the newspeak terms the combine uses. Especially calling soldiers stabilization delegates.

[@TehFlaminFuzz]

I think it's partly a newspeak reference but also a way to show an the combine's incomplete grasp of human languages. Like how their motto is "secure, coagulate, clamp".

[@roiukko4945]

@@TehFlaminFuzz I don't think that's their motto. It's more like general guidelines for the soldiers how to execute their mission.

[@John_Smith_Dumfugg]

"Secure coagulate and clamp" was just basically "if you get shot suck it up and keep fighting, if we lose and find you alive you're going 'off world'

[@roiukko4945]

@@John_Smith_Dumfugg Yeah that is exactly what I meant.

[@telefrag.]

@@TehFlaminFuzz they are using medical terms, as if fighting with disease.

[@cheezkid2689]

4:42 The only time you hear a Combine Soldier stutter. Makes sense.

[@woopyinator021]

Maybe he is not a transhuman

[@lunathecrusader]

Combine Grunts stutter sometimes in HLA

[@most_red]

@@lunathecrusader they're less modified

[@seamuspink9098]

@@woopyinator021 commanders are not entirely brain washed, so they can have some emotions and independent thought for battle, just like the clones from star wars, commanders have personalities and aren't like the average soldier

[@crimsonlanceman7882]

@@seamuspink9098 wrong

[@stringstorm]

"Primary target has tactical C&C over biotics" Man, can you imagine this from the perspective of the Combine? Freeman, killing everything in its path, Nova Prospekt being set abalze, with an army of Antlions behind him. It paints him as some sort of supernatural being. No wonder the Resistance revered him as a legend.

[@TheSorrel]

Meanwhile, Gordon himself is just like: "Man, I'm lucky the resistence developed these Antlion pheromones just in time. Otherwise, I'd be SO dead right now."

[@KingMetalMario]

@@TheSorrel The vortigaunts have used them for ages

[@Destro65]

Fun Fact: The Combine forces Gordon fights in the game are defeated only because they are actually humans, if they were real Combine Soldiers like the ones in the 7 Hour War Gordon would have not been able to defeat them.

[@Destro65]

@@TheSorrel The Resistance didint make them, they just extract them from Antlion Guards. Pay attention to the game.

[@TheSorrel]

@@Destro65 They developed them as a weapon.

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

I absolutely adore the way the Combine seem to treat any insurgency as an infection, even down to calling turrets "sterilizers."

[@michaspi]

littlesnowflakepunk The Universal Union is just that. One body, one soul, one will. Notice how the Overwatch acknowledges you as “Individual” in the early parts of the game. It’s meant to be demoralizing because you’re not with the program.

[@gustav4351]

unvaccinated

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

@@gustav4351 what

[@f-22raptorlandingzone30]

@@gustav4351 my dog is going crazy, stop blowing on that thing

[@three-bark1928]

@@michaspi I always thought referring to you as 'individual' was because you weren't registered as a part of the combine and were therefore independent (anyone else pick up a 647e?), unlike all other members of humanity who were present for the surrender of earth such as the resistance

[@potatoman4680]

3:57 I like how at this point, when overwatch realizes that Gordon is confirmed in Nova Prospekt they forget about containing the antlion infestation and focus everything into killing freeman.

[@JM-mg4el]

Which in the end leads to the place being overrun

[@NamsaRay]

​@@JM-mg4el I mean... Who knew that Gordon Freeman accessed pheropodes

[@AngryOwl007]

5:13 *"Attention ground units: mission failure will result in permanent offworld assignment. Code Reminder: Sacrifice, Coagulate, Clamp."* Gives me the chills to hear something like that. Imagine how the soldiers have felt to have heard that announcement that if they fail their mission, that would happen to them.

[@shpho]

but Combine soldiers don't feel fear, their emotions have been removed, I think

[@valrossenOliver]

@@shpho Nope, they have their memories "wiped" occasionally and they're basically brainwashed with propaganda. Still humans with a lot of cyborg replacements.

[@C.bullet]

ever heard of the Battle of Stalingrad?

[@shpho]

I would think, that they don't feel such emotions, because their brains got modified.

[@GloriG_C17]

@@shpho they have it, trow a grenade to em, and they running away

[@ygorschuma3059]

Sterilizers = Turrets Viscerators = Manhacks Stabilization Teams = Any transhuman unit Exogen = Anything non-transhuman/Combine related Skywatch/Skydefender/Skyshield = Aerial Synths Perimeter Restrictors = Thumpers

[@kettujabamiesukkeliukko]

"Stabilization Teams = Any transhuman unit" So should I call every trans person stabilization team?

[@dk1480]

Boomer = Gunship

[@andrasfogarasi5014]

@@kettujabamiesukkeliukko Have trans people ascended beyond their humanity? Surely not. I hope not.

[@releasethekraken5039]

You forgot one: Bouncer = Grenade

[@meinkek7896]

Unvaccinated

[@tigermunky]

I never heard any of these whilst playing. I guess they were all drowned out by the BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA of my guns.

[@yegorgribenuke6853]

Impulse of Impulse Rifle sounds so cool

[@Bananappleboy]

HEEEEEEEEEPOWWDAQUUUU BOOOMPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA BAM SHOOKSHEEK BAM SHOOKSHEEK BAAM SHOOKSHEEK CLEEKCLONK CLEEKCLONK CLEEKCLONK SHOOKSHEEK

[@literallynobody.989]

@@Bananappleboy I laughed much more to that than I should've.

[@Bananappleboy]

@@literallynobody.989 DEEDEEDEEDEEDAUQ KLOBOPPLEEM DEEDEEDEEDEEDEEDEEDEEDAUQ BAM DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA HEEEEEEPOWWWWDAQUUU BOOOOOOMPOOOOOOOOOOOO CONTACT CONFIRMED YAUWEE BOOOOM DARRAGH

[@bubbles2163]

dat meens yer dakka doing good

[@jamesonesposito]

I loved the initial beach assualt with the Antlions. Normandy but sideways

[@Jeff-ms6lh]

glad someone else thought the same. figured a kind of nod at one of the most popular invasions in history.

[@darklex5150]

That was my favorite part Its like being in a war xD

[@tatotaytoman5934]

sending the antlions on a banzai charge

[@ketaminepoptarts]

and its more wide open than nova prospekt, so you can actually walk instead of getting stuck on the 5 antlions all standing right on you

[@paradoxicaloutcome1007]

6:56 "Primary has moved to containment zone. All remaining teams, dispatch to Delta Eight. We got him now." Even through the tactic speak and the slightly emotionless voice, you can feel his smugness.

[@Pineapple-hx9ty]

4:43 leader 12 is the exact opposite. Both confusion and genuine concern can be heard in his voice, maybe even a hint of fear if they didn't just accept they will probably die.

[@MechanicCompetence]

It sounds almost like relief to me, especially after "Ground units: Failure to contain will result in permanent off-world relocation" I played this game when I was too young, I was just shooting the bad guys, didn't realise how much depth the was to this. Need to give it another go.

[@2broken4u47]

i think he is more mad and scared than smugged

[@planescaped]

@@MechanicCompetence Same... I remember hearing all the chatter but I could barely make it out. I thought it was just random barks of flavor text like most games. That it actually progresses with the story and doesn't repeat kind of blows my mind. Half Life 2 was always one of those games I found something new every time I played it. And I haven't played it in over a decade and just found another! :P

[@paladinwiggles7896]

@BulletKingIsHere Definately the vibe I got from it. "This guy has shot his way through hundreds, possibly thousands of our men and slipped through our fingers repeatedly. We've finally got him cornered and just need to tighten the noose." Alas for Combine Squad leader... it wasn't Freeman who was trapped with them, but they who were trapped with Freeman.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

7:18 that’s the first time I’ve heard the dispatch say “please” Also I liked the one cup going “yeah we got em now”

[@Sapphiregamer8605]

7:10

[@callawolf531]

I think it's funny that Overwatch soldier radio chatter sounds almost like typical police radio chatter. It's almost TOO casual but it's quick, precise, and to the point. Now the female Overwatch Voice, she's very creepy and commanding. I really like how they use terms as if they're doing a surgery and trying to remove an actual virus from their world.

[@zenianlifeform]

_pls report status thank you_

[@jonahc2807]

I love how the overwatch was at first like "oops, looks like a few restrictors failed. Better get some troops down there to clean it up." But then after it saw Freeman it was like *"HOLY SHIT FORGET THE BUGS! ANTICITIZEN ONE IS HERE KILL ALL THE PRISONERS DON'T LET HIM GET TO THAT PORTAL!!!"*

[@machiner6]

This is great to hear, I like how much it fleshes out the background of the whole area. Shame I couldn't hear most of it with all the noise and gunfire going on.

[@gabrielsff]

playing through hl again shows me how much of a menace Freeman actually is. Everything the combine throws at him just dies. Must be a scary sight seeing a combine soldier ambush be completely decimated by just one guy; no wonder he's seen as a messiah, by the resistance. It goes way beyond the abilities of any normal person. He's like John Wick, but with an HEV suit and greater odds.

[@potatoman4680]

He is the one free man

[@sideswipebl]

2:48 This delivery is spot on. Sounds like they’re really about to execute something big.

[@macdrown3892]

The ambush in the prison courtyard is pretty enormous. It’s, what, 20-30 armed soldiers plus two gunships? The idea that one man could survive it is laughable. At this point they mustn’t fully understand that Freeman has control off the antlions.

[@knockrotter9372]

It's so badass when Judge Three refers to the two gunships being called in as skyshield by "Double Boomers"

[@RomWatt]

"Ok boomer, sterilize Anti-citizen Freeman"

[@CharaGonzalez-lt7yw]

Savage Nine holding at Code Boomer

[@frmnNnj]

Ahh, yes. To me, Nova Prospekt is way creepier than Ravenholm, and I don’t care what people say.

[@jcdenton2187]

Both do their intended atmosphere very well imo. In Ravenholm, you've just escaped the Combine and have arrived in a town decimated by their handiwork. It's dark and filled with the echoes of zombies, with no traces of anyone left alive save for the mad Father Grigori. You feel lost, clinging onto survival as you hope to make it through. Nova Prospekt on the other hand, acts as the turning point in the game. Until this time, you have spent the whole game running away from the Combine, who appear in almost total control of the planet. But this time, you are now bringing the fight to them, and they are losing badly. The Antlions, previously a massive nuisance, are now your loyal minions that you use to tear through one of the most infamous strongholds of the Combine. Secondly, you have a similar feeling of being alone. Except this time you do have companionship in the form of your Antlions, but they are not people. The Combine are certainly not welcome companyeithet. You are one man fighting alone yet tearing through the Combine, and for once THEY are the ones scrambling to survive as they continually throw soldiers and traps your way to kill you, only to constantly retreat and try again as you and your Antlion force are too much for them. I agree Nova Prospekt does it better, and it's my favorite portion of the game bar none. And atmospherically, it's awesome.

[@frmnNnj]

JCD Gameanater I agree.

[@brainwashed7384]

Besides the fact you can hear light crying and human screams in ravenholm.

[@Jakepearl13]

Something about the bunker radios just...creeps me out. It sounds either like a warped radio tuning,children screaming,or some alien insectoid chittering with the sound effects on the comm chatter...

[@crimsonlanceman7882]

6:55 Nova Prospekt atmosphere in a nutshell.

[@PsychadelicoDuck]

5:50 He's starting to sound actually nervous, considering how stoic Combine troopers usually are... 4:18: Did command just give the order to execute all prisoners?

[@infernohellfire6806]

Those dead vorts (and maybe corpses of citizens) are what happend after she announced to deservice the political prisoners So that you(the player) won't be able to get any help or talk to someone/something about some intel on the combine or other people in the prison

[@mr0o]

@@infernohellfire6806 I never picked up on that. I just thought they were cruel to the prisoner's. I hope details like this are implemented in half life alyx

[@slookipos8907]

@@infernohellfire6806 you know you can say "Gordon" by saving time right? not saying "The Player"

[@bl4ckrabb1t]

@@slookipos8907 why bother

[@adudeontheinternet8246]

@@slookipos8907 It's a couple letters dude, this isn't a speedrun

[@Kehwanna]

Even though most of us original players are in our mid twenties and thirties or far older, I'm sure a good portion of us still want a third Half Life. It's a good storyline rich with lore and detail. I'd imagine they could do a lot more to the game now than they could at the time of the sequel.

[@commanderbeepo8066]

The reason we won't get a 3rd game is because it would never meet expectations and people would be pissed. That would really cripple valve, half life 3 bombs. We are our own enemy

[@Kehwanna]

@@commanderbeepo8066 Don't break my heart like that. I applaud the game if the story line and attention to detail are the largest focus, rather than heavy focus on theatrics. While people love RPGs or open world games, I personally wouldn't mind if it remained another FPS or third person shooter game.

[@brianfarrell4987]

Gendo Ikari so you’re saying that if hl3 drops, nobody wins??? Dark

[@fenkupng]

And I thought I'd never see the day...

[@CaribouGirlMeat]

Y'all got it lucky. I was like 9 and threw a fit when i died

[@Pineapple-hx9ty]

getting to control the antlions made me feel like god.

[@AshyGr33n]

4:43 lmao the brief confusion of Combine soldier when he realizes Freeman can command antlions

[@libertyprime7871]

You can see, that Overwatch is at it's breaking point when they say "please".

[@999GNG]

it's because at this point she already knows that the soldiers left are already dead or agonizing

[@alohadubs7683]

2:18 Not gonna lie, I was kinda sad when I heard Leader Nine was killed. 4:44 Leader Twelve realizes the severity of the fucking mess that Team Sundown Three was dealing with. 5:44 Combine are starting to realize they’re fucked.

[@Uniformtree000]

Be reasonable to say that any combine that survived that attack didn't get demoted or punished, but understandably it basically boiled down too "Satan has bug army, we are so fucked"

[@16caldwellj95]

@@Uniformtree000 Any combine that survived the attack was probably sent to the Combine Overworld as punishment. We know that the conditions there are terrible for humans, and the Overwatch Voice was threatening offworld relocation.

[@Jon4270]

@@16caldwellj95 Considering Nova Prospekt straight up exploded after all this, maybe there weren't too many survivors...

[@Trime_]

Leader Twelve confused why Freeman is controling the Antlions lol.

[@Megajaybreaker4]

RIP Judge 3. killed by freeman while trying to guard the control room.

[@user-ot6oc7mk1s]

7:06 That one sounds so hopeless..

[@michdich8996]

Going from "Hey, that Thumper seems to be broken" to "Holy shit, he's the Antlion-King!"

[@chaosinc.382]

I like how they get increasingly more panicked.

[@Gilraldys]

I swear valve made the best “alert” voiceline in their games

[@RescoeZ]

Some notes: - Combine terms are listed in description - I give thanks to the Overwatch wiki, while I understood the majority of lines it was helpful to be able to look them up for ones I didn't. - Despite what is displayed at 5:44, I'm certain these subtitles aren't completely accurate. I've tried looking up this dialogue but all I can find doesn't match what is heard. This is as close as I can get to what it actually is; please feel free to post the correct line if anyone can understand it. - The hunters mentioned at 6:24 are not referring to the Hunter synths. - Apologies for the difficult to read text at 6:33. It says "Contact has moved to block D8. Warning: sterilizers and containment fields may be compromised. Airwatch augmentation force six eight, drop and converge immediately". - If there is by chance something odd with any screenshots, it's because I used Garry's Mod to get them (a lot easier to do).

[@frmnNnj]

RescoeZ Good Video man! And using G-Mod explains why the blood on some screenshots looked like TF2 blood.

[@mrsubject1]

Awesome work

[@PedanticPig]

I think those subtitles are accurate. If in doubt, the sound files have the text embedded directly into them, which you can read if you open them with something like Notepad++

[@MalcolmNessGranger]

The hunter's are meant to be the Chopper hunter, that was removed from Nova Prospect as the player already had enough to deal with (gunships) in particular. That is as much as i can tell you.

[@TorricRoma]

Still had a hard time didnt you

[@KingMetalMario]

4:43 They aren't told what they can say, judging from the "uh..."s

[@mrsubject1]

that's what i like about the soldiers, anything that is like radio codes and updates they know off by heart but the humanity to form their own sentences has faded so much tha they struggle to complete non sanctioned sentences

[@fuel8555]

@@mrsubject1 he is also a bit surprised because an human is able to control the antlions (that's why someone asks him to repeat because that's a bit unbelievable )

[@snowball2052]

@@mrsubject1 He's trying to think of a way to say "Holy shit satan himself is controlling the bugs" without getting a permanent offworld reassignment.

[@999GNG]

@@snowball2052 exactly lmao G

[@tychusenfieldlarsson206]

7:27 "full biotic overrun" this reveals that Nova Prospekt would have turned into Quarentine Zone if had not been destroyed completely by portal storm.

[@octodaddy877]

These radio messages are really interesting to me, because they're like the only time we hear Combine soldiers speaking in full regular sentences.

[@HonkeeMcgee]

"Repeat. Primary target has tactical C&C over biotics." Imagine being that poor bastard combine soldier trying to figure out just what the fuck is going on, lmfao.

[@Wulfis69]

7:16 That overwatch thing can actually say please.

[@2broken4u47]

the dispatch says "please" due to how bad the situation is in nova prospekt. She still says it without emotion.

[@MoonLightFML]

Overwatch ( also dispatch ) are AI

[@HellbirdIV]

@@MoonLightFML The exact nature of Combine 'AI' is dubious in itself; with HL:Alyx we see that the Combine's use of repurposed organics goes as deep as their computers (containing a Zen creature mashed together with what looks like a terrestrial rat, in that game). We don't even know what the "Combine" really are, with the Advisors being the closest thing we've seen to a 'true form' and even that is pure speculation. One of the strengths of Half-Life is that, for as much worldbuilding and information as there is, we ultimately end up actually *knowing* very little for certain.

[@ShadowSumac]

@@HellbirdIV Advisors themselves were enslaved by whoever there is at the head of the Alliance.

[@999GNG]

it's because at this point she already knows that the soldiers left are already dead or agonizing

[@Mr_Stephanko]

While watching this video, I realized that Nova Prospekt's guards talk more humanly, while combine soldiers are straight up 10 codes and codenames. For example earlier in the video in the first bunker the radio operator says ''Nomad get those restrictors back online, your sector shows active biotics'' and in the third bunker the operator straight up asks ''Post Stinger, do you read?'' the dialogues are clearly more human, because they directly refer to the units as a person / asks them. Later on, once Gordon is inside causing havoc with the antlions, Leader 12 says on the radio ''Warning, primary target is uh... engaged in uh... command and control tactics with biotics..''. He clearly is confused at first on Gordon commanding antlions. So maybe CPs that are climbing the ranks instead of becoming a soldier become a Nova Prospekt guard, then get their memories wiped and become soldiers?

[@DaedalusFalk]

I think it's more that we don't really hear the scripted dialogue for the Overwatch soldiers outside of Nova Prospekt -- just unit barks in combat. Presumably if we'd heard radio chatter during the uprising levels they'd have sounded a bit like the stuff here: "Anticitizen One reinfection confirmed at district twelve CP" type of deal

[@MrJohnthegamerHD]

2:30 ENGAGE W E E Z A H R D

[@ToppCuber]

Damn it I can’t unhear it now

[@MesouseUsagi]

My favorite bit is how they call the bugbait "command and control tactics with the biotics". It's long-winded but accurate.

[@unimportantcommenter4356]

0:26 Apprehension and Evasion starts

[@Harbinger28567]

You need to get a new profile pic. JC Denton has become one of the most trendiest ones on KZbin.

[@unimportantcommenter4356]

@@Harbinger28567 ok

[@warlerker]

Doesn't play in the video unfortunately. *What a shame.*

[@three-bark1928]

Imagine if the combine had been able to obtain and modify bug bait to work forever... synth antlions... Now THAT is terrifying. White forest would be overrun in minutes

[@CaesarAugustus18]

antlions are kinda fragile, so ig it wouldnt work much (cant believe im responding to a old comment)

[@Maxxpayne47]

2:17 Judge Three - guess i'm fucked

[@NickShvelidze]

Brilliant writing, voice acting and sound design. HL2 still holds up after 16 years.

[@Sammie1053]

OK, wow, this is really incredible stuff. I played HL2 on the Xbox 360 on an old CRT with built in speakers. I always just assumed the Overwatch/Combine radio chatter was mostly white noise or a handful of repeated clips, I never imagined Valve recorded hours of _incidental_ dialogue some (or most) players might never even hear properly. Not only that, they give you a really good idea of what it would feel like to be a Combine officer or AI watching as one dude with glasses destroys decades of domination.

[@g.w.k.y6869]

2:41 "all perimeter units displace to internal high points and prepare for final prosecution" he might be referring to the watchtowers in the perimeter wall, the ones the combine units shoot you from before you reach the tunnel to move into Nova prospect's court yard

[@sohan5049]

Could be fun to have a strategic game where you play the Overwatch AI and have to give orders to each Union Teams while keeping other tasks and reminders clear so no other pockets of resistance shows up or take over a District etc !

[@Аптечка_Альянса]

Lambda Wars?

[@sciencesyfy]

Interesting how the way Overwatch talks about Freeman makes it seem like he's a virus. Using sterilizers (turrents) against the maglignant intruder (freeman)

[@megafro6999]

The whole time you are going somewhere they're watching you and sending combines after you, pretty creepy.

[@matthewminchillo543]

Sure from this context it's creepy....but then put it in the context of the game. Freeman(you) is dumped in the middle of a massive city and is watched and monitored every moment from then on and they CAN'T stop him. I don't know about you but it makes me feel like a demigod whenever I replay half life 2

[@megafro6999]

@@matthewminchillo543 yeah true

[@megafro6999]

@@matthewminchillo543 pretty sure theyre scared of the freeman because they know hes coming after them tbh

[@chaosinc.382]

@@megafro6999 "Oh fuck oh shit Freeman is here shitshitshitshit HE'S GOT A GRENADE!"

[@huskosnow7091]

@@chaosinc.382 most likely: "OH NO THATS FREEMAN, LETS HIDE! He is doing Accelerated Backward Hop at 308MPH! Oh he haves a Crowbar!

[@cielopachirisu929]

I love how the Overwatch uses medical terms with both old and new military radio calls. Really shows how they see the Resistance, like a disease. Or maybe even just humans in general.

[@barszczsosnowskiego3359]

They're demoralizing codenames for the resistance. I think it may be a mind game seeing how soldiers are saying it out loud..

[@myriadmaestro572]

The fact the voice at 4:18 implies that Overwatch determined Nova Prospekt was likely a lost cause and that it was preferable to terminate all prisoners rather then risk them linking up with Freeman is frightening in its cold, strategic logic.

[@ElPayasoMalo]

I like how many of the Combine terms are related to infection and disease.

[@superjesse645]

Some of the radio feedback from the prison command almost sounds like screaming. It definitely adds to how terrifying the outbreak must be for Nova Prospekt, especially since Freeman is here to cause trouble.

[@vinesauceobscurities]

When you house is overrun by termites.

[@thepostfk]

Game was ahead of its time.

[@MaxT.W.]

Breaking News: Man with crowbar and some bugs kills *entire military base of an advanced alien species*

[@keerf255]

Those "bugs" are massive beasts, now consider you turn off ALL restrictions keeping thousands of them from flooding that prison. Combine didn't stand a chance against biotic waves, hence the need for thumpers to begin with.

[@ReverendTed]

7:06 - Nice of Overwatch to ask politely with "please". There are a couple of other instances where she uses the word (mostly addressing housing block citizens during the early game), but this one seems out of place.

[@Mephiles550]

Right, you can't help but imply a form of condescending dialogue here directed at the overwatch troops, yet it certainly couldn't be the case since the voice is just a personality-void machine. It's a nice type of irony.

[@battaglino77]

I think the "Please" is thrown in partially as a threat for perceived insubordination. Similar to how a parent would chastise a child by saying, "don't make me xxxx". All the units are dead, but to the AI they're just breaking protocol by not responding to her inquiries.

[@999GNG]

it's because at this point she already knows that the soldiers left are already dead or agonizing

[@Peluceus]

4:36 translation: Fuck this shit, I'm out. He killed another team. You guys go and take care of the problem. Freeman SOMEHOW got control of the antlions. YEAH. YOU FUCKING HEARD RIGHT. HE IS IN CONTROL OF THE FUCKING ANTLIONS.

[@salsamancer]

"Deservice political conscript" wow that is chilling

[@kicksnarehats11]

Never noticed the attention to detail with the radio chatter. Cool!

[@TehFlaminFuzz]

Sacrifice, coagulate, clamp.

[@sharethisposttrendiscringe]

KLAMP

[@999GNG]

offworld

[@CallOfCutie69]

The first and the last time when Combine chatter is so tactical, and reminiscent of future Modern Warfare titles. Yes, we have CP and Combine generic phrases throughout the entire game, but these long pre-recorded ones really give that military vibe.

[@yakacm]

IT's hard to believe that this game is 16 years old, I wish I could have understood what was being said over the combine radios when I was in game, cuz it really adds to the sinister atmosphere of the game.

[@rixille]

It's cool how they presented this sort of "life" of the game to the players, even if it was an obvious compromise of Overwatch revealing intentions to Freeman which damages their tactical edge.

[@ghosters1072]

You can hear the defeat in the last soldiers voice, yet he's staying professional. He's bracing for that permanent offworld assignment, but he's still sticking to his duty and reporting as necessary.

[@unexplained1675]

~political conscript~ now i know nova prospekt had prisoners, human or vortigaunt.

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

There were dead vorts in part of the map, i dont remember which sector

[@exactinmidget92]

i was in the army and the chatter is on point. the terminology is different but i understood what they meant to say.

[@JeroenDStout]

"Stabalization delegates" makes it so oddly clear it was the same writing team as "party submission position".

[@haydolimposofficial]

4:45 Damn, one Baitbug is enough to blow the mind of the Combine soldiers

[@jon9719]

2:30 At this point they realise that the last bunker cliff is lost, but will make a last stand, (In my eyes to try and give time for the main prison to prepare AR3s and for Guards to get combat equipment ready, etc.) You can hear this when they say:" Engage Reserve. Contain exogen incursion", they are going to sacrifice the last bunker's reserve to contain and give time for the defence.

[@cj-3810]

Honestly though I want to make a mod that enhances and subtitles Overwatch and Combine Speech instead of just hearing it.

[@cj-3810]

Having the Overwatch announcements echo through this place as alarms blare in the backround would be awesome

[@KingMetalMario]

Dew it.

[@cj-3810]

KingMetalMario Not now, I’m taking programming and other computer lessons soon, along with audio design so soon

[@AmBush2048]

Already made, it's on modDB

[@cj-3810]

Albert Pavlas Yay, less work for me :>

[@mzov_1724]

I love how they call Freeman an Anti-Citizen. And how they call his infiltration an infestation.

[@hansonkerman7286]

this FUCKING SHIT wasn't captioned yet it was my favorite part of the game. i want to learn alllll the combine jargon because it's so fascinating. thank you for this video ❤️

[@darklex5150]

Nova prospekt it's like D-Day with it's bunkers and the combines lol

[@lokibo1500]

I love this combine chatter

[@rchaffer]

Despite the number of times I've played this game, I never realised how deep and well thought-through the Combine radio chatter was

[@soopcan4980]

Team Leader 12 was like *FUCK* *FUCK* *FUCK* *CONTACT* *CONTACT* *GO SHARP* *GO SHARP* when he saw that gordon was controlling the antlions ahahaha

[@kanden27]

“Anti-Citizen One” has a nice ring to it.

[@General-cmb]

4:57 best

[@ivanjokovic]

They put so much detail in this game it's fucking fantastic 😊

[@ENCHANTMEN_]

Man the combine were having one hell of a bad day huh

[@Blue-jy4rf]

Having a sector wide emergency alert dedicated to you simply disrupting combine machinery must feel like dropping a metal bowl in the middle of the night to gordon.

[@maciejcocieto4361]

What a great character Freeman is. Think about it! There's little to nothing said about him, yet you feel so strong leading this mute hero that has tehnicly no direct character developement. He's indeed special and powerfull because you can see and hear how he moves and shakes world around him.

[@maciejcocieto4361]

What an interesting, unconventional way of creating image of character!

[@mrsubject1]

This is some awesome work

[@apojoga]

I admire how much work has gone into creating this narrative.

[@mathiaswilhelm1902]

playing apprehension and evasion on a separate tab while this is playing is the best thing ever

[@itspice8737]

I really need to play half life again..

[@DVincentW]

5:13 translates into "If you fail you will be punished." sac·ri·fice -- an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure. immolation.. co·ag·u·late cause (a fluid) to change to a solid or semisolid state. clamp /klamp/ a brace, band, or clasp used for strengthening or holding things together (Clamp is also an all-female Japanese manga artist group that formed in the mid-1980s.) Pity the Overwatch really.

[@georgeryan8267]

Poor overwatch they are forced to draw manga

[@humanman2358]

Damn the overwatch made manga?

[@petrolekh]

This is so damn immersive.

[@Juulbakker33]

Thank you for this!

[@Mark_Lou]

7:26 - 7:35 that combine soldier sounds disappointed

[@2broken4u47]

well he knows he failed dispatch and he knows that he may be sent to "permanent off world assigment" . Also half of his comrades died fighting in an ovverun by antlions prison

[@barszczsosnowskiego3359]

Indeed. They're still self aware. He doesn't want to go off world, clearly.

[@laylaruan]

“Offworld reassignment for me :(“

[@Fei_PL]

I must say THANK YOU because when playing game there is no time to listen to details. I've enjoyed geting deeper into H-L universe! so.... THANKS! :)

[@RescoeZ]

You're welcome :-)

[@GG_Man123]

Thank you for this

[@Adim0413]

There is a lot of terms here that are out context but somehow logically understandable if you analyze the statements carefully, the other ones that don't have real definition to them sounds really fascinating what those mean and what protocols would they have.