[o-__-o]

a good story will hook gamers all day every day. Between HL1 and 2, there were side stories that expanded the world. Let’s not forget the source engine powered counter strike and so you got half life “for free” or vice versa.

HL2 has dynamic gameplay and HDR and really just made the game play really immersive. From the agents that try to break down the door and all of the chains and razors shake as the walls rattle.. the deep black of the dark nights contrasted with the next morning when you’re on a boat getting attacked by a flying death drone. Or the massive walking robots that you fight along side Npc teammates that you legit feel bad for when they die. It was beyond well done, it set a standard for how cinematic gameplay should be done.

People will look back at Newell in 40 years like he’s Scorsese.

[atesti]

I think they added HDR (or better HDR) later with "The lost coast", a small mini level HDR showcase:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Life_2:_Lost_Coast