'More Half-Life 2 goodies'
  Developer: Valve
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Category: : FPS
Multiplayer: none
Official Site
Platform: PC / X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 15 January 2008
Written By: Ian
We also test other games on
"PlayDevil.com Game Machine"
Good things come to those who wait?
Half-Life: Episode 2 has been the subject of many, many delays already, but will it satiate the drooling hordes of fans who have waited so long to play the long awaited piece of episodic content?
What does happen to good old Gordon Freeman next?
Graphics and Gameplay
Graphically, the collection is a mixed bag.
Half-Life 2 looks dated, with sparse amounts of scenery and some repeating textures compared to today's best releases, but it never looks terrible.
Some things appear to have gotten some minor polish over the original release, but it's a shame that its by no means a full overhaul.
  
"Episode 1" looks considerably better, with far more detail and stuff going on in the environment. However, "Episode 2" looks simply stunning, with large worlds, fantastic textures, large vistas.
Every so often I would just have to stop to look around, admiring the view. The game is still no Gears, but its amazing how well the Source engine holds up after over 3 years.
The sound, whilst not as iconic as Halo 3's, is just as good, with pumping, adrenaline-filled music at all the right times, eerie silence at others, and wonderfully mixed, deep sound effects that are hugely satisfying.
Half-Life sounds best with a meaty subwoofer and 5.1 system- it really is a joy to behold the loving detail Valve has crafted into every aspect of the game.
Gameplay-wise, if you have not played a Half-Life game before, you're either not a gamer, or have been hidden under a rock for the last 10 years. The game translates perfectly to a 360 controller, and the controls are tight, comfortable and familiar. The gameplay and AI remain unchanged, and these are as fantastic as ever. The weapons are perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of ammo available for each weapons, and the psychics engine is exemplary, with a number of physics based puzzles that are a cut above the ordinary FPS. This is the most believable game world perhaps ever created. The story is also fantastic, perhaps the real reason for the success of the series, and it only gets better as you play through.
  
Valve have a real flair for story-telling and cliff hangers, and the ending to episode 2 is stunning, thrilling, unexpected and a real twist to the already complicated plot.
Without giving away any spoilers, the cryptic links to 'Portal' that keep appearing throughout Episode 2 also suggest some interesting new gameplay tweaks and story twists for Episode 3.
Personally I can't wait, and the little sniplets of information that Valve do give away make it look like it will be an absolute corker when it is finally ready.
Lets just say that in terms of being the complete FPS, this collection is better then anything out there, right down to the achievements for the 360 version, which range from challenging to puzzling, and will keep you coming back to the game and certain levels to add to that point total!
Conclusion
Half-Life 2 (with Episode 1 and 2) is as good as it has ever been on the PC and 360. It plays well and performs perfectly. However, you've probably played it, but they new achievements add a new dimension and make it well worth a replay.
Episode 1 is very short, but a real blast, with somehow very different gameplay, that keeps it fresh.
Episode 2 is much longer, graphically stunning, and features some larger maps, which offer more variety. At around 16-20 hours to complete the package, there is plenty of value here alone, but the achievements will keep you coming back for more.
The only thing that could have made this nearly perfect collection complete is perhaps a graphical update to HL2 to bring it up to the fantastic standards of Episode 2, or maybe some online co-op, at least in the stages where Alyx or some minions are available.
Bring on Episode 3 Valve!
-Ian
Ratings
Manual:
89 % |
Graphics:
88% |
Music & Sfx:
93% |
GamePlay:
95% |
|
This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewed, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Join Video Game Network Exchange
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved.
PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0-200/1-200/2-200/3-200/4-200/5-200/6-200/7-200/8
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
