You know, I like Half Life 2 and it feels weird that I have to essentially pick on its faults. Again, I repeat, I DO like the game, and each of its episodes. Anyway, despite people saying otherwise, let it be said: The story of Half Life 2 is outrageously meh.

Say what Chef? Are you saying that HL2's story honestly sux? But I say its teh best story evar!

Well sort of. I do not think its story is bad. That being said, its story is in no way anything great.
I believe that the people who think HL2's story is great don't understand what they think-> it has good presentation, not a good story.

People will quote moments like arriving in City 17, the various talks with the doctor, teleporting, etc.

These are not story. This is called presentation. The story of HL2 is actually quite meh. Arrival into city. Wandering...wandering...wandering..blow of reactor...(hl2)...escape city 17 (episode one).... get to the lab (episode 2). Yes, I do simplify this a tad, but the story is really not much more deep. It's quite literally a story about escaping from essentially a tolitarian govern. housing regiment and escaping. That's it. THe story is bad. The presentation isn't however. And remember, the game itself is quite good.

[QUOTE="jasonharris48"]

I know that, as a writer, Sterling leaves a lot to be desired... But are his criticisms of Heavy Rain valid?WAIW

You mean that sarcastic joke article about Heavy Rain and Deadly Premonition..?

You know. With underrated games, there's sort of a been there, understood feeling. Lost Odyssey is fully understood I believe. Same with Kameo, Blue Dragon,etc. Even stuff like Too Human, Earth Defense Force, etc. is brought up and understood.

However, there are some games that don't ever get brought up in these underrated gems game threads. So post those away. And come on-- be smart about it.

Mine:

Alone in the Dark- Yes, it is a tad glitchy. The controls are frustrating at first (mainly movement), and the third person camera feels off at first. However, once you get to grips with this game and getuse tothem,you find the game underneath and boy its a beut (sp?). There's not much like it. Basically, it has many inventive elements--> combining items, blinking(more than you think if you play later), light, damage through physics, fire,etc. However, what I like most is the presentation of the story. It takes birth in 8 independent episodes, each following a plot. Think of it as how 24, Lost, etc. SHOULD be. A tightly woven story spread out in episodes. Yes, the evidence of a rushed game is evident--> it was probably meant to be 8 seperate DLC releases (it feelswholely disjoint rolling credits after each one) and there's a simple lack of polish in some areas and an astounding amount in others. However, when all is said and done, it's a fantastical creative story driven action game. Perhaps the game is best described in the non-playable "last time on" sequence that playseach time you load it up (a different one each episode). Also, if the camera bothers you that much (you play it in first person majorly anyway), the Inferno edition on the Ps3 lets you move the camera and use melee interaction with R1+ right stick. Not really different, but some people have trouble getting over this. It's honestly....not bad at all people. Anyway, overall, if you can put up with its issues which really turn out to be overcomable, I believe you'll find one of the more interesting games this generation.

And for those wondering, yes, Alan Wake does remind me of this game. That's a good thing for Alan Wake. This quality + complete polish = awesomesaucier