From a technology standpoint, this game was groundbreaking. It was one of the first games to be cinematic, in the sense of unlike the games before it it focused more on the imagery, story, storytelling, and artistry. I found myself playing it not for the violence or the (rather vanilla) gunplay, but for the story and the art. While I will not say that the G-Man's speeches were not creepy (and beautiful), or the desolate Soviet landscape with the Combine raiding houses or the Metropolice harassing citizens disturbing. I will say however, the story is profound both in the sense of it's Orwellian mastery and in its excellent methods of creating a solid story that has so many mysteries which enable it to always have more questions to answer in a sequel. It is however disturbing, and I would advise against giving it to anyone under 12.
Half-Life 2
(2004, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated M, Play it on: Windows)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A game filled with unnerving gore and violence.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Half-Life 2 was written by Aaron Lazenby
Parents need to know that this well-produced adult game is not for kids under any circumstances -- hence the "Off" rating. This story turns on the struggle between an alien-installed fascist government and a group of scrappy scientists trying to liberate the human race. It's non-stop gore and violence. From the first scenes, it graphically depicts the oppressive regime and drips with dark dread -- innocent travelers are brutalized by faceless police, citizens cower as their neighbor's homes are searched, and remnants of happier times -- such as a teddy bear abandoned near a swing set -- litter the environment. It's simply too graphic, too intense, and too scary for kids.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about why this story of human suppression by alien forces is compelling. Is human suppression (albeit not by alien forces) a theme that reverberates throughout history? Does violence against aliens play differently than violence against humans?
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More on Half-Life 2
What’s the Story?
HALF-LIFE 2 again finds heroic scientist Gordon Freeman battling interdimensional aliens, accidentally brought to Earth through an experiment Freeman and his colleagues were working on at the Black Mesa research facility, the setting for the original Half-Life. But this time, the aliens have found a way to take over the world and have installed Freeman's old boss as the leader of a brutal fascist government designed to suppress human resistance to the alien invasion. Mysteriously transported to City 17, headquarters for this government, Freeman finds himself swept up in a resistance movement headed by fellow scientists and sympathetic aliens. And as he leads successful attacks against brutal government troops and ghastly human/alien hybrids, the humans in City 17 begin to hope for a different future -- and look to Freeman as the hero who will bring it to them.
Is It Any Good?
The game features regular breaks in the action to allow for exposition and puzzles that require players to use their brainpower. And the game's tone is darker than many of its counterparts and is executed so well that the impact of the battles is intense and visceral. Some of the game imagery is so disturbing (think mutilated bodies, immolation, and torture) that it lingers long after you shut off your computer.
That lasting impression is largely due to Half-Life 2's impressive presentation. Graphics are truly mind-boggling, physics are surprisingly realistic, and sound effects are amazing. However, the very things that make Half-Life 2 remarkable are the same things that make it impossible to recommend to kids. It's a game that will conjure up feelings of anxiety and dread, and it's simply too graphic, too intense and too scary for anyone under 17.
Publisher’s Details
Developer: Valve
Released on: 11/23/2004, Price: $54.99
ESRB Rating: M
Released on: 11/23/2004, Price: $54.99
ESRB Rating: M
Our Members Say
See all 63 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Disturbing, but Ok for Teens.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
One of the BEST fps
Intense game! Incredible! No game like it! You play as infamous hero Gordon Freeman in this sequel to the first game in which Black Mesa Facility fell to its knees and the combine arrived in our world. The game is fairly gory specially during Ravenholm chapter--but nothing that an average teen couldn't handle. The swearing is minimum for an M rated game, despite it was rated for Language. The story is complex, and you don't have to play the first Half Life to enjoy Half Life 2. If you really want to play half life, a remake of Half Life 1 called Black Mesa Source will be coming out this year, go to blackmesasoruce.com to check it out. Half life 2 surprisingly can run on most computers. I have a Windows Xp with a graphics card that won't even run Lego Starwars and it ran this puppy. The Gravity Gun is one of the best parts of the gameplay, taking advantage of the source engines revolutionary physics. The game plays out much like an interactive movie, and one of the most important characters in the game, Alyx is female. I love this game, and I suggest you get it! (But not a used copy) Get it from steam.com
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Personally I think this game is fine for boys 10 and up. There are some levels that are a bit disturbing. But I handled it. Believe me,this game really didn't make me want to act violently torwards anyone.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Its a good game
The only thing parents need to be concered is the language. they do swear in the game but only briefly.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Not for kids at all. This game is brutal in every form. You play as Gordan Freeman, a scientist leading a rebellion against the organization 'Combine' . The graphics are outstanding, and there are no cutscenes throughout the whole game. Even though kids will realize it is a sci fi game, that won't stop younger ones getting freaked by the brutality of it. With a combination of zombies, aliens, police cops, and giant automobiles, kids will be jumping again and again. However, adults will enjoy the game immensely, with an interactive environment and a wide array of weapons like a shotgun, a machine gun, pulse rife, homing rockets, grenades, crowbar and at least 5 more.
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openmindeddad recommends:
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