"Yes, it's a linear shooter: a magnificent, breathtaking paragon of the form. Half-Life 2 takes squad based elements, the vehicles, the physics, the gorgeous good looks, the whole sedimentary block of genre conceits and carves out a masterpiece. This isn'tabout doing things differently to anyone else, it's about doing them better."
"Half-Life 2 never lets up: it's a high bandwidth cascade of challenges. There is no time for repetition or monotony. The sheer urgency with which the player is propelled through the game sees to that. Few games have such a qualified sense of drama. Half-Life 2 tells a story in which you are swept along without feeling helpless."
" The intensity of chase scenes, the gut-wrenching loss of friends, the grim brutality of killing - all these experiences are delivered with astomishing vitality. The characters win hearts and raise suspicions. The acting, their movement, their facial expressions, all seem imbued with humanity. The city itself, awe-inspiring, oppressive and terrifying in equal measure, is flawlessly designed. You are embedded in this world."
"Half-Life 2 is a first person shooter. But in action, storytelling, technical achievement, atmosphere and intensity it has far outdone its peers. Valve just hit the top note no other pc game developer could reach."
"10/10"
GOTY
"Half-Life 2 never lets up: it's a high bandwidth cascade of challenges. There is no time for repetition or monotony. The sheer urgency with which the player is propelled through the game sees to that. Few games have such a qualified sense of drama. Half-Life 2 tells a story in which you are swept along without feeling helpless."
" The intensity of chase scenes, the gut-wrenching loss of friends, the grim brutality of killing - all these experiences are delivered with astomishing vitality. The characters win hearts and raise suspicions. The acting, their movement, their facial expressions, all seem imbued with humanity. The city itself, awe-inspiring, oppressive and terrifying in equal measure, is flawlessly designed. You are embedded in this world."
"Half-Life 2 is a first person shooter. But in action, storytelling, technical achievement, atmosphere and intensity it has far outdone its peers. Valve just hit the top note no other pc game developer could reach."
"10/10"
GOTY
