3. Alyx Vance
Lovely Alyx Vance, she is the kind of girl who you would be proud to take to your parents house. A genuinely charming video game character, with all the pitifuls and natural instinct of a normal, headstrong human being. She is the closest you get to a sidekick in Half Life 2, but despite her not always
being by your side, she feels like much more than an additional character. The first time you meet, she beats up some Combine and saves your ass, the second time you meet she gives you a gravity gun; if you are not in love or concerned for her safety by the time you reach Ravenholm, then you should probably stop playing. Valves mocap work on this girl is incredible, from her wry, nervous smiles the first time you meet, to her nervous glances and furrowed brow when the combine attack. Her part becomes much bigger and more characterized throughout the story and especially in the games Episodic expansions. By the end of the Half Life 2: Episode 2, your care and love for her has reached fever pitch, which makes it all the more heartbreaking to see her in pain. Oh, actually, Valve, while we are on the subject, we are all waiting for a resolve on this one...