Honestly, after seeing Crowbar Collective's take on Xen, kinda hard to look at the canon version and feeling pleased. Anyone feel the same or just me, because even in Half-Life Alyx, Xen looks uninspired even if it's just flora and fauna.
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Personally Alyx's Xen fauna looks desaturated and gross, which actually makes sense because think of the chemicals the Combine was using to try to clean it up.
I honestly prefer HLA's take on xen. I've always imagined xen as this cold and hostile place outside of our own reality. BM makes xen too vibrant and welcoming. I think this video really highlights my headcanon xen youtu.be/n6RhKy5pIyQ
Xen in Half Life one has been rushed. This is why you cannot pleased. In concept Xen is freaking gorgeous. Not as i say BMS take is bad. I just say i like HL1 concept of borderworld more, than BMS what look just like alien planet. Very beatifull - but alien planet
The only criticism I have of Black Mesa's Xen is that some of the flora looks TOO much like Earth plantlife; some of it could have looked a bit more alien. But in all other ways, it really is an artistic achievement. Just absolutely gorgeous to look at, and when you're travelling through it, it really feels like a living, breathing ecosystem.
THIS. Its beautiful but not really alien.
I think Black Mesa aesthetics of Xen just doesn't fit Half-life Universe right, despite original Xen being rushed and not even being properly planned, it still has charm to it - cold, unpleasant and unforgiving dimension. Even Nihilanth didn't want to stay there.
i personally really like hla xen fauna but i see where you're coming from
honestly i wasnt a big fan of BMs xen. I absolutely loved the chapter and all but it felt way to welcoming for an alien planet in space. Although there was a perfect Source 2 interpretation that made it feel much more realistic for an alien world.
I would say because Xen flora not native to earth of course it not going look well NATRUAL plus the crow bar collective just wanted make Xen look breath taking.
They did a great job.