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| Enemy Soldiers! |
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| Insane Research! |
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| | Half-Life |
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| Number Of Players: | 2 |
| I-link/Internet: | No |
| Publisher: | Sierra Studios |
| Developer: | Gearbox Software |
| Genre: | First Person Shooter |
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| | Full Review: |
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Half-Life is back, several years after its original release on the PC, but still brimming with powerful story and plot twists, and an unrivalled level of single player gaming. On the PC, it was huge, and it looks set to be just as big on PS2, this really is a brilliant game.
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| | Gameplay |
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The first, and possibly most important question is "What's different in this version to the original PC game?" The answer is, not a lot, which is definitely a good thing. However, there are some important changes that have taken place. They do not affect the main game too much, but they do add a great deal of extra multiplayer depth. The new "Decay" mode is a two player co-operative game that allows you and a friend to tackle the Black Mesa Facility. There is also the traditional death match mode that is a feature all first person shooters should have.
The gameplay is one of Half-Life's most outstanding features. Everything from the level design to the enemy intelligence is near perfect. This isn't a simple linear piece of exploration that requires only running in a straight line to get from one place to another; instead you will be made to explore, and think carefully about your next move. Your enemies will be strange aliens, and also government soldiers, who will all respond in startlingly realistic ways. These are not just pieces of meat to be shot, these bite back.
As Gordon Freeman, you must survive the catastrophe surrounding the recent experiment failure, and become a soldier, fighting the alien life, and battling for a way out of the facility. The main goal though is to discover the truth about the experiment - to know what went wrong, and why. The story unfolds with clever use of cut scenes, conversations with other characters, and the exploration of the levels. To control the main character, the dual shock or the keyboard can be used. A criticism of previous FPSs on PS2 was the lack of keyboard suppory - but this has been sorted for Half-Life.
Similarly to Red Faction, the game loads as you progress, but with Half-Life, the loading mid-level is extremely quick. Between certain areas, you can expect a maximum of a 3-4 second wait. This is coupled with the quick save option that again only takes a couple of seconds, and can be done at any time during the level. This makes it easily accessible, without any chance to get bored. Once you're into the game of course, boredom simply isn't a possibility.
The only disappointing element of the gameplay is the loss of a four-player mode. There are options for 2 player games, as mentioned above, but it lacks the multiplayer mayhem that is found in games such as TimeSplitters. However, with a one player game as good as this, it hardly matters.
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| | Graphics |
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One of the more pleasing alterations to the PC original is that graphical detail. Providing a good reason for the lack of 4-player mode is the incredible texturing accompanied by the high frame rate (though less than TimeSplitters 2's incredible 60 fps). With the level of detail exhibited here, its no wonder that a compromise had to be found. Every character model and piece of scenery is so carefully created that it makes the original look quite bland. The actual polygon count is said to be four times higher this time round.
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| | Sound |
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A superb sound track exists in this game, which emphasises silent periods that add tension by mixing in atmospheric music at key moments. The silence will only be broken by the eerie sounds of the monsters, the workings of the machinery in the background, Freeman's footsteps, and your heartbeat. Sometimes very subtle sounds can have an important meaning, which you must look out for. The voices are more complex than traditional shooting games, due to the fact that you can actually choose responses, and pursue conversations to a surprising length. The complete sound package is of a very high standard.
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| | Overall |
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Overall, it's one of the most famous games on the PC, and though it looks a little old next to PS2's latest FPS games, its still a classic shooter, and worth a look.
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| Score |
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| | Gameplay
A classic game, still just as exciting as ever.
| 9.2 | |
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Graphics
Improved, but not in the same league as Splitters.
| 8.3 |
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Lastability
A decent challenge with lots to uncover.
| 8.7 |
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Sound
Atmospheric music, accompanied by clever effects.
| 9.0 |
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Overall
A good chance for PS2 gamers to enjoy a classic.
| 8.8 |
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| | Alternatively: |
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You could also check out TimeSplitters 2, for a faster First Person Shooter, based more around the multiplayer experience. In Half-Life, the plot rules the game, but if you want to break away and have fun, then TimeSplitters 2 is the way to go.
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