Valve's Half-Life series is full of big, bombastic set-pieces because, in their own words, the series would be boring without them. Half-Life 2 is a great example of this - every level is filled with memorable moments and scenes, lending the game a cinematic feel while still making it great fun to play. Funnily enough though, it's the very first section of the game that captures this best. When Gordon arrives in City 17, he attracts unwanted attention very quickly, leading to him fleeing through apartment buildings and across rooftops. It's fast-paced and exciting - a scene that wouldn't look out of place in an action film. At the end of the sequence, Gordon is cornered by troops and blinded. Instead of death though, he hears the Combine troops being taken out and when he comes to, a woman is standing over him smiling. The woman is Alyx Vance and she is as essential to Half-Life 2 as Gordon himself. With Gordon reluctant to speak up for himself, she becomes the game's main source of humour and warmth. The fact that she swoops in and saves the player very early on is simply the icing on the cake.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.
