Half-Life 2 Review
Well, it's been almost one full week since I purchased Half-Life 2 , and in that time, I've managed to set aside around 18 total hours to play this game from start to finish. Valve has truly created an interactive masterpiece...one that will no-doubt set the bar for other first-person games for quite some time. In the process, they've created a top-notch game engine that renders stunning environments that put both Doom 3 and FarCry to shame. I'm very much looking forward to future games that leverage the power of the Source engine.
Like many people, I spent about 40 minutes Tuesday night trying to connect to Valve's Steam internet service to activate my copy of Half-Life 2. I received various arcane errors that made it obvious to me that Valve hadn't planned very well for the onslaught of traffic they received on the first day. Needless to say, I was quite frustrated. Not only had I been waiting for 5+ years, but the box and DVD were in my hands! It surprises me that Valve doesn't have a 30-day grace period like Windows XP product activation. Anyway, after a bit of persistence, I was finally able to activate and fire up the game.
I was elated to discover that I could configure the game to run at 1,920 x 1,200, the native resolution of my recently purchased 23" Sony LCD monitor. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that the game recommended setting everything to "high" for my dual Opteron workstation. Running the video performance benchmark that's included with Counter-Strike: Source reveals that my system is capable of around 70fps at these settings...more than enough for smooth game play. I guess I made the right decision to delay my computer purchase until this release.
Unlike the original Half-Life, Half-Life 2 doesn't include a separate training level. Instead, it introduces new concepts as you play the game. When you encounter a situation that warrants the use of a new feature, the system displays a short message on the screen telling you which key to press to access the functionality. They really did a good job with this, because the situations don't seem contrived, and they provide just enough to get you used to the new feature.
There is a very deep sense of immersion into the environment. As I mentioned, the graphics are downright stunning. Even my wife (who isn't a game player at all) was impressed with the quality and watched me play for a little while. The shadows, light, and surface reflectivity all lend an air of realism to the scenery, and there are some scenes that are nearly photographic. The audio is also extremely good. I was immediately thrown back to the original Half-Life game when I heard some of the very familiar sounds. Also, the weapon effects have a satisfying depth that I found missing in Doom 3.
On top of all that, the game physics add even more to the realism (courtesy of the Havok engine). For example, you can push and lift many of the boxes and barrels in the game world, and this capability is used for some very clever puzzles. You eventually get a "gravity gun" that allows you to pick up or push much heavier items like refrigerators, televisions, and rusted-out cars. There's nothing like "throwing" an old car at a group of approaching enemies and watching the ensuing rag doll physics. Priceless.
Unfortunately, I frequently encountered the nefarious stuttering problem that has plagued so many players. But, unlike many of them, I decided to continue playing despite the fact that it tends to jar you away from the storyline. The only other negative that I can think of is the simplicity of game play on even the medium difficulty level. Although I had to replay a few areas many times, for the most part, it was nothing like my experience with Doom 3 or FarCry. This is a minor complaint, since it's still a fantastic journey.
Overall, Half-Life 2 is an excellent title. If you're a fan of first-person shooters, or if you like interactive fiction, this is a worthwhile purchase. It's smarter and brighter than Doom 3, more moody and beautiful than FarCry, and miles ahead of Halo 2 (which isn't a totally fair comparison, since Halo 2 is limited by the aging Xbox hardware). This is truly one of the best games I've ever played, and as a matter of fact, it might become the first game that I play through a second time. Kudos to Valve for a very polished and immersive experience.
If you'd like to read another perspective, I found Scott Hanselman's review to be both unique and insightful.
Comments
Anonymous
November 23, 2004
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November 23, 2004
I did try to overclock the Opterons, but I had little success. From what I've read, they're more difficult to successfully overclock than something like the FX chips. I'll probably try it again when I can follow a more rigorous process.Anonymous
November 23, 2004
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November 24, 2004
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November 25, 2004
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November 27, 2004
Well Dave Half-life 3 is already planned sorry for the spolier, and its gonna be another clifhangerAnonymous
November 27, 2004
A very good review and I agree with most aspects of it, great gameplay, graphics, good AI, but what impress' me the most is the real world physics with objects, people etc very cool. Played it on hard difficulty and completed it in around 19 hours. Best chapter was Nova Prospect for me. Anyway... seems I was not the only 1 alittle dissapointed with the ending, execting a momentous battle of alien proportions, what we got was a fairly unthrilling and simple one, "ending" seems to be the wrong word. But even though ending was very questionable I enjoyed playing HL2 alot, will become the basic of every other game in its genre from now on!Anonymous
November 27, 2004
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November 28, 2004
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November 28, 2004
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November 28, 2004
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November 28, 2004
Hl2 was quite interesting(took me about 10-15 hours of gameplay to finish it). The gameplay was entertaining, tho it has a lot of bugs and glitches. Graphics still could not come even close to what doom 3 can offer. Overall not a bad game kinda like Red Faction.Anonymous
November 28, 2004
I'm surprised that you think that Doom 3 has better graphics. I'd definitely put Half-Life 2 above Doom 3 in that category. There are scenes in Half-Life 2 that could almost be photographic. There's nothing like that in Doom 3.Anonymous
November 28, 2004
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November 29, 2004
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November 29, 2004
Does anybody no when Half Life 2 is coming out for XBOX.Anonymous
November 29, 2004
Lot of comments I have to agree with - specifically the end - I was expecting ALOT more trouble.
As for the graphics - I think that Doom3 was better - the detail in D3 was fantastic - compare ANY still in D3 with HL2 and there is no contest (ok - except for the severed heads in D3, and I guess the fact that D3 was always in enclosed spaces helped). Far Cry had a much better gameplay than D3 and HL2 'cause you could go almost anywhere - great fun trying to go back through FC a different way each time.
But HL2 wins hands-down on the physics engine - well done Havoc boys - and if you could cmbine all 3 of the above - then WOW, that would be good.
Overall - loved the game - and will NOT be selling my copy on eBay!!
skiAnonymous
November 29, 2004
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November 30, 2004
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December 01, 2004
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December 02, 2004
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December 02, 2004
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December 02, 2004
halo 2 is much betterAnonymous
December 02, 2004
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December 02, 2004
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December 03, 2004
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December 03, 2004
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December 03, 2004
Halo 2 has the best graphics, storyline, shooting, and best main character in all of video games! It will be game of the year, and will make Half Life 2 suffer a long painful death.Anonymous
December 05, 2004
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December 05, 2004
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December 05, 2004
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December 06, 2004
Awesome game and graphics, I thought the AI was pretty decent but the ending was horrible and left me feeling violated. I thought I had a few days left of playing and now nothing. Maybe I'll re-install Doom 3 and try and make it past the 3rd level without going to sleep this time. Dark room, corner, scary monster. Dark room, corner scary monster. Yay!Anonymous
December 08, 2004
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December 10, 2004
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December 11, 2004
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December 11, 2004
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December 16, 2004
i think half life 2 and halo 2 are a chalenge i really like both in my own opinion i just like both.an doom 3 is amazing too.reply bkAnonymous
December 20, 2004
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February 07, 2006
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March 15, 2006
First, HL2 and Doom 3 focused on different graphics approaches: HL2 with superior shaders, fluid effects, and Doom 3 with better lighting and shadows. I played Quake 4 (on DOOM 3 engine), and the lighting looked nice, but it seemed that the engine was designed for indoor, cramped, and dark spaces. HL2, especially with HDR level Lost Coast, looked just amazing, and the facial animations are the best in any game. Farcry's AI was good, but it also had the luxury of large spaces that allowed the mercs to flank you easily. When playing HL2 on Garry's mod, you can observe some very sophisticated AI behavior.
What alot of people think of as plot holes (like why only certain aliens attack you) failed to realize the actions in HL1 affected the HL2 world, and the only aliens that attack you are xen animals without low intelligence. They will attack everyone, including the Combine. Gordon saved the vortigaunts, and they are of course grateful to your cause. The ending was designed to be an cliffhanger, as they can't make HL3 or the expansion episodes if HL2 ended properly.
I can't wait till episode one come out, the focus on people and HDR will make it an interesting experience.Anonymous
March 21, 2006
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March 21, 2006
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March 23, 2006
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March 24, 2006
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June 25, 2006
Honestly, the only intelligent, well thought out comment worth reading on this page is from "I have gone insane over hl2's ending". I don't agree with it all, but that's some pretty decent philosophical deduction there - dude.Anonymous
February 26, 2007
Man, at the level "Ravenholm" when I first saw the fast zombie running towards me I freaked out and turned off my game...Anonymous
April 01, 2007
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June 19, 2008
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