A Time & A Place

Obviously I’m a gaming enthusiast but this is not good. A security guard at Three Mile Island failed to see an inspector approach during a surprise inspection – because he was playing a handheld game! Hmmm…I wonder what game he was playing. See the whole story at USA Today.

HalfLife 2 is a Landmark in Gaming!

Tonight I finished HalfLife2 so I could get to Episode I. Having just completed the game I am struck with its brilliance. There is a lot of content in HL2 and its all worth it. The last two chapters (“levels” if you like) were the panicle of an enthralling story. The character development was possibly better than any game I’ve played. The graphics go without saying – stunning! The soundtrack and audio whipped this sci-fi whirlwind into a real treat. But I gushed like this in the last post, didn’t I? The last two chapters of HL2 put the game on the top shelf, so to speak. The game play is altered in a very creative way and it was a blast! I’m so impressed with the risks the developers took in telling a good story. I usually hate cut scenes but not this time. I don’t think I ever left a film having felt this satisfied. You take a long journey to reach the citadel, the seat of the evil scientist that has loomed in the distance until this point, only to be left with a classic cliff hanger – but it’s ok. The cliffhanger is a ton of fun, especially with a gravity gun. It doesn’t hurt to have the next episode, which starts where the original game leaves off, installed on your hard drive and waiting for you. Anyway, if you want to show computer a game naysayer that games have evolved since Pac Man show them HL2. If you want to show the power of story telling via a “video game” show them HL2. If you want to wow someone with technology show them HL2. If you want to show that naysayer a unique experience let them finish HalfLife2.

I spent 30 minutes on HL2: Episode 1 and am very impressed with the usual stuff but the dialogue stood out. So far my sidekicks Alex (the charming daughter of a friend and fellow scientist) and Dog (a giant mechanical robot) are a hoot and a half. The writers put some real effort into these characters. Clever stuff. I felt as though I was playing with an old friend. I know, it sounds corny – but I don’t care! Right away there is a fun twist that gets you back into the citadel, which is now burning thanks to you. I can’t wait to get back to it.

HalfLife2 | Episode I | Steam | Valve | Screenshots

HalfLife2 & HL2: Episode I

In anticipation of the first release of episodic content (the trend of the future) for HalfLife2 I am finishing the original game. The “expansion pack” (which is a stand-alone game) came out yesterday but due to a lack of time I’m behind on my games. Nonetheless, with two chapters remaining I can say with confidence that HL2 is a shinning star among games. The sci-fi atmosphere is slick and polished, the gameplay addicting, and the physics are so critical to the game that you feel as if you electrify the spatial relations centers of the brain by playing. Recently a team of researchers from the Midwest were awarded almost 600k for studying physics using the World of Warcraft engine. HalfLife2 certainly has something to add in this department (can you say Gravity Gun?). One has to be keenly aware of the environment as every object as a potential key for your advancement. The HL2 engine is smooth and the story supports solid character development and plot lines. The audio is unique and adds an important dimension to the game. As a matter of fact, without it you would miss instructions and key plot points. Technically, it runs flawlessly on my machine. I’m going to work until lunch and reward myself with a drive to GameStop to pick up HalfLife2: Episode I.

Note: You can read a review here. Check out the video review.