Poll: Half-Life, Why Everyone Finds it Wonderful?

[cantthinkofausername]

NOTE: This is not a thread for insulting the game. (And when I say insulting I mean, don't go "THIS GAME " Also, I did not find anything like this after searching.

So, I have been searching for a game and picked up Half-Life 2 this week. I played through it and I want to know - Why is it as big as it is? Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad game, but it also isn't the greatest one either.

So, what I am asking is:

Why do you find Half-Life to be one of the best games (or a bad one), is it the puzzles, the shooting, and where do you stand with the series?

(I was quite fond of the driving sections actually.)

 

[grimsprice]

i think it's a pretty decent game that made it big when it was first released because it looked really good and had excellent characterization. but now most games are just as good if not better (mass effect). so its luster has sort of warn off for me...

oh yes. and of course the gravity gun. most people will site that... but i didn't see why that was so awesome. sure it was fun to launch saw blades at people but then what?

 

[Armored Prayer]

I think its a great game. But sometimes I think some the Vale fans go too far with it.

 

[megapenguinx]

Because at the time it was a really really well made game in a depressing sea of repetition. It had likable characters and some interesting weapons (Gravity gun and ant lion pheromones).

 

[IxionIndustries]

Because soldiers in gasmasks are the coolest things ever. Especially when they are getting bludgeoned to death with a crowbar.

 

[cantthinkofausername]

It has great realistic characters along with excellent gameplay. Gravity Gun. Best weapon ever.

True. Shooting saw blades at zombies to cut them in half is pretty fun.

 

[Kajt]

I found it okay, but far from as great as some people say it is.

 

[adledog]

I agree i never really got into it. I bought the orange box and playing half life was completely unenjoyable for me. except for the gravity gun which is rly fun and more games need creative weapons like that=P

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Storytelling through an interactive environment - it was the first game that took it to that level

Great characters. who build relationships with the player without resorting to cutscenes

At the time of release, it was probably the best looking, most technologically advanced game out there

The entire things drips with atmosphere and tension

Alyx... THAT is how you make a friendly AI. Has any game since surpassed her?

The voyage up the citadel... breathtaking piece of interactive art.

 

[cantthinkofausername]

I agree i never really got into it. I bought the orange box and playing half life was completely unenjoyable for me. except for the gravity gun which is rly fun and more games need creative weapons like that=P

Apparently, no matter where you stand with the game - Gravity Gun = Amazing.

I didn't use it as much for killing as I did pointlessly goofing about.

It has great realistic characters along with excellent gameplay. Gravity Gun. Best weapon ever.

True. Shooting saw blades at zombies to cut them in half is pretty fun.

I'd also like to add that Ravenholm is one of the scariest levels in gaming.

I eventually got really annoyed with Ravenholm at one point. Specifically one moment with a large amount of surrounding zombies and one Toxic Zombie. That Toxic Zombie eventually met about 5 explosive barrels being launched at 92475398236 miles per hour despite already being dead.. Poor chap..

 

[thatstheguy]

Never played the games so I can't say. Though, I do hope to get the Orange Box since I just got a 360.

 

[irishstormtrooper]

I liked the game. It wasn't particularly amazing, but at least it was functional. I found that the driving controls sucked, however. Mapping acceleration and steering to the same analog stick was a stupid idea.

On another note, responding to people saying that the story told almost entirely on objects around the environment to be innovative, original, etc. It isn't. It's just stupid. Having to pay special attention to your surroundings just to find out what the hell is going on is not good storytelling. While these people may be correct about not handing the story on a silver platter, you should at least being given some clue about what's happening and leave the more intricate and less necessary information to be found by those with sharp eyes.

Thank you for supporting my brief rant.

 

[blankgabriel]

Never played the games so I can't say. Though, I do hope to get the Orange Box since I just got a 360.

Get it on PC. You'll have over 9000% more fun.

 

[Radeonx]

The original Half Life brought the FPS genre to a whole new level. It added a great story, and interesting characters. Not only that but the game is just plain fun.

 

[DarthPeanut]

I like the game, but pancakes are irresistable!!!!!!

O.T. Seriously though, I've only ever played 2, episode 1 and episode 2 and it was so fun. The fact that it came with Team Fortress 2 and Portal made it that much sweeter =D. I can haz pancakez noawz?

 

[cantthinkofausername]

I found that the driving controls sucked, however. Mapping acceleration and steering to the same analog stick was a stupid idea.

Indeed it was. Like I said, I still found them fun though since you get to know crazy fast off of jumps with an automatic infinite ammo turret.

 

[thatstheguy]

Never played the games so I can't say. Though, I do hope to get the Orange Box since I just got a 360.

Get it on PC. You'll have over 9000% more fun.

I would, but the only computer I have is a 5 year old laptop. Hell, when I tried Team Fortress 2 durring it's free weekend the graphics looked like crap, it ran at about 5 frames per second, and it crashed about a minute after playing. Not my idea of fun.