Overwatch Nexus
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| Overwatch Nexus | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Constructed |
Before the Seven Hour War |
| Destroyed |
After the Uprising |
| Location | |
| Builder |
Unknown, refurbished by the Combine |
| Usage | |
| Era(s) | |
| Faction | |
| Game information | |
| Map(s) |
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| Designer(s) |
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- "There's an old building up ahead, a bank or museum or something like that. Whatever the hell it used to be, now it's a nexus for Overwatch in City 17."
- ― Barney Calhoun[src]
The Overwatch Nexus was a major building in City 17, representing the center of Overwatch forces and operations within the city. Having previously been a bank[1], it was later taken over by the Combine following the Seven Hour War.
Contents
Overview[edit]
The Combine had apparently been using the building as a headquarters for some time before the uprising, but after the Uprising, it became the Combine's main base of operations in the city and the primary rally point for the Combine forces. Its power is supplied by Combine power generators often found installed in fortified office rooms, as well as in some Combine-converted interiors. Atop the building is a device known as the Suppression Device, also known as the "Suppressor", not to be confused with the Combine Suppressor. It is a powerful weapon that functions much like a mortar, but instead of shells, it fires beams of concentrated Pulse energy capable of disintegrating living things, similar to the effects of the Energy Ball. Despite being the Overwatch headquarters, the building is somewhat neglected, with half of its circular dome collapsed. Combine walls seen attached to the Nexus on the outside could have been installed in an effort to reinforce the building.
Due to its importance, the Overwatch Nexus was well guarded by Combine Soldiers and an extensive electronic security system, consisting of Combine Ground Turrets (triggered by laser tripwires), Ceiling Turrets and Barricades.
Appearances[edit]
Half-Life 2[edit]
In the Half-Life 2 chapter "Follow Freeman!", Gordon Freeman and Barney Calhoun led a Resistance assault on the Overwatch Nexus. After heavy fighting, they breached its defenses and disabled all of the generators, deactivating the Suppression Device and opening the gates that were blocking access to the area, allowing reinforcements to flow in. When the Combine's reinforcements arrived, the fighting reached its peak as Resistance forces engaged several Striders in fierce combat on the steps of the Overwatch Nexus. The Battle for the Overwatch Nexus proved a decisive victory for the Resistance, and it arguably turned the tide of the Battle of City 17 in their favor. After the events of Half-Life 2 and Episode One, the abandoned Overwatch Nexus was probably destroyed when the Citadel exploded, along with much of City 17. A building that closely resembles it can be seen in the far distance at the beginning of Episode One, right after Dog lifts up the wrecked Gunship.
Related Achievements[edit]
| Half-Life 2 | |
|---|---|
|
Fight the Power (10G) |
| Shut down the suppression device by disabling its generators. | |
Behind the scenes[edit]
- The building's design was inspired by the Parliament of Serbia in Belgrade. In the Half-Life 2 files, several models related to the Overwatch Nexus contain the word "parliament", tightening the similarities between the two buildings. The window patterns are also reminiscent of the Reichstag.
- In the Half-Life 2 leak, the Overwatch Nexus is clearly identified as a former bank. Additionally, the soundscapes for the area feature "bank" in their names.
- The inscription inside the dome reads the Latin words "Per ardua ad astra nemine contradicente", which roughly translates to "Through struggle to the stars without dissent". "Per ardua ad astra" is the motto of the Royal Air Force.[2]
- The Combine Laser Trip-Mine-trapped room is reminiscent of the building found in the Topside Motorpool in Half-Life, in which Laser Trip Mines must be avoided at all costs.
Trivia[edit]
The Overwatch Nexus building is shown to be fortified with Combine walls in every map featuring its exterior, except for the last map where it is seen (d3_c17_12), where it appears completely untouched. This is a developer oversight.
Gallery[edit]
Pre-release[edit]
Temporary Hoppers before the Overwatch Nexus in the Half-Life 2 leak.
Ditto.
The Overwatch Nexus and its plaza in the Half-Life 2 leak.
Inside the Overwatch Nexus in the Half-Life 2 leak.
The Overwatch Nexus roof in the Half-Life 2 leak.
Closeup of the Suppression Device in the Half-Life 2 leak.
Retail[edit]
Inside one of the Overwatch Nexus' buildings.
The first Combine Ground Turret encountered in the Overwatch Nexus.
Ditto.
Ditto, sleeping state.
The lobby.
Ditto.
An armory in the Nexus.
Hallway guarded by Ground Turrets.
The Suppression Device.
Frontal view of the Suppression Device.
The Suppression Device power block.
Ditto.
The Overwatch Nexus' destroyed dome.
Ditto, closer view.
Rebels trapped behind a Force Field.
Rebels in Combine jail.
Simple generators in the Overwatch Nexus.
Ditto.
Ditto, in a Combine-converted hallway.
One of the three Energy Ball-powered generators in the Overwatch Nexus.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto, seen at the end of the guarded hallway.
Hallway with Wallace Breen's busts and Headcrab Shells.
Damaged hallway.
Guarded room with supplies.
Barney in a large storage room.
Laser used by Overwatch Soldiers to cut into the supply room.
Ditto.
The rooftop.
Ditto.
Ditto.
A Combine Heavy Door on the roof, held open by Barney.
A Combine Dropship flying by with a Strider.
Battle near the Overwatch Nexus.
Ditto.
Killled Rebels in the bunker.
Combine Soldiers moving to a position.
After the battle.
The possible remains of the Nexus at the start of Episode One.
List of appearances[edit]
Main games[edit]
- Half-Life 2 (First appearance)
- Half-Life 2: Episode One (Possible appearance)
Other[edit]
References[edit]
| Preceded by Kleiner's Lab (2) |
Half-Life 2 story arc journey | Succeeded by Citadel |
