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Half-Life 2 on Xbox (2005)

Half-Life 2 cover art

Average rating: 74%
221428613820
4.0
from 202 members
 
Certificate: 15
Developers: VALVE
Genres: Xbox
Number of players: 1
Released: 18/11/2005

Brief synopsis of Half-Life 2

Now the dust has settled on the hurricane of hype and expectation that swirled around the release of Half-Life 2, its easier to judge the sequel to one of the most highly regarded PC games ever with some objectivity. Its detractors would have it that the game was a little short, and a trifle linear. High production values after plenty of time in development, cunning level design and ground-breaking lighting and graphical effects, though, have ensured that the sequel will not sully the reputation of its predecessor. In fact, it is a classic in its own right, and opens the doors to a world where your very presence affects everything around you, from the physical environment to the emotions of friends and enemies. As the bespectacled and formerly mild-mannered Gordon Freeman, once again you start out by picking up the crowbar as you go about rescuing the world from the wrong you unwittingly unleashed back in Black Mesa. Earth's population is dwindling, the alien-infested land running short on resources - it's a dirty job, etc., and people are counting on Gordon.

All the intensity and high-octane action present in the original has been amped up to the extreme for HL2. Advanced AI of friends and foes has been improved so that they can deal with all kinds of situations, such as mastering tricky terrain, assessing threats, and fashioning weapons from whatever comes to hand.

Half-Life on the PC shifted a ton of copies, and is one of a those high end luxury gaming experiences that console owners will never admit how much they envy. Now lucky Xbox owners get a taste of it with the release of a conversion of the blockbuster for the big black box. The game is single player only, making it a choice for those looking for an immersive and challenging gaming experience.

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Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsA Modern Masterpiece

J Richards from Manchester, UK. , 14/03/2006

Although not a fan of the original Half-Life (too much crawling through tunnels killing aliens that resembled roast chickens for my liking) I decided to give this sequel a try based on its rep as a PC title.

This game has raised the bar for excellence among XBox shooters. Frequently stunning locations, a sense of paranoia as the oppressive 'Civil Protection Team' hunt you down and a real sense of trying to survive as part of an underground resistence movement in a dystopian future where big brother is not only watching but also all too ready to silence dissenters combine to form an impressive whole.

There are lengthy sections that take place driving various vehicles and a generous amount that involve simply running overland and then investigating any buildings along the way. If the standard image of an FPS is of a game that involves endless, claustrophic tunnels and corridors, then Half-Life 2 must be applauded for throwing in a variety of environments, including a few hours spent travelling along waterways.

As an owner of both an XBox and a PS2 with around 25 games in total, many of which I've yet to play, I have to say that I'm currently playing the best game on each console from those that I own. This is the Xbox title, and the PS2 game is Resident Evil 4.

A stunning achievement that is certain to keep players gripped.

  9 out of 15 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsBetter Than Halo

A customer from Worcester, England , 22/03/2006

Amazing this game is very hard to beat, you will be amazed at the graphics on this game, yes they are not as good as PC but they sure do push the XBOX to its limits, not only are the graphics superb the physics and gameplay are hard to beat. This is a must for anyone who has an XBOX, yes there is no online play like deathmatches but it is quite a large game and will take some time on hard level setting.

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsDoes work on xbox 360

A customer from Essex , 07/05/2007

does work on 360

IF you connect to the net and install the upgrade

wiked game!!!

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsOutstanding!

peter robertson from Coatbridge,Scotland. , 03/04/2007

For a first person shooter i thought this game was up there with my all time faves!I don't go for a lot of games like this but it was different from all the others by the way the vehicle sections split everything up and it wasn't just the boring run and shoot style.I would recommend it to anyone who liked Black.

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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsA Modern Masterpiece

J Richards from Manchester, UK. , 14/03/2006

Although not a fan of the original Half-Life (too much crawling through tunnels killing aliens that resembled roast chickens for my liking) I decided to give this sequel a try based on its rep as a PC title.

This game has raised the bar for excellence among XBox shooters. Frequently stunning locations, a sense of paranoia as the oppressive 'Civil Protection Team' hunt you down and a real sense of trying to survive as part of an underground resistence movement in a dystopian future where big brother is not only watching but also all too ready to silence dissenters combine to form an impressive whole.

There are lengthy sections that take place driving various vehicles and a generous amount that involve simply running overland and then investigating any buildings along the way. If the standard image of an FPS is of a game that involves endless, claustrophic tunnels and corridors, then Half-Life 2 must be applauded for throwing in a variety of environments, including a few hours spent travelling along waterways.

As an owner of both an XBox and a PS2 with around 25 games in total, many of which I've yet to play, I have to say that I'm currently playing the best game on each console from those that I own. This is the Xbox title, and the PS2 game is Resident Evil 4.

A stunning achievement that is certain to keep players gripped.

  9 out of 15 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsPerfecto

A customer from UK , 02/05/2007

Best game I have ever played this is just perfect. I think this is the first game I have ever finished. If you like action packed games with many innovative features then this is the game for you. Truly excellent...

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