Henry Imler October 21st, 2007

The Vortigaunts healing Alex Vance

I took a break from homework tonight to finish Half Life Two, Episode 2.

Spoilers to follow:

I make the trek from City 17 to the abandoned missel silo out in the middle of white forest, saving Alex from certain death along the way (I had to go down into the antlion caves to get an extract that the Vortigaunts used to bring her back to life.)

I not only clear the White Forrest Base from an Combine Infantry/Hunter invasion, but also repel twelve strider/hunter assaults (4 at a time at some points!) in order to protect the launch of a missile that would close the Combine’s portal to Earth. Driving around a gutted 1969 Dodge Charger chasing down the gigantic Striders being protected by the insanely difficult hunters before they reach the base and hoping out to take them down before jumping back into the car to find the next Strider was an exhilarating experience. Beats anything in Halo 3. Hands Down. Quintin Imler I am looking at you.

A Strider `rastles with Dog

An incredible adrenaline rush. The sense of triumph after repelling those intent on stopping humankind’s only chance at survival, and seeing the successful launch of the rocket containing humanity’s only

hope was as great of a rush as I have ever felt playing a video game.After all of this, Alex and I are about to head off to the Arctic to find a ship that contains some technology from Aperture Science, Inc. that might help end the Combine grip on Earth… or trigger an event worse than Black Mesa. Right as we are about to take off, two Advisors show up and attack, killing Alex’s father and Gordon’s mentor, Eli Vance. Luckily for Alex and Gordon, Dog shows up to chase them off.

The game fades to black with Alex holding her dead father in her arms sobbing.

Man. Most depressing end to a video game of all time. The highs juxtaposed with the lows - incredible effect.

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