Post by angelzeromatt on Sept 3, 2008 12:20:41 GMT -5
Welcome to the Real World - Episode VI
Name: Half-Life 2
Console: PC , X-Box (Owned copy)
Looking back on my last review, I realize there might have been a misuse of terminology, at least as seen by others. When I used the word 'puzzle', it was basically the idea that you had to use your head to get through a lot of areas instead of just blowing things up and following a path. However, I will now let you know that, when I use the word 'puzzle' in this review, I f*cking mean it.
Story: 10/10
The sequel to the ever-amazing Half-Life, this game starts off with the weird guy you saw everywhere in the first Half-Life telling you to wake up and sending you into a train station where you have nothing on you, not even your suit. It's some time in the future and the world seems to have been put under some guy's protective control. You're on a train to a checkpoint where people are being relocated to some city called Nova Prospekt (yes, it has a k) with a big head honcho guy who loves to talk like a scientific philosopher. Apparently, that was your old boss and some of your buddies from Black Mesa (which were never mentioned in Half-Life, but I'll let it slide) are a sort of resistance faction wanting to get him and his Combine soldiers out of the picture because... Well, he's a bad guy working for aliens in another world, it seems. So, basically, you go through levels ruining everything for the good guys because you, Gordon Freeman the Trouble Magnet, just have to be such a great theoretical physicist that people fear your awesome crowbar-swinging powers that you're considered a savior to the people who want to be free. All I can say is this:
Fear the crowbar!!
Gameplay: 10/10
If you didn't think Half-Life was real enough, get ready because you're absorbed into a world that is so realistic, you'll really believe you're Gordon Freeman, riding an airboat down a radioactive canal. The sound effects are a lot more life-like than the game's predecessor, and the physics engine actually becomes a key role in solving various puzzles within the game, sometimes to progress and sometimes to get some extra supplies.
Later on in the game, you have the chance to command a squad of guys with you, but they lack any good finesse and also body armor, so they're more or less bullet magnets. Well, except for the medics, who give you med kits if your health isn't 100 and also give the other team members health help when needed.
Music/Sound: 9.5/10
As mentioned earlier, the sound effects are a whole lot more realistic than in the first Half-Life and, a lot of times, also scarier. The music in the game is sometimes prelude-ish and other times it will play for a while, but when it comes to the realism of Half-Life 2, I feel like having no music fits a lot more since I'm sure Gordon Freeman wouldn't be running around with earphones on, listening to music while he does his work (you know, like what I do anytime I'm forced to play Halo multiplayer).
Presentation: 10/10
Again, Half-Life 2 comes at us with a no-cutscene story and a throw-you-in start where you have some walking around to do, learning about what's going on, before you get into the action stunts. Doing this makes it a shining star to me because I get tired often of games that just toss you into the fray at the very beginning without an explanation on how to use the buttons and such. Half-Life 2 actually tells you what buttons do what all along the way, but not in an annoying way. The little window that says what button to use appears on the side of the screen, where it isn't in the way instead of right in the middle of the screen like most games do. With the power of realism mixed with some pretty cool futuristic surroundings and alien zombies and headcrabs, Half-Life 2 gets a perfect blend and perfect score.
Overall: 9.8/10
Again, I don't like giving perfect scores, but if I did, I'd give it to Half-Life 2. The balance of gameplay, story, and strategy along with action makes it a very addicting game. Seriously. I'm replaying it right now. I've beaten it once already, but it's just too much fun playing through a good game like this.
I think I enjoy the ending a lot, too, considering how the first one ended. Anticlimactic and perfect for an occurrence of Gordon Freeman. I expect everyone wants me to try going onto Episode One, but I think my next review needs to be on something more non-praise-worthy, like Halo or Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Oh, and if you think those games are the best thing since the Pyramids or even just great, then **************!
Name: Half-Life 2
Console: PC , X-Box (Owned copy)
Looking back on my last review, I realize there might have been a misuse of terminology, at least as seen by others. When I used the word 'puzzle', it was basically the idea that you had to use your head to get through a lot of areas instead of just blowing things up and following a path. However, I will now let you know that, when I use the word 'puzzle' in this review, I f*cking mean it.
Story: 10/10
The sequel to the ever-amazing Half-Life, this game starts off with the weird guy you saw everywhere in the first Half-Life telling you to wake up and sending you into a train station where you have nothing on you, not even your suit. It's some time in the future and the world seems to have been put under some guy's protective control. You're on a train to a checkpoint where people are being relocated to some city called Nova Prospekt (yes, it has a k) with a big head honcho guy who loves to talk like a scientific philosopher. Apparently, that was your old boss and some of your buddies from Black Mesa (which were never mentioned in Half-Life, but I'll let it slide) are a sort of resistance faction wanting to get him and his Combine soldiers out of the picture because... Well, he's a bad guy working for aliens in another world, it seems. So, basically, you go through levels ruining everything for the good guys because you, Gordon Freeman the Trouble Magnet, just have to be such a great theoretical physicist that people fear your awesome crowbar-swinging powers that you're considered a savior to the people who want to be free. All I can say is this:
Fear the crowbar!!
Gameplay: 10/10
If you didn't think Half-Life was real enough, get ready because you're absorbed into a world that is so realistic, you'll really believe you're Gordon Freeman, riding an airboat down a radioactive canal. The sound effects are a lot more life-like than the game's predecessor, and the physics engine actually becomes a key role in solving various puzzles within the game, sometimes to progress and sometimes to get some extra supplies.
Later on in the game, you have the chance to command a squad of guys with you, but they lack any good finesse and also body armor, so they're more or less bullet magnets. Well, except for the medics, who give you med kits if your health isn't 100 and also give the other team members health help when needed.
Music/Sound: 9.5/10
As mentioned earlier, the sound effects are a whole lot more realistic than in the first Half-Life and, a lot of times, also scarier. The music in the game is sometimes prelude-ish and other times it will play for a while, but when it comes to the realism of Half-Life 2, I feel like having no music fits a lot more since I'm sure Gordon Freeman wouldn't be running around with earphones on, listening to music while he does his work (you know, like what I do anytime I'm forced to play Halo multiplayer).
Presentation: 10/10
Again, Half-Life 2 comes at us with a no-cutscene story and a throw-you-in start where you have some walking around to do, learning about what's going on, before you get into the action stunts. Doing this makes it a shining star to me because I get tired often of games that just toss you into the fray at the very beginning without an explanation on how to use the buttons and such. Half-Life 2 actually tells you what buttons do what all along the way, but not in an annoying way. The little window that says what button to use appears on the side of the screen, where it isn't in the way instead of right in the middle of the screen like most games do. With the power of realism mixed with some pretty cool futuristic surroundings and alien zombies and headcrabs, Half-Life 2 gets a perfect blend and perfect score.
Overall: 9.8/10
Again, I don't like giving perfect scores, but if I did, I'd give it to Half-Life 2. The balance of gameplay, story, and strategy along with action makes it a very addicting game. Seriously. I'm replaying it right now. I've beaten it once already, but it's just too much fun playing through a good game like this.
I think I enjoy the ending a lot, too, considering how the first one ended. Anticlimactic and perfect for an occurrence of Gordon Freeman. I expect everyone wants me to try going onto Episode One, but I think my next review needs to be on something more non-praise-worthy, like Halo or Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Oh, and if you think those games are the best thing since the Pyramids or even just great, then **************!