I finished "Half-Life 2."

[Twilight Wolf]

I finished "Half-Life 2" tonight. What a fantastic game... makes me sad that it's over. There are so many things about it that I think make it great - the story, which I found unique and well-written and did a great job of never boring me; the dialogue, which I also thought was well-written and performed excellently; the characters, each one a unique individual I grew to love (or hate!); the creatures, which were highly varied and always made me wonder just what could be lurking behind that door, waiting to jump out at me when I opened it; the whole atmosphere of the game, which always made me feel like I was being watched or chased and occasionally gave me quite a good scare (seeing blood on the walls in a darkened house, for example, always made me feel edgy); and the gameplay, which, while simple to learn your way around the game, often brought challenges that always gave me a sense of accomplishment when I got past them and made me look eagerly towards the next one, and it certainly was not a short game by any means. The graphics are quite advanced for the game's age (released in November of 2004, if I recall correctly), with detailed weapons, environments, enemies, and facial and body animations, and the Source engine provides realistic physics (including gravity and friction) and lighting properties, which caused the environments to draw me in even further.

I honestly can't really think of anything to complain about in this game, aside from the few technical issues present in the PlayStation 3 version that nothing can (or will, more accurately) be done about, and even those are easily overlooked.

As sad as I am to finish it, I am happy to have done so, as I can not only add "Half-Life 2" to the admittedly short list of games I've played completely through, but also start on "Half-Life 2: Episode One" and, eventually, "Episode Two." Hopefully by the time I finish those two "Episode Three" will be out and I will either have a new computer capable of gaming past "Quake III Arena" or Valve releases a PS3 version of it.

In all, "Half-Life 2" is incredible, and if you haven't played it, do so if at all possible, even if your only means of playing it is to buy an original Xbox for $50. You will not regret it.

P.S. This isn't considered blogging, is it? Because it's also a review and a game recommendation.

[XCVG]

You played the PS3 version?

HERETIC! TRAITOR!

Joking! Seriously though, I had a choice between upgrading my PC and getting a 360, really glad I went this way (upgrading PC). The PC is really strong in the shooter, strategy, and simulation sectors. Think of it as buying another console, because like it or not it's joined the echelons of gaming platforms. That being said, it can do a lot of other things too, and cranking up the settings on RiceVideo on Project64 looks amazing.

EDIT: DISCLAIMER: PC does not pwn, but it does not sux either.

[DJ711]

Really? I'll have to go buy it then.


The best game with the best plot I've played is Bioshock: Does anyone know who the main writer is for Bioshock? Cause I really want his/her autograph.


EDIT: Nevermind I found out who it was. It was Susan O'Conner for anyone who didn't know.

[vskid]

PC iz the pwns!

Seriously though, he was just saying that Half-Life 2 is an awesome game, not that PS3>PC or anything like that. I'm sick of you making your little comments about PCs supposedly being better than consoles in threads where no one else is discussing it. If you continue doing so, I will delete all such posts. If its a PC vs. console thread, you can talk about how much you love your PC, but nowhere else.

Back to the original topic...
I haven't played HL2 much, mainly just Deathmatch at school a couple years ago. I still need to play through HL1, then I'll find a way to play HL2.

[XCVG]

I never said PC pwns, although my post may have come off sounding that way, that was not the intent. I will add a disclaimer.

[Triton]

the half-life universe of games is probably some of the best written and designed first person shooters to ever exist. in HL2 and its episodes have some of the most emotive, realistic, and easy to empathize with characters of any game ive ever seen, including some RPGs and the like!

[ghosstt]

I've always wanted to play, but never have. Is HL1 free yet?

[samjc3]

I've always wanted to play, but never have. Is HL1 free yet?

no. its 10 bucks on steam, though it goes on sale often.

[bicostp]

It was 99 cents last fall, on the 10th anniversary of its release.

If you want Half-Life 1 on PC, get HL1:Source. It's the same price (I think), but it runs off the Source engine so you get the built-in demo recorder, and of course all the objects in the game in Garry's Mod.

[cowsgoquack101]

Did you also beat all of the episodes or is it just the main game?
I freaking love that game.

[XCVG]

I love HL2 too. Waiting for EP3.

[gannon]

Not sure, I'd call it blogging a bit, but even worse is the horribly non-descriptive title
I think I've played HL once or twice...can't remember...
I don't wander outside of 2D games much

[Twilight Wolf]

You played the PS3 version?

HERETIC! TRAITOR!

Hey, now, it's not like I had much of a choice... when playing the PC version, my laptop can't even get me past the into sequence where G-man puts you on the train into City 17. The PS3 had a version of "The Orange Box" available for it, and as I mentioned when I talked about "Episode Three," my laptop can't really handle anything past "Quake III Arena," so I think my reasoning for playing that version was quite obvious. And don't anybody bring up my choosing a PS3 over a 360; I had my reasons for it and I'm still quite happy with my choice.

Did you also beat all of the episodes or is it just the main game?

The main game. Started on "Episode One" after I wrote that review, though. Pretty awesome so far aside from some framerate issues and one hard freeze... Feels very much like it's the same game, in a good way, of course. Alyx's zombie jokes made me giggle, no lie.

Not sure, I'd call it blogging a bit, but even worse is the horribly non-descriptive title

Haha, I'll fix that.

Also, note that I haven't finished the original "Half-Life" yet. In fact, I started on "Half-Life 2" about a month before I got "Half-Life," but I never had any problems following the story. You might get lost at some of the references in-game if you've never played the original, but as long as you know the basic story of "Half-Life," you'll do fine.

[jones]

I really need to finish off HL2 one of these days. Haven't played it in ages, but enjoyed what I did make it through.

[XCVG]

You played the PS3 version?

HERETIC! TRAITOR!

Hey, now, it's not like I had much of a choice... when playing the PC version, my laptop can't even get me past the into sequence where G-man puts you on the train into City 17. The PS3 had a version of "The Orange Box" available for it, and as I mentioned when I talked about "Episode Three," my laptop can't really handle anything past "Quake III Arena," so I think my reasoning for playing that version was quite obvious. And don't anybody bring up my choosing a PS3 over a 360; I had my reasons for it and I'm still quite happy with my choice.

Also, note that I haven't finished the original "Half-Life" yet. In fact, I started on "Half-Life 2" about a month before I got "Half-Life," but I never had any problems following the story. You might get lost at some of the references in-game if you've never played the original, but as long as you know the basic story of "Half-Life," you'll do fine.

Relax, I was only joking. Though I would never abandon my PC for a PS3 (maybe for a 360 if there was a gun to my head) I think it's just fine that you played the PS3 version. Much better than not playing it at all, of course.

If your computer can run Q3 Arena, it can probably run Half-Life 1. Don't buy HL Source, if HL2 doesn't work it won't either. You might be able to get Source games to run by forcing DX8.1 mode, what is your graphics chipset?