Half-Life 2:

The video game that started the modern generation on first-person shooters and revamped the gaming history into a new era. Originally released in November 2004, the game won multiple game of the year awards and branched game play mechanics, including physics and the state-of-the-art game engine that look realistic during its release date. Many people are aware on the game’s popularity and everlasting legacy including various jokes on the awaiting sequel (for many years), but the question remains: Why is this game popular?

The game takes place after the events from Half-Life. You play as Gordon Freeman, the silent protagonist who got a Ph.D. on theoretical physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and knows how to use weapons very effectively; a strange paradox for a character with such features yet highly popular and well-recognized. You are sent to City 17 by the G-Man, a mysterious person or a phenomenon with a mysterious and ambiguous agenda, to overthrow Wallace Breen and the alien oppressors, the Combine. The setting and lore in the Half-Life universe is simply the best, taking some influence from George Orwell’s 1984 or other famous dystopian novels to set the story in tone. Gordon’s influence and previous actions will spark oppressed citizens in City 17 to take arms and revolt against the Combine. From City 17 to the prison at Nova Prospekt, each setting is unique, bleak, but beautifully designed, the game simply defined what a video game should be.

Each NPCs and major characters such as Doctor Issac Kleiner, Barney Calhoun, and other characters interact realistically among each other and to you. In regards to Alyx Vance, your ally and companion, Valve spawned the concept of AI teammates and became a true asset in your journey to rally up the oppressed citizens. Besides good character developments, the best attribute for Half-Life 2 was physic interactions and the game engine. The game engine is Source, which feature high-dynamic range rendering, facial animations, and “realistic physics”; the first game that had such a feature like this.

First Impression:

At the very beginning I couldn't understand much because it was hell breaking down and there was a lot of running and shooting.. At the same time i couldn't stop emphasizing on how atmospheric the game was. When things calmed down, characters appeared and story line started making sense.. Amazing!

Level Design:

Half-Life 2, a la HL1, was an extremely linear game. I very rarely had a moment in which I thought 'I wonder where to go'. Hell, I didn't need a walk through until I decided to go for the achievements. As stated earlier, the game was genuinely challenging at times, largely due to enemy placement and terrain. The game's level design stayed largely true to the original. My thoughts when playing were very similar to the original; always thinking ahead. Considering where I should be going, what weapon to be holding, managing my health, ammo, etc. I think it's genuinely fun and exciting to progress through the game. You always find yourself in situations that force you to think. What is the best weapon for this situation? Where should I approach from? It rewards you for both thinking ahead and planning a strategy, and being able to think quickly, on the spot.

Weapons:

Despite the real life weapons (TBH crowbars never looked so badass!), there are weapons like Gravity Guns, Pulse Rifles and Bugbait seeds - Shotguns, Pistols and Assault Rifles - Bugbait seeds are seeds that help you manipulate and use against the enemies a specified species of monster (Antlions) that would otherwise attack you. Enemies have sniper rifles, but we never got our hands on them.

Music:

You need to hear the soundtrack. I don't care if your grandma turned into a potato. JUST HEAR THE SOUNDTRACK - THE MAIN THEME IS ALSO VALVE'S THEME! So whenever you start up a VALVE game you hear the starting of the theme. It's so wonderful to hear. It kicks me in the face with nostalgia every time I hear it.

Achievements:

Half-Life 2, along with its episodes, all have achievements. These ranged broadly, from simple (story achievements, such as obtaining the crowbar) to very hard (carrying a gnome through the entire game). It took me a collective 75 hours to obtain every achievement from Half-Life 2 and its episodes. Perfect for the achievement hunters out there - each achievement, while some challenging, were immensely entertaining to complete.

Positives:

• Interesting and gripping story.
• Incredible graphics for 2004.
• Well coded AI, creating exciting and fun battles.
• A range of weapons to choose from.

Negatives:

• Somewhat uncomfortable controls. (The game controls like a normal FPS, but in general FPS games have issues with controlling.)
• A very linear path throughout the game, giving little reason or prompt to explore the world.
• Lots of waiting for characters to open doors and such.
• As an extension of the above, inconsistent pacing. I'm fighting aliens in some intense combat, but now I've gotta wait for Alyx talk about stuff. I love the story, but it could be spaced out better.

The Trailer:

My Verdict:

95/100

Half-Life 2 is a masterpiece. One of my favorite games of all time, and an almost perfect followup to the original game. It stayed true to the original whilst innovating in interesting and unique ways. Half-Life 2 was nearly 50 hours of my life. I enjoyed every second of it. Do I recommend it? Of course I do.

There's a reason people have been begging for Half-Life 3 for a long time, and that is this game. The game is a blast to play and has a very compelling story line and characters that you can get emotionally invested in. The graphics have aged very very well and it is a very playable game today. If you enjoy the humor of the Portal games and just wanna shoot up some bad guys this is the game for you. Valve please make Half-Life 3 and take my money!

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