Half-Life 2 Game Reviews
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Half-Life 2
Rankings:
Ratings and rankings are based on all available critic reviews for each game.
Overall Critic Score:3.9256
Half-Life 2 Critic Reviews
Represents the pinnacle of great action shooters because it strictly adheres to the one rule that makes an FPS great, the one rule that so many developers ignore, or break due to ineptitude and then conceal behind a shroud of tacked-on complexity: in a...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Four Fat Chicks
To put it simply, there is never a dull moment in Half-Life 2. In playing the game we could hardly account for a moment when we didn't have some kind of excitement or anxiety. The Source engine is a truly remarkable achievement....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Xequted
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Unquestioning acceptance of the game environment is where HL2 excels - physics for example. It doesn't become noticeable until you're instructed to pile up some crates in order to escape through a window, but in Half Life 2, physics play an important...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Pro-G
It's solid and requires, thanks to the variety and great AI of the enemy you meet throughout, more than a modicum of strategic thinking to get through with a good selection of interesting weapons on offer....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Just Adventure
As excellent as the storyline is, you could completely ignore it and still have an amazing experience....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Thunderbolt
Many people predicted that Half-Life 2 would not live up to the hype that it had received. Others said HL2 would be of lesser quality compared to recently released games of the genre. These predictions were dead wrong. Valve faced numerous difficulties:...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at 2404 - PC Gaming
Sequel to the highly acclaimed and successful FPS; players return as Gordon Freeman as he begins work for the mysterious G-Man....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at TotalVideoGames
I found the little things most impressive. Telephone lines ripple from the wind kicked up by passing alien gun ships. Even motes of dust meander into view as they casually flit through rays of sunshine....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Cincinnati Enquirer
This is the game that has been hailed as the killer of all first person shooters since it was first announced over a year ago, and most who have said that hadn't even played it yet - that's how confident people are that this game is just that good....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at UnderGroundOnline
Half-Life 2 isn't flawless, just like any great work of art, but that doesn't make it any less of a masterpiece....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Armchair Empire
You once again play the role of scientist of few words, Gordon Freeman, who awakens on a train inbound to the mysterious European city known only as City 17; a city under the control of a group called the 'Combine' who run the city like a prison....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GameCell UK
A game designed to excel in all areas with one goal ' making the player feel at the centre of the action and in control. The level of interaction with the world is breathtaking and heightens the sense of danger and the rewards for success....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Boomtown
I found it nearly impossible to pry myself away once I started playing one morning. For 15 straight hours, I was glued to my computer, still wearing my pajamas. Not even food was a concern — I was too preoccupied with my dangerous new life as...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at USA Today
2 attempts no overt revolution, but its casual implementation of manipulable objects is an innovation that utterly transforms the interactive possibilities for a game that is at heart a first-person shooter. The capacity to pick up even large objects is s...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Times Online
All the voice actors from Half-Life have returned to voice their characters in Half-Life 2. The physics engine has been updated to include all objects within the game world; players will be able to shoot chairs to pieces, manipulate futuristic...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at AllGame
The wait may have been long, but it was worth it. This sequel truly exudes extraordinary gameplay at every turn....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GamePro
Valve's inclusion of an interactive physics-based environment and the wonderful gravity gun lends itself to fun gravity puzzles, making use of good old-fashioned common sense and intuition - something I've found to be absent in the average first-person...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Adrenaline Vault
Where it goes beyond a typical first person shooter is in its story telling. The graphics engine is so realistic that you feel like you are participating in a movie. The character's facial animation is incredible. It's done so well, you can get a sense...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gaming Age
It presents the most exciting single-player first-person game you'll find on any system this year. It's a shame that the product is marred by issues that have little to do with the game itself, because ultimately, the games are what matter most....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Revolution
Half-Life 2 has astonished us from start to finish. Valve has done to the FPS genre what restaurants in Chinatown do to ducks; shredded it, smothered it in a delicious sauce of their own devising, and served it up in a way which you simply couldn't have...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Eurogamer
After a short prologue, Valve kicks things into high gear. But even the first few minutes are impressive. We see a limited number of characters roaming the streets, but these people look at you. They really look, and it's downright strange. The game...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Yahoo! Games
providing astonishing spectacle.The game is also a technical triumph with the most advanced physics system yet. Almost anything can be picked up, used or thrown, which enhances the feeling of immersion in another world and provides the basis for clever pu...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Sydney Morning Herald
of gameplay styles and memorable moments, all executed with amazing precision. Half-Life 2 may not reinvent the first-person shooter, but improves on the original game in almost every way, and brings one major innovation to the table whose effects will li...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GameSpy
Like Half-Life's Black Mesa, it's a place infused with an atmosphere and culture that you can only experience through microcosms. Even more so than VALVe's immortal debut FPS, Half-Life 2 is a single, seamless, scripted journey that's not so much...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at HonestGamers
After some initial training, Gordon receives his armored suit. From then on, the game is a traditional single-player, first-person shooter. Throughout, players must keep an eye out for spray-painted signs (resembling the anarchist's A-within-a-circle)...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Science Fiction Weekly
In fact, it is because of the amazing sounds and visuals presented that Half-Life 2 suffers its only two real downfalls. First is that textures are noticeably repeating, especially at a distance. Second is that the many checkpoint loading screens take a...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Vortex
Lighting is outstanding and there is a definitive passage of time that is reflected with various night and day conditions....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Chronicles
On the whole, Half-Life 2 manages to be an incredible new game while still retaining that unique Half-Life magic....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Jolt Online Gaming UK
Now, many of you may be wondering what on Earth a first person shooter can do that sets it so far apart from the competition, as well as placing it above most other action games too. The answer, though, is simple: everything. There are so many positive...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GamePlasma
There are a few games that can make the leap to a successful sequel and that number is getting smaller and smaller each year, as technology increases and developers become more aware of what can and can't be done with our favourite gaming platforms we...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Games Xtreme
Almost everything you would be able to move in real life is movable in HL2. You can pick up a lamp, and throw it away. Throwing it at one of the guards will result in them immediately reacting with an electric bat and a few harsh swipes to the head -...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Club Skill
There just isn't anything that can touch Half-Life 2. It's the bees' knees, the cats' whiskers; hell it's the dogs bo- lets just say it's pretty damned good....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at IC-Games
Make no mistake, you're not really going to see a whole lot in the gameplay department that you haven't seen before in other First Person Shooters, but Half-Life 2 is done so very well, that its extreme quality and attention to detail transcend any...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Jaded Gamer
Sound easy but very few are able to pull it off, take for example the eagerly awaited and much hyped Doom 3 release this year, it had all the parts but seemed to miss the mark by a country mile. Half Life 2 somehow manages to pass all of your...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Contact Music
Once again, players step into the shoes of Black Mesa scientist Gordon Freeman, this time arriving at his new home in a scene reminiscent of the first Half-Life's tram ride. Ostensibly, Gordon is being brought here to work for the mysterious G-Man, but...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Amped IGO
Ah, at last. All the delays, all the hype, the stolen code fiasco, release date mix ups—it’s here. Many fans like me have been waiting in earnest to load up the sequel to one of the best shooter series’ of all time. The story and characters for...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gamerz-Edge
To say that Half-Life, originally released in late 1998, single-handedly re-shaped the PC gaming front would be a bit naïve, though not entirely untrue. For me, this statement is 100% true, due to the unequivocal fact that I had absolutely no interest...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Helper
Half-Life 2, simply put, is a complete masterpiece; once again, the definition of what gaming is all about. Shame on you if you haven’t already played it. Loser....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gaming Horizon
Half-Life 2 doesn't have any radically new technology under its hood, but every bit of it is as polished as the floor of a palace...A lock for Game of the Year but also as the yardstick against which future first-person shooters will be compared for...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Worth Playing
The game, simply put, looks absolutely spectacular...The best thing about the graphics is how great the game will look and perform on today's entry-level rigs....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at PGNx Media
I must admit, the doubts had started to creep in. Why all the delays? Is the game not good enough? Is Valve in development hell? But thankfully, no - the delays were simply due to the fact that everything had to be as near to perfect as the gods would all...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Computer and Video Games
The first thing I noticed about Half-Life 2 is that it pays so much homage to its predecessor that you almost get a full-on flashback of the events in the first game right off the bat. You'll start off again on a train, but this time you're entering...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at AtomicGamer
It's a beautiful game with fantastic design and writing that's a little short but delivers boatloads of action in what time you do end up playing....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Over Online
Could Valve's labor of love possibly live up to the hype?...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at IGN
Here we have a game where hitting barrels is fun. Perhaps not the same kind of fun as you’d have speeding through beautifully rendered canals and waterways whilst being shot at from all sides by Combine soldiers, with explosive barrels blowing up all...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at DarkZero
The graphics are marvelous, the sounds enthrall you, the character models are remarkably realistic looking, the environment is engrossing and the controls are optimized to control Gordon Freeman and all of his actions....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at XGP Gaming
as that. If this doesn’t win GOTY I will riot outside of, wherever they riot at. This game is simply the best gaming I’ve ever had in a very long time. Even if you are a casual gamer you should play this title. It will be the topic of discuss...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gamer's Hell
Half-Life 2 was popularized first by its E3 2003 debut, as it demonstrated valve’s spectacular “Source” engine to the public. Contrary to the public’s knowledge, Valve was very likely constructing the source engine, and establishing a foundation...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game XC
I have had a dream of how good this game could be for a long time, and it was immediately kicked out the door for not being grand enough....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GamingTrend
Gordon Freeman has finally returned! It’s been a long time coming for gamers but the game is definitely worth the wait. Gamers that have been following the history of Half-Life understand that there are two stories surrounding the release...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GameZone
Half-Life 2 begins with our hero Gordon Freeman on a train to an Orwellian-like destination named City-17, where much of the game takes place. How Gordon got from the confines of Black Mesa, New Mexico to Eastern Europe isn't known. Nor is why former...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Voodoo Extreme
The player must once again take on the role of Gordon Freeman in an attempt to save mankind from the Xen alien force, and the 'Combine', a force controlled by your typical 'big brother' outfit, although the game doesn't do a great job of initially...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at 3D Avenue
The closest thing to perfection you'll play this year. You'd be a fool to miss out....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gamers Europe
At the end of our Doom 3 review, I stated that this year saw the birth of the Far Cry generation, with CryTek’s title managing to raise the bar regarding FPS standards. Of course, this statement was made without taking into account Half-Life 2 (HL2),...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Computer Games RO
Gordon Freeman, a speechless research scientist, picks up his crowbar where he left off from his last adventure. He now must “rescue the world from the wrong he unleashed at Black Mesa,” continuing under the work of the mysterious G-Man. Much of the...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Cyber Gaming Net
Much like the first Half-Life, Valve has created a cinematic experience like no other. The story here is larger and more complex than the first. In Half-Life 2, you once again assume the role of Gordon Freeman, the theoretical physicist and...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gameguru Mania
So while there are problems this game is still a cracker. It's one of those games that reminds PC gamers why they prefer PC gaming over console....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Loaded Inc
With tasty graphics and gameplay that is sheer madness, Half-life 2 is sweeter than a chocolate-and-honey lollipop coated with sugar, and it provides twice the rush....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Electric Playground
This game is well made and has a level of polish that tends to be only found in Blizzard games....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Next Level Gaming
the distance. Also, the shadows, the Combine force fields, the particles effects and the weapons are very well done. But the first truly impressive elements of HL2’s graphics are the liquid textures, whether it’s the Combine barricades or the cylinder...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Computer Games Online RO
An ephemeral and controversial ending, along with the few issues described above, means that for me, Half-Life 2, while a compelling and highly enjoyable game, falls short of the size of impact that the first title had on the gaming world....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Ferrago
the thought of it makes my inner tail wag. But no matter. Like recent five-star crown jewels Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2, Half-Life 2 represents the pinnacle of what the video gaming medium can offer. We've come a long way since digital porn...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at WHAM! Gaming
Some may find it tedious and even frustrating at times, but there are enough jaw-dropping moments throughout the campaign that still make Half Life 2 one of the greatest first person shooters ever....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at My Gamer
It goes without saying that this has been one of the most anticipated titles in recent memory. Valve has been very secretive about the title throughout its development, and slowly key points began to emerge from the darkness. The story begins after the...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GamingExcellence
This year, two shooters were highly expected, Half-Life 2 and Doom 3. We reviewed Doom 3 a while ago and said that although things were good on the technical side, there wasn’t any “feeling” present. It was a plain shooter without much background...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Fragland
Half-Life 2 is not perfect. The bizarre decision to include teammates in the way that Valve has, as well as the many and annoying loading times can actually diminish some of the fun factor. That said, this is still a game you don't want to miss....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at ActionTrip
A crowning achievement for Valve and one game that I thoroughly enjoyed. A few problems do exist such as the crashing and minor engine quirks. All in all, a wonderful PC game and one that fans of the original will love....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gaming Nexus
The advertisements call Half-Life 2 "the most highly anticipated PC release, ever." While this may be true (apologies to Doom 3), the haughty cries of this being "the best game ever made" are very much overstated. Is this a good game? Yes. Is it a...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Game Rankings
It's time for you to once again take up your submachine gun and take out all the foes threatening humanity....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GameSpot
The general design of the game suggests a greater level of thought than one would normally expect from a shooter. Take for example the way that Valve builds up some of the encounters. Earlier on, I entered into an intense shootout with the Combine -...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Entertainment Depot
For the release of the game, Valve decided to do something totally different in order to prevent people from playing early and then leaking the game ahead of time. In order to play Half-Life 2, which is a single player game, you need to have an internet...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GotNext
This game is layed out in a similar fashion to the old linear shooters of old, once you get past the introduction, the fighting is fast and furious, and there are few if any tedious exploring or waiting around. Enemies will keep coming and coming, right...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Strategy Informer
Story wise there is practically none, after a short opening scene where the G-Man from the end of the original Half-Life makes a mocking speech that set you wondering what is going on, you are dumped right in at the shallow end and there is seemingly...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Silicon Fusion
No discussion of Half-Life 2 can happen without talking about the graphics. They are beautiful, no question about it. But this is not the 'most advanced' game available (Doom 3 takes that). However, it plays extremely beautiful because of the choices...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GamerDad
While it may do what other games have already done, the important point is that it does...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at GameShark
Frankly, it seems like much of the game's technological potential is being squandered on a 3D game whose actual road to progress is every bit as two-dimensional as an 8-bit platformer....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at 1UP
Considering how well Valve got the action down pat, I was very unpleasantly surprised that they managed to fumble the storyline so badly. HL2 starts off with such promise and ends with something akin to what you'd find in "[deleted]" which is a travesty...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Cheat Code Central
The entire gaming community held its breath for Half-Life 2. Gamers endured a source-code leak, multiple release date delays, and an activation scheme that many perceived as draconian. Gamers were waiting for Half-Life 2 to fall flat on its face in the...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Jive Magazine
This sense of disconnection is entirely intentional. The player is Gordon is dropped into the middle of a vaguely Eastern European city and presented tantalizing bits of information or cameos by old friends before being abruptly swept away. There's...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at ESC Magazine
More than anything else, I suppose, Half-Life 2 is the story of a group of developers in love with their physics engine....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Gamecritics
Half Life 2 also provides phenomenal textures. From the grime on decrepit apartment buildings to the realistic wood on the barns strewn about the large countryside, the quality is second to none. I could go on and on about just how pretty this game is,...read the complete Half-Life 2 review at DreamStation.cc
The biggest and only serious bummer of Half-Life 2 is the installation -- and it's so bad that we're knocking the game's final score....read the complete Half-Life 2 review at Computer Gaming World
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