Half-Life 2 Watch
Last updated: 9th July 2004

In 1998 Half-Life was released and it's impact sent shockwaves throughout the gaming world with it's fasted pace action and heart pounding story telling. You played research scientist Gordon Freeman in his fight for survival from deep within the bowels of the Black Mesa Federal Research Facility. After you aided Gordon to freedom from the alien hordes, and government troops who were hell bent on tearing him limb by limb, you will now have to face the outside world and this is where Half-Life 2 picks up the reins.

In one of the most eagerly awaited games of 2004, Half-Life 2 promises to revolutionise gaming...

Release Date: End of Summer 2004 (confirmed)
Publisher: Vivendi Universal
Developer: Valve
Specifications:

Minimum Requirements

1.2 GHz Processor
256MB RAM
DirectX 7 level graphics card
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
Mouse
Keyboard

Preferred System

2.4 GHz Processor
512MB RAM
DirectX 9 level graphics card
Windows 2000/XP
Mouse
Keyboard
 

Some highlights on what you can expect:

• Realistic Physics Have you ever wanted to just pick up and throw objects around? Throw mattresses and boxes down the stairs to slow the pursuit of the enemy? Shoot the top off a gas canister and watch it shoot off, spinning in unpredictable directions across the ground... In Half-Life 2 materials behave as they would in real life. Wood will splinter, metal will grate, the laws of mass, friction, gravity are followed to the T. You'll have to think differently compare to other games because literally everything will be interactive.
• Advanced AI A lot of games rave about new AI, this character can smile and so on, but in Half-Life 2 expect a whole lot more. In some of the game footage, I've seen a solider racing after a player who dives into a nearby house slamming the door, moving a table (individual items upon it falling over and clattering to the floor) across it to form a makeshift barricade. The solider bangs against the door 3-4 times before given up and racing to a nearby window to spray the room with lead. As the player fires back, a second soldier kicks the door down shattering the wood and opens fire. Pant wetting stuff.
• Other Titbits
  - Bodies will flop about and collapse realistically.
  - Advanced facial animations with 40 distinct facial muscles, human characters will be able to display a wide range of human emotions.

Files
Three demo videos - 8th April 2004 (FreddysHouse News)

Links
Gamespy's sneak preview - 8th May 2003
Sierra releases box cover artwork for Half-Life 2 - (Pictured at top of this page)
Half-Life 2 Screenshots (new) - 29th April 2004
IGN Preview with latest movies - 10th May 2004
Gamespy Preview - 10th May 2004
Official Half-Life 2 Web Site - 13th May 2004
Is your Hardware ready for Half-Life 2? This guide shows you... - 09th July 2004

Do you have any Half-Life 2 news or links to screenshots/files which I could link to? Or do you have anything you wish to comment on about Half-Life 2?

Read / Post upon the Half-Life 2 Watch Forum
 

Screenshots