Half Life 2 -I don't get it...

Weapons that felt like they were my Airsoft gun shooting BBs through cardboard cut-outs (with terrible sound fx to boot), enemy soldiers whose idea of good A.I was to stand there LIKE cardboard cut-outs, way too drawn out vehicle sections, a mute protagonist (yea yea, the player IS the character....whatever.....still boring as all hell), lack of music which zapped the atmosphere, and a world that felt sterile and dead.

I don't understand it either. I don't think it's a BAD game necessarily, but I do think it's entirely overpraised.

It was good when it came out. I guess it's maybe not aged so well. The physics, setting, characters and the way the game plays out from chapter to chapter were really well done.

its a really really overrated game. i mean its good but people put it on a pedestal because its valve mems_1224

Everyone is different. If we all liked the same thing this world would be boring.

For me I am a Half-Life lover. I most certainly place it on a pedestal in my mind because I have enjoyed the series so much.

I think one of the major factors for me going back time after time to play HL2 again is the level of immersion I feel moving through the game itself. Sure I know it is linear, but I get almost a zen like feeling when I play this game. Almost a sense of freedom. Hard to explain. But I just enjoy it.

Overrated...., such an over used word. Especially in the gaming community. I like how this game is dated, yet it beats modern games in many different ways. I like how this game is 7 years old and it has more physics than most of the games released today. I also like how it was so advanced in terms of visuals, in its time of course. This game has better graphics than both Saints Row. And the story, well you won't understand the story unless you've played Half Life.

Overrated...., such an over used word. Especially in the gaming community. I like how this game is dated, yet it beats modern games in many different ways. I like how this game is 7 years old and it has more physics than most of the games released today. I also like how it was so advanced in terms of visuals, in its time of course. This game has better graphics than both Saints Row. And the story, well you won't understand the story unless you've played Half Life.

el3m2tigre

Not to mention the EPIC struggle for mankind to survive insurmountable odds. While at the same time not really labeling itself as any particular country or super power. Thus giving it a familiar feel. Something a player can relate to :)

I got the Orange Box 3 years ago, but I've never beaten Half Life 2. I started it, but couldn't get into it, I got to the point where you're driving through the sewers getting chased by a chopper.

This weekend I thought, what the hell I'll give it another go. I read the background to Half Life 1 just because I know I'll never get a chance to play it, so I might as well know whats going on for Half Life 2.

All I've heard about this game is "Once you reach the Gravity Gun, it's THE best game you'll ever play"

Ok, so I thought that must have been why I missed out the first time! I never reached the Gravity Gun.

I reached the Gravity Gun, its cool and all, but I'm beginning to lose the drive and motivation to keep playing. I just don't understand whats so amazing about this game. I'm currently fighting off mutant zombies in this village. (I have to say the Gravity Gun + Razor Blade = Badass)

If I keep playing will I start feeling more immersed into the story? Does it get better or have I reached the point of awesome, but completely missed the point? or is this game only awesome because of the Gravity Gun?

(Ps I noticed G-Man is stalking me)

Mr_Pieman

I am at the exact situation as you, I like the game I think it's a good shooter for this era of games, but I, too, don't understand what's so special about the series. I know we're playing an 8 year-old game and I think that's the reason because once you go advance with technology it's hard to go back. If you compare it to current-gen games in technological perspective it's a standard shooter but I think I gotta keep playing the game eventually.

I am at the exact situation as you, I like the game I think it's a good shooter for this era of games, but I, too, don't understand what's so special about the series. I know we're playing an 8 year-old game and I think that's the reason because once you go advance with technology it's hard to go back. If you compare it to current-gen games in technological perspective it's a standard shooter but I think I gotta keep playing the game eventually.

Jack_240

It's not a shooter, more like a FPS adventure with puzzle elements. Shoot and cover never was HL2's selling point like it were CoD's or GoW's. It's a much deeper game than that, but I guess it's difficult to see these days when everything is so focused on action and gunplay (which I think is still excellent to this day in HL2 by the way).

Also, if you can, play it on PC. The console ports really doesn't do this game justice. HL2 wasn't made for dual analog. Freely aiming with the gravity gun, picking things up and quickly blasting them towards enemies etc. It's a huge part of the game, and it's so much simpler with a mouse.