[Intrepid Homoludens]

ragsie, I have NO freaking clue what standard you're using against Half-Life 2, or even it's that's the best standard to use.

But I can at least give you my current experience of it. I went into it with a Half-Life state of mind. I knew both what to expect and to not expect, with a 'I-wonder-what-will-happen-next' mindset mingled with a 'What-choices-will-I-have-when-it-happens' frame. And this is where the game works for me. It's basically a stumbling from one situation to another, and you're allowed flexibility. That I was travelling 'on rails' wasn't nearly as important as the ride itself. Valve is the specialist in this department as no others can be.

I think Jack has a very valid point, that it does well what it's trying to do.