Half-Life 2 successfully combines shooter and thriller in an unforgettable Orwellian plot of underground resistance.
The player follows the story of Gordon Freeman, an underground resistance fighter brought out of stasis to bring down the Combine, a multidimensional empire bent on world domination. As Freeman, the player must fight their way through an array of enemies, including Combine troops, robots, zombie alien headcrabs, etc.
While some missions require the player to escape or defend, most put Freeman on the offensive, kicking a$$ with crowbars, pistols, machine guns, and, of course, the gravity gun, until climaxing in City 17 with an all-out attack on Combine headquarters.
Being a first-person shooter, the guns in Half-Life 2 are important. Fortunately, they look real, sound real, and shoot great. Additionally, the physics engine makes the kill feel significant.
The icing on the cake is the game's story-telling outside of the action, which involves concentrated characterization, engaging dialogue, and a plot that reeks of epicness.
If you've never played Half-Life 2, put it on your bucket list. You'll be happy that you did!