Half-Life
Originally released in 1998, the PC version of Half-Life changed first-person shooters forever by proving that a compelling story can be told within the genre. Prior to the game's release, first-person shooters were mindless action games. Half-Life, while containing its fair share of action, also contained plenty of exploration, puzzle, and story elements. Now released as a PlayStation2 game, Half-Life has never looked or played better. This version contains the outstanding single-player story mode, as well as a few new ones. While the new additions aren't so great, the story mode is one of the best escapades available on the PS2. The game follows the adventures of Gordon Freeman, a young research associate at the Black Mesa Federal Research Facility. A typical day at the office goes completely awry as numerous alien life forms invade the facility. The fate of the facility, and quite possibly the world, is in the hands of an unlikely hero. The graphics here trump the original's (understandable, as more than three years have passed). The character models have four times as many polygons, as well as smoother textures and animations. The sound is also very good, with some of the funniest voice acting yet heard in a game. Of course, the single-player gameplay is excellent, thanks to some very well-developed enemy artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, the new modes aren't nearly as brilliant. Decay, the new cooperative mode, seems like an afterthought and pales in comparison to the cooperative modes in Perfect Dark and Halo. Deathmatches only support two players, which is incredibly lame considering many PS2 first-person shooters support four. Despite these flawed modes, the single-player story is so superb that it totally warrants a purchase. --Raymond M. Padilla Pros: - Greatly improved graphics from the original
- Excellent storytelling, especially for the genre
- Strong enemy artificial intelligence
Cons:- Cooperative mode is dull
- Deathmatch only supports 2 players
Half-Life Accessories
 Killzone
God of War
Shadow of the Colossus
The Orange Box
God of War 2
Red Faction
The Orange Box
Deus Ex: The Conspiracy
Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection
BioShock
Half-Life Reviews
However, to fully appreciate that, even in today's standard, go with the PC. The PS2 version is just really frustrating. That is my biggest complaint. If you're one of those fans considering to track this old game (on PS2) and spend lots of money on it don't bother wasting it. I realize I'm reviewing an old game here and I'm writing this review with 2008 standards.
It's not that the graphics are so demanding, but it just isn't optimized well. Some games still look good on the PS2 even to this day. This game is considered a classic and really took FPS to a whole new level when it came out. So my 1-star rating is for the PS2 version. Update: The Orange Box does not seem to include Half-Life: Source (original Half-Life game with updated graphics); however, it seems you can purchase/download later on Steam for about $10 extra. Like most games that are poorly ported onto console, this game is no exception.
You don't even need a fast computer and everything will be smooth. Plus, you'll get to use a keyboard and mouse the way it is meant to be played.
But for better graphics, I recommend getting the Orange Box, which has Half-Life 2 and even the original Half-Life with updated graphics. Instead of paying $20 or more for the PS2, just for the rare factor (unless you just want to put it on your shelf or something and collect dust), it's better to buy the Half-Life Anthology (where you get many expansions) for less than $10 now.
However, I think the best way to go is try to track down "Half-Life 2: Game of the Year Edition", which includes Counter-Strike: Source as well. However, this game just isn't worth tracking down and playing it again, on the PS2.
Please keep in mind I am only reviewing the PS2 version (not PC). There are many slowdowns.
Since The Orange Box is around $30 now, it's not too bad, considering most of us paid $50 for Orange Box when it was first released.
Be careful how you run around this government facility or you will be reloading a saved game quite frequently. Let me just say that after playing this game, you will never look at FPS games in the same way again. This game, along with Deus Ex, has possibly the best storyline and gameplay of all time. The PC version of this is better in every way, but that is to be expected no matter what the game is (usually this is true anyway).
From the moment you step off the underground tram, you are thrust into a world that is very dangerous, and very intriguing. Overall = Excellent If you run blindly into an area, you will 99.9% likely be cannon fodder for whatever lies in wait for you. You are in danger every second of this game, and you have to be smart about your actions.
I absolutely recommend this game to anyone whom is interested in a realistic, gripping FPS game. The graphics, AI, and storyline are incredible. Obviously, this game is dated now but it is still one of the best games ever created. The government special forces, mutated monsters, and various environmental hazards are all that separate you from freedom.and/or instant death.
And if you haven't tried the game yet, give it a try. The story was good and flowed very nicely throughout the whole game, but the most suprisingly outstanding aspect of the game was the enemy AI. Not too many games out there that i've played have enemies that are smart enough to do a lot of stupid things that drove me nuts and challenge my skills, but this game did. I'd greatly appreciate the information. It may be older than current games in some ways, but it still got it where it counts, which is in the game play. Thanks, and have fun. Does anyone know any other game that have great challenging enemy AI that I can play.
This game though is amazing, it's extremely entertaining and easily soaked up more of my childhood then sleeping did. The only reason anyone would claim it's story is medicore is because they leave you hanging and refuse to easily explain the exsistance of Gman who is a mysterous character that shows up periodically throughout the game. Half-Life not only lives up to it's hype, but it surpasses it. I realize thats an odd comparison. This game has a great story. As most people have heard by now, Half-Life is one of those "God Like" games. This game actually fueled my love for the gaming industry and is what has me making videogames today. Especially since back in the day when the PC version first came out, there wasnt any hype for it.
If you own that then you should be playing it instead of reading this. This game is the package, the entire package. By the standards of 1998 they are fantastic. To pass up this game is to deny a turning point in gaming. Each game represents the best they could possibly do with the technology given at the time. If you already own this game, then purchase the second one.
I like to argue with a lot of claims like that because most are so far fetched and so far off base that it actually makes me crindge a little (*cough* Killzone being a "Halo Killer *cough*). That and all the flames that will come from it aside, lets get to the point. If you can sit down and play new releases of an old game or call yourself a fan of oldschool games then to you these graphics should be awesome. I appreciate older games, they remind me of how far we have come and a better time when games required more imagination then processor power. One would ask "Why compare oldschool 2D sprites to oldschool 3D." Well that's actually kind of simple. If you can sit down and play Final Fantasy on your DS, or on your GBA, or even on your playstation and tolerate it then you should be able to tolerate the graphics on this.
The graphics by today's standards are obviously poor.
The graphics and game play are excellent. This game has been out for a while, but it is still one of the best there is. This is one of the best PS2 games ever made. You also get a lot of game for your buck, it's one of the longer games out there. I have beat both the computer version and PS2 version, so I can tell you there is only a very slight difference between the two. Diffenetly worth adding to your Ps2 collection.
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