It's several years after the disaster at the Black Mesa complex, and scientist/actioneer Gordon wakes up (from what one can only assume is some sort of suspended animation) to find that he's needed once again. While he was gone (or asleep, or whatever), the human race was conquered by an alien species that has enslaved or subverted mankind. How and why this happened is for you to discover as the game progresses; but instead of bogging you down in plot developments and backstory, Half-Life 2 gives you what you want right off the bat: whip out that trusty crowbar, 'cause you're gonna need it.

Needless to say, with humanity conquered, the stakes have been raised for Gordon, who in the original fought to free a subterrainian military base from alien influence. Now he must find a way to save the world, while the mysterious GMan continues to watch his every move. Along the way, Gordon interacts with familiar characters from the original game, as well as Alyx, a major new character who pops up repeatedly to offer Gordon help (and a potential love interest). The technology used to make their character models more realistic is truly eye-popping. Their eyes actually dilate when they lock onto you.

It's several years after the disaster at the Black Mesa complex, and scientist/actioneer Gordon wakes up (from what one can only assume is some sort of suspended animation) to find that he's needed once again. While he was gone (or asleep, or whatever), the human race was conquered by an alien species that has enslaved or subverted mankind. How and why this happened is for you to discover as the game progresses; but instead of bogging you down in plot developments and backstory, Half-Life 2 gives you what you want right off the bat: whip out that trusty crowbar, 'cause you're gonna need it.

Needless to say, with humanity conquered, the stakes have been raised for Gordon, who in the original fought to free a subterrainian military base from alien influence. Now he must find a way to save the world, while the mysterious GMan continues to watch his every move. Along the way, Gordon interacts with familiar characters from the original game, as well as Alyx, a major new character who pops up repeatedly to offer Gordon help (and a potential love interest). The technology used to make their character models more realistic is truly eye-popping. Their eyes actually dilate when they lock onto you.

These aliens who have taken over earth are different than those we remember from the first game, yet while a connection between the two races is implied, very little is actually explained. Which leads me to my biggest (and only, really) gripe with Half-Life 2. The original game relied so strongly on careful plotting, where you felt like you were part of an unfolding story. Half-Life 2 feels more like a carefully-planned run-and-shoot. There are dramatic sequences to be sure, and some truly jaw-dropping action setpieces, but instead of being part of the story, I felt like I was simply triggering various cut scenes that happened to take place in-engine.

The much-lauded Source engine lives up to its reputation, providing a smooth, bug-free experience that's robust and powerful enough to render enormous areas. What it lacks in the special-effects splash of something like the Doom 3 engine or Monolith's latest version it makes up for with an unbelievable level of realism. Half-Life 2 makes suspension of disbelief easy, because it often feels like you're seeing and interacting with a very real, tangible place. The water effects and the way sunlight is too bright for your "eyes" when you first step outside are especially well done.

Many gamers have griped over the game's length -- it's much shorter than the original. While I could've lived without some of the dunebuggy and boat levels (yes, there are drivable vehicles now in Half-Life), which seemed to drag on too long, I felt a definite sense of suspense-building as I worked my way closer and closer to the endgame, and had no complaints about the length. Another difference I noticed is that the game seemed a little easier than I remember the original being. That's not to say that it's not hard -- it is. But the overall gameplay experience itself seems to be streamlined and made as efficient and easy-to-use as possible.

The opponents you'll face are every bit as aggressive and smart as ever. And they keep things intense -- there were times when I was low on health, and the sound of an enemy's walkie talkie nearby sent chills down my spine. The boss levels can be especially tough to beat, although I found the final battle to be surprisingly easy. But there's really nothing quite like mowing down a long-legged Strider with a rocket launcher as it towers above you and lurches down the street.

And I can't say enough good things about the Gravity Gun, which take the games physics to a whole new level. The Gravity Gun can turn an ordinary shoot-out into a true exercise in creativity, as any and all loose objects are at your disposal to launch at your enemies as weapons. Late in the game, the Gravity Gun receives an upgrade and becomes powerful enough to pick up actual enemies and launch them as well. You can't help but go through those levels with a big goofy grin on your face.

Alyx and Barney show up repeatedly throughout the game, involved in the battle for earth in other locales that cross paths with Gordon occasionally. Are those expansion packs I smell...?

I wish I had come out of Half-Life 2 with a better handle on the storyline, and some notion of what the GMan's agenda is, not to mention what happened to Gordon after the first game. At least we already know that Half-Life 3 is in the works. In the meantime, 2's gameplay will keep you enthralled for hours with its profound realism and unending action.