Slept On; Half-Life 2

I just did a recent update on my home computer, well not so much an update but an entire overhaul. And with what impeccable timing, as I had posted earlier Valve has been teasing at a big announcement later this week. Which means as I come back into the fold on my addiction to PC Gaming, who I consider to be the best company out there is preparing to make some big announcements about new games.

In preparation for the big news, I have replayed Half-Life 2 on their hardest difficulty. After playing games like Gears of War or Halo 3 I must contest that both Epic and Bungie need to take a page or two out of Valve's playbook. The action and gameplay is a nonstop thrill ride. With each level getting progressively more intense and hectic, by the end of the game you truly feel like you could lead a revolution to stop some Multidimensional Alien Force occupying the Earth.


The Combine make for excellent enemies, especially when you come charging blindly into a dark room and see two menacing glowing eyes coupled with the inhuman mechanical voice. Along with their 'vehicles' like Striders and Gunships, when you first battle them, and they let out a moan that sounds more alive than machine it will send shivers down you spine.

One of the unique things Half-Life 2 has over most other video games is actual writing, dialog and acting. Not too many games actually get you to care about the characters by the end of the game, but when Dr. Breen has you, Eli Vance and Alyx Vance captured at the top of the Citadel, you want to scream and break free. I've never played a game that so subtly gets you emotionally involved in the story. Which I lend to the fact they never show Gordon Freeman or hear his voice, meaning you feel like the character, you take his roll.

All in all, there is a reason the Half-Life series of video games remain on the top of my list of Greatest Games of All time. From when I was 13 years old and my little brother convinced me to spend our Christmas Money on Half-Life I have been a fan. And hopefully, with the annoucement of Portal 2 confirmed and Valve porting games to OSX the 11th of March will bring the announcement of Episode 3.