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Half-Life 2 (2004)

Valve

Android · Linux · Mac · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 3 · Xbox · Xbox 360

4.43 from 7563 ratings · #37 top rated on Grouvee

17520 members have it in their collection · 345 playing now · 4875 backlogged · 1381 wish listed

How long? Main story 15h · with extras 48h · 100% 28h (from 95 logged playthroughs)

1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.

Details

Developers
Valve
Publishers
Electronic Arts, NVIDIA Lightspeed Studios, Sierra Entertainment, Valve
Genres
Shooter
Themes
Action, Horror, Science fiction
Franchises
Half-Life
Series
Half-Life
Event
Xbox E3 2005 Press Conference
Steam
View on Steam

Release dates

  • Nov 16, 2004 (Full Release) (North_America) PC (Microsoft Windows)
  • Nov 16, 2004 (Full Release) (Europe) PC (Microsoft Windows)
  • Nov 15, 2005 (Full Release) (North_America) Xbox
  • Nov 18, 2005 (Full Release) (Europe) Xbox
  • Dec 02, 2005 (Full Release) (Japan) PC (Microsoft Windows)
  • Oct 09, 2007 (Full Release) (Asia) Xbox 360
  • Oct 10, 2007 (Full Release) (North_America) Xbox 360
  • Oct 19, 2007 (Full Release) (Europe) Xbox 360
  • Oct 25, 2007 (Full Release) (Australia) Xbox 360
  • Dec 11, 2007 (Full Release) (Asia) PlayStation 3
  • Dec 11, 2007 (Full Release) (North_America) PlayStation 3
  • Dec 14, 2007 (Full Release) (Europe) PlayStation 3
  • Dec 20, 2007 (Full Release) (Australia) PlayStation 3
  • May 22, 2008 (Full Release) (Japan) Xbox 360
  • May 26, 2010 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Mac
  • May 09, 2013 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Linux
  • May 12, 2014 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Android

Related

Bundled in

Editions

Standalone expansions

Updates

Ports

Featured in lists

Gamestar Magazine's 300 best PC games of all time by Human_Traffic · 300 games · 5
Game of the Year: 1985-2025 by anarchistica · 40 games · 3
/myFAV.GAMES/ by Enrico · 38 games · 2
My Absolute Favorite Video Games by universe1701 · 31 games · 1
Finalizados o jugados suficiente para convalidar by gorka182 · 138 games · 1
watched by maksunchik · 86 games · 0

Rating distribution

5 stars
4476
4 stars
2103
3 stars
782
2 stars
173
1 star
29

Community All Reviews Statuses

mr_tinoco

Status mr_tinoco Oct 15, 2023

Left off at the water hazard while riding motorcycle dude dropped off a package in the air

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ethelcain

Status ethelcain Oct 11, 2023

so so fun and im having a BLAST...it does feel like a modernized version of half life 1, which i suppose is the point, but still! its so cool and fun. also, i appreciate the story and characters being more in depth this time <3

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Endermace

Status Endermace Jul 7, 2022

First played 2015 (Age 10) 2 Playthroughs (Easy 0, Medium 1, Hard 1, Very Hard 0)

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ImmyChan

Status ImmyChan Jun 10, 2022

I have no idea how they did it but the original Xbox port of this game is actually pretty good. Sure the game is clearly designed more for the PC and the frame rate does struggle much of the time but it’s still an enjoyable experience

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mephisto_waltz

Status mephisto_waltz May 12, 2022

I have given a bit of trash to Half-Life 2 (to me inferior than the original) mainly for its story/narrative. But I just replayed the first chapter which remains being one of the finest segments ever. I suppose one of the things that bothered me, is that I was far more invested in the environmental storytelling than in the narrative …

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I have given a bit of trash to Half-Life 2 (to me inferior than the original) mainly for its story/narrative. But I just replayed the first chapter which remains being one of the finest segments ever. I suppose one of the things that bothered me, is that I was far more invested in the environmental storytelling than in the narrative itself. I remember being so immersed when The Orange Box came out, sadly I have never got the same feeling as the game progressed. But as far as 'cinematic' games can be, (both) Half-Life might be the best of them all, a true 'cinematic' experience. Action goes on all around you, and you are the camera operator deciding what to focus on and what not. Formally speaking, it remains extraordinary. Are other games being this freewheeling (I mean how they make you an active part of all story, leaving all that would be left for cutscenes to you), specially FPS?

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internpepper

Status internpepper Apr 1, 2022

I held out on playing this for the longest time since I was just waiting for the 3rd game. Well, that's never happening, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It's well earned. This game has amazing characters, story, and worldbuilding that only BioShock has shown is possible in a FPS. The last 2 chapters alone …

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I held out on playing this for the longest time since I was just waiting for the 3rd game. Well, that's never happening, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It's well earned. This game has amazing characters, story, and worldbuilding that only BioShock has shown is possible in a FPS. The last 2 chapters alone are simply incredible and I loved this game enough to 100% the Steam achievements. I'm looking forward to playing Episodes One and Two as well.

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Jmwave

Status Jmwave Mar 19, 2022

lmao its fucking HALF LIFE 2 i dont know what else to say

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killerstar

Status killerstar Jan 11, 2022

Ok, I finished the game and while I do liked it a lot gameplay-wise I'm left feeling like... where's the supposedly great story people always rave about? There's barely any story in this game, really. I'm not complaining (not every game has to have a great story) but just... confused.

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killerstar

Status killerstar Jan 11, 2022

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Say what you will about the Combine, but at least they make the nightmare trains run on time.

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killerstar

Status killerstar Jan 10, 2022

I'm getting to the end and it's about time. The game degenerates a bit in these last sections and gets kind of generic-y FPS. And I've got a visit from my favourite type of enemy encounter, the "dart around the map looking for ammo because the enemy takes more bullets than can be held by your weapon". Fun.

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BMO

Status BMO Jan 9, 2022

Half-Life and Spyro fans, time to merge your favourites:

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killerstar

Status killerstar Jan 8, 2022

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Sheesh, I don't know dude. How can a mute who can carry an arsenal of weapons and is almost impervious to bullets mow down your entire army? My theory is that he's the protagonist of a movie or a videogame in which you and your nameless henchmen are the baddies.

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killerstar

Status killerstar Jan 8, 2022

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Oh, boy, look at that wide, open area I'm walking into. I sure hope a big scary enemy doesn't appear right after I go there.

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