Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: Note: This demo requires a Steam account to install, and the game is rated M by the ESRB for intense violence and blood.
CNET Editors' review
When the original Half-Life appeared in 1998, gamers hailed it as the most gripping and realistic first-person shooter ever. Half-Life 2 is the long-awaited next chapter in the saga of Gordon Freeman and the alien menace from Black Mesa. It brings back the heart-pounding gameplay and engrossing storytelling of its predecessor, and its graphics set a new standard. The textures have never been better. The details are crisp and clear; allowing the characters to express subtle emotion. You'll need a modern DirectX 9 graphics card to take advantage of all the eye candy, but the game scales down surprisingly well for older systems. The sound also is extraordinary. Playing with headphones is as nerve-racking as watching a good movie thriller. You'll cringe as zombies clamber up a drainpipe to your rooftop position, or helicopter gunfire slams into the earth all around you. If you're a fan of first-person shooters and your system can hack it, download this game. It's that simple.
Publisher's Description
From VU Games:
By taking the suspense, challenge, and visceral charge of the original Half-Life and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him or her, from the physical environment to the behaviors and even the emotions of both friends and enemies. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa--and a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.
The demo takes players through some of the early levels of the game and later transports them to the area of the game known as Ravenholm.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 83 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 83 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"que esta masomenso"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
me gusta tiene pocos graficos
Cons
es de alieneigenas
Summary
ssssssssssssssssssssssssssa megusta eosto
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"the first half-life demo was much more exciting!"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
It starts off ok.....but....
Cons
Not enough bullets.......needs different alien opponents...it's the same re-hash of the first demo but lacks depth. Going through the empty buildings gets old real fast. The crowbar is the best weapon. A good ol' spiked ball and chain would be better
Summary
The machine gun sound effects in the first Half-Life demo were much better. Especially the brass cartridges falling out of the chamber of the weapon. The 9mm is worthless... the 357 is great.....but again, the crowbar is best for close quarters...the zombies get real boring...I am glad I tried this demo, because after trying it....I will not buy it.....I am happy to play the first Half-Life.
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"HOLY *******!!! HELL YEAH!!!!!"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
You can have a modest comp and still play this game fine. Intelligent, scary A.I. Great graphics and sound....I just love this game and am going to buy the full HL2 version. (19.95) \m/-.-\m/
Cons
Nothing!
With my old comp, I thought I was limited to Halo2 or Wolfenstein (still like 'em both though) but now I'm heading out to buy the full version of HL2!Summary
This is the only frichen game to ever make me scream like a little bitc*!
Why the hell I've never tried it until now, I'll never know.
I have a really modest PC and it played flawlessly (3200 AMD Sempron Processor, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB HD, and a poo Integrated Radeon X-press Graphics Card.) This Demo scared the crap out of me more than 1X! Turn out the lights put on your headset and enjoy some gameplay! -
"Intense Gaming"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
Intelligent response, and intuitive monsters. These are no ordinary zombies and not predictable. Provides an intense experience, and the Preacher that helps you along is not like a "cheap tutorial."
Cons
I would like a little more realistic creatures, but I doubt that my "blazing" computer could handle them.
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"AMAZING GAME!!!"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
Well the game in its entirety is great. It has awesome graphics, the story line is interesting, the foes are challenging, and there is a surprise around every corner.
Cons
It takes a pretty up to date computer to play it on and updated graphics/sound card and driver. The game is also long but that just adds to the fun depending on what type of person you are.
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"would not open steam failed,don't allow them ur demo!"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
Don't know steam failed to open it! Kept saying not enough disk space when i had gigs extra!
Cons
could not open file even with required steam account, so i would say that was main one!!!!
Summary
Sure wish i could try it with out being required to jump through hoops like a fool! only to have steam installer declare my hard drive extra space of several gigs not enough. what else they loading?
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"Half Life 2"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
Great Expressions Story Lines Best First Person Shooter I've Ever Played Has Better Graphics Then Some Games ToDay
Cons
Nothing Bad On This Game
Summary
Best First Person Shooter Should Be Bought REcomended By Me And All My Friends Better Then Other Games Like Bioshock F.E.A.R 2:Project Origins This One Really Makes You Feel Like Your There
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"One of the few games I'll replay."
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
Excellent graphics
The "cut-scenes" are built into the game, no pause for a movie
Excellent balance of combat and thoughtful puzzles
Decent lengthCons
I had to get some extra RAM for one of the scenarios due to the massive amounts of scenery.
Not long enough. :-)Summary
This is one of the best games on any system I have ever played. I like it more than HALO, and have already bought the first two sequels.
I actually bought the game, which is saying something about the high quality.
GO VALVE!!!! -
"hjfgth"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
hfghfghfg
Cons
hfghfghfg
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"Thank Gordon for ValVe"
Version: Half-Life 2 demo
Pros
This game is definatley one fo the greatest games of all time, its sequels just get better and better, so I highly reccomend this game to FPS and action/adventure fans.
There was an update reccently to the source engine that lowers the strain on your system, so even my stock packard bell iStart can run it close to full. If you have to you can out the graphics to low and still not notice the diffrence.
Steam allows for ingame chat with people from groups and your friends list, so it is vital, plus it keeps it up to date.
You only have to wait for the level to load and then the entire level is loaded thanks to the source engines flexibility. Then while playing the only loading you see is when it save your game.
Cons
the demo is incredibly short, and the graphics look slightly outdated as there is no HDR (High Dynamic Range) which lights stuff up like it was a real surface. Saving seems to go on forever.
Other than that its a great download
