Half-Life Books

Half-Life : Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Joe Grant Bell

List Price: $19.99 By: Prima Games Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $0.41

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

It was just a typical day in the life of Gordon Freeman, your average young scientist working for the government at the high-security Black Mesa research facility. Typical, that is, until a freak accident opens up a transdimensional gateway to an alien world. Soon the place is crawling with mutated scientists, alien creatures, and--worst of all--government troops bent on eliminating all witnesses to the accident. Fighting your way past these evil hordes is no easy task--unless, of course, you've got Prima's official Half-Life strategy guide in your arsenal.

With a wealth of information, statistics, and gameplay guidelines, this book can help turn any fledgling scientist into a battle-hardened killing machine in no time. In addition to descriptions of the weapons you'll find and the enemies you'll have to use them against, the book offers advice on basic first-person shooter tactics (how to circle-strafe, for example). A full-fledged walk-through of the game includes plenty of maps (more than 100 in all) and screen shots to help illustrate the best path to take. A brief section on multiplayer Half-Life rounds out this impressive guide.

Half Life Counter-Strike Official Strategy Guide

Counter-Strike Official Strategy Guide

List Price: $6.99 By: Versus Books Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $1.39

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Understanding CS 4 out of 5 stars.
15 of 19 people found this review helpful.

Counter-Strike Official Strategy Guide gives tips on what guns to use and how to use them. It also gives special strategies for each map, even if a player is playing on a public server.
This book's greatest strength addresses guns. The authors do a wonderful job of explaining how to use them, eg: with the MP5, aim for the shoulders, the enemy's head will move downward to give an easy headshot. It does have three errors I found:
A. It says the G3 is available to only the CT's (p42). The G3 is actually only available to the T's.
B. The book states that it takes a couple headshots, depending on what gun you use, to disable an opponent. This is wrong, one shot for any gun, excluding the glock, in a specific place will disable an opponent.
C. The last issue I would like to address is the TMP. The book idicates that the gun is bad and doesn't aim well or deal enough damage. I used it and got a 32 to 8 ratio. (pretty good for me)
The book overall helped me a lot. Before, I used to randomly pick a gun. Now, since I've read the book, I buy guns depending on my money and the way they handle, not their pictures

Editorial Review:

No matter whether you are a beginner, a seasoned player, or an expert - this guide reveals all the strategies, tricks and techniques that will take you to the very top of Counter-Strike players. The team of authors belong to America's top Counter-Strike team X-treme3. Step-by-step introduction of installation, server connection, rules and configuration for beginners. Comprehensive scripting guide to show advanced players how to optimize their configuration manually. General techniques and strategies for movement, amiming and sound. Detailed analysis of the 12 most popular maps are explained clearly and illustrated on easy to use 2-D level maps. Seperate strategies and tips for each map, gives players on public serves tht added edge.

Half-Life Opposing Force: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Gearbox Studios, Prima Publishing

List Price: $19.99 By: Prima Games Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $2.00

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Games & Strategy Guides -> Strategy Guides -> Half-Life
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Prima's Official Strategy Guide to Half-Life: Opposing Force is "official," read "100% dictated by Sierra." But for the $19.99 cover price you might expect a little bit more than a minimalist walk-through, a few basic maps, and a description of enemies and weapons--especially because the cover of this book claims "Insider stats, tips, and strategies." But there isn't a whole lot that's "insider" about it. Instead, with the exception of the maps, this guide strongly resembles the user guide/manual normally included with a top-flight computer game.

Although some of the more substantial information concerning Half-Life Opposing Force is lacking, there's still plenty of stuff to get the novice off on the right foot. The walk-through is written in a style that is reminiscent of a crusty drill instructor giving orders to a green recruit. And the beginner can glean some useful knowledge from the enemy and weapons descriptions as well. For example, knowing that it would take more than the seven shots in the clip of the .357 to kill a Voltigore will undoubtedly save you an embarrassing death or two.

The remark concerning this book having been dictated by Sierra is aimed at the conspicuous lack of available information about the game. Where is the information on the console and how to use it to configure certain game parameters to suit your style of play? Why is there is no information on the numerous cheats available in the game? Why did the publisher even bother to include the very limited chapter dealing with multi-player mode?

Those questions aside, if you are an absolute beginner in this genre of computer game or find yourself stuck at some point in the game, this guide will help you make it through successfully. --Robert D. Gately