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post-apocalyptic video game
Half-Life 2
By Valve Corporation, released 1 Jan 2004
- Microsoft Windows
- Linux
- PlayStation 3
- macOS
- first-person shooter
- science fiction video game
- science fiction horror
What it is
Half-Life 2 is Valve’s first-person shooter, released for Windows in 2004. It follows Gordon Freeman on an alien-infested Earth after the Seven Hour War, as he works to resist the forces that have taken control. The single-player campaign emphasizes physics, combat, and a detailed world, and the package includes the Episode One and Episode Two expansions, accessible from the main menu. Half-Life 2 also includes Deathmatch, with standard matches and Combine-versus-Resistance team play. Steam Workshop support lets players use community-created campaigns and replace elements such as weapons, enemies, and the user interface. Listed Steam features include full controller support, captions, adjustable difficulty, camera comfort settings, custom volume controls, and play without timed input. The listed platforms include Windows, Linux, PlayStation 3, and macOS; the Steam listing specifies Windows and Linux.
What players like, and what they don't
- Includes Episodes One and Two
- Deathmatch includes team play
- Steam Workshop supports community-created campaigns
- Full controller support and adjustable difficulty
- Steam platform listing specifies Windows and Linux
- Deathmatch is the listed multiplayer mode
Who it suits
It suits players looking for a story-driven shooter, along with those interested in community-made campaigns or multiplayer deathmatch.
Half-Life 2 combines a single-player campaign and two expansions with Deathmatch and Steam Workshop content. Its mix of story, adjustable settings, and community-made campaigns makes it useful to players with different ways of approaching the game.
