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Landmark FPS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: March 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

You'd be hard-pressed to find a person who isn't a fan of the gameplay and storyline of Half-Life. Half-Life two is regrettably an inferior story, but is still thoroughly engaging. The graphics, physics and AI are groundbreaking, and even 2 years or so since it was released, it is still technically superior to most games out there.

*** minor spoilers follow ***

STORY

You are Gordon Freeman, awakened after years (?) of inactivity since the resonance cascade was created in Half-Life. Aliens now control the world, with a human puppet enforcing law from the Citadel, a giant structure in the middle of City 17, where most of the game takes place.

You fight human and alien alike to assist the resistance forces, and ultimately storm the Citadel in a brilliant final level. But first, you have to deal with zombified towns, devlish alien aircraft, vicious ground-dwelling creatures, and a break in and out of a maximum security prison. All in a day's work for Gordon.

Along the way, you are assisted by familiar scientists, including Eli Vance, and his daughter Alyx. You'll command a strong array of weapons, teleport, and manipulate gravity with the aptly named gravity gun.

PROS

- Beautiful looking game. Realistic to a fault.
- Diverse array of enemies to fight.
- Many different environments to fight in. Look for "Ravenholm"- the first time through it is truly a harrowing experience.
- NPC (non-player characters) are very detailed and mostly intelligent.
- Vehicles; a little frustrating but mostly very enjoyable and responsive

- Last two levels: the game designers did something brilliant; the second to last level is a massive firefight against boss-like "striders" armed with destructive weapons. They are easy to beat once you figure them out, but initially you will be in for a good fight as you explore the map and learn ammo locations. That is the "final" level. The last level is quite easy by comparison, and allows the player to take advantage of otherworldly powers in a series of grand battles. I found myself with my heart in my throat feeling ever-so-powerful as I destroyed mob after mob with powerful globes of energy. It's a great way to end the game.

CONS

- Too much of the story feels contrived. The first Half-Life immersed you in a world where everything was wrong but you never doubted how one thing led to another. There were almost no explanations given, and little assistance from NPCs as you went from world to world. In HL2, you never get the utter despair of being alone, helpless, and fighting for survival in a world gone crazy. Big caveat- the game is still very strong and immersive.

- NPC AI from human characters fighting alongside. Alxy, a main character, is mostly alot of fun and a big help. Other NPCs feel like a nuisance.

I've heard alot of complaints about Steam (distribution software for HL2). Personally, I have had no issues to date and have used it for numerous games.

Overall, highly recommended.

Greatest game ever made. Period.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If you love first person shooters, this game is a MUST HAVE. The story is great, the AI of friendly NPCs is superb (they're actually helpful and get out of your way when you're trying to move around or shoot) and the AI of enemy NPCs is no less impressive. The physics and graphics are so realistic that you truly feel like you're there (which can be frightening at times).

I've played dozens of FPS games over the years, this is the best hands down. The graphics and sound effects are awesome, and the gameplay is even better. The storyline keeps the game moving, and there is never a dull moment. They even manage to add a good bit of humor throughtout the game that will leave you laughing. (listen for Barney to mention the cat) It took them 6 years to make this game, and all the effort put into creating this game shows.

PROS
Well-rounded weapon selection (I love the .357 revolver)
Gravity Gun - you can pick up nearly anything and use it as ammo
Intelligent AI
Awesome graphics/sound effects
Realistic Physics
Long game - you might be able to finish it in a week... if you do nothing but play games all day
After it's installed, you don't need the cd in your computer to run it

CONS
Higher end computer is recommended - check the system requirements
Must download updates from steam and register before you can play - this takes forever if you're on dial-up, but it's well worth the effort

Beautifully Paced and Rendered... And Totaly Immersive

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 29, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Without a doubt, one of the absolute best games ever made. The physics, graphics, gameplay and characters are all vastly superior to 99% of the action games out there. As in the first Half Life, you assume the role of Gordon Freeman, (right where the first game left off.) Unlike the first game, this game looks like it game from the future... It's like playing through REAL enviroments. It's bright and colorful like Halo, but at times deeply textured and dark like Resident Evil 4. Basically, these graphics ARE the best I've ever seen... ever. As far as controls, they are completely slick, leaving nothing to be desired.
BUY THIS!

As Good As It Gets

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Half-Life 2 is a game that made me believe in first-person shooters again. I have to admit, it's not my favorite genre of gameplay (run, jump, shoot everything, repeat). This game goes above and beyond what this genre can be.

Half-Life 2 comes across as a living breathing world, a world where extra-dimensional aliens have taken the Earth, and the remaining humans are living in internment camp/cities or joining the resistance. The character designs and voice-acting are top-notch, the controls are fluid and easy, and the Havok engine means you get to interact with almost every random object on the screen. I loved using the 'gravity gun' to hurl a can of paint at a head-hugger zombie, and having the paint make a nice splatter that remained on its torso while it pursued me, for example. Little real world details abound, from birds overhead, combine officers chatting off-camera, civilians muttering about their plights, trains in the distance, combine propaganda posters covered with graffiti, etc.

Don't expect enemies that expose themselves and just stand there, either. These enemies DO use cover, and WILL attempt to flank you.

Valve's Steam server is also a great addition if you're an avid gamer, BTW. They own a lot of great older titles (Deus Ex, The Longest Journey, Pirates!, to name a few) that you can download, and the server usually does a PC scan to optimize your graphics settings for the best gameplay. Plus you can delete them for space and re-download them anytime.

I used to use a NVidia 7300 LE graphics card, which is pretty basic, and this game still ran great.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: November 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Once you have downloaded Steam, you can be playing this game in ten minutes, even with the registration. There are no router configurations unless you are running a server. Steam has it's problems, but there is no other host on the web that is better. I have been playing this game since Jan 07, I run a dedicated server on the web and have 41 games/mods to go with it not counting the free maps (single player and Death Match). This is the most versatile game system in the world. The modifications are endless. They even have a modification system to build your own maps (free). Do not listen to the whining of these reviews. If you can operate your computer and follow directions, you will be playing the No. 1 game in the world. The support is extensive and there is a live chat and e-mail services with it. If you are a novice to gaming, there are thousands of forums with people that are willing to teach you anything you want to know. Do not save the two dollars on a used disc, get a new one for $18 from Amazon or download from Steam and the registration and loading are automatic ($20). Cheaper is not always better. You can download Steam for free (steampowered.com)

I repeat.....if you listen to these people crying about Steam, you will miss out. Trust me.

Wahoo!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is a very very fun game.

I don't know how people are having problems with Steam. I had a Steam account from earlier so I just had to log in with my user/pass, put in the activation code, and then it updated the game and within 30 minutes of putting the DVD in I was playing.

From what I had read on the issue however, is it is better to make your account before rather then during.

On another note, the benefit of having the Steam account, any computer I go to I can log into steam, double click half-life 2, download it, then play it. Or any other game you have bought and uses Steam.

For the gameplay, it is fabulous. I couldn't be playing any more of a fun game. However the only time I really play is into the late evening so like on FEAR and Doom3, I had to take breaks.

I also have beat Episode 1, and it was just as good. Granted I knew the ending of HL2 before I played it.

Also my computer specs are:

Athlon XP 2800, 1 gig Kingston Performance DDR memory, Asus Nvidia 6800 512DDR2 (However with the core that is on it I was able to unlock two pipelines on the card through software thus it was better then most 6800's out there.)

I ran it high details 1280x1024, everything set up max. Not a single problem. Everything ran perfect, couldn't have been more happy. Although now I am fully upgrading my system and will see how fun Garrysmod will be.

Overall I must say this is a great game and for the price you can't beat it with all the mods out there.

Awesome!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 21, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is a wonderful game. Great plot, great graphics, and just an all around fun time. This game creates an environment that pulls you in. This game is also one to freak you out, and get your heart going.
I give this game two thumbs way up.

Great game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: November 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

It was way more than I was expecting. Too fun, I am hooked on half-life

a gamer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 6
Date: September 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

The review score of this game proves that you CAN NOT trust amazon reviewers. An average of 3??? Are you kidding me? You can't actually be serious. There is no way this game is mediocre and its not just me who believes this game is a great game. Go to any gaming website and this game would not get below an 80%. Most of the time its 90 and above. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE!

Half Life 2

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: October 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Half Life 1 was probably my all time favorite game. This comes a little farther down the line, but still a great game and tons of fun!

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