Horribly overrated, but still fun enough a play-through
Half Life 2 looks amazing. Given the relatively low cost of the hardware needed to run it, this is no mean feat. Textures jump out at you, faces look and move realistically, and the physics are revolutionary. Things actually move (more or less) like they are supposed to. Virtually anything can be picked up. The thing that makes this all the more amazing is the gravity gun. A sort of quantum physics vacuum with a reverse switch, it allows the player to grab objects from afar and fling them back out again. This is pretty nifty, and one of the things that really got me to purchase the game.
Half Life 2 leaves much to be desired in the sound department. Nothing about the music is memorable. The sound effects are appropriate, and fit in decently. But otherwise there's not much to write about.
Half Life 2 plays JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FPS. Aside from the source engine which produces those nice visuals and the physics, it's still just an fps. It's deja vu all over again. If it weren't for the gravity gun, this game would have nothing special about it. I can't take too many points away for this though. The game does it's job, but ultimately, it's just another theme slapped onto the same genre. The story leaves much to be desired, especially the ending. What happens to Dr. Freeman? Maybe the newer Episode 1 & 2 games answer this. As for me, I don't really care one way or the other.
In conclusion, it's out at a budget price, and if I were a betting man, I'd bet a nickel your pc could run it. It's worth checking out. Just don't come into it expecting the ultimate gaming experience.