Blame Half-Life 2 for a lack of posts
by Ben Zackheim 
{ Nov 17th 2004 at 4:26PM }
I'm not sure what Half-Life 2 is doing to productivity around the country, but it's blasted mine into oblivion. Even with an agonizing back problem, I've found the fortitude to sit upright in my Aeron chair and kill HL2 thugs. In fact, while I've been able to get my work done today, I plan on neglecting my family thoroughly tonight, as I head into round two with the game-to-end-all-games. I can't remember the last time a title kept me up all night.
Half-Life 1, I believe.
The story is enthralling from the start. And while the interaction with NPCs is a bit one-sided, it still holds up well. Great voice acting, writing, convincing models and incredible facial animations ensure that.
Even with no weapon in hand, the game is exciting. Pulling into the train station at the beginning is creepy. As you work your way through a rigid and cold system, you notice no one has bit of hope left. You want to prop them up and tell them to fight back. Soon enough youre in safe hands. And soon enough, youre removed from safe hands and thats where the real fun begins. Ive only picked up a couple of weapons but they feel, look, and sound great. Even the pistol has a satisfying way about it! Whens the last time you could say that?
The path through the first few levels is so brilliantly desgned that you wont think youre in a game. Youll be completely sucked into the world. When you have to start running theres always an escape route. But heres the kicker you dont feel like theres always an escape route. No, you think, Wow, I lucked out finding that open train door. The execution is that refined, people.
Ill do a full review when Im done, but I can tell you this Half-Life 2 is everything we hoped it would be. You know why I like this game so much? It does something only a game can do. All this film as game and game as film crap thats always floating around is slapped across the face by Valves effort. Screw film. It cant touch something like Half-Life 2.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM
Blame Half-Life 2 for a decrease in site visits as well.
Ben @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM
LOL. Good point.
L_Emmerdeur @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM
Up all night?
I remember the X-Wing/Tie Fighter series.
Homeworld
Half Life Uno
Pirates on Mac (can't wait for Nov 22nd!)
Marathon on Mac
L_Emmerdeur @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM
Also, I have had the HL2 download since it was released, but haven't started it yet, because I am waiting to build my new MegaPC - overclocked watercooled Athlon64 3500+ on an Asus SLI motherboard with 2 overclocked SLI'd Nvidia 6800GT's - and view HL2 in full 1600x1200 4xAA glory on my new Dell 2001FP LCD.
A. Jacobson @ Dec 18th 2005 8:45PM
The only reason I'm posting here instead of playing HL2 is that I'm at the office, and I'm too excited about the game to be productive. HL2 is truly brilliant, resulting the the division of my life into two categories: "Playing HL2" and "Waiting Until I'm Home From Work and the Kids Are in Bed so I can Play HL2." Pathetic, maybe. But I spent last night fighting through Ravenholm, catching myself staring at my PC with my mouth hanging open in disbelief and wonder again and again. Yes, it is that good.
(blogging games at http://rendergaming.blogspot.com)