Ladies & gentlemen, welcome to Time Capsule, where we talk about games from the past while shedding a nostalgic tear. The tears are in abundance today, because we’re talking about Half Life which, if the rumors are to be believed, may never have a conclusive future.
For those who don’t know, Half Life is a game franchise about a nuclear physicist on a quest to kill aliens by bashing their heads in with a crowbar.
It begins when a bunch of overly zealous science nerds decide to open up portals to other worlds. If video games have taught me anything over the years, it’s that opening up portals usually leads to bad shit coming out of it. Guess what happens this time?
Aliens. Who within moments of stumbling upon our planet decide to form up and declare a full blown invasion. I mean seriously, before you know it, they’re everywhere with comms up and guns blazing. But our hero, Gordon Freeman, the nuclear scientist ain’t havin’ none of that. He sets forth, crowbar in hand, and a lady friend, Alyx, by his side. Jokes aside, the game is a masterpiece. Filled with fun combat, intelligent puzzles, and physics way ahead of it’s time. The story is also really good, specially for a multi-part game, with memorable characters and exciting moments.
The level design needs a special mention, since even a decade later it feels tight, while encouraging exploration at the same time. Also, Gordon Freeman is a fine example of silent protagonist done right, and stands up there with Doom-guy.
However, the last released part of the game, Half Life 2 Ep 2 released in 2007, ends with a major cliffhanger, and there’s been nothing from the series since them. It has also been speculated that Valve, the creators behind the game, may never make a sequel, given that they’re making mad money with their current two mass market titles, Dota 2 and Counter Strike Global offensive.
Well, consider this review, coming almost ten years late, as a testament to how amazing the game is. It’s one of the few games that still stands up both visually and gameplay wise, even today.
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