Half-Life 2 review

It's ironic that while we have just seen the launch of Microsoft's new console the original Xbox should receive one of the best games released on the format. Who would have thought it? You'll definitely be surprised how well the game has been translated from the PC to the Xbox.

In most ways it's the same game that you've played on PC and Valve has done an amazing job in porting the first-person shooter over. This is a clear lesson to other developers showing how it's done. But not everyone has played the PC original, so I won't assume you've played it as I proceed.

The game is split into massive levels that feel more like themed episodes rather than individual levels. Some sections feel like a horror movie, with zombies and scares aplenty. Other levels are fast-paced and wide open and recalling the best sequences of modern action movies. Some of the larger levels require you to take a long journey by vehicle, with action sequences dotted throughout the journey. Half-Life 2 is tightly plotted and pretty linear, yet there's enough freedom in the progress across the massive levels to make you feel like you're making the choices.

Expansive Levels

That's not to say these massive levels are always perfect. An early level in the canals with an airboat really does outstay its welcome and seems to be over long. Now don't get me wrong, much of this level was really fun, but I thought I was playing a first-person shooter here, not Valve's Airboat Sim 2005.

Now as you'd probably expect on Xbox, the console has a lot less system memory than most PCs, so the game does load frequently during the levels. These load sequences do occur more often than on PC but loading times are pretty quick and they don't seem to spoil the pace of the action.

Let's not get carried away with this whole travelling vibe though, yes Gordon Freeman has to move from place to place solving problems but this is no point and click adventure, it's a first person shooter. And shooting is something you'll be doing an awful lot of in Half-Life 2. From Gordon's trusty crowbar to rocket launchers there's a huge variety in the game's arsenal which means you can tailor your playing style to your favourite weaponry. I am rather fond of the fuel-rod crossbow myself. It's a very silly weapon that makes an awful mess of your enemies.

Combine Harvester

So what about those enemies? For much of the early part of the game you main enemies will be the soldiers of the Combine. These fascist gasmask-wearing stormtroopers will give you the creeps. They're not the smartest tools in the box, despite Valve's reputation for great AI and will often rush into danger against you than take a more thoughtful approach.

However due to the awesome collection of firepower Gordon can project against he's enemies it's often the case you've despatched the enemy soldiers before they've even a chance to display whatever smarts Valve has imbued them with.

Who else do you meet along the way? If you've played the first Half-Life you'll be familiar with the nasty little head crabs. These evil little critters are a nod to Geiger's Alien. The small creatures are a threat in themselves, but if they have found a host they create a more dangerous zombie. The head crabs provide some of the game's more horror-themed sequences. One level in a small town feels more like Resident Evil thanks to church yard locations and groaning zombies. The zombies aren't particularly smart though so the threat from them comes more from sheer numbers than cleaver strategy.

Happiness is a Warm Gun

Yes you'll weald an impressive arsenal of weapons as Gordon Freeman but perhaps the most impressive device at your disposal isn't really a weapon at all. One of the real treats of Half-Life 2 is the physics engine and it is best exploited using the gravity gun.

Once you've got hold of this beauty you won't stop playing with it, even to the very end of the game. Using the gravity gun you can hold up objects as shields, throw flaming barrels at enemies and take out a room of zombies with a circular-saw blade. The game's realistic physics allow you to use your environment as a weapon, such as lifting a cargo crate with a crane and dropping it onto enemy troops.

Half-Life 2 features a lot of puzzle solving yet it's rare if this seems forced. There's very little back-tracking for the sack of pulling switches to open doors. One twisty route through a prison did seem a little convoluted but on the whole the puzzles work very well. At times you'll have to use the properties of objects to solve puzzles. For example, there's a point where you will have to use the buoyancy of air-filled plastic barrels in a pool of water to keep a ramp afloat long enough for you to use the airboat on it to leap a fence.

Quality Shines Through

So there we go, it's great fun to play, with some entertaining enemies and lots of exciting weaponry. That sounds like the PC original. But what of the graphics, surely it looks very poor compared to the original game? Well no. Half-Life 2 on Xbox looks almost identical to the big PC game.

From the moment you arrive at that station, see the lighting through the roof, that TV screen above broadcasting propaganda and then walk out into the town square you'll be amazed how well the look of the game has been converted to the console. Yes the textures aren't as detailed as the PC game but you don't need high-res textures on a TV. The only real problem with the game's graphics is that the frame rate isn't very good. There are times when the game becomes a slideshow, however most of the time it looks fantastic.

Half-Life 2 is a great game, over a year after I reviewed the PC version I really enjoyed playing through the game once again, this time on Xbox. Valve has worked wonders translating this game over to Xbox. For Xbox owners who've not tackled the PC original, this is a must-buy game. And even for those of you who've battled through the game on PC, you'll probably still enjoy the experience all over again from the comfort of your sofa.

Visit www.xploder.net for Advanced Media & Cheat Systems for PlayStation, Xbox, GBA and PSP. Including great deals on Lexar Memory Stick Pro Duo: Gaming Edition for PSP