Half-Life 2

 Xbox
Half-Life 2 Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

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  • Summary: The follow-up to Half-Life continues the intense action and immersive storytelling from the original and adds more realism and responsiveness. Once again, you play the role of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, itsThe follow-up to Half-Life continues the intense action and immersive storytelling from the original and adds more realism and responsiveness. Once again, you play the role of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, and its populace dwindling. With your trusty crowbar and a variety of other weapons at your disposal, Freeman must rescue the world from the wrong he unleashed at Black Mesa.… Expand
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Half-Life 2 Gameplay Movie 3

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Gamestyle
    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. Gamezilla!
    98
    If you are passionate about your games then you cannot afford to miss what is arguably one of the three best Xbox titles ever made. Get it now.
  3. TeamXbox
    95
    I can easily say that I had just as much fun playing through the game on the Xbox as I first did on the PC, and probably even more so due to my personal preference of the controller over the keyboard.
  4. GamePro
    90
    Aside from a few tiny changes, Half-Life 2 on the Xbox is the PC game, right down to the last spattered droplets of alien blood. Half-Life 2's graphics set new standards for the Xbox, blowing right past heavyweights like "Doom 3" and "Halo 2."
  5. Games Radar
    90
    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.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    90
    The character models are excellent with amazing facial expressions that include "tells." You can't always be sure that what people are saying to you because there is a level of body language that can be interpreted.
  7. Game Informer
    73
    The inconsistent framerate and lack of visual splendor are compromises we all expected with this conversion, but the load times are insufferable. [Dec 2005, p.182]
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See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 74
  3. Negative: 5 out of 74
  1. Mattaclysm
    Jun 3, 2011
    10
    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 theBy 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.… Expand
  2. SammyF.
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    It would be better if there still was teams like medic,enginers,gunners stuff like that.
  4. Guivera
    Mar 1, 2011
    10
    This game will go down as one of the best of all time, with a great continued story, long campaign, memorable characters, and funThis 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.… Expand
  5. CharlieB.
    Dec 16, 2005
    9
    I must have gotten the super-secret high-powered Xbox when I bought mine, because, aside from a handful of hiccups that lasted less than five I must have gotten the super-secret high-powered Xbox when I bought mine, because, aside from a handful of hiccups that lasted less than five seconds each, I didn't notice any framerate issues. This is easily the best FPS on the Xbox console, just a tiny bit ahead of the first Halo, and leagues ahead of any of the rest I've played, including Halo2, Timesplitters2, Doom3, and Deus Ex. I suppose there might be one out there I've missed, but if so, I hope I find it, because this is the best.… Expand
  6. drlowdon
    Aug 13, 2013
    9
    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,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
  7. GiantOctopusDizz
    Nov 29, 2005
    8
    excessive slowdowns on every level of the game forced me to cut 2 points for being outstanding. Valve should have realized early on that excessive slowdowns on every level of the game forced me to cut 2 points for being outstanding. Valve should have realized early on that half-life2 is a next generation game and should be played on next generation console namely xbox360 but theyre stubborn on porting a great game on a current generation of console which is xbox. A downgrade in graphics and control not to mention slowdowns. Comparing between Doom3 and Half-life2 on xbox. Hands down Doom3 wins in graphics,sound and control except for gameplay half-life2 wins that but with slowdowns its so unaccaptable for today standard of games to have that kind of major flaw its not as polished as Doom3 was. Doom3 wins overall.… Expand
  8. [Anonymous]
    Sep 30, 2006
    0
    Bad graphics, bad story line, not even close to realistic, just plain sucked.

See all 74 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Xbox Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
14
#14 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005