Half-Life 2

One of Valve's best games. The story arc, lore, character development, and gameplay experience are all stellar. Don't expect amazing graphics or physics, since this is an old game, but on every other point it is outstanding.

Still plays amazingly well after all these years. Controls are tight. Decent graphics. Great voice acting. Would absolutely recommend.

internette gördüğüm komik linkin park klibini izlediğimden beri hayatım değişti. teşekkürler valve

genuinely the best purchase of my life. cant say nothing more than that. Scarily Addicting.

I thought I already wrote a review for this game but I guess not lol. I think I like the first a little more by a smidge but this is definitely the better game. Like wow it's amazing. It takes everything I loved about the first game and expands upon it, introducing tons of new mechanics and a great new setting. Everything from the visuals, to the gameplay, to the variety, to the storytelling is a huge leap forward. I feel like the episodes drag on a bit, but otherwise it's a great sequel.

this is the end? where is episode 3 i need it, this shit was fire this game is fire. cant just end it there u guys did my bro dirty. i know this game has been waiting for half life 3 and episode 3 that got canceled but com on man. def recommend game is great but the end like did we win or not who is g man?

i cant fucking beat this game, cuz this dumbass mother fucking strider just kept fucking killing me, like fix this dumbass game and GO FUCK YOURSELF YOU DUMBASS MOTHER FUCKING NIGGA!!!!!!!!!!!

I played through the story of the original Half-Life in the form of Black Mesa, and was left feeling underwhelmed. I didn't enjoy it as much as I was hoping I might.

Not being a big Half-Life fan to begin with, I thought maybe it would change my mind, but it didn't.

I jumped into Half-Life 2 thinking there might still be hope of changing my opinion, as I've heard so much good things about it...

Sadly, I was almost just as bored playing this, probably more-so than the original (or Black Mesa, in this case)

Maybe at the time of its release and relevancy, it was probably a beast of a shooter that was way ahead of its time - in that case, I'll agree. It has aged well in some aspects.

But it still feels like a 2004 FPS, and I didn't enjoy it at all. I did not care for the plot, nor the characters. I honestly don't know what everyone sees in this game - again, I contradict myself - it was probably a masterpiece when it first came out.

I will say the gunplay *is* fun. The gravity gun was very enjoyable to use, but that's where it ends for me. I was bored 90% of the time throughout my playthrough.

I beat it in the space of 2 or 3 days and didn't bother with the subsequent instalments.

I reiterate from my review of Black Mesa - I'm just not a Half-Life fan.. I tried them, and came away disappointed. Oh well.

This is SERIOUSLY AMAZING, I've played bunch of similar games but never had this kind of experience. The water reflections, the physics, and the dialogs are way ahead of its time. I can't believe this game was made in 2004. Preem game.

This game is very fun and being a (in game) mute character is more engaging. This games feel is way different than its prequel. Both games are very good and i full heartedly reccomend

This game was great, but it really rubbed me the wrong way the way they never put out HL2E3. From the sound of it, it was mostly done with a complete plot arc and it got killed halfway through.

Absolutely Worth it,i paid 10 dollars for it and i have 0 regrets,good story good gameplay and most importantly,beautiful visuals 10/10

bro the music is the best part each time i hear it, it makes me absolutely wanna bust a move.

Need joystick, keyboard controls not optimal. Other than that great game!

Самое не душное достижение с гномом и тачки без тормозов. Хорошее разнообразие геймплейной составляющей миссий, занимательный сюжет, переходящий из эпизода в эпизод. Подходящие саундтреки под определенные моменты игры, хороший баланс. Самое не душное достижение с гномом во втором эпизоде и неуправляемые тачки без тормозов

Not even an option to invert the Y axis on controllers. It can be done, but it should be a simple tick box like any other games that can be played with a controller.
The menu's just don't make sense. I don't want to start googling how to properly set a game up before even playing it.

Just awful and amateur menu options.

IMPORTANT: This is after the 2024 anniversary update. Before that I played it without any issue.
In the update basic quality of life options weren't even considered.

Worth playing if you are a big fan, and don't mind menu frustration. Otherwise stick to the original.

One of the best stories I've ever played, absolutely recommend to anyone remotely interested in the sci-fi genre. I would go as far to say that it's one of the best games on the market. And the graphics still stand pretty well today. All in all, great game.

Its games like these that people use as benchmarks, which is why im giving half life 2.... A 10 on the game.

This game still holds up even more than 20 years after it's release, it's a masterpiece of game design. The sounds, the FPS mechanics, and the physics. I can't go into more detail without this being long as hell, all I need to say, We Don't Go to Ravenholm.

10/10

Story:

I will try to keep this review as straight as possible, To this day we have not recieved a lot more background into the 10 hour war, and the combine as much as I would want. The story makes sense, but you wish you saw more in game as they planned in betas. Again though, you do see and hear enough to put stuff together, or in my case watch a million videos talking about it. At the end of the day it is pretty straight forward and a radical step away from what half-life 1's was. You see how they connect but for Gordon it is quite litterly a leap in time.

Gunplay:

Best part of half-life was its guns. Half-life 2 does not have the amazing selection from the first game, but at the same time, every single weapon in hl2 can be used the entire game, unlike some weapons in hl1 just never being seen again after you got it due to better options. Everything has a purpose, even if gravity gun is the best.

Characters:

This department beats hl1 in every way. The models are fleshed out to real people since their apperance in hl1 resulting in beautiful connections between Gordon and the black mesa employees. Even if it is just Vance trying to get you to fuck his daughter.

Conclusion:

No one is going to read this, but point stands. Another masterpiece Valve game that eventually became my entire childhood due to mods off this game and its engine.

I love this game. I love it the first time I played. I love it now after so many years.

Challenging at times but not impossible, actually feels rewarding compared to some other games after all the effort you went through.
I mean the game is more than 20 years old but the amount of stuff you do with the physics of the source engine are great, you start seeing why this is hailed as revolutionary for those times (although still kind of is in the present times) after playing.

I'm never quite satisfied whenever I play. I'm inclined to just go on and on. The pace and progression is almost Sisyphean, a never ending loop of shooting with the occasional lore drop. I don't like it.

This game is epic and I recommend anyone to try out. The graphics still hold up to this day and the gameplay is immersive. Try it out!!!!

It was so much fun completing the game and collecting every single Achievement.

Absolutely the best game almost likle GTAV, I recommend all Valve games but keep this masterpice alive!

in MY opinion its just a less fun version of half life 1 in MY opinion

(i haven't played it that much but i still prefer hl1 :/)

This game, its just.. AMAZING! The really good engine, physics, and story make this game what it is and, i really love this game so much! 10/3

went to ravenhomle or however u spell it
shot 100 innocent people and 500 zombies
went to jail
got out of jail
and played half life 2

It starts with one, one thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme to explain in due time
All I know, time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day, the clock ticks life away

It's so unreal, didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Tryna hold on, d-didn't even know
I wasted it all just to watch you go
I kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard, and got so far
But in the end, it doesn't even matter
I had to fall to lose it all
But in the end, it doesn't even matter

One thing, I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
To remind myself how I tried so hard

In spite of the way you were mockin' me
Actin' like I was part of your property
Rememberin' all the times you fought with me
I'm surprised it got so far

Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then, but it all comes back to me in the end
You kept everything inside and even though I tried, it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when

I tried so hard, and got so far
But in the end, it doesn't even matter
I had to fall to lose it all
But in the end, it doesn't even matter

I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
For all this, there's only one thing you should know
I've put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
For all this, there's only one thing you should know

I tried so hard, and got so far
But in the end, it doesn't even matter
I had to fall to lose it all
But in the end, it doesn't even matter

It was full of action shooting sequences with varied environments and objectives. The classic shooter formula. There is enough happening to keep you engaged.

Nearly thirty hours of playing Half-Life 2, finishing the main story and both episodes along with it.
Looking at what seems to be such a simple game at the beginning becomes a sensational realisation on how it actually came to be Game of the Year on multiple occasions.

The games design was so perfectly presented by developers, the setting and additional lore, some passing from the original Half Life: Black Mesa puts to so much good use in one game, seeing how one timely event had impacted an entire civilisation because of one scientific company and one crystal. One crystal was enough to bring an entire colonisation and have peak interest while also slaving mostly the entirety of humanity or at least, shutting most of their freedom out and barricaded window. You, play as a seen liberator of humanity, Dr. Freeman, Gordon, now titled 'The One Free Man' or just 'Freeman' a previous protagonist played in the original Half Life era.

Level designs go to so much, almost being environmentally story-telling on most missing parts, Ravenholm can be presented as an example, showing the small piece of destruction the Invasion of Xen had shown, showing a connection between events of the original Half-Life when Earth was being overrun by Xen.

The game can come as a masterpiece, ValVe themselves encourage this game as they have on multiple previous occasions such as constant sales, as well as making the game entirely free after an exciting celebration. It's worth every penny, and it comes even better since they support mod imports.

Much better then the first game. literarly 100X times better, totaly worth playing.

I would like to thank Valve for making these games for us. Games like Portal (1-2), Team Fortress (OG-2), and the game (which the third might never come out) Half-life (1-2-Alyx-etc).

The ultimate and classic modern fps game.

one of the best games ever made. still holds up and is superior to many modern games.

I have no words this is literally PEAK and they even added steam workshop support so it's EVEN BETTER

I really enjoyed Black Mesa and I'm really enjoying Half-Life 2. Great game and great plot at the moment.

*Game released: November 16, 2004*
*20th Anniversary Update for Half-Life 2*
*Now supports the steam workshop*

My half-life 2 campaign with mods made my experience perfect.

10 out of 10 (PLAY IT).

Twenty-years later, it's still crazy that this is a 2004 game.

revolutionary, still looks and plays great, and is overall a fantastic game, deserving of its many accolades.

personally however (UH OH ALERT!!!!!) it's a bit of a letdown when compared to the first game. way stripped down enemy and weapon variety and the last few chapters are a slog to get through. vehicle sections, while nice to soak in the atmosphere, get very stale on the 30th playthrough....but that's just it. this is a 20 year old game you WANT to play 30+ times, which i think is a testament to its design.

also the problem with not using cutscenes is that you need to sit through so much nothingness on repeat playthroughs. chapter select somewhat alleviates this.

This game is a true masterpiece of the gaming industry. I was 7-8 years old when I first tried it, and since then, I’ve still enjoyed the memories. I’ve played the entire campaign more than 20 times, including both Ep.1 and Ep.2. This game will never grow old, just as it will never be forgotten.

People who live in post-Soviet countries will definitely feel this depressive, pale, grey vibe—the understanding of inevitable horror, the senselessness of life, and the absence of a future. I was overwhelmed by all these feelings every time I played Half-Life 2.

This is my childhood. This is my nostalgia. This is my favorite game.

I played this game 10 years ago but never finished it. I recently downloaded it again, and to no surprise, it still holds up today. It's tough as shit in some spots, but just as fantastic as I remember.

Pros:

✅ This game is an absolute gem.
✅ Very good story.
✅ Addictive gameplay.
✅ Workshop support.
✅ Achievements.

Half-Life 2 is a game I've heard endless praises for years and finally decided to give a go. And after finishing the final episode, I am left baffled wondering why the hell I put it off for so long. Half-Life 2 is a MASTERPIECE, plain and simple. Even more impressive of a game whenever all the minor details of it constantly remind you that it was released in 2004 and still plays manages to be this good.

The game features a linear story where you're mostly just shooting through enemies with a variety of guns and weapons in order to get to the next section. On paper and in first reaction it seems standard and repetitive, but the level design, enemy types, and atmosphere constantly evolve in such a cinematic way that it never gets tiring and always feel immersive and challenging and ABOVE ALL: UNIQUE. The level design is OFF THE CHARTS here. Each chapter of the game's world so immersive that it feels like a movie unfolding in your hands. You feel the stakes, you feel the action, you feel the emotions, you feel the terror. Every aspect of the game design is an effort of 10/10 craftsmanship.

AND THIS GAME CAME OUT IN 2004?!?! From the start of the game to its end you feel such a sense of progression that really is movie-esque. I keep referring to it as film-like but there really is no better way to describe it; Half-Life 2 is a proper story. A unique and bizarre one with an atmosphere that is addicting to taste more of. Though the combat isn't crazily impressive, it's paced perfectly to allow the story all the room it needs to shine, which further immerses you the deeper into the Half-Life rabbit hole you get. And don't even get me started on the brilliant pick up/gravity gun system that allows for an absurd amount of creativity in how you chose to traverse a level or - furthermore - to fight (when guns aren't cutting it for you anymore).

Half-Life 2 is undeniably one of the greatest games of all time. I've heard it said for years and now I can finally say it myself. Definitely worth the purchase and full play through, and if you like it, you'll join the club of people impatiently waiting for a 3rd.

(ps. It's never coming is it?)

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.