Half-Life 2 confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jul 13th 2006 at 9:00PM }
Speaking at EA's annual summer press event, Valve's Gabe Newell revealed that Half-Life 2 would be headed to the Xbox 360 and PS3, bolstered with extra content and presumably, plenty of opportunities to kill people with high velocity toilets. The full console package will be comprised of Half-Life 2, Episode One, Episode Two, Team Fortress 2 (it still exists!) and an entirely new title, Portal. According to Gamespot, Team Fortress 2 now sports a cartoonish art style and a 60's spy feel akin to that of Monolith's No One Lives Forever -- certainly a description you'd never expect to be about a game from Valve. The developer is also trying new things with Portal, which incorporates a rather imaginative gun and encourages you to blast Prey-like portals into floors and walls for all manner of object shifting, puzzle solving hijinx.
The console versions of Half-Life 2 (along with all the extra goodies) are expected to launch alongside the PC game's second episodic expansion. Barring unforeseen code thefts and other delays, that means they'll be out by the end of the year.
[Thanks Easy_G and icemorebutts!]
Previously:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Overburdened @ Jul 13th 2006 9:19PM
Already played the one on the original Xbox. Sure this will have tons of additional contend and enhanced graphics, but is that enough to warrant me playing it again? No.
Bring on Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect and Lost Planet. Stop with this nonsense.
EvilGeniusDan @ Jul 13th 2006 9:19PM
Team Fortress 2 ... *head explodes*
Jason C, @ Jul 13th 2006 9:24PM
No Wii version? godammit
Kel @ Jul 13th 2006 9:24PM
This absolutely awesome. This game is way better than Prey or Doom 3. Now I can rock it on 360.
JJ @ Jul 13th 2006 9:31PM
actually overburdened depending on the price it may be worth it as you get episode one and two adn team fortress.
It's basically HL 2.5
So its new, but its not. It may be worth it for the new content for those who dont have a PC that can run it. Cuz Episode one rocks.
EzPz @ Jul 13th 2006 9:32PM
Being both a Half Life 2 Fanatic and a Wii fanboy, this is one of the few games I don't mind seeing not being on Wii. I don't think I could stand to play through such a wonderful looking game at such a low resolution with muddy textures and limited physics. Especially with all the additions to the Source engine that Valve has made, I highly doubt that the Wii could do it justice.
Also, I think I most excited right now for Portal. Anyone who has played Narbacular Drop (http://www.nuclearmonkeysoftware.com/narbaculardrop.html) knows just how fun this type of gameplay can be. And apparently Valve hired a few of the guys that made Narbacular Drop, so it should be just as good.
Also, I'd say HL2, Ep 1, Ep 2, TF2, and Portal is more than enough to warrant a second purchase. Of course, that is if it is priced reasonably. I don't see how this would only be $50, but hopefully it isn't something ridiculous like $80.
Killer Instinct @ Jul 13th 2006 9:37PM
They better release TF2 for PC!
EzPz @ Jul 13th 2006 9:40PM
Killer Instinct, TF2 is also on PC. All of these announced games are going to be released at the same time on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. So don't you worry.
bv @ Jul 13th 2006 9:52PM
Is there any way to play on the 360 using a mouse and keyboard?
Ultimatallica @ Jul 13th 2006 9:53PM
"Bring on Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect and Lost Planet. Stop with this nonsense."
Jesus christ comments like that always piss me off. THOSE GAMES ARE COMING. THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM. Those games are made by completely different companies, it's not like they're put on hold to make this. You'd rather this 'nonsense' not come out? Fine, but it's not going to make those games any better or come out faster, and it'd only anger the people like me who was really waiting for a good port of HL2 on the consoles.
Anyway, TF2? Why not Counterstrike???!!! This would have been an absolutely perfect package if it had CS, and I'd probably be playing it for months to come. But TF2? Pshhhh.
Jay @ Jul 13th 2006 10:03PM
No. Would be nice to see the console people being blasted apart from the PC users though. It's not funny how fast some of those PC users can go. without a mouse the PS3/Xbox versions just look drab. Probably wouldn't want it on the Wii either. It's a very PC game and a controller would just destroy it. nay, it did destroy it on the original Xbox.
Dux @ Jul 13th 2006 10:11PM
I Think the Wii could do this game justice, becuase the Xbox played it just fine, and the Wii is slightly or a little more powerful than the Xbox, and the Wiimote, would be able to add a new spin to the gameplay, so I would LOVE to see this come to the Wii.
It would probably make it the best game of the 3, with its gameplay, and there aint much to improve on the graphics department with Half Life 2, they look great already.
Conn @ Jul 13th 2006 10:15PM
Well, I never played the PC or Xbox version.. might as well get this.
Eventually. After a $40 price drop.
Mark D. @ Jul 13th 2006 10:19PM
Jay, the horrible hack-job of a port that was HL2 for Xbox suffered from technical issues such as low framerate. Add on the fact that multiplayer was dropped, and that it came out long after HL2 for PC and those are the reasons that it bombed on consoles. Not because of a controller...
The ZeroCorpse @ Jul 13th 2006 10:22PM
THERE WILL NEVER BE MOUSE & KEYBOARD SUPPORT.
Please, stop asking. Give the control pad a try-- Once you get used to it, it really is very nice. I think the attachment people have to keyboard/mouse is actually leaning toward the obsessive, and just a little bit sad. You only prefer it because it's what you're used to. Expand your horizons. Try new things. Keyboard/Mouse dates back to Quake, guys. Why not just stubbornly stick with your Atari 2600 joystick, too?
I'll tell you why! Because we develop better control schemes and ditch old ones.
How exactly would you make keyboard/mouse work from your sofa? Are you going to haul a table over and keep a wireless keyboard & mouse there? How is that superior, since hardcore gamers HATE wireless keyboards and mice? Wires stretching all over the living room?
The point of control pad in these games is to level the playing field, keep it down to one controller instead of two, and aim for good wireless control. It would be stupid and awkward to try to use a keyboard and mouse while kicking back on the sofa- It really requires you to be playing at a desk.
There are 16 buttons and two analog sticks on the 360 controller. With bumper/trigger combinations, there are hundreds of key combinations possible. You're not in danger of running out of buttons, and the control offered by analog stick aiming is just as smooth as that of mouse control once you get used to it. If you need keyboard/mouse so bad, stick with PC.
I'll probably pick up HL2 just for the Team Fortress 2. Team Fortress was always better than Counterstike, in my opinion.
Yem @ Jul 13th 2006 10:23PM
@12: Amen to that.
Sub @ Jul 13th 2006 10:41PM
@14: The Keyboard and Mouse is, in my mind, infinitly better than any controller for first person shooters. Having HL2 on the 360 will be nice regardless though, it will give those without a good PC the ability to play this awesome game.
Einhanderkiller @ Jul 13th 2006 10:47PM
@ #9, Ultimatallica
The package includes Counter-Strike: Source, at least from what I read.
atlnative76 bu @ Jul 13th 2006 10:51PM
I am a fan of half-life but am not that excited about this news. Like the other posters said, with so many other great games coming out, I'd rather wait and pick this up at gamefly or wait for a price drop than blow $60
Kwipper @ Jul 13th 2006 10:51PM
In response to the post of "ZeroCorpse"
Why is the keyboard and mouse superior to gamepads when it comes to FPS. ACCURACY. That is why. With a gamepad, it is a lot easier to over-aim a target and miss him, this is even more-so when the target is moving. Also you can forget about doing quick 180 degree turns to shoot targets behind you if you get ambushed from behind. With a gamepad, by the time you turn your character to the 90 degree point, the opponent would have filled you with 1000 rounds of lead.
Oh yes, you can increase the turning rate of the character, but that will also increase your odds of over-aiming the target in question.
This is why the Keyboard and Mouse combo is SUPERIOR to Gamepad controllers when it comes to first person shooters. Why do you think that console FPS games rely so much on AUTO-AIM?
moopcow @ Jul 13th 2006 11:07PM
TF2! FINALLY... Man, TFC was the bomb diggity. I know this is different, but I can't wait. And portal sounds awsome. No idea if I'll go PC of 360 on this one, but I do already have HL2 and Ep. 1...
Ultimatallica @ Jul 13th 2006 11:08PM
"The package includes Counter-Strike: Source, at least from what I read."
Really?! Thank god if that's true. Like literally, this is a godsend. I can't wait for this game, I'll probably be playing CS as much as I did Halo 2.
OMG I'm soooooooo stoked!
Crosswayboy @ Jul 13th 2006 11:34PM
I'm with Ultimatallica- I would definitely pick this up if it comes with Counter-Strike Source. I'm dying for more CS and I don't own a PC with enough balls to play it so a 360 version would be HUGE.
Einhanderkiller @ Jul 13th 2006 11:36PM
Here's what Gamespot said:
"For whoever asked in the comments, from what I understood the console versions of HL2: Episode 2 will contain all things Half-Life 2, including CS: Source, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. Will amend that info if anything changes."
Geist @ Jul 13th 2006 11:40PM
CS: Source? Didn't that...um...suck?
Anyway, as I always say, it's better on PC.
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Jul 13th 2006 11:42PM
"Electronic Arts has clarified that Counter-Strike: Source is not yet confirmed for the PS3 and X360 versions of Half-Life 2."
- http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/718/718515p1.html
I'll update this post as soon as Counterstrike is confirmed to be in or out of the console versions. There seems to be some disagreement still.
saidnamyzO @ Jul 13th 2006 11:46PM
Kwipper:
How do you over aim on a device that is less sensitive? if you are truly a hardcore PC gamer, you know that you want less sensitivity for more accuracy and more sensitivity for spray n pray guns.
btw games that rely heavily on auto aim usually suck. the auto aim causes the reticule to stick on targets. this works for new players but vets usually turn it off to make head shots easier.
Questworld @ Jul 13th 2006 11:48PM
I've been waiting for a Wii version of Half-Life 2 for ages and now, despite the Xbox already having it, Nintendo fans yet again get excluded from the release yet again? I feel like I'm being mocked here. Give the Wii the game dammit!!!
Ian @ Jul 14th 2006 12:16AM
Why would anyone wanna play a 2 (maybe 3 by the time it comes out) year old PC game at full price with a couple add ons. On top of that it won't even play as good as on the PC with a 1 foot difference between you and the screen with a keyboard and mouse.
DWells55 @ Jul 14th 2006 12:37AM
Sorry, but there's no way I'm spending money on a PC port that will likely look and run worse. If they included CS: Source with full Live support, I'd have bought it. Otherwise, I'll pass, thanks.
DeejayKnight @ Jul 14th 2006 1:07AM
Am I the only one noticing that the keyboard/mouse discussion is only focused around one thing: the MOUSE.
Once a forward-thinking company releases a version of the 360 controller with a trackball replacing the right control stick, those people crying for accuracy will have exactly what they wanted PLUS the hundreds of button configurations that The ZeroCorpse brought up in his post.
Read this if you're interested in hearing E3 2K6 reviews of a trackball controller being created for the PS2:
http://gear.ign.com/articles/708/708054p1.html
Once they make a trackball controller for the 360: Online DESTRUCTION ^_^.
Sub @ Jul 14th 2006 1:17AM
Trackballs suck, probably even more so than an ordinary game pad. I'll pass and stick with my PC, thanks.
SonicRift @ Jul 14th 2006 1:20AM
Counter-Strike is a huge draw on it's own. It's still in the top 10 most played X-Box Live games on the original X-Box, according to Major Nelson's weekly updates.
They stand to make more money by offering Counter-Strike on it's own, or perhaps with some other Steam game.
And I'll throw in my input on the Keyboard/Mouse vs. controller issue. Note that I play alot of FPS, on my new 360, PS2, PC, DS, etc.
The controllers we are using are flawed for first person gameplay. We don't have the ability to turn as quickly or aim as precisely in the same the way a mouse can. It's hard to turn around quickly when you can't tell the controller you're trying to turn around, not look over there.
Call of Duty 2 seemed to respond to urgency on the 360. I don't know how, but I know the stick control in that game was better than in Perfect Dark Zero or Halo 2. Something about the turning... Did it accellerate at certain points? I can't articulate.
Problem with the mouse and keyboard, well, it's over-complicated. This may come from that fact that it was designed for work, not play. It's been adapted to play.
You've got all sorts of control schemes, like the arrows, wasd, esdf, and it's like every other game I play, I'm remapping those controls. I've got a MS Explorer mouse with the 2 buttons on the side that are always Duck and Jump. Half-Life 2 seems to auto revert my controls when I relaunch it. Steam doesn't know that I like a certain control scheme, and doesn't apply it to every game, like the 360 would (neat little feature, actually) , and I had always wanted.
Also, you've got a board full of keys, can't look at 'em, there's tons of functions to choose from , and some games make it very intimidating (maybe an Optimus keyboard would fix this?). I'm not saying we should stiffle creativity with key limitations, it's just overcomplicated sometimes.
Also, controller has analog movement where the PC does not. I use a mixed mode for CS, using a PS2 controller for analog movement, reloading, and weapon swapping, and the mouse for firing, aiming, ducking, zooming, scrolling. Then I put the controller down to type and get shot in the face.
DeejayKnight @ Jul 14th 2006 1:38AM
SonicRift: Nicely said.
Sub: Even though you might consider trackballs to suck, they could help you with FPS games on consoles. Check a quote from the article:
"Once my brain learned not to compensate for an analog stick's acceleration, I attained a level of accuracy I had never experienced without a mouse and keyboard combination."
It seems to be getting rave reviews - and if it's as good as it sounds, I want a 360 version of it ASAP.
planet zoo @ Jul 14th 2006 1:55AM
Each to his/her own, of course, but I m-u-u-u-ch prefer playing fps's on a console. Reason? Unless you are gifted with piano fingers, I find the mouse/keyboard too jerky. Running down hallways at 300 m.p.h. is not my cuppa! better on console-you can regulate better and only use two fingers instead of two hands. Also I find to do a 180 you have to jerk, jerk, around with a pc. Your asshole is a smoking mushbag by the time you get turned around. Not knocking the games tho, they are superb! Hope the 360 gets tons of ports!
Shagi @ Jul 14th 2006 3:33AM
The problem of course with track ball controls is the size of the ball. If the ball takes your whole hand to move then it would work fine, if it only takes your thumb to move it then its no better than a joystick.
The reason the mouse is so acurate is beacause your using your whole hand to move it, you can do prescision movements with your hand that you cannot mimic nearly as well or comfortably with just one finger.
Trackball and mouse are pretty close...but a tiny trackball controlled by one finger vs. a mouse if completely different.
Ian Bowden @ Jul 14th 2006 4:13AM
EvilGeniusDan. Spot on.
I am the happiest man in the world at the moment. This feeling can only lead me to know what it is like to have a child born. Team fortress classic is one of my favourite games and I only stopped playiang it last year when i switched to mac. I've already got an xbox 360 and this is on my shopping list. YES!
cypherspace @ Jul 14th 2006 6:42AM
Man.. three A-Levels, two gap years and a degree after I signed up to the TF2 boards, and I finally get to play it! I doubt it'll be quite worth the wait though...
striderhayasa @ Jul 14th 2006 8:09AM
@ Kwipper
You read my mind. It's no contest. Mouse and keyboard is infinitely better. I played Goldeneye and the like and loved it and the controls out of ignorance. Once I
sat down and played Unreal Tourny and Quake 3 with mouse and keyboard, it was a wrap. I can't stomach dual analog with first person shooters now.
Keyboards and mice are great for RTS and Turn-based gaming too, for RPGs and the like, it's much easier to navigate inventory and menus with keyboard and mouse.
As far as the logic that it's too complicated, I disagree. Like anything else there is a learning curve but once that is conquered the benefits are clearly visible.
Case in point, play any FPS on a console and turn auto aim off. Now in the middle of a fire fight, try to hit a moving target while the target is on a elevated position, second floor catwalk or a cliff, while strafing and dodging fire at the same time.
Better yet use a rail gun in a FPS on console. Nuff said. ANYONE that has played Quake3: Arena online or over LAN can testify to the brutal accuracy of mouse and keyboard in the hands skilled rail gun users. Even better, Shock Core combos in Unreal Tournament while falling or flying through the air. In Unreal Tourny, UT2003 and UT 2004 I've seen people get wasted when a skilled player would run to the edge of a cliff or elevated position, hit a jump pad and get a clean head shot while 180 degree turning while flying THROUGH THE AIR. Only to have the second part or the Shock Core combo obliterate the poor smucks body after he's been killed.
When you can do that on a console, come and talk to me. Until then, it's no contest.
Honorable mention goes to the DS touch screen controls in Metroid Prime Hunters and the potential of the WiiMote.
Thomas Crymes @ Jul 14th 2006 8:37AM
There is really no doubt that a large percentage of people prefer the keyboard/mouse combo for FPSs (me included).
If I had a top of the line gaming rig, I'd rather play FPSs on my PC than the console. But my PC is getting dated and it can't play all the latest FPS games at the resolution my 360 can, so I play on the console.
360 game pad is no keyboard/mouse, but at least all players are using the same input device, and have to deal with the same issues. It is a more level playing field. And the control isn't awful and is very playable. It just isn't as accurate as the K/M combo.
Not playing an FPS game because it doesn't have a K/M controll set up is snobbish to me.
GamerZero @ Jul 14th 2006 9:00AM
Mouse and keyboard is one of the most accurate ways to play this kind of game and I did so for years on the PC and had loads of fun online.
Now I play FPS on consoles and although it took some time getting used to it I would never go back.
It's less accurate but the same fun because everyone you play against is equal to you unlike with the PC's where certain players had better setup's.
Also voice is not to be underestimated when your playing with friends in a team game,and that's where it trumps the pc.That and chilling on the sofa with 5.1 sound and a 50" telly!It's about fun not accuracy.
SymetriX @ Jul 14th 2006 9:37AM
Wii-mote and the crow bar--cmon people! It's a match made in heaven. Plus the aiming would be fluid like a mouse.
Laugh now, but just wait--the Wii will be preferable for FPS games once people play Zelda and Metroid.
Evil Inside @ Jul 14th 2006 9:55AM
5 games in 1 package? Nice. Hopefully this won't cost $100+.
EvilDead @ Jul 14th 2006 10:36AM
"Case in point, play any FPS on a console and turn auto aim off. Now in the middle of a fire fight, try to hit a moving target while the target is on a elevated position, second floor catwalk or a cliff, while strafing and dodging fire at the same time."
I kind of enjoy the fact that the controller keeps me from being some sort of Rambo super human. Just because the mouse enables you to spin around in split second doesn't make it more fun it just makes it faster (unrealistically faster in many cases). Also like others have said "Even playing field" is the key.
I currently play CS:S & BF2 on the computer(with mouse and keyboard)and Halo 2, GRAW on the console for the record.
el nico @ Jul 14th 2006 11:32AM
i'm a retard, i couldn't get into HL2. i could appreciate it's technical achievements, but i thought the battles were boring.
John @ Jul 14th 2006 11:32AM
What is the price going to be?? More than 60 bucks cause of the extra content or 60 bucks cause its an "old game" with new content??? I would doubt it would be less than 60 bucks!
Mike @ Jul 14th 2006 2:10PM
Nice!!! I've been putting off playing through this game a second time b/c of this rumor. I hope it's not $60 though. I'm not paying that much for a game I've already payed $50 for.
Mike @ Jul 14th 2006 2:10PM
Nice!!! I've been putting off playing through this game a second time b/c of this rumor. I hope it's not $60 though. I'm not paying that much for a game I've already payed $50 for.
T-Bag @ Jul 14th 2006 2:17PM
People, the game sucked. Stop re-doing it.
Frosty @ Aug 27th 2006 12:50PM
Ohh... my... god...
You people need a forum or something. This is reviews for a game, not reviews for wheather a fucking mouse is better than a control stick... And if you didn't like the game, why do you tell us it sucks? you most likely have different tastes, cause any half-life game will rule all others, and if you don't like half-life, you can go fuck yourself with a chainsaw for all I care. This makes me want to slit my throaght when I see stuff like this... How imature can the internet get? quit arguing like little children, and just ignore comments that have no importance to you. I can't beleive this... no wonder every movie with aliens in it, they ALWAYS kick our ass... cause you can't see past your fucking nose...
T-bag... you really are a t-bag... you don't honestly think that people care that you think the game sucked... do you? if you do say something like that about half-life, you probly haven't played this. I have half-life 2 on xbox, and I could care less that there are more load points. I was thrilled that I got to play the game I was waiting for, for 6 months... now you wanna come and tell me sence the graphics, and load points were decreaced in quality, that the entire game sucked? It's the gameplay... not the graphics, you morons.as for the load points... I only noticed one that wasn't on pc, and thats in Water Hazard... and it loads much faster than on my other pc... which I had to get rid of... Damnit... I hope that when this game comes out, anyone who has a 360, or PS3 that thinks the games not worth it has Anthrax mailed to their house... Get real... doom 3 sucked in comparison of graphics... even pc compared to xbox. The story of doom is nowhere near as good, and the gameplay is not as up to par... not to mention the "scaryness"... I shit my pants in ravenholm on half-life 2 before I got close to shitting my pants on the CyberDemon... It just wasn't as scary... it was a little creepy, but not scary... and now you compare it to halo, halo has a very shitty story, and everyone who plays it plays for the online gameplay now. and that still sucks because of all the nerds. The graphics for halo 2, and doom 3 are exactly the same, in that they both make everything shiny... The source engine looks better, than both those engines will ever look, as it is. Don't compare graphics when you don't have any idea what your talking about, or it's not the proper place. Don't compare to other games when it's about this. I don't give a shit if you thought "Halo 3 is better" because i'm talking about half-life 2, which is so much better on every level anyways. (and I have 3,000,000 opinions to back me up) "Is there any way to play on the 360 using a mouse and keyboard?" Is there any way you can just get a new computer, and play online there and get pissed so I don't have to hear you scream in my ear when I kill you? I don't even want to reply to this... if you have a brain you know that now you don't have to push the stick all the way, you can just slightly push it... theres no comparison top either, because they are completely different. But, i'll say this. It takes real skill to be good with a console game... a monkey could play CS on computer, and get at least 5 kills.
In summary, DOn't shove shit in my face when it has nothing to do with the topic. Don't tell me this game was better, because I could give a shit what you think, because I like this game, and if you don't then "You can go fuck yourself with a chainsaw." Don't talk about how a sertain peice of hardware for the computer is better than my 360's eyesight controler that can play a game through the wall of a room on the opposite side, that is completely sealed off. Don't clogg up game reviews with your opinionated bullshit.
(I don't know exactly what this site is, because I was just looking this up on google, and had to call you out on the stupidity of this. I don't know if it's a game review, or an essay ment for retarded replies like these, but this got me heated, and I had to let off some steam. Have a nice day, and get that chainsaw goin, and find the lube, cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride.)