User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 12734 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Oct 14, 2016
    10
    In 2004 Valve again changed game industry as them done it in 1999. Every game from Half-Life series (and subs like Portal) - new word in First Person Shooter genre. I totally recommend it to play, must have for all who call themselves "gamer".
  2. Aug 28, 2016
    10
    The second best game ever. Excuse me for my English, i am from Venezuela, but this game is, is ¡AMAZING!, the graphics, the history, the game-play, the innovation. This game is indescribable. The best game is Half Life, but this is almost as great like the first game. I love this game. The only bad thing is the soundtrack, is good but it is rare, but i like it. I played this game in 2005,The second best game ever. Excuse me for my English, i am from Venezuela, but this game is, is ¡AMAZING!, the graphics, the history, the game-play, the innovation. This game is indescribable. The best game is Half Life, but this is almost as great like the first game. I love this game. The only bad thing is the soundtrack, is good but it is rare, but i like it. I played this game in 2005, because i had no money in that year (2004), i went to the E3 2003 and i saw, the game. Still i play this game. I don't like the new games, 2010-present, i miss you, 2004. Today, when i see the games, i only see graphics, nothing of innovation, and those things, i wish that Valve will do Half- Life 3, but that never happened.

    The good: the graphics, the game-play, the history, the soundtrack.

    The bad: The soundtrack is rare.

    The ugly: no sequel (Half-Life 3), or (EP3)
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  3. Dec 6, 2016
    10
    Это невероятная игра, советую каждому кто не знает о ней (ТАКИЕ вообще существуют?) :D Серьёзно, кто может не знать о халфе. Это великая игра, культовая, закоренелая классика уже. Вы просто обязаны пройти обе части и оба длс и ждать как и все нормальные люди HALF - LIFE 3!!!! :DЭто невероятная игра, советую каждому кто не знает о ней (ТАКИЕ вообще существуют?) :D Серьёзно, кто может не знать о халфе. Это великая игра, культовая, закоренелая классика уже. Вы просто обязаны пройти обе части и оба длс и ждать как и все нормальные люди HALF - LIFE 3!!!! :D
  4. Oct 11, 2016
    10
    Years ago, this game came with every PC I get, never knew why, always thought its overrated, never bothered to play it
    After playing counter strike for a while, I also found the original Half Life copy with it, tried it, did not finish it due a PC format that deleted every thing, I was in love in the first game so I tried the second one
    And oh god, I was never more wrong than the time I
    Years ago, this game came with every PC I get, never knew why, always thought its overrated, never bothered to play it
    After playing counter strike for a while, I also found the original Half Life copy with it, tried it, did not finish it due a PC format that deleted every thing, I was in love in the first game so I tried the second one
    And oh god, I was never more wrong than the time I ignored this game, this game is still my best game, a game that in my opinion holds the throne in video games, as time moves the game does not age a bit, played it over 10 times and still get amazed about the graphics, AI, story, and map design

    This game is a 10/10, no more words can describe how amazing this game is.
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  5. Oct 18, 2016
    10
    First, it's chosen as the best game made in 2004, then it's chosen as the game of the decade, then it's chosen as the best FPS game ever made, then it's chosen as the best PC game ever made. Now, it's the best game ever made, without doubt.
  6. Nov 28, 2016
    10
    Best game ever!
    Gordon Freeman is THE legend. Half-Life two isTHE revolution. The original Half-Life is the game that brought fame and attention to first person shooter, and has gotten this game genre the hype it deserves. Half-Life 2 defines how first person shooter should develope. Simply put, Half-Life changed it all.
  7. Dec 6, 2016
    10
    Probably the best game ever.
    Probably the best game 4ever.

    Even whit our character does not saying one single word AGAIN, this game has a great history.
    When I say great, its because its all about one book, 1984 from Orwell, one of the best view of the future we can get from the past.
  8. Dec 7, 2016
    10
    I think this is the best game at the moment. No COD can not be compared with the plot of HL2. This masterpiece of gaming industry long remain on the desks of our computers. More HL2 deserves to continue in the form of HL3.
  9. Jan 18, 2017
    10
    Half life 2 is easily one of the greatest FPS sequels there is right now, it has stood the test of time and every time you play it it makes you think about the lore, the characters, the enemy, your character, the locations, the iconic items, the weapons, one of the reasons people like it so much is because we play a character that can easily destroy the enemy, you feel powerful... unlikeHalf life 2 is easily one of the greatest FPS sequels there is right now, it has stood the test of time and every time you play it it makes you think about the lore, the characters, the enemy, your character, the locations, the iconic items, the weapons, one of the reasons people like it so much is because we play a character that can easily destroy the enemy, you feel powerful... unlike some hunky gamer on a bad diet. you feel recognized.

    This is the sequel that we all deserve.

    Sure you might not like it but at the end of the day you can hate whatever you want i don't care.

    The only bad thing is the ending and that is literally the only thing.

    I hope you found this helpful and that you will or have played this game.
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  10. Feb 12, 2017
    10
    This game really started PC Gaming for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart for doing that for me. I could play this game over and over and i not get sick of it. So yes i definitely recommend this game. Except if you are my brother, he hates every game that i like.

    Sometimes a game is just so bad, i have to go back playing this one to clear it out of my head...
  11. Sot
    Jan 17, 2017
    10
    Half-Life 2 is one of the best games out there! Α meaningful game! So realistic of what happens today. This game came out in 2004, the graphics, A.I., physics, animations, gameplay are revolutionary for the time! Every gamer should play this GREAT game.
  12. Jan 31, 2017
    10
    Half Life 2 la continuación de aquel legendario FPS creado por Valve es todo lo que se podría creer de el, un juego que evoluciona todo lo que hay que evolucionar, gráficos, música, historia, armas, IA, terror, acción, todo. Un juego espectacular que fue expandido con 3 entregas posteriores, mientras después de mas de 13 años aun esperamos Half Life 3. Perfecto
  13. Jan 30, 2017
    10
    Will amaze anyone who likes the FPS genre. Not only a revolutionary game but will always be remembered as a classic and iconic game. Gabe Newell is truly a genius.
  14. Mar 23, 2017
    10
    Half-Life 2 has always been one of the best games of all time and for many good reasons: a masterpiece of storytelling that feels so immersive to be in, Alyx Vance being one of the best AI for her time and a wonderful secondary character that only Ellie from The Last of Us rivals currently, the physics engine revolutionizing future games and defined Valve's prowess at gaming tech andHalf-Life 2 has always been one of the best games of all time and for many good reasons: a masterpiece of storytelling that feels so immersive to be in, Alyx Vance being one of the best AI for her time and a wonderful secondary character that only Ellie from The Last of Us rivals currently, the physics engine revolutionizing future games and defined Valve's prowess at gaming tech and world-building unmatched by no other game that handle puzzle and pacing perfectly. With Episode 1 and 2, it was like a whole other sequel that further rewarded the gaming world with a diamond that shined. Even if the cliffhanger and Half-Life 3 memes run rampant with Valve refusing to say anything, the game just annihilated all in its path for what it accomplished. Expand
  15. Sep 23, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Esre es mi juego favorito, totalmente perfecto en toda aspecto, historia, jugabilidad, hasta el diseño de los niveles, totalmente recomendable. Este juego me le pasado como una 10 veces y cada vez es mejor, gracias a dios que juegue este juego, es ORO! Expand
  16. Mar 12, 2017
    10
    The best game i have ever played. Smart level-design, great variety between scary, action and story parts. It's looking for and even competitor. My All time favorite! A Masterpiece in all means.
  17. Sep 14, 2020
    10
    Greatest video game of all time. Like seriously. If you haven't played it, why are you still here?
  18. Jun 21, 2019
    10
    Считаю, что эта игра - идеал жанра FPS. Переигрывал её и через 5, и через 10, и через 15 лет после релиза, получал все то же удовольствие, что и в первое прохождение. Надеюсь, что у меня хватит здоровья, чтобы дожить и узнать, чем закончится история Гордона Фримена.Считаю, что эта игра - идеал жанра FPS. Переигрывал её и через 5, и через 10, и через 15 лет после релиза, получал все то же удовольствие, что и в первое прохождение. Надеюсь, что у меня хватит здоровья, чтобы дожить и узнать, чем закончится история Гордона Фримена.
  19. Mar 30, 2017
    10
    Seems that this game does not have a half life because its still one of the best pc games ever created, and with every bad game being released it just makes this game better
    i love the story
    i worship the physics
    im married to the game play
    this game is just great in all aspects except graphics which was pretty good for the time it was released
  20. Mar 19, 2022
    10
    Still feels like a brand new game almost 20 years after its release. Engaging story, combat and an amazing ost makes this a must play for not only pc players but every gamer.
  21. Apr 10, 2017
    10
    It's crazy to think that this is the standard we had back in 2004, and now the majority of games being released to day are broken messes filled with DLC that should have come as standard. I wish we could go back to the days when developers had a passion for the games they were making and the fans who bought them.
  22. May 11, 2018
    10
    one of my favorites. great shooting and great story...milestone for gaming era
    waiting for hl3...
  23. Oct 26, 2018
    10
    I just wanted to score that great game 10/10. Every one knows, it is perfect.
  24. Feb 20, 2022
    10
    Half-Life 2 is one of the greatest first-person shooters of all time. Everything about this game is great.
  25. Jul 1, 2017
    10
    이 게임은 내가 함부로 말하거나 평가할수없는 최고의 게임이다. fps의 시작을 알리는 둠이 있었지만 더욱 발전한 기술 그리고 스토리 전개등은 나의 마음엔 꼭 맞는 게임이였다. 지금 모션과 비교해도 전혀 손색없는 모션과 그 때당시엔 엄청난 그래픽 정말 충격적이었다.
  26. Jul 31, 2017
    10
    My favorite game of all time. The graphics are absolutely amazing especially for its age. The story of how you have to save the world from the fist of the combine and Dr.Breen is amazing. It's really a shame that they don"t make games like this anymore :(.It has a special place in my heart.Its just amazing the game play, the AI and stuff like that.
    And it's also a shame that they never
    My favorite game of all time. The graphics are absolutely amazing especially for its age. The story of how you have to save the world from the fist of the combine and Dr.Breen is amazing. It's really a shame that they don"t make games like this anymore :(.It has a special place in my heart.Its just amazing the game play, the AI and stuff like that.
    And it's also a shame that they never made HL2 or HL2 Ep3 .
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  27. Sep 6, 2017
    10
    Played this in 2017 cause i wanted to play other valve games. The story is just amazing and interesting but a bit short. finished it in 13 hrs. i played also episode one and episode two and they are like hl2 base.
  28. Jul 22, 2018
    10
    Why is Half-Life beyond a game? It was a very realistic simulator of rebirth after a (possible) collapse awaiting humanity.
  29. Nov 15, 2017
    10
    What can I say. One of the best games of all time. This game has a soul. You can feel that there is clear idea behind every stage of the game and a clear artistic vision. It keeps on giving and giving from the first opening scen to the credits. Technically, visually, and mechanics is spot on. You need to experience this game atleast once in your life.
  30. Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is definitely one of the most influential games of all time. The graphics are dated today but were extremely good when the game first came out in 2004 and looked better than most games up to around 2008. It also has an extremely interactive world full of physics-based props and items that no other game at the time could rival.

    The gameplay itself is also flawless with smooth
    Half-Life 2 is definitely one of the most influential games of all time. The graphics are dated today but were extremely good when the game first came out in 2004 and looked better than most games up to around 2008. It also has an extremely interactive world full of physics-based props and items that no other game at the time could rival.

    The gameplay itself is also flawless with smooth transitions between levels, no useless cutscenes, interesting characters, and a damn good story. Even me who usually doesn't like story-driven games still absolutely loved playing through the whole thing. 10/10
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Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 81 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 81
  3. Negative: 0 out of 81
  1. 100
    Nothing less than a revolution in the gaming industry that will keep gamers busy for years to come, just as the original did.
  2. 95
    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.
  3. Playboy
    100
    A graphics overhaul delivers detailed facial animations and sophisticated physics that leave battle zones strewn with debris after intense shootouts with shuffling corpses, overfed curstaceans and other assorted foes. [October, p.37]