Laying the law

A year after leaving Valve, former lead writer forHalf-Life, Marc Laidlaw, hasposted to his website a narrative outlinefor what could have been the plot ofHalf-Life 2: Episode 3in-character as “Gertrude Fremont.” The site is down with heavy traffic, but you can read it at thearchiveor onGithubwith the correct names and locations edited in.

The plot follows Gordan and Alyx as they track down the Borealis, leading to an encounter with the G-Man. Some are jumping the gun and declaring the game to be dead, in part due to the last of the series’ writer leaving Valve a few months back.

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With games likeDuke Nukem Forever, The Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII: Remake, Kingdom Hearts 3, and so on being finished or put into development, the future ofHalf-Liferemains the biggest question mark in video games. It’s about time Valve said or did something, and all eyes are trained on Gabe Newell now.

The opening area of the Whisper mission, in a small grove.

The Divide in the Cosmodrome, where the Guardian was resurrected.

A holofoil Ribbontail, as seen in collections.

The Phoneutria Fera hand cannon, inspired by the Season of the Haunted armor set. It has a unique, galactic glow.

Three Fuses appear in a match of Apex Legends' Wild Card mode.

Mad Maggie opens a supply bin and an item with a symbol indicating infinite ammo appears.

Legends slide through a zipline in King’s Canyon in Apex Legends.

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The Yeartide Apex tex Mechanica SMG with a Holofoil glow.