Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter developed by Valve, released in 2004. It is the sequel to the iconic Half-Life and set a new standard for the genre with its physics, storytelling, and interactivity.

The player returns as Gordon Freeman, this time in a dystopian world controlled by the alien Combine empire. Instead of cutscenes, the story unfolds in real time through dialogues, events, and the environment. The major technical breakthrough was the Source engine's physics system: objects follow physical laws, forming the basis for many puzzles and combat situations.

Half-Life 2 blends shooting, environmental interaction, narrative, and drama - from saving allies to driving vehicles and using the gravity gun as a primary weapon. The atmosphere, pacing, and attention to detail made it one of the most influential games in history.

Today, Half-Life 2 remains a foundation of the modding scene. Thanks to the Source SDK, the community has created hundreds of projects - from story-driven mods to total conversions and technical enhancements. Sequels, fan campaigns, and even entirely new games have been built on HL2’s framework, including the iconic Garry’s Mod.

Half-Life 2 is not just a sequel - it's a creative platform that has inspired generations of players and developers.