Valve -- Dark Energy
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Half-Life 2 is one of the most immersive games I have ever played on the PC. Theres not really too much I can say about this game, apart from how incredibly well the entire thing has been put together. Every creative decision made in this game seems to have been made in the name of immersion, its the greatest thing I love about Valve.
There are no cutscenes without context, you’ll never jump halfway around the world for a piece of infomation unless its on a TV screen, because you ARE Gordon Freeman. You’ll never teleport to a new area without using an actual teleportation device, or travelling through the actual world, because you ARE Gordon Freeman. Even Alex, the female antagonist has been analysed thoroughly, as made clear in the Episode One directors commentary. The creators tried their hardest to eliminate a sense of lonelyness and despair, without creating an irritating and annoying sidekick, and it benefits the game in so many ways.
Besides the games direction though, the game is a pleasure to play from beginning to end. The sound design is astounding also, the gradually approaching sounds of manhacks, as well as the downright creepy “fast zombies” sends chills down my spine every time, it almost feels like a Lucas film in a way. The entire game has an old school vibe about it too, perhaps its the fact that gameplay is interrupted so little, but for me, everything just feels responsive. You never feel like you’re travelling too slow, and the in-game physics give a sense that you are in full control. The source engine is just absolutly astounding.
Half Life 2 (C) Valve
