Difference between revisions of "Combine Soldier (Evolution)"

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The Combine Soldier is a transhuman enemy fought in Half-Life 2 and its episodes. It went through a long and diverse revision history, a lot of which pictures have been released for.
 
The Combine Soldier is a transhuman enemy fought in Half-Life 2 and its episodes. It went through a long and diverse revision history, a lot of which pictures have been released for.
 
== Concepts ==
 
== Concepts ==
There is a large amount of art of the Combine Soldier, radically different from any versions we see in-game.
+
There is a large amount of art of the Combine Soldier, much of it is radically different from any versions we see in-game.
 
=== Early Suit Designs ===
 
=== Early Suit Designs ===
 
A few early concepts show different ideas for the Combine Soldier's design. For example, the "flames" soldiers reuse the head from some metrocop concept art.
 
A few early concepts show different ideas for the Combine Soldier's design. For example, the "flames" soldiers reuse the head from some metrocop concept art.
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<i>Versions 1-3's order is speculation. If proof comes around, change 'em!</i>
 
<i>Versions 1-3's order is speculation. If proof comes around, change 'em!</i>
== Version 1: Pre-2002 ==
+
== Version 1: 2000 ==
 +
[[File:CombineCloseup.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 +
 
 +
This single screenshot of two Combine Soldiers located in the map c1a3a_port is the earliest known in-game screenshot of Combine Soldiers. This image was found in one of Lars Linden's presentations by c.marti on 18th November 2020. This version of the Soldier bares somewhat of a similar appearance to the Pre-2002 version, but having an overall browner coloration to it, as well as a unique armband that seems to have the number 5 on it. There seems to be magazine pouches on the waist of the model similar to those of the [[Combine_"Sniper"_Elite | Combine Elite]], hinting that this model may have derived from the Elite or vice versa.
 +
===Screenshots===
 +
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 +
2000combine_original.png|Original image used in the presentation.
 +
2000combineb&w.png|Alternate clearer Black & White version.
 +
FPSCombineRecovered.png|Colored restoration of the Black & White image.
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
{{clear}}
 +
== Version 2: Pre-2002 ==
 
[[File:Version_1_borealis_zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 
[[File:Version_1_borealis_zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
This is the earliest version of the Combine Soldier that there are screenshots of. What makes this one distinct from the others is the visibly red eyes without fingerless gloves. It has the red arm-patch  in common with Versions 2-3, and helmet in common with Version 2.
+
 
 +
This is no longer the earliest version of the Combine Soldier that there are screenshots of. What makes this one distinct from the others is the visibly red eyes. It has the red arm-patch  in common with Versions 3-4, and the helmet and gloves in common with Version 3.  
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
soldiers.jpg
 
soldiers.jpg
 
</gallery><!-- get the frame from the 2002 trailer showing it off-->
 
</gallery><!-- get the frame from the 2002 trailer showing it off-->
== Version 2: E3_Hydra==
+
{{clear}}
 +
== Version 3: E3_Hydra==
 
[[File:Version_2_e3_hydra_zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 
[[File:Version_2_e3_hydra_zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
A strange version that is apparently a mishmash of Combine Soldier and early Counter-Strike assets<ref>[https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1521400&p=50895922&viewfull=1#post50895922 "those are hands from an early CS:S model slammed into the combine soldier for E3"]</ref>. While the helmet is white, it seems to be more detailed than Version 1's. This is the only shot it appears in.
+
 
 +
A strange version that is apparently a mishmash of Combine Soldier and early Counter-Strike: Source assets<ref>[https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1521400&p=50895922&viewfull=1#post50895922 "those are hands from an early CS:S model slammed into the combine soldier for E3"]</ref>. While the helmet is white, it seems to be more detailed than Version 2's. This is the only shot it appears in.
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
hydra.jpg
 
hydra.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
== Version 3: 2002 ==
+
{{clear}}
[[File:Version_3_zoomin_new_1.png|left]]
+
== Version 4: 2002 ==
[[File:Version_3_zoomin_new_2.png|left]]
+
[[File:Version_3_zoomin_new_1.png|thumb|left|350px]] [[File:Version_3_zoomin_new_2.png|thumb|right|350px]]
 +
 
 
The earliest version of the Combine Soldier we have the texture for. Unlike the earlier versions, this one has a navy blue helmet, and yellow eyes.  
 
The earliest version of the Combine Soldier we have the texture for. Unlike the earlier versions, this one has a navy blue helmet, and yellow eyes.  
  
 
The <code>Soldier_Stripped</code> from the Leak appears to be from this version. The pants textures from this version are identical, and the boot textures while moderately different, are still fairly similar. Oddly, the hand textures here are recycled directly from the [[Gasmask Citizen]].
 
The <code>Soldier_Stripped</code> from the Leak appears to be from this version. The pants textures from this version are identical, and the boot textures while moderately different, are still fairly similar. Oddly, the hand textures here are recycled directly from the [[Gasmask Citizen]].
  
 +
{{Clear}}
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
Prison_battle2.jpg
 
Prison_battle2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 
===Textures===
 
===Textures===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="125" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="125" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
== Version 4: Leak ==
+
{{clear}}
[[File:Version_4_zoomin3.png|thumb|left|350px]]
+
== Version 5: Leak ==
 +
[[File:V4 zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 +
 
 
The first (and last) early combine soldier we have the full model of. The helmet color has been changed to black, the emblem has changed to a blue-and-brown 314, and the eyes are now a darker, reddish brown.
 
The first (and last) early combine soldier we have the full model of. The helmet color has been changed to black, the emblem has changed to a blue-and-brown 314, and the eyes are now a darker, reddish brown.
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
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prison_orange2.jpg
 
prison_orange2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
{{Clear}}
 
===Textures===
 
===Textures===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="150" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="150" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
Combinesoldiersheet_2003_leak_noalpha.png|(Alpha channel removed)
 
Combinesoldiersheet_2003_leak_noalpha.png|(Alpha channel removed)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
== Version 5: Early 2004 ==
+
{{clear}}
[[File:Version_5_zoomin.png|thumb|350px|left]]
+
== Version 6: Early 2004 ==
 +
[[File:Version_5_zoomin.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 +
 
 
Far further along, this version of the Combine Soldier is nearly the final, but with some differences. The armor plates are the same color as the rest of the suit, and when comparing this to the final version, it has noticeably less shading.  
 
Far further along, this version of the Combine Soldier is nearly the final, but with some differences. The armor plates are the same color as the rest of the suit, and when comparing this to the final version, it has noticeably less shading.  
  
 
===Trivia===
 
===Trivia===
*Stangely, it is used instead of the final texture for the GMod player version of the Combine Soldier and the Zombine.
+
*Stangely, it is used instead of the final texture for the Zombine and GMod player version of the Combine Soldier.
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="150" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="150" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
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Antlions1_4.png
 
Antlions1_4.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
{{Clear}}
 
===Textures===
 
===Textures===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="200" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small">
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="200" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small">
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combinesoldiersheet_2004_early_gmod.png|GMod Combine Soldier player sheet
 
combinesoldiersheet_2004_early_gmod.png|GMod Combine Soldier player sheet
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
==Version 6: Retail==
+
 
 +
{{clear}}
 +
==Version 7: Retail==
 
<!-- the main reason I didn't already include it is that it's really hard to find stuff to write about -->
 
<!-- the main reason I didn't already include it is that it's really hard to find stuff to write about -->
[[File:Combinesolder_render1.png|thumb|350px|left]]
+
[[File:Combinesolder_render1.png|thumb|left|175px]]
This is the finalized version of the Combine Soldier in Half-Life 2, varying primarily in shading and plate color from Version 5. No official screenshots are known to exist of this, as the Combine Soldier changed to Version 6 fairly late in development.
+
 
 +
This is the finalized version of the Combine Soldier in Half-Life 2, varying primarily in shading and plate color from Version 6. No official screenshots are known to exist of this, as the Combine Soldier changed to Version 7 fairly late in development.
 
===Textures===
 
===Textures===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
combinesoldiersheet_final.png
 
combinesoldiersheet_final.png
 
</gallery>{{Clear}}
 
</gallery>{{Clear}}
==Version 7: Episode 2 Retail==
+
==Version 8: Episode 2 Retail==
This is final known version of the Combine Soldier in the Half-Life series. The the only difference between version 6 and version 7 is that version 7 has a dirt overlay in the texture sheet, to fit the outland theme of Episode 2. Apart from that, much is the same, even the shading is the same.
+
This is final known version of the Combine Soldier in the Half-Life series. The the only difference between version 7 and version 8 is that version 8 has a dirt overlay in the texture sheet, to fit the outland theme of Episode 2. Apart from that, much is the same, even the shading is the same.
 
===Textures===
 
===Textures===
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
<gallery hideaddbutton=true widths="300" orientation="none" spacing="small" position="center" bordersize="none" captionsize="small" >
 
combinesoldiersheet_ep2.jpg
 
combinesoldiersheet_ep2.jpg
 
</gallery>{{Clear}}
 
</gallery>{{Clear}}
 +
==Miscellaneous==
 +
[[File:Ep1 c17 020023.png|thumb|left|350px]]
 +
This early Combine Shotgunner texture was used while Episode 1 was still undergoing development under the name of "Half-Life 2: Aftermath."
 +
{{clear}}
 
==Texture Sheet Comparison==
 
==Texture Sheet Comparison==
 
We have 5 revisions in total.
 
We have 5 revisions in total.

Revision as of 00:55, 20 November 2020


The Combine Soldier is a transhuman enemy fought in Half-Life 2 and its episodes. It went through a long and diverse revision history, a lot of which pictures have been released for.

Concepts

There is a large amount of art of the Combine Soldier, much of it is radically different from any versions we see in-game.

Early Suit Designs

A few early concepts show different ideas for the Combine Soldier's design. For example, the "flames" soldiers reuse the head from some metrocop concept art.

Early Color Schemes

These are from a later point, when the general design of the Combine Soldier was decided on. Some of the concepts here experiment with a different head, along with coloration and smaller body details.

It's worth noting that in Half-Life 2 Survivor, the Combine medic models make some use of the alternate head designs.

Alternate head

Versions 1-3's order is speculation. If proof comes around, change 'em!

Version 1: 2000

CombineCloseup.png

This single screenshot of two Combine Soldiers located in the map c1a3a_port is the earliest known in-game screenshot of Combine Soldiers. This image was found in one of Lars Linden's presentations by c.marti on 18th November 2020. This version of the Soldier bares somewhat of a similar appearance to the Pre-2002 version, but having an overall browner coloration to it, as well as a unique armband that seems to have the number 5 on it. There seems to be magazine pouches on the waist of the model similar to those of the Combine Elite, hinting that this model may have derived from the Elite or vice versa.

Screenshots


Version 2: Pre-2002

Version 1 borealis zoomin.png

This is no longer the earliest version of the Combine Soldier that there are screenshots of. What makes this one distinct from the others is the visibly red eyes. It has the red arm-patch in common with Versions 3-4, and the helmet and gloves in common with Version 3.

Screenshots

Version 3: E3_Hydra

Version 2 e3 hydra zoomin.png

A strange version that is apparently a mishmash of Combine Soldier and early Counter-Strike: Source assets[1]. While the helmet is white, it seems to be more detailed than Version 2's. This is the only shot it appears in.

Screenshots

Version 4: 2002

Version 3 zoomin new 1.png
Version 3 zoomin new 2.png

The earliest version of the Combine Soldier we have the texture for. Unlike the earlier versions, this one has a navy blue helmet, and yellow eyes.

The Soldier_Stripped from the Leak appears to be from this version. The pants textures from this version are identical, and the boot textures while moderately different, are still fairly similar. Oddly, the hand textures here are recycled directly from the Gasmask Citizen.

Screenshots

Textures

Version 5: Leak

V4 zoomin.png

The first (and last) early combine soldier we have the full model of. The helmet color has been changed to black, the emblem has changed to a blue-and-brown 314, and the eyes are now a darker, reddish brown.

Screenshots

Textures

Version 6: Early 2004

Version 5 zoomin.png

Far further along, this version of the Combine Soldier is nearly the final, but with some differences. The armor plates are the same color as the rest of the suit, and when comparing this to the final version, it has noticeably less shading.

Trivia

  • Stangely, it is used instead of the final texture for the Zombine and GMod player version of the Combine Soldier.

Screenshots

Textures

Version 7: Retail

Combinesolder render1.png

This is the finalized version of the Combine Soldier in Half-Life 2, varying primarily in shading and plate color from Version 6. No official screenshots are known to exist of this, as the Combine Soldier changed to Version 7 fairly late in development.

Textures

Version 8: Episode 2 Retail

This is final known version of the Combine Soldier in the Half-Life series. The the only difference between version 7 and version 8 is that version 8 has a dirt overlay in the texture sheet, to fit the outland theme of Episode 2. Apart from that, much is the same, even the shading is the same.

Textures

Miscellaneous

Ep1 c17 020023.png

This early Combine Shotgunner texture was used while Episode 1 was still undergoing development under the name of "Half-Life 2: Aftermath."

Texture Sheet Comparison

We have 5 revisions in total.

References