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Half-Life 2
List Price: $29.99Price: $22.00 You Save: $7.99 (27%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Amazon Minimum Age: 204 months
Binding: CD-ROM
Brand: Vivendi Universal
EAN: 0020626721387
ESRB Age Rating: Mature
Item Dimensions: 60
Label: Vivendi Universal
Manufacturer: Vivendi Universal
Model: 71608
MPN: HALFLIFE2
Number Of Items: 1
Platform: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP
Publisher: Vivendi Universal
Release Date: November 16, 2004
Studio: Vivendi Universal
Features:- Sequel to the hit first-person shooter
- Scientist-with-a-crowbar Gordon Freeman joins a ragtag human resistance fighting extradimensional invaders for the survival of a conquered Earth
- Unnervingly realistic graphics the likes of which have not been witnessed outside of a motion picture or pre-rendered cut scene
- Realistic physics: objects have varied and appropriate mass, density, physical properties
- For 1 player
Accessories:
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Editorial Review:
In many ways, creating a sequel to Half-Life is an unenviable task. After all, the goal is to craft not just any ordinary game, but an improvement to a title that is widely considered to be the high water mark for first person shooters. Fortunately, Valve does not disappoint on their sophomore effort.
Half-Life 2 picks up exactly where its predecessor leaves off, with gamers stepping once more into Gordon Freeman's HVAC suit as he awakes at some indeterminate time in the future, now apparently in the employ of the mysterious G-Man. Humanity has been sold out to alien forces, and your job is to escape their thrall and lead the resistance to victory.
HL2's key successes are in a few critical areas, the first of which is the new physics & graphics engine, called Source. People and objects fall, fly, tip over, float, and break in an extraordinarily realistic fashion, and in-game puzzles often require you to use simple applications of physics to progress. Second, an elaborate facial structure system coupled with excellent voice acting make for some of the most believably human NPCs in gaming history. This is no small thing; you will find yourself actually caring about the characters who surround you, even those that are normally regarded as cannon fodder. Third, the level design exhibits a subtle brilliance, which frequently fools you into feeling like you're making your way through an organic environment and not a forced linear path. These elements combine to form one of the most truly immersive experiences ever captured on a PC.
This gaming bliss comes at a cost, however. If your computer isn't running the latest and greatest hardware, you may find yourself turning down a lot of the slick graphics to keep the machine from choking. Also, at the time of this writing the only two bundled multiplayer games are a barely updated version of Counter-Strike and HL2 DeathMatch. Counter-Strike: Source is every bit as fun as the original, but the DeathMatch is lackluster and contains only a handful of uninspired maps.
Overall, Half-Life 2 is a smashing success, every bit worthy of the prestige and respect that the franchise has been awarded. This is absolutely a game that every computer gaming enthusiast is going to want to have in their collection. -- Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover
Pros: - Advanced graphics and physics system provide highly immersive experience
- Believable, expressive non-player characters
- Fun, realistic level design
Cons: - Requires a very fast computer to play with all bells & whistles on
- DeathMatch mode has few maps and is not terribly entertaining
Half-Life 2 delivers a new level of realistic action and excitement. Players return to the world of Gordon Freeman, as he returns to the Black Mesa research facility. The aliens are pouring into our world, and Freeman becomes part of a resistance group to stop them. New weapons, new enemies and new characters are waiting -- along with major enhancements in animation, artificial intelligence and graphics.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Seriously, don't buy it used or it won't work!
I have no idea how the game is because I bought it from an Amazon marketplace seller and now the "Steam" anti-piracy protection system won't let me play it.
I went to the Steam support pages like I was told to, and I read this:
"... you must have a copy of your purchase receipt from within the last 90 days to have the CD Key moved to your account.
"We do not accept receipts from online auction websites or used software vendors. If you do not provide a purchase ... Read More
Rating:  - The beginning of a gaming empire
Simply great. Works on many older PCs. There are tons of associated titles and mods available. And you cannot seriously plan on playing the HL2 episodes unless you have played this game. The story alone would make a great book or movie. The game is the best and is already a classic!
Rating: - Well worth it
This is one of the best games every made. If you don't have it, buy and take a week off work and play it until your job/money/girlfriend situation needs attention. It come with Counter strike, a super fast online shooter. Very addicting. Great graphics & physics. It'll run on your old computer and won't require a powerhouse to enjoy great graphics. This game was the best when it came out and still is not outdated. Well worth the money, you'll enjoy it if you like sci-fi, shooters, online multi-player ... Read More
Rating:  - Doesnt meet with all the hype.
Ive heard so many people say "oh, HL2 is hands down the best game ever." give me a break. I had more fun with other Valve products like Sin Episodes: Emergence.
I guess my biggest gripe was the game itself, instead of the installation problems. I mean, it had awesome graphics, cool weapons, but the important things weren't there. First off, the story was kind of bland. The ending wasn't all that great either. I guess the ending sucked because it was leaving it open for the following 2 episodes ... Read More
Rating: - Still the Best PC Game Ever
I just started recently playing HL2 again because I put together a new rig, and I have to tell you it is far from showing its age. What a phenomenal game and engine this is. This game has one of the best storylines and endings ever. The fishbowl game Bioshock has nothing on this.
The graphics are still amazing by today's standard. And when you install the FakeFactory Cinematic Mod v4, the only game that will surpass this visually is Crysis. The facial and mouth animations are still unmatched. ... Read More
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