Half-Life 2

Great gameplay, story, and lore

I first came in contact with HL2 when the, uh, "prototype" released. There was nothing like it during the time, I played the leaked demo over and over and over again, ignoring the graphical artefacts and eventual crashed on my Radeon 9200.
Still nothing really tops the immersive gameplay of HL2. The Lost Coast expansion is a cherry on top of this legendary cake.
A bit of a sad realisation is, that not much improvement has been done in the genre since this title released over 20 years ago now. Besides better fidelity in graphics, not many comes close.
It's a legendary title.
Just play it.

I didn't think too much of this game when I played it for the first time as a teenager. That was a long, long time ago. I've been well into adulthood for an equally long time now. I couldn't have possibly appreciated this series back then like I can now.

The 20th Anniversary update made me decide to replay the game and the episodes. I've been lost in Gordon's life for a week or two now. At the end of Episode 2, I watched in horror. The screen faded to black, and I cried.

I know my submission here will undoubtedly get buried by the mountains of reviews before and after mine, but I needed this game because of where my life is at right now. It was a necessary escape into fiction.

It felt so real.

So I recently found the gem know as half life one from a Youtude video so I waited for the steam Autumn sale
and loved every moment of game play so I skipped the DLC and went straight to Half-life 2 and both its episodes and loved it due to how cheap i got the games I felt like I was scamming them and now I wait like every body else for Half-life 3.

Definitely in the top 3 of the greatest first person shooters of all time, on every measure from story to graphics (at the time it released of course), and overall gameplay experience, combat, exploration, etc.

This game's graphics are still somewhat impressive for its age. Alyx's hair is well detailed even in low settings. This game is packed with lots of content. 10000/10 game :D

I hadn't played the Half Life franchise until the past two years and I can say even in the 2020's this game is one of the best I've ever played. Incredible experience.

Honestly... I just don't like it.

The original Half-Life had a cartoony vibe mixed with a Horror-like setting. What was happening was serious, but the game never took itself too seriously. The HECU were imposing, but comedic at the same time.
This game trades that in for a far more serious tone. The Combine is an incredibly dark villain, the setting is bleak, and the characters are designed far more realistically. This is more subjective, but I preferred the almost 40k tone that HL1 had.

In terms of gameplay... This just isn't it. The earlier chapters almost feel like you're just supposed to take damage at parts. Enemies spontaneously appear and you're forced to just run through them. The game almost seems to know this and shoves health down your throat, but it doesn't make it fun, just repetitive.

The Combine also feel way worse to fight than the HECU. Against the HECU, you needed fast reflexes and a keen mind to fight them in the various layouts of Black Mesa. They responded quickly and were just more fun to fight. Combine soldiers just feel sluggish and bland. It doesn't help that most of the game is just a flat surface to run through, giving you less and less ways to interact with your foes.

Although the story is great and it was definitely a groundbreaking game when it came out, I just ain't a fan.

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☐ Beautiful
☑ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☑ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☑ Potato
☐ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☑ Old Fashioned
☐ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 15% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☑ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☑ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☐ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☑ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☑ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☑ 10

---{ Author }---
☑ https://vojtastruhar.github.io/steam-review-template

I got the game when it was free (November 2024) and just played it with all DLC's to 100% and I can just say what great of an experience it was! The Gameplay, the physics, the graphics, I loved them all. And none of the achievements (except Lambda Locator) were really annoying, more like a fun challenge. I would say that the gnome achievement was my favorite one. I already bought most of the other Half-Life games and I'm looking forward to play them. Thank you Valve for showing me such a great game :)

This game was one of the best games I've ever experienced, some parts were hard but managed to pass them, such an amazing game. 100% worth playing

The best game of the century... No objections. Either you agree or you are wrong. It is valve's magnum opus. VALVE's best game, that they have EVER made. The same company that made the Portal series, L4D, TF2 and the Counter Strike series. Just let that sink in.

It's a alright game I like Half-Life More then Half-Life 2. I know how this changed gaming forever just like Half-Life Hell this game made Garry's Mod one of my favorite game's of all time but Half-Life 2 is just a bit over rated I just don't like this one as much but still a really good game.

The sequel to one of my fav games is an amazing one, a great respectful sequel with an interesting story and wonderful gameplay. This is overall a much better game than half life 1 but hl1 got the level desing much better than this. 9/10

Probably can't say anything about this game that hasn't been said before. Easily one of the most influential shooters ever made. The game is still fun as all hell and technically impressive years later, in fact I'd go as far as to say this game has actually gotten better with age. Every time I come back to half life 2 I find something that makes me appreciate the game even more. An absolute must play for anyone who likes fps games.

penultimate video game. updates welcome.

I grew up playing the former "Half-Life" in the days of WON -before Steam with all the joy of all the various community mod's (CS, DOD, Natural Selection, ESF). Then came Steam and HL2 and we could all enjoy not only the story and content, but the engine and its design focused on the community's ability to mod in it. I can only speak praise for all Half Life games and Steam. They steered the industry toward building their game/engine to be mod able. This was outlined as the main success of the HL series and Goldsource and Source engines.

This game changed my life forever. I'd never be the man I am today. Thanks to this game, I feel like I can live in 2025 and still enjoy the game. This is a timeless joy that never will vanish. It is nostalgic.

Thank you Valve, you're amazing!!!!

Played first time in 2004 and it was mind blowing for it's time. I'd say it still holds up today even and now with workshop integration it's way better. This and specially HL1 are responsible for many games we love today such as Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat.

Over twenty years later and this game is still a masterpiece. Every level, every weapon, every situation has a purpose. The physics are groundbreaking even to this day. This is my third time playing it in two decades (playing it on Steam Deck OLED this time) and it still manages to amaze, enchant and entertain. Bravo, Valve. I wish they would release games more often. While I enjoy the Portal series, this game holds a special place in my heart.

This game is still impressive despite being more than 20 years old. Additionally, with low hardware requirements, this game is super accessible.

puzzles are hard but its fun

gaben invented cute blasian girls that are nice to you in 2004 and we haven't been able to replicate the technology since

A classic game that still holds interest after so many years. Graphics were advanced then and now are a bit out of date but gameplay is great!

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Review:

Half-Life 2 is one of those rare games that lives up to all the hype and even exceeds expectations. It’s been over a decade since its release, but it still holds up as one of the best first-person shooters ever made.

The game picks up where the first one left off, with Gordon Freeman now in a dystopian world controlled by an alien race known as the Combine. The story is told in such a seamless, immersive way—there are no cutscenes, just you moving through the world and piecing things together as you go. It’s one of the best examples of world-building in a game.

The physics engine is a game-changer. The way you can manipulate objects in the environment with the iconic gravity gun adds so much fun to the combat and puzzle-solving. It's one of those simple ideas that feels revolutionary. Combine that with some of the most memorable set pieces, and it’s hard not to get sucked into the world of City 17.

The AI is still impressive even by today’s standards, with enemies reacting to your movements and using the environment to their advantage. The combat is diverse, and there’s a nice mix of shootouts, vehicle segments, and platforming. Plus, the pacing is spot on—there’s never a dull moment.

Visually, Half-Life 2 was a stunner back in 2004, and while the graphics might look dated now, the art design, lighting, and atmosphere still give it a timeless feel. The environments, from the ruined cities to the eerie coastlines, are still some of the best-designed in any game.

Half-Life 2 isn’t just a great shooter; it’s an experience. The narrative, the gameplay, and the world it builds come together in a way few games can match. If you haven't played it yet, you’re missing out on a true gaming classic.

Pros:

Incredible world-building and storytelling
Revolutionary physics with the gravity gun
Diverse and satisfying combat
Great AI and smart enemy behavior
Stunning atmosphere and level design
Cons:

Some sections can feel a bit slow or repetitive
Graphics are a bit dated by modern standards, but the atmosphere still shines

This is one of those games that set the bar for first-person shooters, and it’s still an absolute must-play. If you haven’t played it yet, what are you waiting for?

Wake-up Mr. Freeman

I enjoyed the first game, and I loved the second! The story was amazing, and the gameplay was great. There's really nothing bad about this game. It's basically perfect. The early 2000s were really the golden era of gaming. They really don't make them like this anymore. I guess I'm now in the group of people who are waiting for Half-Life 3. Gonna need to get a VR headset so I can play Half-Life Alyx. I'm invested in this universe now!

Play this game! It's a true classic and probably Valve's best game!

i interloped all the interloper's interlopusa on the interloping floor

(look at umbrella grafiti in ravenholm alley)

beat the game a couple of times now, i love the story; gameplay is a bit difficult BUT i Am playing it on Hard so there's that. the point is, this game is my all-time favorite, along with a few other Valve games

It's my first time playing it (on old hardware too) and I must say this game is great. I didn't know much about it before starting it but it horror aspect reminds me a but of the "Last of Us" tied in with "Halo"

This includes episode 1 and 2 and my feelings are identical to portal 2 with this game, while I love the expanded story the game does have more pauses in gameplay to tell said story and I just tend to prefer freedom of gameplay than sacrificing that for a more complex story. 4.5/5

Honestly, I prefer the context of the first game, portrayed by the community remake (Black Mesa) for a modern experience of the series. Haven't played it myself to this day while managing to be spoiler free; opened the game and got lazy to continue, went to watch full history explanations, theories, speedruns etc.

The game is technically impressive for its time, the story is well written but feels disconnected from the first game. The stuff left for interpretation and open ends are great for wondering and conspiring what could have been à la Portal style. The problem is that modern games have built on top and improved on what Half Life offers, and I didn't particularly catch the originals, so I lack the nostalgia and baseline reference of when the genre was revolutionized.

I also have played wayy too much Gmod/TF2, so I grew up kinda sick of the Source Engine. I acknowledge my complex position as a post 2010s player and what the game has done for the industry as a whole, have my humble thumbs up.

A classic that many people have already given praise for, and it deserves more! The art direction, levels, the graphics, and story are superb especially for a game this old. I cannot recommend it enough for people who like video games in general.

I didn't know what the whole fuss was about this game so i gave it a go and man i was wrong the game play, story and the environment is really good. Everything is balanced well,I like they put the extra details in the game to make it feel more thought out and not rushed. I definitely think its time for half life 3.

bitch who thought i would not like this game? now that it has a workshop i tried it out, still going through ravenholm and it is insanely good, with mods it is even better, safe to say it is a all time classic and i would never hate it.

Half-Life 2, now 20 years old, remains a timeless masterpiece. Its groundbreaking physics, immersive world-building, and tight storytelling still captivate players. Despite its age, it’s a must-play, showcasing a perfect blend of action, puzzle-solving, and narrative depth.

I found myself playing this and constantly saying things like "this was made in 2004?" the advancements since HL1 and the mechanics of this game are so fluid. The story was engaging, game physics were incredible. I would say this game was like stressfull for me since I dont any type of "scary" games but this was really well done. Theres a reason why this game is called one of the best games of all time.

Rating: 10/10 -Masterpiece

TLDR:

This is the peak of the linear story driven FPS genre. Absolute player freedom.


This is probably the most legendary game on the platform that still holds up to this day. I could play this game over and over again. This game is as old as me.

Positive:

Story:
The story continues. Freeman is brought back from stasis and now has to face the Combine. An alien race that came from Zen and invaded earth in just 7 hours. It's now your job to support the human resistance and kick their ass back to Zen. This is easier said than done

Characters:
You can't save earth on your own. You will meet eli vance and his daughter alyx which welcome you to help the resistance. You will be on your own most of the time but you will meet other people and groups that will help you in certain situations.

World:
The game starts out in an east european inspired place called "city 17". You will traverse diverent places throughout the game. Shores, tunnels and streets of city 17. You will use vehicles in certain parts. The world is filled with secret supplies only attentive players will find.

Physics:
The physics were revolutionary back then. It's still cool today. Everything is interactable and throwable. Sometimes even destructable. The ragdolls flying never gets old.

Player freedom:
The lack of cutscenes that take control away from the player is refreshing. It's up to you if you want to pay attention to the story or rather play around in the room. You can decide if you want to explore every room and house or if you just want to drive by it, potentially missing out on loot that could help you later. We all play the same game but everyone plays different.

Music:
The music is really good just like the first one. In fact, it reuses some of the tracks from the first game. I love the synth atmosphere tracks so much. It's even got some music that sounds like the 90's or 00's (because it is).

Graphics:
I did a review of the first game and criticised the graphics because of how ugly that game can look. I will say it again. I really don't care about graphics at all and I put gameplay over everything but HL1 hurt to look at im sorry. In HL2's case. I want to praise the graphics. This is hands down the best looking game from 2004. Nothing comes close to it. It's insane how good it still looks 20 years later.

Negative:

None:
This game is flawless. There is nothing that should be added or removed. (The MP7 sound makes my ears bleed but the game is worth it).

Conclusion:

I've played this game multiple times. Vanilla and modded. I've collected all achievements and in the episodes too. This is what a real video game should be. It's a one and done experience that is so good that you want to play it over and over again.

🎯 Rating: 9.8/10

📜 Overview
Half-Life 2 is a critically acclaimed first-person shooter developed by Valve and released in 2004. The game follows Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist, as he battles against an alien invasion and oppressive regime within a dystopian future. It builds on the foundations laid by its predecessor, Half-Life, with an improved physics engine, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a compelling story. Set in the aftermath of an alien invasion, Freeman fights to liberate humanity while navigating through urban and industrial landscapes filled with enemies and obstacles.

🌟 Pros
✅ Revolutionary Physics Engine – The game's physics engine, powered by the Source engine, was groundbreaking for its time, allowing for realistic object interactions, puzzle-solving, and combat tactics.
✅ Immersive Storytelling – The narrative is told seamlessly through gameplay, with minimal cutscenes. Players learn about the world and its characters through the environment, dialogue, and action.
✅ Engaging Combat and AI – The combination of shooting, puzzle-solving, and vehicle sequences provides varied gameplay. The AI, both for allies and enemies, remains impressive and adapts to player actions.
✅ Atmospheric Design – The detailed environments, from ruined cityscapes to eerie underground laboratories, create a deep sense of atmosphere. The subtle use of sound design and visuals heightens the game's immersive experience.
✅ Cultural Impact – Half-Life 2 is often considered one of the greatest video games of all time due to its impact on the gaming industry, especially in terms of narrative integration, physics-based puzzles, and AI design.

⚠️ Cons
❌ Linear Gameplay – While the game is highly regarded, some players may find the linear progression of the story to be restrictive, especially compared to more open-world games.
❌ Occasional Pacing Issues – Some sections, such as the vehicle sequences or certain combat encounters, can feel a bit slow or repetitive, slightly breaking the flow of the narrative.
❌ Outdated Graphics (for modern audiences) – While the visuals were ahead of their time, modern players may notice that the graphics, while still impressive in terms of design, can appear dated compared to more recent titles.

💬 Player Sentiment
Positive Reviews: Players consistently praise Half-Life 2 for its innovation, immersive world-building, and captivating gameplay. The combination of story, action, and environmental storytelling is often highlighted as a standout feature.

Negative Reviews: Criticisms mostly focus on the game’s linear structure, with some players wishing for a more open-world experience. Others note that certain gameplay sequences feel slower in pace compared to the rest of the game.

🎯 Target Audience

Fans of first-person shooters with a strong narrative component.
Players who enjoy immersive worlds and environmental storytelling.
Those looking for an innovative game that influenced many aspects of modern gaming, from physics to AI.
🏆 Rating Breakdown
🎮 Gameplay: 9.5/10
🎨 Graphics & Art Style: 9/10
🔄 Replayability: 8/10
⚙️ Mechanics & Balance: 9/10
👥 Community & Support: 9.5/10
Overall Experience: 9.8/10

🎯 Final Verdict
Half-Life 2 remains one of the most influential and celebrated first-person shooters of all time. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, immersive world-building, and compelling narrative make it an unforgettable experience. Although it has some pacing issues and is a bit linear for modern tastes, its revolutionary use of physics, AI, and storytelling make it a must-play for any serious gamer. Whether you're revisiting or playing it for the first time, Half-Life 2 offers a timeless experience that stands as a benchmark in gaming history.

amazing how this game fits so many different settings, characters, and experiences into one package without ever feeling overwhelming - you don't even really notice the insane scope of this thing while you're playing, i feel like I only truly picked up on that while watching the documentary for the first time and realising just how much of an endless stream of things this game contains - this is such a unique and special game

also just super cool how much they were able to achieve with physics in this experience, what a hoot it is having physics puzzles - i feel like i take those for granted these days but this game still in a lot of cases finds more interesting uses for physics interactions than other more modern games do

Well...Half Life was great, although I didn't really go for the levels set in space. They seemed a bit like an excuse to make life easier for the designers. And, they were tough - especially Interloper. Now...Half Life 2... WOW! The graphics alone make me wanna play it. Better than many far more recent games, especially impressive is the torchlight. Only just got the SMG, so not far into the game, but so far, it's ab so lute lee brilliant!

world's most overrated game

oh noooo bulgaria at a bright, sunny daytime with no pollution, what an oppressive and eerie environment!

if HL2 wasn't such a landmark for graphics and physics i'm convinced no one would've liked this game, because it's so lame in absolutely every single other regard

- none of the cool and funny aliens from HL1
- none of the fun experimental weapons from HL1 like the snarks, tripmines, tau cannon and gluon gun, and nothing interesting replacing them either
- complete tonal shift by inexplicably being set in bulgaria instead of HL1's new mexico (actual zero in-universe explanation for the whole cast being moved 10,000km to another continent, topped off by writings, signs and graffiti all in cyrillic despite the game not having a single eastern european person and everyone in the game being american and clearly only knowing english)
- every gun feels lame and sounds lame with unexpressive and unreacting enemies who don't flinch or run away when injured, nothing
- braindead enemy AI that just runs towards you to die on queue like it's a theater play
- long ass cutscenes with people talking where you're most often than not not even part of the conversation and all you can do is walk around and press E on things to pass the time
- loss of player agency by making every single friendly NPC completely immortal where you could shoot anyone in HL1, even if it just gave you a game over
- the most horrendous lack of full body awareness in gaming, you lift objects with your mind, you drive vehicles without using or seeing your hands, and you can't see your legs

ravenholm is the only mildly interesting part of it and even then it's just a trap playhouse styled level where every single run through it is the exact same with no variety anyway

I knew it would be a good game because it's said to be a masterpiece.
However, it was a 20-year-old game, so I didn't have high expectations.
After three hours of playing, it far exceeded my expectations.
The epic world view, the thrilling plot, and the cooperation with friends. This is the best of the FPS SF genre.

This was such a fun experience.
It ties in very well with the first half-life, with many references to it. The story is good, but i am a bit disappointed with the ending (episode 2). Now that i have become a fan of this series, i can't wait for valve to release half life 3 or even episode 3 in which we can see a conclusion to this amazing franchise.
It's never too late to start playing this game, as this was also my first time playing it. Also, for the ones looking to 100% this game, the difficulty is OK. The harder achievements can be found in episode 2.
All in all, it's a very enjoyable game and it for sure will continue to remain a valve classic for many years to come.

An amazing sequel that I got a ton of enjoyment out of, even all these years after its release. Enjoyable weaponry, enemies, physics, characters, and sound design. Simple puzzles throughout that weren't too time consuming to figure out. Most levels have interesting locations or gimmicks. The vehicles could be a bit hard to precisely control at times though. Overall great game, would recommend. Can't wait to try the sequel in 3004.

good game. best game. were recommend. good weapons. I love rebels.

Using the Gravity Gun against zombies really brings out the feeling of being a badass while also still realizing that I'm a coward when it comes to any type of horror in games and will still jump a bit when one pops out of a door. 10/10 I wish more games had hidden tutorials like this.

Best first PC game ever. Takes patience to really soak into but once you're in you cant help but explore the ins and outs of the game. It isn't for everyone but I believe it is 100% worth at least one play session from said everyone.

One of the best fps O.A.T., as well as a genuinely great dystopian. Graphics and gameplay withstand the test of time. Shame I didn't play it sooner.

[noparse][Will add in addition details to the review later on. I plan on writing something comprehensive. Review is subject to change, rephrases and rewrites.][/noparse]

I received this through the Orange Box bundle.

Review:

• > Gameplay is excellent.
  
• > Story is interesting.
  
[*] > Weapon choices are fun.

Gameplay:

The Source Engine has to be some of the best, and one of my favorites, in this industry, though, my knowledge about its inner workings are limited. My coding literacy is lacking.

But I find how it functions in-game to be fun, the way it simulates physics is the most realistic, and I feel, hasn't been replicated by any other game besides LittleBigPlanet. The mentioned game is a PlayStation title created by Media Molecule.

The gravity gun showcases how items can interact with the world and against hostile NPCs such as headcrabs. Using blunt force in this fashion isn't something you come across much in other games.

Story:

I haven't finished the story just yet, but I'm nearly towards the end.

So far, it's an interesting story but I'm not a writer so I couldn't give any technical knowledge about its structure or composition. It has Star Trek levels of scientific insight, you can easily tell that collage graduates with multiple PhDs and doctorates wrote all of these sci-fi elements.

Weapon variety:

I'm not a weapons expert, but I still enjoy the weapon choices. As I've checked from YouTube videos discussing how Half-Life 1 is designed to make you think before you act, I'm sure Half-Life 2 works the same way. These are designed as utilities as well as defensive tools, it's not exclusively about killing hostiles.

The multiple options are there to give you different ways to experiment and solve a puzzle.

Really great game, I finished it on the Xbox the first time. I then played Episode 1 and 2 on the Xbox 360. Since then I have played several mods on PC. Great game. Five Gordans of five.