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This year we saw the two greatest First Person shooters released to the world, I am of course talking about Halo 2 and Half Life 2, each with a brilliant predecessor, and a massive fan base.
Fortunately none of these games failed to deliver the goods, Halo 2 wowed with it's online gaming, and Half Life 2 showed that years on, Valve still had the winning formula.
But which is better?
Main Character
Gordon Freeman of Half Life 2 is every computer nerd's hero, a scientist turned savior, and he must save the world from the Harvesters with his trusty crowbar. Sporting a facelift thanks to new graphics technology, Freeman is a pretty impressive character. But what about the Master Chief? Standing 7 foot tall, and weighing 500 pounds in his armor, Chief defines cool in his MJOLNIR armour and shiny visor. He doesn't talk much, but when he does he has some really good lines.
Verdict: Master Chief
Multiplayer
Half Life 2 deserves a nod because of all the mods that will come out for it, but this is Halo 2's home field, online gaming in Halo 2 is the jewel in Xbox Lives crown, and until we get a decent multiplayer game based on HL2, Halo 2 takes the trophy again.
Verdict: Halo 2
Story
Halo 2's ending is brutal, the cliffhanger after all these months is almost unbearable, HL2 progresses the series well and has a nice, satisfactory ending. While we know Halo 3, 4 and maybe even a movie will come eventually. The cliffhanger obliterates Halo 2 in this field, although it's a shame because the rest of the story is intriguing and intelligent.
Verdict: Half Life 2
Lifespan
Halo 2 is short, but so is Half Life 2. Halo 2 has Xbox Live and the hardest difficulty known to man (Legendary), Half Life 2 does not. People will still be playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live in 2 years, guaranteed.
Verdict: Half Life 2
Graphics
Ah, the biggy. Half Life 2 looks amazing, its lighting, shadows and facial expressions are so good it's almost painful to shoot an enemy. But then again, you'll need a 3.4Ghz CPU, a GeForce 6800 Ultra and 1gb Ram to experience it. Halos lighting, bump mapping and textures are brilliant, now matter what Xbox it's played on.
Verdict: Tie
Gameplay:
Halo 2 is so good because it's so open ended. Snipe, blow up, or splatter your enemies. Play sneaky or go in all guns blazing. Half Life 2 on the over hand is quite linear, and certain bits feel like chores.
Verdict: Halo 2
Enemies and AI
Half Life 2 AI is good, but no match for Halo 2 on Legendary. The enemies too are rather bland, on Halo 2 we get the Covenant, ranging from little grunts, (who remind me of dogs, loyal and dumb). To elites, big 8-foot tall monsters that are amazingly fast, strong and smart. The flood are genuinely scary in places, a groan from round the corner will signal a quick demise if you don't arm yourself appropriately.
Verdict: Halo 2
Overall: Both are amazing a game worthy of a place in any gamer's collection. Half Life excels in its story, while Halo 2 is brilliant in Xbox Live. But I have to hand it to Halo 2, it's collection of enemies, weapons, main character and online modes leave no room for Half Life 2. Looks like we've got a new champion.