Michelle Mucker

Above are my friends from Half Life 2. I forgot their names, but apparently they are my friends.

Gameplay
The game was somewhat reminiscent of Myst and Tomb Raider. Together. A really "cool" game with way too many "puzzles." And way too many movies!
I liked the gameplay but for me to be really hooked, there needs to be more weapons and more shooting. And I'd like to be able to shoot everybody, including... say my "friends." Additionally, I'd also like to be able to hit people other than guards (with REAL weapons of course) and it would have been cool if I could have broken things with other things... more. Slightly more sophisticated AI would have been nice, too...
All in all, the game was really cool. I like how there was no time limit; I could explore everything at least a few times. I actually stood in line for "food" for a little bit hoping my health would go up if I ate (since those guards beat me up real nice a couple of times) but I got impatient and moved on...
I got to the train cars part then class was over. By then I was pretty into it, determined to get up on the scaffolding, but... class was over! I briefly contemplated being a few minutes late for studio to play more. But I came back to reality and quit the game.
That was hard...
I hate to compare this game to Quake 4 but what the heck...
Quake 4 scenery is way more repetitive. You can get lost QUICK. There's no time limit in Quake 4 BUT the music makes it feel like there is. So you feel lost because every room looks the same and you're in a hurry because it's dark and there might be a Strogg lurking around a dark corner. It's just way more intense. A lot more objects are interactive, and this is good. Not to the point of being annoying... But you have a mission and it's clear. Half Life 2 has some strange plot you'd never understand from playing the game alone. I got a "briefing" but it was too wordy for me to follow.
I know at some later point in HL2 I get real weapons, a boat, etc. And according to PC Gamer this was "the best game ever." But I'll stick to instant action and steep learning curve for my kicks.

Graphics
The graphics were AMAZING, especially considering it was released '04.
The end.

The verdict: I might someday agree this is one of the greatest games ever but I haven't played it much so maybe I'm just being agreeable. But it was addicting and I can't wait to get back in the lab and play some more...