Late to the game: Half-Life 2...

[Javaman]

just got it last night on steam for a little over 2 and half bucks. I couldn't pass up that deal.

[Hayabusa]

1. Same here.

Got Complete for $10 (even though I already had all of the HL1 games). Fun so far, but I haven't really explored.

[sofa king]

2. Be sure to look around!

The game is quite linear, so virtually any sidetrack you see is loaded with monsters, puzzles, goodies... and traps. You are rewarded for being curious and innovative.

And just wait until you get the gravity gun! It is quite possibly the most important tool/weapon ever created in the history of video games, and still the most fun even today, in my opinion.

Nobody even remembers now, but id Software was so impressed by the gravity gun that they quickly dashed out an expansion to Doom 3 which included something similar. Emulation was high flattery, but it simply couldn't compete with Gordon's toy.

Also, now that you have HL2, you can scare up the free Black Mesa mod, which is essentially the first 95% of the original Half Life, converted to the Source II engine. A whole, huge, free, excellent game tossed in just because you're awesome!

http://www.blackmesasource.com/