The Half-Life series

I'm surprised Half-Life hasn't got a threat yet, what with Episode 3 coming up. It's one of the best selling games of all time for the PC (Half-Life at 8 million and Half-Life 2 at 4 million) beaten only by the sims (check this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_video_games). Half-Life 2's success is particularly noteworthy considering its nearest competition consists of MMO's (large subcriber base, HL is exclusively single-player) and old titles (Diablo 2). Also, Half-Life was widely regarded as the best FPS of all time until Half-Life 2 came along, which is regarded just as favourably. Now, with Episodes 1&2 the Half-Life series still sits at the top of the FPS pile. Now I have played all the Half-Life games and in my opinion, it well deserves the title of best FPS of all time. Add Portal and Team Fortress 2 and the Half-Life legacy grows even more impressive.

So, what do you folks think? I'll ask a few specific questions to make this thread a bit more interesting.

Do you have a favorite Half-Life game and if so, which one?

Do you have a favorite Half-Life moment? (for example, taking on a Strider for the first time)

Do you have a favorite gun? And what tactics to you prefer?

What's your most innovative use of the Gravity Gun?

What enemy scares you the most? Or what area scared you the most?

What would you like to see in Episode 3 and beyond that, in future games?

Feel free to discuss anything, really. The Half-Life universe is so varied and interesting that it's a vertiable gold-mine of discussion.

Aren't there any other half-life fans? Come, on people!

Do you have a favorite Half-Life game and if so, which one?
Episode 2. Half-Life 2 was seminal but Episode 2 has taken Half-Life to another level. It's just such a polished and innovative game and for me the best FPS available today (Yes, Crysis and Bioshock, I'm talking to you).

Do you have a favorite Half-Life moment?
It's gotta be the final battle of Episode 2. It just doesn't get better.

Do you have a favorite gun?
Crossbow. I love insta-kills.

What's your most innovative use of the Gravity Gun?
Not really an innovative use, but I enjoyed punting the Combine buggies over the edge of cliffs.

What enemy scares you the most? Or what area scared you the most?
The Fast Zombies (the ones that go on all fours). I hate those things. Zombines are a close second. Nova Prospekt was, for me, the scariest and most atmospheric Half-Life locale to date.

What would you like to see in Episode 3 and beyond that, in future games?
The Portal Gun in actual gameplay.

I can't believe only one person seems to have played this. Come on folks, this game isn't that bad.

I played the first Half-Life, but I didn't really own a computer at any point when Half-Life 2 was still new. I too have to admit I'm a fan of the crossbow, but it certainly has its limitations, especially in a multiplayer scenario.

It's been such a long time, and I never could get Opposing Force to install properly before I lost my motherboard, so that's about all I can say.

I love this game! and Portal, for that matter.

Do you have a favorite Half-Life game and if so, which one?
I liked Episode 2, because it finally got out of the cramped city and into wider outdoor scenes.

Do you have a favorite Half-Life moment? (for example, taking on a Strider for the first time)
Umm...I kind of liked when the gravity gun becomes superpowered at the end of Half-Life 2:tu:.

Do you have a favorite gun? And what tactics to you prefer?
The gravity gun. by far. I sort of just picked up everything in the vicinity and threw it at the target.:whistle:

What's your most innovative use of the Gravity Gun?
Picking up turrets and carrying them in front of me, I suppose. saved ammo:)

What enemy scares you the most? Or what area scared you the most?
The poison headcrab zombies. mainly because they sound so wierd.and I would have to say Ravenholm for the scariest area, because it just had an awful lonely feel to it.

What would you like to see in Episode 3 and beyond that, in future games?
I think I agree about the portal gun:).

I've played through the games once on the Xbox, and I am playing through them again.

I have to say my favorite part was the area where the gravity gun could pick up people and we were in the citadel type structure.

Great series :D

Valve is soooo slow though...

Valve is soooo slow though...
True, but I remember how long it took for Half-Life 2 to come out, and when it did...everything changed (I remember a quote I saw in gaming mag when it came out; "Nothing will ever be the same."). They're like Blizzard in that way; it takes time for their games to arrive, but when they do, man, do they arrive.