Manufacturer's Description

Vivendi Universal Half-Life 2

1998: Half-Life sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.Now: Half-Life 2.By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors -- even the emotions -- of both friends and enemies.The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people -- people he cares about -- are counting on him.

Product Specifications for

Vivendi Universal Half-Life 2

Most recent User Reviews for

Vivendi Universal Half-Life 2

• 

  Reviewed by: MasterShooter

  01-02-07

  Duration of ownership: 1 Weeks

  Strengths: Almost everything

  Weaknesses:Loading sequences and two other problems my computer has, so no use mentioning

  Overall Evaluation: I have recently bought this game and chose it over Episode 1 inspite of it being the newer version because I wanted to start of with a longer game and follow the sequence in order (although I have completed only 1/4 of Half-Life 1). When I first bought this game, I had no problem installing it as I already had a Steam account. When I started playing it, I realised that the game is easier to figure out than the original game. The only problems I have is that my flashlight doesn't work on a lot of areas, which causes a lot of problems in dark areas (thanfully few compared to the original), and I can't hear people talking on computers, so I have to figure out what they said through the person standing next to me. The graphics are the best I have seen the gameplay and it's amazing with good continuity and hardly any cut scenes. The loading sequences take a while, which does tend to spoil the mood of the game a bit, and the game is a bit boring at the start after you receive your Hazard Suit. It gets more and more interesting as the game moves on. I am yet to reach the interesting parts of the game (which is the majority) where there is more interaction with other characters such as Dog, Dr. Eli Vance, and Alyx. The enemies increase as the game progresses and it gets much tougher too. Driving the vehicles were real fun and give us a realistic feeling. Overall a very realistic game that is a must buy and is brighter (you don't have to keep your flashlight turned on for almost the whole game) and more fun to play than the original because of more graphics, realistic gameplay, interaction, but doesn't tend to have more excitment although you would reather play this at times more than the first version (I can't say that yet becuase I have just reached the forth chapter and don't play for a long time often, which I must stop doing as playing for 15 minutes is not useful). I recommend everyone who loves FPS games to buy this one and enjoy the series as it opens up to various plot changes and better gameplay.

• 

  Reviewed by: MONSTERS

  12-13-05

  Duration of ownership:

  Strengths: The graphics are comparable to Doom 3, the story is compelling, and the puzzles and challenges are exciting.

  Weaknesses:STEAM - OMG this is BS and it's annoying; not to mention a great way to let everyone on the internet take a look in your computer. -Extremely cheap packaging. What a disappointment.

  Overall Evaluation: For me ya the game was pretty good but that STEAM crap totally ruined it for me. As a fairly advanced computer user I take great caution on what goes in and out of my system. The developers saw fit not only for you to take almost 3 hours at best to load this game but they make it necessary for you to connect to the internet and go through validating hoops every time you want to play. And how can you really be sure that steam isn't gonna distribute (or lose) your info all over the net?For those of you who don't know what Steam is let me give you the basics. Every time you launch Half-Life 2, even just to play single player, the game will launch the Steam service, check your internet connection, verify your copy, and even download updates, all without asking for your okay. I just shelled out 60 bucks for this game and they're penalizing me just for initializing the game. Well I for one am NOT OK with STEAM. What will happen if every developer picks up on this crap?Ugh! after all that I'm even too disappointed to comment on that garbage packaging they throw the game in. For shame; what a game this could have been.BOYCOTT STEAM BEFORE EVERYONE DOES THE SAME

• 

  Reviewed by: MajorMick3737

  12-01-05

  Duration of ownership: 15 Months

  Strengths: Graphics, AI, Phisics

  Weaknesses:Steam takes a bit to update sometimes

  Overall Evaluation: Half Life 2 is probably the greatest game I've ever played. First of all, the graphics are AMAZING. No two characters move the same way, physical features are amazing. Second, the AI is awesome. Third, The phisics involved are truly amazing. As soon as I played the game for the first time, I bumped into a luggage cart, ans suitcases fell off it. I made pop come out of a soda machine. AMAZING! You could throw stuff at the cops, and they would chase you down. In the end, being able to pick up people with the gravity gun; being able to knock them down like bowling pins. It is an amazing game.

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  Reviewed by: SWISS(HamburgrHelpr)HUTLESS

  10-20-05

  Duration of ownership:

  Strengths: The graphics are phonaminal! Game play make you use your head and is not just kill every one. Suspencefull to the max!

  Weaknesses:Loading is long but what can u expect u got to load a lot of goodness.

  Overall Evaluation: the best game i have ever palyed. beats wowc bf2 aa fc all of them it takes the gold.period. i would but it again and recomend it to all gamers any were. i wasnt into games that much until i play this game and the 1st one. if u want game get this now!!

• 

  Reviewed by: Gareth_703

  10-03-05

  Duration of ownership: 1 Years

  Strengths: this game is so great! i always play it and ive finished the game about 5 times!

  Weaknesses:steam can be a bit annoying but it is only used to protect.

  Overall Evaluation: Half-Life 2 is so fun and replay able! awsome graphics, PERFECT PHYSICS ENGINE! fun and cool story line. this game is the GOD! lol... but seriously it is awsome and anyone who doesn't like it is really LAME!

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