Publisher: Vivendi Universal
Ages: teens & up
Parental
Advisory:
Graphic violence
Sequels to breakout hits are a tricky business. And when it comes to extending the beloved world of Half-Life, a key game in the history of PC entertainment, the only direction seems down. But gamers, rest assured. In the long anticipated Half-Life 2, gamers get almost everything that they were hoping for. It delivers the goods.
Half-Life 2, like its predecessor, is a violent first-person shooter. The sequel features the return of former Black Mesa research associate Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth with few remaining resources and a dwindling human population. Freeman encounters several characters from the previous game that include Barney the security guard and the mysterious G-man, for whom he now works. There's also Alyx, a new female character, whose mother was killed during the events of the original game.
The game is suspenseful and action-packed and features amazingly realistic graphics. The settings have a life-like quality to them and the unworldly alien enemies are hideous. Fortunately, Freeman is armed with the tools of his physics and commando trade-an assortment of weapons that include a submachine gun, pulse rifle, crossbow, shotgun, crowbar and more. A new gravity gun lets players pickup objects and figures into some of the game's puzzles and bug-bait lets players control those formidable ant lions. With all the enemies and firepower, the game is basically one continual, non-stop war.
The game also comes with Counter-Strike: Source that enhances the popular multi-player game with the graphics engine of Half-Life 2. For gamers, Counter-Strike: Source is icing on the Half-Life cake.
Half-Life 2 is a violent game that is not for kids, but is undoubtedly on every kid's holiday wish list. Based on its merits as a game, Half-Life 2 rocks. Those who love the original Half-Life, and those who have never before discovered the joys of a superb first-person shooter will be ecstatic over this one.
12/3/04 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
