Half-Life was one of the most groundbreaking and industry-changing games of all time. Countless shooters since have followed the successful title’s lead and build games more involved in and around a storyline as well as adding elements to suck you further into the environment.

As such, Half-Life 2 was one of the most highly anticipated titles ever. Given the problems surrounding its release, the game was even more sought-after than ever. Now it’s finally here and it most certainly doesn’t disappoint. While not nearly as innovative as its predecessor, it builds on the original’s foundation and brings you a truly incredible gameplay experience.

Gameplay:
You again play as Gordon Freeman, the physicist turned galactic-warrior in his quest to liberate humanity. This time, the world has been taken over by some alien power called the Combine. A few humans are setup as rulers over what’s left of humanity in order to help maintain rule. A few of Gordon’s old friends and enemies have returned to join the battle, but you won’t have much time to reminisce.

If you can get past the joy and happiness brought to you by bottle-tossing (more on that in a moment), you will see that in the first few minutes of the game, the action explodes and really doesn’t slow down for the entire rest of the game. In fact, if you had a full day to kill, you could run through the entire game in 20 hours or so and never have time to stop and catch your breath. The action is intense and the game is downright fantastic throughout so even if you don’t have an entire day to blow, you will be tempted to call in sick and stay home to conquer the Combine.

If you’re confused by the bottle-tossing comment, you have obviously not heard a lot about the game. Almost everything in the environment can be manipulated. You can pick things up and throw them or use them at will. Heavier items can be picked up and used with the use of a gravity gun which you pick up at some point throughout the game. In the beginning of the game, before the action begins, you’re sequestered in a place called City 17. There are human guards all around and you’re constantly being spoken to by the “leadership” of the new world via telepromts and screens which are all over the place. It’s a kind of futuristic, camp for human renegades and the atmosphere which it creates and the tone it sets for the rest of the game are spectacular.

In the first couple of minutes, there are a couple of moments which really demonstrate how great this game is. First, you are forced through a hallway on the way to City 17. As you’ve been pushed around by lightning stick toting guards, you finally come to a hallway with a door which is guarded by yet another guard. As you approach, the guard whips out his lightning stick, flips a soda pop can off the top of a garbage can and says, “Pick that up.” Awesome. The interaction with the world and the game scripting is incredible. As you pick up the pop can, he tells you to throw it away. Some people may have tossed it in the trash, but the majority of us rebels tossed the can at the guard. He then activates his lighting stick and chases after you. Hillarious. Usually this sets off a can and bottle tossing rampage which continues for several minutes for new users.

A second moment is when you are running through some tunnels after the action kicks in. basically, the entire city is searching for you and you are running like crazy to get away. Helicopters blaze in and hover round and about. If you have surround sound speakers, you will be blown away at this point. The sounds of the helicopters from above echoing through the hallways is amazing. Truly an experience which in and of itself, is worth the price of admission.

These are only a couple of examples of the great gameplay that awaits you in Half-Life 2. The game plays so fluidly and the action is so non-stop that it is a must have for Christmas, if not before.

Gameplay Score: 99/100