Half-Life 2 may not be as revolutionary as its predecessor, but it's still an experience that every gamer should have.
User Rating: 9.7 | Half-Life 2 PC
The wait is finally over. The sequel to the critically acclaimed Half-Life has finally reached store shelves, and it was well worth the time it took to get there. Though the gameplay elements are no longer as innovative as they were back in 1998, the introduction of the gravity gun, coupled with jaw-dropping graphics, more than make up for it. The first thing that players will notice when they finally get the game up and running are the graphics. They are simply phenomenal. Technically speaking, Doom III and perhaps Far Cry are running on more capable engines, though Half-Life 2's Source is certainly not a slouch in this area. The game takes advantage of most of the features that modern video cards provide. Fortunately, however, the game is capable of scaling all the way down to DirectX 7 level graphics, meaning those still running their computers with a GeForce4 MX can play through the game, minus the more robust effects. What sets the title apart from other recent games in this department is the artwork. The game takes place in City 17, a gorgeous setting featuring some of the most impressive architecture to grace a game yet. More astounding than the environment are the character models. Valve has created the most life-like character models to date. All of the characters that players encounter are extremely detailed and expressive. The subtle facial animations are nearly on par with modern CG films. As great as the graphics are, the gameplay is what makes Half-Life 2 a game that all should play. The forumla is very similar to Half-Life 1. Players will work their way through the game on a very linear path, and are never given the opportunity to explore. This is actually for the better. Because of the linearity, the game never loses its focus. As a result, players will have a tough time putting this one down until they complete it. In terms of play mechanics, the game is nearly flawless. The shooting sequences, which make up most of the game, feel spot on. The biggest addition here is the gravity gun. Players can use the gravity gun to pick up random objects and launch them at their enemies. This makes for some unique gun fights, and is a very refreshing aspect of the gameplay. The AI is solid, though after six years players might be expecting a bigger jump in quality. Beyond the core shooting sequences, players will also solve some simple enviornmental puzzles. These puzzles only pop up ocassionally, but they are quite good, most taking full advantage of the highly touted physics engine. The only blemishes in the game are the driving sequences. There are two of them: one in an airboat, and one in a dune buggy. The mechanics of the driving certainly aren't bad, but could definitely use improvement. These driving sequences are the only times in the game where players will feel somewhat detached from the experience. Players will probably not notice the sound in the game; a sign that it has been done very well. All of the weapons in the game sound significant. The voice acting is excellent. The music good, though players won't be humming it in their spare time. The storyline itself is not told particularly well. Many players will finish the game not really knowing what just transpired. However, Valve makes this work. Knowing only the premise, aliens are taking over earth and Gordon Freeman is leading the resistence, is enough. All of the story events in the game are done so well that players will not mind the fact that they never really know exactly what's going on. As far as value is concerned, people will be playing the game years from now. The single player is fairly long, lasting 20 hours or so depending on your skill level. Counter-Strike: Source, a graphical face lift to the extremely popular multiplayer mod made from the first Half-Life, is included. Counter-Strike tends to be a love-hate game, but the community is strong, and will likely stay that way for years to come. The real value of Half-Life 2 comes from the countless mods that will stem from it. The Source engine is a modder's dream come true, and if the first Half-Life is any indication, the game will see countless mods. Half-Life 2 is a massive achievement. The game is a combination of everything great about video games, and should not be missed by anyone who considers themselves a fan of the medium. 
