Hey all,

Decided to try HL2 on Hard because, I suspect, there's a part of me
that loves abuse!

What's interesting is that "difficulty" has SO many interpretations!
My preference is more enemies, not tougher ones.  Eh, to each his own!

It's not easy for me to take a lot of bullets, and this game really
tested my patience in that regard.  I've always felt that with most
games, a competent player can suss out way to avoid fire while
returning same.  BUT, HL2 is NOT one of them!

While that takes some getting used to, I thought I'd got the hang of
it.  However, Ravenholm was one giant cold bucket of ice water in the
face!  I'd neglected to take into account the re-spawning factor of
this area!  When I realized that some of these levels cannot be
"cleared", I decided on a new course; RUN!

Specifically, the area where you make a big loop back to where you
started (while traversing the rooftops) and a *uckload of cheetah
zombies come flailing for your a.s!  I must have tried this part a
half dozen times!  After repeated guttings, I decided to try running
my chicken a.s off!

Paydirt!  I managed to make it to the window and get through.  The NPC
character (whose name I forget) took out most of them, and I managed
to off the rest with a few well-placed grenade tosses.

Whew!

I'm not used to running from a fight, but HL2 sold me on some new
wisdom!

Dave S.