Half-Life 2 – Reactor Cooling

Half-Life 2: Reactor D6 | Level Jam | Hammer | 2022

This level was my entry into Steve Lee’s second level design jam. The themes for the jam were “Non-Violence” and “Verticality“. I decided to learn the Hammer Editor for this one as its still one of the best pure level design tools and allowed more time to concentrate on building and scripting the level. I tried to keep my scope small and focused, as time was limited.

Download the level on itch

Level Design work

Collected reference, designed level layout and planned gameplay beats
Created level blockout inside the Hammer++ editor
Conceptualized and scripted puzzles, interactions & environmental storytelling

Gameplay & narrative beats, intensity and level flow

Gameplay & beats

Arrive at the reactor
Wooden planks blockade
Water valve and crowbar puzzle
Broken stairs blockade
Collect the Zero Point Energy Field Manipulator (Gravity gun)
Discover the multi-level structure
Exit level

Layout

Design decisions

Composition & signposting

To make use of the verticality theme, I decided to start the player up high to allow them to assess their options and decide on a path. Using this approached allowed me to stimulate the players curiosity and explore the space. I also included a windmill as a landmark to guide the player throughout the level.

Puzzles

I used the classic Bait & Switch technique to draw the player to an obstructed opening which blocks their path. Players can see that the crowbar is located on access walkway above them and they need to reach it. Backtracking, players can find the valve to raise the water level.

Gating

The use of gating was used to make the player stop and think about the crumbled stairway problem. The locked door implies that something the player needs is behind it. Affordances associated with scattered wooden planks and metal panels in HL2 provide multiple options for the player to progress.