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. Hiliomar|Iced|
    Oct 14, 2009
    10
    Quite simply an amazing game, i do not agree with mikael who gave it a 6 and said the team ai was weak, it was simply good enough to want to finish the game. Althrough the game the most fun weapon was of course the gravity gun. picking up things and throwing them around was very enjoying and throwing explosives barrels at the enemy was fantastic. Thanks Valve For making such an fantastic game.
  2. AnonymousMC
    Jan 16, 2009
    10
    A Brilliant entry into a brilliant series. On an engine that looks great when compared to some of the modern games, it's no wonder why this was such an eye popper when it first came out. That, and the system requirements are incredibly low. Buy it, if not for the game, for the story and the ever so atmospheric levels.
  3. AnonymousMC
    Oct 18, 2009
    10
    Best game ever made. SECOND TO NONE!
    I remember playing Half-Life. Thinking that it was the best game ever created and that no game company would ever surpass it. Then Half-Life 2 came out. HOLY CRAP!!
    If you haven't played this game, then you do not deserve to be called "hardcore" or a "gamer, or any combination thereof. The entire Half-Life series crushes any other game on the    Best game ever made. SECOND TO NONE!
    I remember playing Half-Life. Thinking that it was the best game ever created and that no game company would ever surpass it. Then Half-Life 2 came out. HOLY CRAP!!
    If you haven't played this game, then you do not deserve to be called "hardcore" or a "gamer, or any combination thereof.
    The entire Half-Life series crushes any other game on the market and most likely any game to be introduced to the video game market for quite a while. Even Halo, which is quite overrated to be honest.
    Buy it. It's like what, $10 at most? Oh and get Half-Life 1 as well, and the expansion packs: Opposing Force, and Blue Shift; and get Episode 1 & 2 for HL2. Oh, and get Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead, and...
    Okay, okay, just make sure to get the WHOLE Half-life series for maximum enjoyment!    … Expand
  4. pm
    Oct 19, 2009
    10
    Plot and action are in many ways still untouched. Few modifications would have to be made for this game to appear almost completely up to date, even after half a decade.
  5. FrancescoB
    Dec 12, 2009
    10
    An absolute masterpiece. Everyone should enjoy it and join this amazing experience!
  6. clarkbrookover
    Oct 22, 2009
    10
    this is one of the many favorite games i have. and i don't have many. if anyone wants a good game i would recommend this to them first. great puzzles and game play. story line amazing!
  7. RyanM
    Dec 27, 2009
    10
    Anyone complaining about the dumb ai remember that 90 percent of the game is fighting zombies... they arent supposed to be smart. This game revolutionized physics development and the implementation of the gravity gun
  8. AnonymousOne
    Dec 31, 2009
    10
    Absolutely fantastic gaming experience! Great story in a familiar setting. This franchise has had me anticipating new content year after year.
  9. PaulC
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    Still Replay this game every so often and I have only found one game I like more!
  10. CianP
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    A must have FPS, amazing story, great characters and overall greatness. Well worth the money!
  11. MarkW
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    I was amazed the first time I played Half Life 2. I still find myself going back to replay the gamer years later.
  12. Nastyguard
    Dec 5, 2009
    10
    By far the best game of 2004, and is still one of my favorite games ever! The game is great overall, it has polish through the roof! Even though VALVE today is known for amazingly polished games The gameplay is amazing! Shooting enemies is very satisfying, and since there are many enemies to shoot - you'll be neither frustrated by the combat nor will you be bored without it, since By far the best game of 2004, and is still one of my favorite games ever! The game is great overall, it has polish through the roof! Even though VALVE today is known for amazingly polished games The gameplay is amazing! Shooting enemies is very satisfying, and since there are many enemies to shoot - you'll be neither frustrated by the combat nor will you be bored without it, since times without enemies are very rare. But when there are no enemies to fight, the game presents you with a variety of puzzles, mostly physics based. The physics of the Source Engine are one of the best out there, and considering this game is pretty old - it's kind of surprising. Although there are 2 complaints I have about the gameplay: 1) There aren't enough guns. Considering HL1 had so many of them, this one falls pretty short. The addition of the Gravity-Gun basically makes up for it. 2) The Teammate AI is pretty poor. The enemies handle great by taking cover, throwing grenades, working in teams to defeat you. Considering that, it's kind of surprising your teammates are so dumb. They rarely hit enemies, often get stuck somewhere and they do some other things, that you wouldn't want your teammates doing. The graphics are also a marvel to look at, even 5 years after its initial release. You play in huge, beautiful landscapes with great detail. Models are also beautiful, especially thanks to the incredible facial animation VALVE managed to put in their game. I have 0 complaints with the graphics. The sound is also great, featuring a pretty good soundtrack (although rarely heard), great sound effects (people who were making them probably had the hardest job ever, since the items you shoot from the gravity gun against other items make a sound varying depending on which items you shoot at which, so they had to make a hellish amount of combinations) and an amazing voice crew, with every single character talking in a very believable manner, which along with the realistic facial animation make for a pretty great atmosphere. The game is pretty long, lasting about 10 hours through your first playing, and for some reason - I keep wanting to replay it again and again over time. And I also forgot to mention the story. The story unfolds in a near flawless fashion. It's weird that Gordon never speaks (again), but it can be easily forgotten. You'll be hooked by the storytelling and drawn into the action naturally. A story that even beats HL1, in my opinion. I had very little to none complaints about this game, and I think it deserves a 10. The complaints I did have, however, are really minor and you'll barely even notice them while playing this amazing gaming experience. If you still haven't played the game - what the hell are you waiting for? BUY IT NOW! I suggest getting the Orange Box, since it comes with HL2 and both of the episodes, Portal - which is an amazing puzzle game that you'll find very unique and fun to play, and Team Fortress 2 - which is an amazing/cartoony Online MultiPlayer shooter, that'll have you hooked. Story - 10 (8 if you haven't played HL1) Gameplay - 9 Sound - 9 Graphics - 10 Lasting appeal - 10 Overall (average score) - 9.6 ~ 10.… Expand
  13. TeodorIkonomov
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    The Best Game Ever
  14. Tyler
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    Yo bitches.The Combines are all owning the humans on the earth. and then Gordon Freeman comes in like IMA USIN MAH CROWBAR!!! and he kils all the combine with it. and then they go to a prison, and the rebels get owned but he gets the black guy and hot chick out. then they have to fight through some city t oa giant tower in the middle. and then the STRYDERS come and hes all like IMA FIRIN Yo bitches.The Combines are all owning the humans on the earth. and then Gordon Freeman comes in like IMA USIN MAH CROWBAR!!! and he kils all the combine with it. and then they go to a prison, and the rebels get owned but he gets the black guy and hot chick out. then they have to fight through some city t oa giant tower in the middle. and then the STRYDERS come and hes all like IMA FIRIN MAH ROCKETS and he kills all of the Stryders. and he gets to the big tower and the old white guy captures him. but he escapes and this is the most coolest part. where the tower blows the hell up like ZapplE DapplE DooM!!!!!!! And thats it.… Expand
  15. GabrielR
    Oct 31, 2009
    10
    This is easily my favourite game ever. Even 5 years after it's release the game is still thrilling, beautiful and engaging... A true masterpiece, a game to be remembered forever.
  16. AnonymousMC
    Feb 16, 2009
    10
    Excellent revolutionary game and anyone who says something else is either retarded/stupid or a total noob in PC gaming. Also, for the ones who say the opposite, Steam is a great platform that enables you to buy games online, download them on any PC and it also offers you automatic updates and great online gaming.

    This is one of the best games ever.
  17. SeanR
    Feb 4, 2009
    10
    I think this is one of the BEST games ever made! I just wanna thank Valve for maken it. I got in to the game and the episodes real well. The game is so cool and you cant get board with it. I can't wait for more. I love the other games that Valve made too. Last thing is im happy Gabe newell thougt up this game, hes a special person!!! bye. :)
  18. LukeM.
    Mar 24, 2009
    10
    Best Game Ever!!!!
  19. JuggaloR.
    Mar 25, 2009
    10
    I like the Half-life 2 series. I played the game demo and I thught half-life 2 was a horror game (because I thought c17 was built to protect the people from zombies, and that the "metropolice" arent evil just "over protective.) I thought this because I did the first level (on the demo) then it skipped a;; the way to the 6th (ravenholm) level so I thought it was a horror-only game. Then I I like the Half-life 2 series. I played the game demo and I thught half-life 2 was a horror game (because I thought c17 was built to protect the people from zombies, and that the "metropolice" arent evil just "over protective.) I thought this because I did the first level (on the demo) then it skipped a;; the way to the 6th (ravenholm) level so I thought it was a horror-only game. Then I bought the game for xbox (I don't belive in buying computer games, music videos eta unless I'm getting a solid disc)I thught the game was good but it also sucked because i couldn't NOCLIP WTF IS THEIR FUCKING PROBLEM ON MAKING CONSOLE GAMES (xbox PS3 eta) HAVING FUCKING NOCLIP AND "console" COMMANDS WTF. so I continued having fun with the demo spawning zombies every where whith AWESOME PC CHEATS. Then I was browsing the internet and I found out you can hack steam (games for free). I only wanted to play hl2 with NOCLIP so I did the hack. I got the full version of HL2 and HL2 Deathmatch (also should be induced on the consoles). I played the game agin but not to beat it but to explore and spawned enemies/allies every where. Though I cant stand hammer editor (confusing) the doom 3 editor is my favorite map creator. The "Hammer" editor requires confusing set-up before you can even use it. Later I was looking for cheats and I saw some comands like "give weapon_molotov" and "give weapon_hopwire" WTF Then I tried it and it didn't work then I went back on the website and it sied :these are only codes for the beta version of the game" WTF? so I search on how to get this "beta" version (takes me forever to find and it was apparently "leaked" so I download it. then I lean that you have to do console commands to start the beta game. Then I think WOW! LOOK,,,!,,, at all of this deleted content now I;m saying Half-life 2 retail SUX DONKEY DICK... BUT....half-life 2 beta SUX HOT GIRLS TITS.Now I play the beta (giving it a "10") I no longer play the retail (except for mods) If only I could do a review on the beta. Also for you peaple who don't like VALVe's steam the beta is not for steam (it's also not a hacked stand alone) it was originaly going to be a game with out steam. I plan to be a vidio game maker and I will sell/give away the beta version(s) of my game(s) because every one wants the beta, as long as I write something like "warning this version of the game is the beta and may crash a lot) or something before you buy it.… Expand
  20. PhaseL
    Mar 4, 2009
    10
    This game is perhaps the greatest game of the past decade, if not all time. The gameplay is simple and fluid, without getting boring, the graphics hold up even to our standards five years later, and the story is compelling enough to keep it at the top. Most people who have given this game low scores did so thanks to Steam. Half-Life 2 is what needs to be appraised here, not Steam.
  21. LukeM.
    Apr 25, 2009
    10
    Best Game Ever!!!!
  22. ChristianB
    May 26, 2009
    10
    AWSOME game valves bet game yet i love how it jumps from walking on a bridge peacefully to having a whole bunch of cops and zombies after you. its the best game ever. out of growing plants and sims and all that junk. I give it a ten because who could beat hl2, name one game better exept other HL games.
  23. Kamikun
    May 30, 2009
    10
    Despite Steam's often mentioned tendancy to drive many to homicidal urges, this game is worth all that and is great in every sense of the word. The story is gripping and dramatic, the setting is breathtaking and each location is incredibly different. The "silent hero" aspect of the game allows for even more relation to the character than if he had a voice (this is added to by the Despite Steam's often mentioned tendancy to drive many to homicidal urges, this game is worth all that and is great in every sense of the word. The story is gripping and dramatic, the setting is breathtaking and each location is incredibly different. The "silent hero" aspect of the game allows for even more relation to the character than if he had a voice (this is added to by the fact that the game's perspective never leaves Gordon Freeman's eyes) The combat is brutal, the weapons feel responsive, and the vehicle-driven sections are spectacular. You'll never find yourself doing the same thing twice, from an urban sprawl fighting against the sinister combine troops in squad based combat, to a lonesome trek through a zombie infested town, and even a relaxing drive across coastal roads in a buggy whilst being pursued by giant insects - Half-Life 2 has it all, and is a must buy for any PC Gamer.… Expand
  24. chris
    May 5, 2009
    10
    OK, to all you people who gave HL2 a horrible score because of steam...I agree. Steam sucks. But this is rating the actual game, not the retarded platform Valve decided to throw in there with it. HL2 was an AMAZING game, excellent gameplay, great characters and some of the best graphics I've ever seen made it one of my favorite games ever.
  25. MattZ
    Jun 14, 2009
    10
    I've been following valves games for years and definitely Half-LIfe 2 Rates among the top games I have ever played! The horror aspect had me at the edge of my seat and constantly jumping in fright. While the Character Aspect leaves you feeling as if you are really in the game. Great Job Valve.
  26. AnonymousMC
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    Okay im not going to say THIS GAME IS FUCKING GREAT... well it is byt thats not for me to decide... thats for you. but if you were to ask me... this game has amazing graphics and phisyics from sorce and the gameplay and story line is just finominal...
    10/10 valve... you did it again.
  27. TBear
    Jul 5, 2009
    10
    Half-Life 2 is one of those games which will stay top rated throughout the history of gaming. Great graphics, unique soundsetting, creative ideas and variation of game play. This game has everything a true gamer must desire.
  28. LukeM.
    Aug 11, 2009
    10
    Best Game Ever!!!!
  29. MarkO.
    Aug 12, 2009
    10
    BEST PC GAME EVER.
  30. AnonymousMC
    Aug 22, 2009
    10
    Best game ever. period.
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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 »