Half-Life 2

Finally got to play Half-Life 2 from having had The Orange Box for a long time. Verdict? I don’t really like it, but I don’t regret playing it. Of course, I already knew shooters, esp. the corridor kind, aren’t my thing, but being such a esteemed modern classic I still expected to enjoy it bit more, if nothing else the story, and to be motivated enough to finish it.

It’s not that it’s bad for what it is, for all I know it could be the best of its kind, I just don’t particularly like the kind of thing it is, which is basically a story-driven corridor shooter with some environmental puzzles thrown in. The story didn’t engage me (it was lighter than expected, though I played less than five hours — but I did check the end, among other things, on youtube), didn’t care much for the characters (might have changed in time), nor the puzzles. The music was used pretty effectively sometimes, and I did enjoy the early courtyard scene with the tall ass building in the distance, it had a sense of place, alienness and realism to it, and in fact the beginning in general, before and slightly into the escape, was okay.

I believe this was the nail in the coffin when it comes to traditional corridor shooters for me, I’d need some really good reason to ever buy one again, though I still have a few in my possession that I will at least try (including the first Resistance), and will likely download free offerings on PSN+.

Still played it for hours, including the beginning of episode 1 to get to use the gravity gun a little. Woe is me, right? Not exactly, I’m glad I tried it and gave it a chance; it’s a modern classic and should be part of one’s gaming education IMO.

On to the next game which I think will be Dishonored (with all DLCs).