Research and Development is a free mod for the first-person shooter video game Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Developed by Matt Bortolino and released on July 17, 2009,[1] it is a non-violent first-person puzzle video game, and has been compared to Portal. It received critical praise for its unique gameplay and high development quality.
| Research and Development | |
|---|---|
 A screenshot showing a vehicle the player must build to complete the game | |
| Developer(s) | Matt Bortolino |
| Engine | Source |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | July 17, 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Plot
editThe game does not have an overt story; the player wakes up as an unnamed character in a detailed but generic location, not knowing how they got there, and must start solving puzzles in order to escape.[2][3]
Gameplay
editThe mod takes place in the Half-Life universe, but strips the player of their weapons, giving them only a Gravity Gun and antlion bait.[3] The player must solve puzzles to traverse the levels, to the point where the game resembles a point-and-click adventure.[4]
Development
editResearch and Development utilizes similar puzzles as those seen in between the shooter gameplay in Half-Life 2, but turns them into an entire game.[4]
Reception
editAlec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun called the game "as must-play as an [Half-Life 2] mod gets", and stated that the game's non-combative player character is "in many ways more keeping with the mind-over-matter character we're often told Gordon Freeman is than the openly, incongruously murderous role he dons in Valve's games".[4] Nick Breckon of Shacknews recommended the game, praising its "refreshing amount of original mechanics and crafted special effects".[2] Tom Sykes of PC Gamer called the game one of the best Half-Life 2 single-player mods, saying that it is "surprising just how easily Half-Life 2's toolset translates" to the new focus of puzzles.[5] Gry Online called the game's puzzles "ingenious", remarking that their solutions were completely logical.[6] Anthony Burch of Destructoid stated that the game "provides clever fun in a way very few games - never mind how many modifications - are capable of," and that he "almost [felt] guilty playing this game for free," criticizing some bugs in the game, but calling its final levels "spectacular".[7]
References
edit- ^ "Research and Development released news". Mod DB. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b "Play This Mod: Research & Development". Shacknews. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b "Research and Development - Half-Life 2: Episode Two Mod". GameSpot. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b c Meer, Alec (2009-07-20). "Science In Action: Research & Development". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Sykes, Tom (2020-01-15). "The best Half-Life 2 singleplayer mods". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "Half-Life 2: Episode Two mod Research and Development - Darmowe Pobieranie | GRYOnline.pl". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "Indie Nation: Research and Development". Destructoid. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 2020-07-24.