Product Reviews

Half-Life 2 is finally here. Don't get too excited, though, as the developer clearly didn't think the wait was long enough, so it's introduced the most painful installation process imaginable.

First, you have to install Steam, Valve's online software distribution tool. This has to connect to the internet and update itself, which takes a while. Then Half-Life 2 installs, if you're lucky. We had to install Counter-Strike, also on the disc, otherwise the installation fails.

You have to be online and connected to the Steam server to run the game, which has to verify your CD key. Finally, the game has to download an update. Fortunately, the game is so good that even this lengthy installation can't ruin it. From the second it starts it has an air of quality about it.

Following the pattern of the first game, you're introduced to the proceedings with a train ride into the city where you take a walk around. The action soon picks up, though, as you have to make a break for freedom across the rooftops.

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The plot soon has you engrossed. The early stages of the game see some breaks where you're learning and do little. In many games, breaking from dealing out hot leaded death ruins the flow, but in Half-Life 2 it just adds to the atmosphere.

The graphics aren't quite as polished as Doom 3's, with the backgrounds and rooms looking as if they're from a slightly older game. However, the effects including water, magnifying glasses and metal are particularly lifelike.

The best thing is that all these effects don't require the latest graphics card. We used a Radeon 9700 on a 2.6GHz Intel Pentium 4 system and suffered no slow-down. However, you will need a fast hard disk and lots of memory, as loading times can be painful. The other clever thing is that the environment is fully interactive, so you can pick up and move almost any object.

The array of weapons is impressive, as is the damage they do. It's great to blast a soldier with a couple of rounds and watch as the blood explodes out of his back on to the walls.

There's no getting past the fact that this is the best game of 2004. Don't forget if you bought a Radeon 9800 graphics card you've probably got a voucher entitling you to a free download.