With that being said, On a Rail doesn't suck. You suck.

I hear lots of people complain about it and I don't get why. There are far worse chapters like Interloper and...all of Xen tbh.

The biggest complaint I see is that it's a linear level which is not true. I think it actually has the most boomer shooter level design in HL1. It's a maze that loops with branching paths. The other complaint is getting lost, and it specifically has landmarks for that reason.

On a Rail also introduces you to larger skirmishes between the HECU and Xen aliens. Some very fun close quarter engagements are on this map. Giving you some neat lil turrets to mess around with and cool battles to watch.

Thematically it's also a huge important chapter. It's when the HECU start taking Freeman as a serious threat. Some neat dialogue between two soldiers, the writing on the wall, turrets and mines placed.

It's also kinda creepy too. This old decommissioned railway, before the cascade. It's just been sitting there vacant until the aliens came along or surviving scientists. There's also these creepy ambient screams on the map too. I always thought they were ghosts.

The tram is optional. It is not needed to progress. You can walk along the side of the railing if you wanna skip through it. Or you can tank the damage and walk on it. You either get the safety of the tram or speed by going on foot.

One complaint I also see is it comes after two slogs of a chapter, Blast Pit and Power Up. I think it's refreshing. The goal of those two were to stop the giant set piece. Go one spot, go to another. On a Rail is just back to progression.

So yeah, that's my rant about a level from an old video game with macaroni art graphics. On a Rail is my favorite level in HL1.