Half-Life 2 takes the suspense, challenge, and visceral charge of the original Half=Life and adds startling new realism and responsiveness. Half-Life 2 opens the door the a world where the player"s presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors and even the emotins of both friends and enemies. The player picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, it"s resources depleted and it"s populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And alot of people he cares about are counting on him. Nothing will ever be the same.