Half-Life 2

How to define Half-life 2. Well first of all we must examine the source (excuse the pun). Half-Life was released in may 1998 to critical acclaim.It's unique blend of action and puzzles combined with the then revolutionary graphics it set the standard for all first person shooters from then onward. It ended with the choice between joining the mysterious G-Man in his unknown cause or certain death.
Half-life 2 once again see's us donning the crowbar wielding gloves of Gordon Freeman, theoretical scientist and alien killer. The game starts with G-Man's face against a background of flashing images. G-Man is typically vague and cryptic with what would seem to be his pep talk "the right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world" he muses before you are submitted to a blinding white light that finds you seemingly materialized on a train heading for city 17. This is where the adventure begins.

oooooh, physics objects

City 17 is one of the many Cities(presumably the seventeenth) to be under the militaristic yoke of the oppressive Combine soldiers, an alien race that have conquered humanity using the portals that you opened (half-life 1) to give the drop on us humans. I could just sit here telling you the plot, but that would be moronic of me as I would be ruining half of the fun for you, the reader because Half-life 2 is a massively plot driven game. Unlike many first person shooters out there which are sadly lacking in original story lines.
One of the first things you will notice is the atmosphere; Half-life 2 has the atmosphere down to a T, whether you are exploring the desolate housing estates where the fearful citizens live. Or creeping through the darkened streets of Ravenholm, jumping at every noise. You will be immersed almost immediately.

Being a sucker for shiny things and explosions I have decided to give a full section of this review to the havok physics engine that the games various objects are created using, not only giving you the freedom to fling random objects that you hate for no reason into walls, people, other objects etc. But also creating a whole new dimensions to the puzzles which will boil your noggin. Should you put the bricks on that or shoot that thing? the possibilities are endless, well, not really. But its still fun shooting toilets at people. Don't even pretend its not

Ravenholm, not a place to take the kids

At this point I should probably go into the bad points of Half-life 2. But being honest I can't seem to find any. The graphics (though out dated now) are good, the voice acting and facial expressions of the characters are excellent and the game play puts most games to shame. I could talk about this game for quite literally hours, I could big it up more and more until you attacked me with something sharp but the only way you can understand what I'm ranting about is to play it. Go out and get it now. Kill if you have to, just don't be without this game.
This is one of the few games that I would rate 10/10

sa_rocky · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Articles: 3 Comments: 1

I am playing it now but sometimes the characters r just stand up!! even the crows also