My only issue - and it is a relatively minor one - is the story. I really wanted to load up HL2 and immediately be taking it to the invading forces, have the G-Man immediately send me on some mysterious errand, or even play up the "WTF is going on here???" aspect. Unfortunately, though fantastic, the main chunk of the game is kind of a "Escape, escape, escape" feeling and then everything gets crammed into the end bits. Honestly, I would wonder if something was sacrificed for time or if the "end" segment was moved up a bit, leaving the remaining portions for the expansion packs and inevitable sequel.
Yeah I would also agree with this - the story in HL2 is weaker then ANY fps I can think of - including thr past masters of the plotless killing, iD. Even Quake 2 you at least knew why you were fighting.
I've nearly clocked it (as shown by the abismal introduction of chapter browsing in New Game) but have no idea what the hell is going on - why are the Combine (I can accept a totalitarisim state) using headcrabs and barnicles????
On a side note the AI in HL2 seems to have regressed - in HL1 it was stunning - enemey troops ducked for cover and were a general PIA. Now enemey troops seem to follow very set patterns and your allies are CONSTANTLY standing in your way.
Even if the plot is uncovered in the "third reel" the AI still points to a significant dumbing down of the HL franchise - in fact the only enemy the seems to need outsmarting is the awesome gunships!