10 Best Video Game Power-Ups Ever
6. Half-Life 2 – Pheropod
Sticking with the seventh generation of video games, released to consoles through The Orange Box, Half-Life 2 isn’t a game known for featuring any kind of power-ups. That is, unless you consider the health stations and HEV suit recharger as a power-up.
However, considering the spin
BioShock put on the power-up through its various Plasmids, it’s fair to say
that the Pheropod isn’t too far behind. Acquired in the later part of the game
from a Vortigaunt who performs his magic on a Guardian you killed, the Pheropod
makes Gordon the temporary king of the Antlions.
Squeeze it and they’ll show up from the ground to fight by your side. Throw it like a grenade and it’ll show your Antlion friends exactly where they need to be. They fight alongside the player on your way to Nova Prospekt and this power-up adds a level of difference to the otherwise typical long-ranged shooter combat. Though, the Gravity Gun helps alleviate that monotony, too.
Unfortunately, though, this newfound ability doesn’t last forever. In true power-up fashion, it’s only available for a limited time. Once you’re back to City 17 it ceases to be useable.