This is, by far, the best FPS created so far. Not only because of the shooting stuff down, but because of the plot, both for the things that happen and the things you know are happening but can't tell why (G-man, you b*****d...) and also, because it requires having a brain along with a trigger finger.

The saga's also quite long if you count the Episodes in, with Episode 1 and 2 out already, you have over fourty hours of gameplay total, and that means fourty hours of getting your brain and your fingers wasted by the action.

The strongest point of the game is Alyx Vance. First AI character I've seen that isn't a complete dumb thing you just want to shoot down. Heck, in some zones of the map she ends up killing more stuff than you do. Second strongest is the insane priest in Ravenholm. Third strong point? Fights against tanks and aereal enemies that remind you of how fragile Freeman really is.

And let's not forget the areas where you have to jump around crates and barrels to avoid the electrified water/toxic wastes/waking up the giant man-eating insectoids.

Also, the game lets you challenge yourself once you beat it. So far, I've tried beating the games* using only the handgun (not the magnum,) the crow bar, and the G-gun (armoirs FTW!) not counting those points of the game where you're forced to use other weapons (fighting a giant tripod tank with a crowbar is not only impossible, but quite stupid.) Also, I managed to beat HL2-0** without getting killed once. Working on Episode 1, I want to have them all beaten before Episode 3 comes out.

Bad points of the game: Are there? Oh, wait, yeah... That you can't shoot down*** the dumb troopers that are given to you as 'backup' (more like extra ammo, they are...) and that the boat ride in HL2-0 doesn't last longer (and the car sections on all episodes, too.)

I'm giving these 9.5/10. There's one minor sin I'm never forgiving Half-Life for: Being the mother engine to the viral disease that is Counterstrike. rolleyes

* All of this in Hard skill. Other skill levels are good and all, but I rarely use any difficulty setting other than the highest in any game.
** HL2-0 is the 'base game' or Episode Zero as I've seen it named sometimes.
*** Actually, you can, but I won't waste grenades like that, and it's a risque method to use in close quarters.