Half Life 2 - Greatest FPS Ever
Overview: Half-Life 2, and the franchise itself, will be remembered for forming what most FPSes are today. What really shines in this game - The story, the engine, the gameplay, hell, everything. What else could you ask for?
Graphics: A bit dated now, but they're still pretty nice to look at. They run fast, they look nice, they're not hideous, they're not perfect. I can't complain though, they run for me. Most everything looks nice, the guns look all distinct from each other, the locations in the game are very well done, and distinct, you can tell City 17 from Ravenholm by just a glance. The 2D sprites are well done, bullet cases fly on the ground, crates break into a bunch of pieces that you can pick up and carry around...it's all good.
Audio: Soundtrack is amazingly well done, and the songs all fit with the theme. When you first walk into Ravenholm, this creepy-ass, though rather short, song will begin to play and set the tone for the rest of the chapter. During Water Hazard, the music will kick up during the helicopter chase. The citizen voices are all nicely voiced, as is GMan and his unstable speech. Knocking over a beer bottle will result in a nicely-toned crack, shooting an explosive barrel will result in a satisfying KA-BOOM, it goes on...
Gameplay: The gameplay is rather fun, not many new elements introduced throughout the game, but the chapters are unique in ways. Water Hazard, you drive an airboat, Highway 17, a Jeep, with a mounted gun. Ravenholm, at first glance, may just seem like your "ZOMBIE! *BOOM*" average place, but the place lacks ammo, so you'll find yourself using physics in combat a lot more often. Puzzles are a nice feature in the game, they add a little twist, although they are not as commonplace as Half-Life 1.
Story: The story is deep and enrichening, although you might not notice it at a first glance. It follows closely from HL1 (Half-Life 1), using it mainly as a backstory, and introducing more characters and deepening the story as the game progresses. To summarize is best as I can, you're Gordon Freeman, coming off the train to City 17 from unknown origins, after being rudely awaken by none other than the GMan. You quickly learn of the Combine, what they do here, why they're here, how they're here, and you learn of the main antagonist - Dr. Breen. A prime great example of what the game does is make you feel confused as you wander the streets - you know no one, and none of this Dr. Breen, and you're pondering who these people in the suits are, and why they're so pushy with the stunsticks..
Replayability: You won't find yourself replaying HL2 much, but maybe participating in some deathmatch or taking advantage of the modability of the game's engine, and playing some Half-Life 2 mods. Most importantly, Garry's Mod. The game is not very replayabie, but the engine is something to take advantage of. Get involved in the community, and your time with Half-Life 2 will extend much farther.
Judging: What can I say. It's an almost perfect game, but there's no such thing as perfect, is there?
Scoring: 4.5/5
Graphics: A bit dated now, but they're still pretty nice to look at. They run fast, they look nice, they're not hideous, they're not perfect. I can't complain though, they run for me. Most everything looks nice, the guns look all distinct from each other, the locations in the game are very well done, and distinct, you can tell City 17 from Ravenholm by just a glance. The 2D sprites are well done, bullet cases fly on the ground, crates break into a bunch of pieces that you can pick up and carry around...it's all good.
Audio: Soundtrack is amazingly well done, and the songs all fit with the theme. When you first walk into Ravenholm, this creepy-ass, though rather short, song will begin to play and set the tone for the rest of the chapter. During Water Hazard, the music will kick up during the helicopter chase. The citizen voices are all nicely voiced, as is GMan and his unstable speech. Knocking over a beer bottle will result in a nicely-toned crack, shooting an explosive barrel will result in a satisfying KA-BOOM, it goes on...
Gameplay: The gameplay is rather fun, not many new elements introduced throughout the game, but the chapters are unique in ways. Water Hazard, you drive an airboat, Highway 17, a Jeep, with a mounted gun. Ravenholm, at first glance, may just seem like your "ZOMBIE! *BOOM*" average place, but the place lacks ammo, so you'll find yourself using physics in combat a lot more often. Puzzles are a nice feature in the game, they add a little twist, although they are not as commonplace as Half-Life 1.
Story: The story is deep and enrichening, although you might not notice it at a first glance. It follows closely from HL1 (Half-Life 1), using it mainly as a backstory, and introducing more characters and deepening the story as the game progresses. To summarize is best as I can, you're Gordon Freeman, coming off the train to City 17 from unknown origins, after being rudely awaken by none other than the GMan. You quickly learn of the Combine, what they do here, why they're here, how they're here, and you learn of the main antagonist - Dr. Breen. A prime great example of what the game does is make you feel confused as you wander the streets - you know no one, and none of this Dr. Breen, and you're pondering who these people in the suits are, and why they're so pushy with the stunsticks..
Replayability: You won't find yourself replaying HL2 much, but maybe participating in some deathmatch or taking advantage of the modability of the game's engine, and playing some Half-Life 2 mods. Most importantly, Garry's Mod. The game is not very replayabie, but the engine is something to take advantage of. Get involved in the community, and your time with Half-Life 2 will extend much farther.
Judging: What can I say. It's an almost perfect game, but there's no such thing as perfect, is there?
Scoring: 4.5/5
