What's so great about Half Life 2

Everything. Story, characters, gameplay. Also, the way they were able to make a shooter that was "linear" while still keeping environments very "open". It's amongst the top 5 games I've ever played, sitting at #2.BioShockOwnz

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Everything. Story, characters, gameplay. Also, the way they were able to make a shooter that was "linear" while still keeping environments very "open". It's amongst the top 5 games I've ever played, sitting at #2.Toriko42

[QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Everything. Story, characters, gameplay. Also, the way they were able to make a shooter that was "linear" while still keeping environments very "open". It's amongst the top 5 games I've ever played, sitting at #2.C-Lee

Agreed. Some people just don't "get" Half-Life. I dig more intellectual games.

[QUOTE="Toriko42"][QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Everything. Story, characters, gameplay. Also, the way they were able to make a shooter that was "linear" while still keeping environments very "open". It's amongst the top 5 games I've ever played, sitting at #2.C-Lee

[QUOTE="C-Lee"][QUOTE="Toriko42"] I don't feel as if it's very open, the envrioments aren't even that cool. The story is bland like I said and the gameplay is absolutely nothing specialBioShockOwnz

Agreed. Some people just don't "get" Half-Life. I dig more intellectual games.

It's a GOOD game...maybe that's the problem. Maybe you only like bad games...try Big Rigs.MADVLAD123

I HATED HL2 when it first came out. But only over time, as I started to observe the games subtleties, did I actually begin to like it. It took years for me to "get" the game. And now I think it's brilliant.

So I can undertsnad why you didn't like it. I too felt the AI was underwhelming. Especially after the marines in HL1.

But the Hunters in Episode 2 are the equivalent of the marines. They are amazing.

I HATED HL2 when it first came out. But only over time, as I started to observe the games subtleties, did I actually begin to like it. It took years for me to "get" the game. And now I think it's brilliant.

So I can undertsnad why you didn't like it. I too felt the AI was underwhelming. Especially after the marines in HL1.

But the Hunters in Episode 2 are the equivalent of the marines. They are amazing.

organic_machine

[QUOTE="organic_machine"]

I HATED HL2 when it first came out. But only over time, as I started to observe the games subtleties, did I actually begin to like it. It took years for me to "get" the game. And now I think it's brilliant.

So I can undertsnad why you didn't like it. I too felt the AI was underwhelming. Especially after the marines in HL1.

But the Hunters in Episode 2 are the equivalent of the marines. They are amazing.

Toriko42

Well, just get through it. Sorry if that advice is rough! There are plenty of worse games. Just play some really terrible shooters and then go back and get through HL2.

Let me tell you, Episode 1 is crap. But Episode 2 is IMO right up there with the original HL1.

And maybe this will help: The BEST thing about HL2, is that th3 devs put details into the things that most players wont notice. As you play, look for things. It is a very subtle game.

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

But seriously, I'm quite tired of stating why I love Half Life 2 so much. The length, story, pacing, characters, gameplay, enviroments, originailty, basically Half Life 2 has got it. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail as to why I think it's so good, but I just don't feel liked explaining it all over again.

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

WasntAvailable

I am saving that for a future sig!:D

Some people just don't 'get' HL2.

You have to remember its a 4 year old game now so to some people the gun play may seem a little bland (even though i never found this the case but hey) that said its still in my top 5 best games of all time.

For one the thing graphics still hold up to this day, its style is still the most realistic of any game i have ever played and yet has a great subtle beauty and uniqueness about it, from the creepy darkness of ravenholme, the layered technology of city 17 that makes it really seem near-future or the ruined post opocoliptic look of city 17 when you return to it. it all looks varied and gorgeous.

The story isn't very heavy but its intriguing all the same, its vagueness makes you want to play on whilst the game drops subtle hints at you and plays out all its dialogue and cut scenes completely in-engine with the player keeping full control all the way through the game.

The game was ahead of its time and i think if you can not appreciate its brilliance I feel a little sorry for you. :(

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

But seriously, I'm quite tired of stating why I love Half Life 2 so much. The length, story, pacing, characters, gameplay, enviroments, originailty, basically Half Life 2 has got it. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail as to why I think it's so good, but I just don't feel liked explaining it all over again.

WasntAvailable

[QUOTE="WasntAvailable"]

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

But seriously, I'm quite tired of stating why I love Half Life 2 so much. The length, story, pacing, characters, gameplay, enviroments, originailty, basically Half Life 2 has got it. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail as to why I think it's so good, but I just don't feel liked explaining it all over again.

JangoWuzHere

Because every game is love/hate. Let's face it, not everyone loves Halo, but alot of people do, but then alot of people hate it also. All you have to do is apply this to pretty much anything. Even games like SotC are love/hate. Not that you will see anyone admit that here, unless they have a really good flame shield.

If you played it when it first came out it would have been way better. I got it the day it was released and at the time it was the best looking game I've ever seen. And when I was first introduced to the Source engine physics I was blown away. Maybe it's lost some of it's luster over time, I'll have to play through it again.BobRea

Half Life 2 is one of the best FPS of all time.

Amazing story, good atmsophere, great characters and good gameplay.

Saying Half Life 2 deserves a 5/10 is very silly... try beating the game first.

It did get repetitive for me at times,but it was still a good game.The ending makes up for it,believe me.AtomicBaconBits

[QUOTE="AtomicBaconBits"]It did get repetitive for me at times,but it was still a good game.The ending makes up for it,believe me.Rahnyc4

I keep trying to play this game but it bores me beyond tears. There is little that is good in this game and honestly I've put it off for so long because so many other games look better but now that I'm finally playing it what the hell was the hype about.

Goods:

- Looks Nice
- Controls alright except for...
- Neat characters like Alyx
- Decent Envrionments

Bads:

- Controls in driving are weak, driving sequences weak overall
- Gordon Freeman is as stale as yesterdays oatmeal, worst character I've seen in a long time
- Apart from the gravity gun the weapons are uninteresting
- Enemy is stupid on the standard difficulty
- Anti-climactic
- Poor story in every shape or form, I have no care for it at all even though I get what's going on. None of the plot twists have even impacted me one bit
- Derivitive, I know it's an FPS but it feels so repetitive.
- There are some annoying platforming and puzzling like that sequence with the crane, what was the point?


So tell me hermits, what was so great about this. I've played up to the end of the prison and at this moment I give it a 5.0 out of 10

Does it get better or is this game just a dud

EDIT: Yes I played Half Life 1 when it came out 10 years agoToriko42

If you honestly have to ask that question then you know NOTHING about video games.

[QUOTE="Toriko42"]I keep trying to play this game but it bores me beyond tears. There is little that is good in this game and honestly I've put it off for so long because so many other games look better but now that I'm finally playing it what the hell was the hype about.

Goods:

- Looks Nice
- Controls alright except for...
- Neat characters like Alyx
- Decent Envrionments

Bads:

- Controls in driving are weak, driving sequences weak overall
- Gordon Freeman is as stale as yesterdays oatmeal, worst character I've seen in a long time
- Apart from the gravity gun the weapons are uninteresting
- Enemy is stupid on the standard difficulty
- Anti-climactic
- Poor story in every shape or form, I have no care for it at all even though I get what's going on. None of the plot twists have even impacted me one bit
- Derivitive, I know it's an FPS but it feels so repetitive.
- There are some annoying platforming and puzzling like that sequence with the crane, what was the point?


So tell me hermits, what was so great about this. I've played up to the end of the prison and at this moment I give it a 5.0 out of 10

Does it get better or is this game just a dud

EDIT: Yes I played Half Life 1 when it came out 10 years agosvetzenlether

If you honestly have to ask that question then you know NOTHING about video games.

If you honestly have to ask that question then you know NOTHING about video games.

svetzenlether

I'm surprised to hear alot of people saying that they don't like HL2... I thought it was a fantastic game and probably my equal first favourite game ever (with San Andreas). It's definitely the best FPS I've played, and I judge all other FPS's I play against HL2.

Whats not to like about it.... It's got a fantastic story, the weapons are fantastic (gravity gun is revolutionary & the rocket launcher was awesome too) and the best thing I loved about the game was the sheer scope of it. The variations between fighting different Combine (from soldiers to those awesome Stryders), aliens (headcrabs, ant lions etc). So much variety!

I'm gonna have to go play it now!

There's nothing that I can say to make you like Half-Life 2. You played it and you didn't like it. That's your opinion, and nothing some dude on an internet message board tells you is going to change that. However, tons of people played Half-Life 2 and did enjoy this. You making this thread is not going to make them suddenly look back and say "Oh wait, I thought I had fun playing that game, but you've convinced me that I wasn't having fun!".

They're opinions, and no amount of explaining is going to change them. Personally, I loved the game's focus on puzzling, but that's just me.

[QUOTE="BobRea"]If you played it when it first came out it would have been way better. I got it the day it was released and at the time it was the best looking game I've ever seen. And when I was first introduced to the Source engine physics I was blown away. Maybe it's lost some of it's luster over time, I'll have to play through it again.Brainkiller05

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

But seriously, I'm quite tired of stating why I love Half Life 2 so much. The length, story, pacing, characters, gameplay, enviroments, originailty, basically Half Life 2 has got it. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail as to why I think it's so good, but I just don't feel liked explaining it all over again.

WasntAvailable

I would replace this with Valve. Valve is the King Midas of gaming, everything they touch is gold(even if it's not). Look at L4D, just because it's associated with Valve, a series of if/else statements becomes "the most innovative AI ever!".

On topic, HL2 is an great game, although I think it would be harder to appreciate if you first play it now rather than when it came out.

[QUOTE="WasntAvailable"]

Half Life 2 is love/hate. Basically if you don't love it, everyone hates you.

But seriously, I'm quite tired of stating why I love Half Life 2 so much. The length, story, pacing, characters, gameplay, enviroments, originailty, basically Half Life 2 has got it. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail as to why I think it's so good, but I just don't feel liked explaining it all over again.

ANeuralPathway

I would replace this with Valve. Valve is the King Midas of gaming, everything they touch is gold(even if it's not). Look at L4D, just because it's associated with Valve, a series of if/else statements becomes "the most innovative AI ever!".

On topic, HL2 is an great game, although I think it would be harder to appreciate if you first play it now rather than when it came out.

Nah, I only played it recently and I could quite easily see what made, and still makes it, so great.