Half-Life 2

 PC
User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 12734 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11,541 out of 12734
  2. Mixed: 635 out of 12734
  3. Negative: 558 out of 12734
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  1. BaileyJ
    Nov 14, 2020
    10
    If you haven't played this game, you're dead to me.

    For sure on of the best game ever made. The most innovative game ever made. This game was released back in 2004 and playing this game today i have yet to find anything that shows its age.
  2. Animus1
    Nov 18, 2020
    10
    Bee Movie Script - Dialogue Transcript

    According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Ooh, black and yellow!    Bee Movie Script - Dialogue Transcript

    According to all known laws
    of aviation,

    there is no way a bee
    should be able to fly.

    Its wings are too small to get
    its fat little body off the ground.

    The bee, of course, flies anyway

    because bees don't care
    what humans think is impossible.

    Yellow, black. Yellow, black.
    Yellow, black. Yellow, black.

    Ooh, black and yellow!
    Let's shake it up a little.

    Barry! Breakfast is ready!

    Ooming!

    Hang on a second.

    Hello?

    - Barry?
    - Adam?

    - Oan you believe this is happening?
    - I can't. I'll pick you up.

    Looking sharp.

    Use the stairs. Your father
    paid good money for those.

    Sorry. I'm excited.

    Here's the graduate.
    We're very proud of you, son.

    A perfect report card, all B's.

    Very proud.

    Ma! I got a thing going here. - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That's me! - Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000. - Bye! Barry, I told you, stop flying in the house! - Hey, Adam. - Hey, Barry. - Is that fuzz gel? - A little. Special day, graduation. Never thought I'd make it. Three days grade school, three days high school. Those were awkward. Three days college. I'm glad I took a day and hitchhiked around the hive. You did come back different. - Hi, Barry. - Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good. - Hear about Frankie? - Yeah. - You going to the funeral? - No, I'm not going. Everybody knows, sting someone, you die. Don't waste it on a squirrel. Such a hothead. I guess he could have just gotten out of the way. I love this incorporating an amusement park into our day. That's why we don't need vacations. Boy, quite a bit of pomp... under the circumstances. - Well, Adam, today we are men. - We are! - Bee-men. - Amen! Hallelujah! Students, faculty, distinguished bees, please welcome Dean Buzzwell. Welcome, New Hive Oity graduating class of... ...9:15. That concludes our ceremonies. And begins your career at Honex Industries! Will we pick ourjob today? I heard it's just orientation. Heads up! Here we go. Keep your hands and antennas inside the tram at all times. - Wonder what it'll be like? - A little scary. Welcome to Honex, a division of Honesco and a part of the Hexagon Group. This is it! Wow. Wow. We know that you, as a bee, have worked your whole life to get to the point where you can work for your whole life. Honey begins when our valiant Pollen Jocks bring the nectar to the hive. Our top-secret formula is automatically color-corrected, scent-adjusted and bubble-contoured into this soothing sweet syrup with its distinctive golden glow you know as... Honey! - That girl was hot. - She's my cousin! - She is? - Yes, we're all cousins. - Right. You're right. - At Honex, we constantly strive to improve every aspect of bee existence. These bees are stress-testing a new helmet technology. - What do you think he makes? - Not enough. Here we have our latest advancement, the Krelman. - What does that do? - Oatches that little strand of honey that hangs after you pour it. Saves us millions. Oan anyone work on the Krelman? Of course. Most bee jobs are small ones. But bees know that every small job, if it's done well, means a lot. But choose carefully because you'll stay in the job you pick for the rest of your life. The same job the rest of your life? I didn't know that. What's the difference? You'll be happy to know that bees, as a species, haven't had one day off in 27 million years. So you'll just work us to death? We'll sure try. Wow! That blew my mind! "What's the difference?" How can you say that? One job forever? That's an insane choice to have to make. I'm relieved. Now we only have to make one decision in life. But, Adam, how could they never have told us that? Why would you question anything? We're bees. We're the most perfectly functioning society on Earth. You ever think maybe things work a little too well here? Like what? Give me one example. I don't know. But you know what I'm talking about. Please clear the gate. Royal Nectar Force on approach. Wait a second. Oheck it out. - Hey, those are Pollen Jocks! - Wow. I've never seen them this close. They know what it's like outside the hive. Yeah, but some don't come back. - Hey, Jocks! - Hi, Jocks! You guys did great! You're monsters! You're sky freaks! I love it! I love it! - I wonder where they were. - I don't know. Their day's not planned. Outside the hive, flying who knows where, doing who knows what. You can'tjust decide to be a Pollen Jock. You have to be bred for that. Right. Look. That's more pollen than you and I will see in a lifetime. It's just a status symbol. Bees make too much of it. Perhaps. Unl    … Expand
  3. CerafM
    May 19, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There are so many things that Half-Life 2 is known for; realistic graphics, meta narrative, excellent voice acting, flawless pacing, amazing story, memorable characters and so on. But one thing that i really think was revolutionary with Half-Life 2 was it playing with different genres and styles. Half-Life 2 carries many themes and concepts that were simply too much for a video game back in 2004, and i think that's what makes this brilliant sequel so special, for example Ravenholm is a example of what other countries can do to a nation, and how horrible and terrifying it is. City 17 is the symbol of many dictator countries, the final moments of the game are saying that it does not matter how much powerful you are, you're still being controlled. The game is showing how many countries make many promises with no value to them, a society that is rotting, a hero that is being controlled, a powerful open mind that has a weak body to protect it, a girl that is too rogue to be precise, and it is showing there is always a betrayer among us. Half-Life 2 dropped our jaws until Bioshock came and completely pulled it off. Half-Life 2 just like the original was a milestone in gaming, even if you don't like it you can say it was too deep and bold for its time.… Expand
  4. FabuJono
    May 17, 2021
    10
    It's been more than 16 years since Half-Life 2's initial release and i and the video game industry have changed a lot since then, but why and how Half-Life 2 still holds up today? Half-Life 2 is a kind of sequel that offers a whole new take on the half-life formula, Half-Life 2 was one of the very first games that introduced multi-genre in video games. If the the first one was aIt's been more than 16 years since Half-Life 2's initial release and i and the video game industry have changed a lot since then, but why and how Half-Life 2 still holds up today? Half-Life 2 is a kind of sequel that offers a whole new take on the half-life formula, Half-Life 2 was one of the very first games that introduced multi-genre in video games. If the the first one was a horror/action story, Half-Life 2 is a completely different beast. Half-Life 2 talks about many themes and concepts but keeps them hidden for the player to explore and find them. The voice acting is beyond good and gameplay was certainly ahead of its time, Half-Life 2 inspired other masterpieces like Bioshock and Portal (which is made by Valve as well) and Raised the bar for the video games.… Expand
  5. overratedgamesx
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    Graphics 5/10

    Gameplay 2/10

    Story 0/10

    Physics 1/10

    Overall 10/10
  6. hughjphgames
    Dec 8, 2020
    10
    This game came out a year after I was born and it doesn't disappoint. When considering its age there is simply nothing bad you can say about this title. Great entertainment during the quarantine, it's not my first playthrough and it definitely will not be my last.
  7. zeux
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Revolutionary game that still holds up more then 16 years after its release
  8. KillComma1d
    Dec 11, 2020
    10
    I think this game has the best lore in all gameDev.
    Graphic design is coolest in 2004.
  9. Richard_dias
    Aug 14, 2023
    10
    Till this day, I think that's one of the best games ever made. Half-Life 2 is a piece of art, and you are making a disservice to yourself by not playing it.
  10. Rx7fD
    Dec 18, 2020
    10
    One of the best fps in the world. With great visual that still looks good in some area today, fantastic story, exciting gameplay and oh boy the physic engine are sooo good until this day
  11. AstroZombieBR
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    O jogo da minha vida. A melhor experiência que já tive em games, pra mim nada supera essa delícia de jogo.
  12. MarsTheNutter
    Feb 23, 2021
    10
    half life 2 is one of the best and funnest games I've played and I've played a lot of game. The format of the game is relatively simple its some combat sections mixed with puzzles when the combat dies down or when you have been in combat and going back into combat the puzzles give you time to think on combat, dialog, or more, while on the topic of areas half life 2 changes at a breakneckhalf life 2 is one of the best and funnest games I've played and I've played a lot of game. The format of the game is relatively simple its some combat sections mixed with puzzles when the combat dies down or when you have been in combat and going back into combat the puzzles give you time to think on combat, dialog, or more, while on the topic of areas half life 2 changes at a breakneck speed from fighting a chopper in water hazard to fighting a town of zombies to storming nova prospect. half life 2 feels good to play take for instance in favourite chapter water hazard you get chased by a combine hunter chopper will feeling powerless trying to survive running from it but about 3/4 in the rebels give you a hunter chopper gun and boy does it feel powerful, you mow threw combine soldiers and combine vehicles to the end fight with the hunter chopper it feels amazing and most of the game feels like that like in follow free man the end fight with 2 striders feels rewarding. it amazes me that this game is almost 2 decades old put it still holds up if you haven't bought half life 2 yet i hope this review has convinced you to buy it because i think everyone should see how amazing it is. i hope you have an amazing rest of your day and peace.… Expand
  13. Surrogate6
    May 11, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is an unforgettable masterpiece. Sometimes the AI can become a bit dumb but overall this game is one of the best Sci-fi video games ever.
  14. PlagueMan
    Apr 25, 2021
    10
    An Unforgettable Experience throughout, perfection in every sense and term. Half-Life 2 might be the best video game ever made.
  15. Joe340
    Apr 25, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is a great video game, it's one of those games that everyone will atleast enjoy, Half-Life 2 has something for everyone. It has a great storyline, brilliant story-telling (i remember my mom being so fascinated about the details in the environments that were telling you the story without interrupting your game), perfect voice acting and performances, a gripping gameplay andHalf-Life 2 is a great video game, it's one of those games that everyone will atleast enjoy, Half-Life 2 has something for everyone. It has a great storyline, brilliant story-telling (i remember my mom being so fascinated about the details in the environments that were telling you the story without interrupting your game), perfect voice acting and performances, a gripping gameplay and realistic physics. This game is so unique and special because of those.… Expand
  16. IntheNameofUno
    Apr 25, 2021
    10
    The sequel that changed everything. Half-Life 2 is one of those games that you wouldn't finish only to enjoy it once more.
  17. TremendousMan
    Apr 25, 2021
    10
    I was never a big fan of the episodic release that Valve started. I would have waited another 6 years for something like Half-Life 2 as a concluding chapter for the Half-Life saga. But now we may never get Half-life 3.
  18. ReviewedMan
    Apr 26, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is the universally praised sequel to the masterpiece called Half-Life. You Know, to be honest i did not enjoy Half-Life 2 as much as the original but believe me, Half-life 2 is a completely different take on the Half-life universe. These two games feel and play so different and i guess that's why Half-life 2 is so praised. Half-life 2 redefined the word SEQUEL in many ways,Half-Life 2 is the universally praised sequel to the masterpiece called Half-Life. You Know, to be honest i did not enjoy Half-Life 2 as much as the original but believe me, Half-life 2 is a completely different take on the Half-life universe. These two games feel and play so different and i guess that's why Half-life 2 is so praised. Half-life 2 redefined the word SEQUEL in many ways, Half-Life 2 is its own game BUT it is really that good? Well my preferences aside, Half-life 2 is a flawed masterpiece, sometimes i felt the game got a bit action-packed for its complex and deep narrative and some vehicle sections can get repetitive and boring after some time but no game at its deep core is like Half-life 2 and never will be. Half-life 2 is a Masterpiece sitting on top lonely looking at all the games that were inspired and transformed by it.… Expand
  19. GreatUmbasa1
    Apr 27, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is a great follow-up to the 1998 original. I didn't notice any flaws in the Gameplay or story, and i found the experience very enjoyable and artistic.
  20. VasjaVasilenkov
    Mar 30, 2021
    10
    The best game I've ever seen. /
  21. HelloMane8
    Apr 28, 2021
    10
    Ohhhh boy! When i played Half-Life 2, it was such a unique experience. I've been a gamer for 24 years and i haven't seen anything like Half-Life 2 YET. The game's perfect in every sense and it's still hard for me to believe this thing came back in 2004.
  22. Wernyi39
    Apr 28, 2021
    10
    Six years past and boom, Half-Life 2 comes, it's crazy that they have been working on this game for 6 YEARS. Well that's because Half-Life 2 invented and innovatived so many things. Things like gravity gun, Ravenholm, Realistic Physics and ambient soundtracks and so many other things were introduced by this game. Half-life 2 is a game that is going to be remembered forever. It came duringSix years past and boom, Half-Life 2 comes, it's crazy that they have been working on this game for 6 YEARS. Well that's because Half-Life 2 invented and innovatived so many things. Things like gravity gun, Ravenholm, Realistic Physics and ambient soundtracks and so many other things were introduced by this game. Half-life 2 is a game that is going to be remembered forever. It came during the good times of Valve.… Expand
  23. AOXDOG
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 just became one of my favorite games of all time

    The story is about Gordon Freeman, who is awakened from his long slumber by the mysterious G-Man. Gordon finds himself in City 17, where the alien force known as the Combine has taken over Earth. It's Gordons job to pick up the crowbar once again to stop the alien's force that Gordon himself brought into this world all those    Half-Life 2 just became one of my favorite games of all time

    The story is about Gordon Freeman, who is awakened from his long slumber by the mysterious G-Man. Gordon finds himself in City 17, where the alien force known as the Combine has taken over Earth. It's Gordons job to pick up the crowbar once again to stop the alien's force that Gordon himself brought into this world all those years ago

    To think this game was released in 2004 blows my mind. The game was definitely was and still is impressive, the graphics and the mechanics, gameplay, and puzzles still hold up. If you haven't played Half-life 2, then take some time off and play this f*cking masterpiece of a game. Half-life 2 gets a 10 out of 10

    I could talk about this amazing game all day, but In the meantime... this is where I get off    … Expand
  24. Hormanee
    May 20, 2021
    10
    The Sequel to the award winning game was released 6 years after the original and how it played? Did it offer anything new?
    Well, boys and girls i have to announce that Half-Life 2 surpassed everyone's expectations. Just like the original Half-Life 2 blew everyone's mind back in 2004 and revolutionized PC gaming once more . I think experiences like Half-Life 2 are the type that we need more    The Sequel to the award winning game was released 6 years after the original and how it played? Did it offer anything new?
    Well, boys and girls i have to announce that Half-Life 2 surpassed everyone's expectations. Just like the original Half-Life 2 blew everyone's mind back in 2004 and revolutionized PC gaming once more . I think experiences like Half-Life 2 are the type that we need more these days, games that have many genres and themes and present new and innovative ideas and concepts, games that take full advantage of a creative force behind them, seriously Half-Life 2 innovated like no other game.    … Expand
  25. Geronimo33
    Apr 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half-Life 2 is an experience that will appeal to everyone. It's hard to dislike Half-Life 2, it has a timeless art direction and a variety that surprised me. How Valve achieved this level of balance between gameplay and story is really astonishing.
    SPOILERS
    The level of details in the environment is unbelievable, it makes the world more believable and satisfying to explore. The seven-hour war or the inner workings of combine human soldiers and... They are all embedded in your surroundings. Half-Life 2 just like the original offers a surprising balance between action, story, story-telling and themes.    … Expand
  26. Evelen
    Dec 31, 2020
    10
    10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10 10 headcrabs of 10
  27. BradRev222
    Apr 12, 2021
    10
    Half-Life 2 is one of those rare games that you don't want to ruin it for yourself. This is my first review and i want it to be special, for a game that forever changed my view on video games, after Half-life 2 i started studying video games and after some time i realized that Half-Life 2 completely redefined video games from ground. Halo 2 came the same year and it had some nobleHalf-Life 2 is one of those rare games that you don't want to ruin it for yourself. This is my first review and i want it to be special, for a game that forever changed my view on video games, after Half-life 2 i started studying video games and after some time i realized that Half-Life 2 completely redefined video games from ground. Halo 2 came the same year and it had some noble achievements, but Half-life 2's story is very, very different. Half-life 2 wasn't an fps with a good story NO! Half-Life was video games at their best and most innovative.… Expand
  28. AzmeaL
    Jan 14, 2021
    10
    After all these years this game is still a legend. With its different physics engine and scenario it still has a very different and also good gameplay.
  29. Lapenoman
    Jan 23, 2021
    10
    HALF-LIFE 2 (EP1 + EP2)
    1. Техническая составляющая - 10/10
    2. Искусственный интеллект - 10/10
    3. Музыкальное и видео сопровождение - 9/10
    4. Локализация - 9/10
    5. Сеттинг - 10/10
    6. Сюжетная линия - 10/10
    Итого = 58 баллов (9.6)
  30. SeifiezPOwer
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    the best game of all time, even now in 2021 you can play with admiration, a week ago I passed it for probably the hundredth time. I liked the game very much again. Physics - 10, Dynamism-10, Plot-10, Graphics and game design-10, shooting-9.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2004
1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. CPUGamer
    100
    Nothing less than a revolution in the gaming industry that will keep gamers busy for years to come, just as the original did.
    Read full review
  2. Play.tm
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »