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Worth The Wait

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 26, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Im sure the lack of multi player (as said) will bother some but i for one think this may be the best game xbox or any other puts out for sometime to come. As a big fan of the original i was wondering if the feel of the game would be the same and yes folks it is. Gordon Freeman is back along with some old and new friends. All of the intensity is there as well as some new enemies. I know everyone has heard how great the graphics are but i must say it....they are the best. Instead of lamenting the fact that there is no multi player, just pick up your crowbar and go on. As i said, its well worth the wait. Just finished it and the way it ends i would say there will be a HalfLife 3......we can hope.

Awesome game, but loses a little in translation

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Half-Life 2 was one of the greatest PC games ever to be released. It was one of the many reasons why I wanted to have a lot of money to shell out onto an awesome gaming computer. But then Valve announced it would be released on the Xbox, so I waited a little longer. Was it worth the wait? Well, I like the fact that I can now play it, but man, I think maybe I should get a better computer to play the PC version.

Half-Life is a game that really doesn't sit down and tell you a story, most of it you have to find for yourself. Example, when the first game came out, you basically had no idea what was really going on other than the fact that an expiriment went bad and now creatures from Xen are traveling to Earth. To better learn the story, you had to find clues that were, for the most part, hidden from the game. No cutscenes are given to you because you're in control for most of the game.

Anyway, you start off where Gordon Freeman (no not the actor Morgan Freeman) was sent into a portal and told to wait. Well apparently you've been sleeping for some time now and when you awaken, you enter City 17 where humanity is run by the Combine. You meet up with people from the first game then it kicks into high gear.

Gameplay is some of the best I've ever seen. When shooting gets old, they add some new twist, giving you a boat to drive or a car. The other neat feature is the Havok engine, which uses the force of gravity. You'd be amazed at how much you can manipulate your environment, in fact a lot of puzzles require you to do so. You even get a gravity beam to use on other objects. I really love this concept. The other thing is that you have team mates that really think for themselves. Which also brings me to the enemies, they are much smarter and will group up if they can't bring you down alone.

So where does the Xbox version fall, if I like it so much? Well, if you look closely at the character models in this version compared to the PC, you'll see a bigger difference, they're not as blocky. Also the loading times are a pain, I understand that this is a big game, but I really hate how it constantly has to stop and load. Pick this up if you need a great shooter and don't have a quality gaming computer

Amazing post-apocalyptic atmospheres and fierce action

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Half Life 2 is a FPS (First Person Shooter) which somehow transcends that genre and is an amazing, fast paced run through cities, ghettos, waterways, beaches, and more. Lots of variety on each level, fun NPC's to help you in your missions, a couple of cool vehicles to play with, and some scary monsters to do battle with. The atmosphere is what makes this game, great sound, and the environments are incredible.

I had problems with the frame rate dropping, even a crash or two, but that usually happened at the beginning of levels. Plus phantom NPC's showing up and just hanging out.

All in all a great game, took me about 12 hours to complete, and had a blast the whole way through.

Great port. Great game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Well first off, let me just state that I hope that noone was expecting this port to be graphically superior to it's pc counterpart. The graphics which the pc version harness could pass for next gen. Besides, just how many console ports nowadays are graphically superior to their pc cousins in general (games of which were originally developed on the pc)?

With that said, the Xbox version of HL2 is phenomenal. Of course the game's not going to look as graphically on par with it's pc counterpart (what games do, with some notable exceptions with titles such as FC:I & D3?) but you must remember that Valve build XB HL2 from the ground up with an entirely different graphics engine. Even so, the game still looks graphically superior to a majority of the games out on the current gen consoles. The physics engine is still intact & looks wonderful along with the character models.

The only real gripes here are that there's some slight framerate issues, especially noticeable right after the game boots up when entering a new area or after saving your game (very brief, but noticeable). There's also the lack of online play or even a multiplayer sequence. This port isn't exactly like the RE4 transition from GC to ps2, as to where the later port gets a host of special or exclusive features (extra modes, weapons, missions etc.). Though extra modes, weapons, multiplayer, and missions would have all been nice for the xbox version of HL2, the reality is that HL2's(gameplaywise) an exact replica of it's pc counterpart.

HL2 for xbox is a port developed on xbox for xbox owners (not pc), so if you've already experienced the game for pc, you might just want to steer clear & consider investing in HL2 Aftermath (for xbox version of HL2 is the same as the pc) for pc. However, if you haven't already played HL2 on the pc, you'd definitely want to check it out for the xbox. You simply cannot go wrong with the experience that is of HL2.

Still Life in "Half-Life"...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 12, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For those who missed the PC version of "Half-Life 2" (an understandable venture considering Valve's insistence on using their Steam network), the Xbox port is, happily, one of the best shooters available on said console, certainly rivaling "Halo" if not out and out exceeding it. While there are some issues that indicate this was a game designed for PCs first and foremost, it is an otherwise exceptional piece of work that truly captures the feel of the original "Half-Life" while simultaneously ushering it into the new era.

You once again assume the role of Gordon Freeman, a tight-lipped scientist apparently more in his element carrying machine guns around than beakers or test tubes. Awakening some time after the Black Mesa incident from game one, he finds himself in City 17 - a futuristic slum, mostly, overlooked by a massive tower and policed by a group known as the Combine. The game is a little too careful not to fill in all the gaps, but suffice it to say that a rebellion is forming to combat the Combine, and Gordon proves to be their reluctant leader. The characters and the aura of City 17 and its surrounding areas are enough to make up for the shortcomings of the story, which despite being vague is still pretty engrossing.

The first "Half-Life" is regarded as one of the best games of all time, so Valve wisely chose not to fix something that wasn't broken. True to form, the game never rips you from Gordon Freeman's point of view, choosing instead to convey the story in a realistic fashion devoid of movie style cutscenes. This is perhaps the series' most innovative and immersive feature, and one that has never been replicated as successfully. You truly feel like Gordon Freeman, surrounded by the sights and sounds that are City 17. The game's story appears to flow in real time, so it all just has this cohesive quality that really gives you a sense of being there.

The first-person combat is no slouch either. The weapons available all pack quite a punch, and some are truly inspired. The crowbar returns in a nod to the original (and it can certainly come in handy if ammo's scarce), but newcomers like the gravity gun really steal the show. This device is versatile enough to allow you to fling saw blades at approaching zombies or manipulate a stack of crates so that you can build a barricade to protect you from encroaching Combine troops. This is easily the most useful items in the game, as well as one of its selling points. The knockoff in "Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil" can't even hold a candle to it. That said, virtually all of the weapons have their place and are satisfying to use - although the revolver is entirely disposable thanks to its lack of ammo.

The enemies can become repetitive - much of the game consists of gunning down same-looking Combine troops and, to a lesser extent, zombies (the product of those headcrabs we all loved so much from the first game). That said, there are still some truly inspiring encounters, such as late game battles with Striders, "War of the Worlds" style tripods that are essentially walking gunships, as well as a new and frightening breed of zombie that runs full speed ahead while shrieking with abandon. It's just too bad there aren't a few more of these foes in the game, as the Combine make up the brunt of what you'll face, and they're not nearly as intelligent or as crafty as the human opponents in the original game. It's reasonable to expect artificial intelligence at least as good as the first game's back in 1998, but, sadly, it's not on display here.

In a conceit to games like "Halo" and "Far Cry," "Half-Life 2" includes a few drivable vehicles, and while these are a nice addition at times, they certainly overstay their welcome. Some portions of the game just run on too long for their own good, but it's an exception rather than the rule. There's usually some new challenge lurking behind every corner, and it provides that rare addictive quality that the first game had in spades. To top it off, the graphics, even stripped to their basics for the Xbox, are quite impressive. Characters are amazingly lifelike, particularly in their facial expressions. Environments are equally charismatic, each one having that sense of being a real place despite the far-fetched nature of the "Half-Life" setting. There's atmosphere to spare. Other first-person games should certainly take notes.

The graphics come at a price, however. Unfortunately this port suffers from a sometimes unstable frame rate. It's nothing major, but it can be a little distracting at times. It's certainly the game's chief weakness, but to take a pass on it if you haven't already played the PC version would be a major mistake. This is an awesome game - not "Best Game Ever" material, as some legitimate game reviewers have claimed (see PC Gamer) - but nonetheless a worthy successor to a classic that retains the feel of the original in a way that few next generation sequels can. Highly recommended.

Great XBOX port of a great PC game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: August 30, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Half life 2 as a game is incredible. It has this certain feeling to it with a surreal atmosphere, it's ever changing gameplay, it bold and inspired story, and great action and shooting. HL2 for the Xbox is ported remarkably well, it even looks good, it plays good, it sounds good, it's just good.
In the near future, the Earth has been invaded, and slowly, it's beeing assimilated to the liking of the new alien leadership. Mankind is oppressed, mistreated, basically enslaved. Cities, people, and everything we love are slowly disapearing, being crushed by the alien nazi-esk leaders. You, Gordon Freeman, are reinstated by the G-man, you don't really know why, but soon find yourself taking arms and leading the revolution in an epic story about uprising, rebellion, and the instinct to survive. Through the course of the story, you learn what's happened in the years you've been in stasis, and meet new characters, run into old ones, and travel great distances in a war torn world defeating the tyranical, oppressive regime.
In short, wonderful everything, a great presentation of a sequal that outdoes it's predecessor in every way. From Chapters that play like a horror game with headcrab zombies and monsters, to WWII like fighting in bombed out buildings. Vehicle chases, huge battles and shootouts, a roller coaster ride of action. Also, it'll last for several hours too. I recommend it highly.

Excellent adventure

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I love shooter games and Half-Life is amazing! The game allows for multiple actions--picking up and manipulating objects, driving vehicles, and shooting. The game has taken a long time, which I also like..it's not a "quick play." Highly recommended. I can't wait until the next one is out!!

HL2 Review

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This game rocks!! i've heard many people say that Half Life 2 for xbox isnt as good as the pc version but i absolutely love this game. the graphics are amazing and gameplay is WOW! 5 stars!

Style with little substance.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 14, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Visually this is one of the most impressive games out there, and is pretty much the only element that makes it worth playing. People keep praising how good the story is. Nonsense! This game has very little in story, it has ACTION SET PIECES. Much of them are quite interchangeable with each other, within each of the main acts you pretty much shuffle them around and it wouldn't make much difference. For example, the early chase sequences all look like the L.A. river/Sepulveda basin. The main character is basically a non-entity, so why would he have such a following in that world? You're character seems to contribute very little to the events except for the finale. With all the attention they made to character models you can't even interact with them like in the first game. The A.I. is bad, and clearly scripted which looks more apparent on open sized levels.

A very disappointing port of a great game.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 15, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The Xbox can't handle Half-Life 2 plain and simple. That is the source of our problems here. The graphics aren't as good as they are on the PC. They look fuzzy, and at times some areas of the game look almost unfinished. The controls are uncomfortable and are not done well compared to other console FPS games. Playing Gordon feels spastic and overall very sloppy. There are also glitches everywhere.One minute you're jumping on a box trying to get up, then you get stuck, then you magically teleport to where you were trying to jump to and the box is gone.The worst of all is the frame rate. It is absolutely horrible. At times it makes the game unplayable. I seriously didn't even finish he game because of how crappy the frame rate was. The only reason this game is rated above a 4.0 is that I have played the PC version and know how great it can be, so the parts that weren't totally screwed up really shine and brought my rating up 2.5 points. Just go out and buy The Orange Box, its a much better console version of the game that fixes all the problems of this version, not to mention it also includes the expansions, tam fortress 2, and portal.

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