Why is Half Life such a cultural phenomenon?

[CRAVE CASE 55]

I bought the orange box a few weeks ago to play Team Fortress 2. Well my X-box live expired so i tried Half Life 2. I played up to "Water Hazard" and had to go but what i want to know is why is this game such a big deal. It's a good game but what makes it such a culteral phenomenon?

Not trying to start a Flamewar so don't turn this into one.

 

[Pandalisk]

He uses the Crowbar with devastating effect thats why

 

[Jast]

Yeah, I've played Half Life 2 and quite frankly I found it to be quite bland. I too don't understand why it is supposed to be so great.

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Half-life really isn't a cultural phenomenon. Just very popular amongst gamers.

 

[implodingMan]

I'm not the biggest fan of Half Life 2 or Episode 1. However, I found Episode 2 to be an exceptionally well done FPS experience.

Also, the game gets much better once you get to the next chapter. Water Hazard sucks.

Really, I can't explain it in any way other than by saying that different people have different tastes. Some people love Half Life's world and the characters that it presents. I have trouble playing through them because of the lack of characterization on Gordon's part, as well as the soul crushing linearity of the games. With the exception of the vehicle levels they are corridor shooters.

 

[TheGreenManalishi]

I bought Orange Box last week for Half-Life 2 and Portal. I'm starting to see why it's as revered as it is.

 

[Mr Frogurt]

Who said it was a cultural phenomenon? It's a very well made game, that many of us *cough* real *cough* gamers love.

 

[Strong Intelligent]

If you payed number one when it first came out, you'd know.

 

[AceDefective]

It was ok but it was missing something to me OH! yea i like RPGs not FPS so why do i have the orange box also why does every one think so highly of portal i personaly dislike the game i had almost no fun with it

 

[PirateKing]

I don't think it's a cultural phenomenon. More of a gaming phenomenon.

 

[willard3]

The original Half-Life was fairly revolutionary in that it presented story, puzzles, and an FPS seamlessly together...no cutscenes and no "levels" in the traditional sense. Plus the story was complicated and intriguing.

Half-Life 2 continued that tradition, and also was one of the first games to have a realistic physics engine that played a major part in gameplay.

 

[KamachoMcSagget]

I think because it was really hyper advanced when it was first made, like what Crysis is today.
When I first played it, I loved it, but that was one of my only FPS games. Now I think it's only okay.

 

[brodie21]

didnt you watch Zero Punctuation on that? nerds like the image of a smart guy w/ glasses beating up manly marines.

BTW, i dont think half life is a cultural phenomenon. Halo 3 would be, even though i have no idea why. i sold my copy to get fallout 3 (If anyone makes fun of my choice, it was MY game so back the F__K OFF!)

 

[Mardy]

why does every one think so highly of portal i personaly dislike the game i had almost no fun with it

This, and I suspect the valve fanboys most of the time it's praised like a holy grail

 

[Good morning blues]

They are fantastic games regardless of when you play them, but I will admit that they are most likely much more impressive at the point of their release.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

I'm not the biggest fan of Half Life 2 or Episode 1. However, I found Episode 2 to be an exceptionally well done FPS experience.

Pretty much this. I didn't get what all the fuss was about until episode 2. I suppose graphics and the physics engine may be a factor, considering Half-Life 2 was released about the same time as the first Halo.

 

[CRAVE CASE 55]

I'm not the biggest fan of Half Life 2 or Episode 1. However, I found Episode 2 to be an exceptionally well done FPS experience.

Also, the game gets much better once you get to the next chapter. Water Hazard sucks.

Really, I can't explain it in any way other than by saying that different people have different tastes. Some people love Half Life's world and the characters that it presents. I have trouble playing through them because of the lack of characterization on Gordon's part, as well as the soul crushing linearity of the games. With the exception of the vehicle levels they are corridor shooters.

Oh im in the mines under Ravenholm now that level is a pain in the ass

 

[Ph0t0n1c Ph34r]

Its just overblown. Yes, its good. Is it great? Arguably. And before saying anything, yes I also believe Halo is overblown too.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Half-life really isn't a cultural phenomenon. Just very popular amongst gamers.

This, Halo is a cultural phenomenon, Half Life is more popular among people who are into games. If you compare Half Life 2 to Halo 2, Doom 3 and Battlefield Vietnam, all released within a couple of months, that might explain it's popularity a bit better.

Anyway, I think the crux of it's success is it's pacing and it's attention to detail. If you start looking at things more closely the length of the game easily doubles.
There are so many more plot details, little toys to play with and spaces to explore than the game actualy signposts for you. It's the complete opposite of most FPS's where straying from the predetermined path yields a big fat nothing, or things that add nothing to the game.

It's also better written and better designed than most games too, if you actually stop and look at them the Combine are fairly original in their designs, although the Headcrabs are pretty generic.