User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 99
  2. Negative: 6 out of 99

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  1. Aug 13, 2013
    Unless you played Half-Life 2 when it was released it is almost impossible to understand just how far ahead of its time it was. The graphics, gameplay, physics (including the superb gravity gun) and interactive storytelling were all simply superb and it is a true testament to its enduring quality that it still stands up today, almost a decade after it was first available on PC!

    The only
    slight let down with this Xbox conversion was a little bit of slowdown when the screen got too busy but it was certainly never game breaking and a small price to pay for such excellence. Expand
  2. Jul 9, 2013
    Meh, it's okay.
    Half-Life 2 does a lot of things right. It looks great, plays great, has a large interconnected world, and has a fairly interesting story with cool characters.
    Except the game feels somewhat tedious. Every level is similar to the last later on in the game. You kill the same/similar enemies over and over again. Every now and then there is a driving section to break up the
    tedium, but those suck.

    This game is really overrated. I've played much better FPS games than Half-Life 2; games that were far less tedious and less boring. It's a good game, just not that great.
  3. Feb 5, 2012
    I have to give it such a low rating purely because the controls for vehicles were HORRIFIC. Also the game was just far too linear and repetitive to fill time, otherwise the game would be too short.
    I do think though that the graphics and physics are impressive.
  4. Sep 26, 2011
    Half Life 2 has obtained legendary status as one of the most flawless modern games BUT the question does need to be asked: is Half Life 2 over-rated? My answer is Yes as all things are flawed (even Half Life 2), that's not saying the game is not one of the best the industry has provided in recent times, it is however just an interactive game with a lot of copied elements of other science fiction, it's not as original as many claim. Half Life 2 has awesome graphics, innovative physics, game play, fabulously designed levels and game moments but my point is that it shows how lacking and unoriginal the rest of the industry is - that many would claim Half Life 2 to be better than it actually is. If Half Life 2 is the best there is in single player gaming - then video games truely are lacking... HL2 is still a real achievement and Valve has something to be proud of.â Expand
  5. Aug 26, 2011
    Valve original creation had enormous critic scores, rabid fan base, and one of the most important games in the history ever. The engine by the time really looked very advanced compared to other games graphics, the details are ugly no denying in that point. The narration or how the story progress while not looking the same formula of cut-scenes it's outstanding. Great action, interaction, indeed the puzzles makes this a winner. Half-Life is a masterpiece with few flaws. Expand
  6. Jun 3, 2011
    By far, Half Life 2 is a masterpiece on every level and one of the greatest FPS of all time in my books. The story is told well and the gameplay is amazing and addictive. Voice actors are great. There are so many levels of creativity in this game that it is just stunning.
  7. Mar 26, 2011
    A very good game! A variety of characters, enemies, weapons, and environments to come across in this game. The story line is amazing, you play as Gordon Freeman who was in the original Half - life( which was amazing too). This game has a horror,action, and drama like game-play style. I recommend this game to anyone who wants a good cheap game to play for hours.
  8. Mar 1, 2011
    This game will go down as one of the best of all time, with a great continued story, long campaign, memorable characters, and fun not-too-over-the top gameplay. One of a rare kind that actually evokes real emotion from the player, Half-Life 2 is great in every aspect and is an absolute classic.

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. 100
    Real 'bullet-time' isn't ballet; it's no-holds carnage that ends with a radio-transmitted flatline. It's one man making a difference; it's one game making a noise. Half-Life 2 is all that - and more.
  2. 100
    The most immersing and compelling game I've ever played.
  3. Long story short, Half-Life 2 is a must-buy, and our strongest choice for that one, last Xbox game to pick up before switching over to Xbox 360.