When comparing Metro 2033 vs Half-Life 2 (and episodes), the Slant community recommends Half-Life 2 (and episodes) for most people. In the question“What are the best Linear games on Steam?” Half-Life 2 (and episodes) is ranked 1st while Metro 2033 is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose Half-Life 2 (and episodes) is:
When Half Life 2 came out it set the bar super high for character animation that still rivals some games today.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Very immersive atmosphere
The look of the game is very bleak and yet believable. Venturing through sewers or abandoned train tracks no only looks fantastic but is complemented with great sound effects that really make the areas shine.
Pro Amazing character animation
When Half Life 2 came out it set the bar super high for character animation that still rivals some games today.
Pro Guns are varied and interesting
Almost every gun is fun to shoot and is distinct. The crossbow is super awesome for it’s power and the gravity gun offers variety in puzzles and what you can shoot with. Want to hit someone with an explosive barrel? Pick it up and throw it with the gravity gun!
Pro Great Sci-Fi story
Aliens, portals to other dimensions, oppressive regimes, oh my! This game brings a great flavor of dystopian sci-fi as you fight part of the rebel cause to deliver justice with your Gravity Gun to the many species afflicted by the evil Combine. Also Half Life ties in somehow with the Portal series which makes it even more awesome.
Pro Commentaries
Hear from the creators about the making of Half Life 2 Ep1 and 2. Everything from level design to technical details are discussed. More developers need to use this.
Pro Very moddable
Entire games have been made from Half Life (such as Counter Strike) and the tradition continues with it’s sequel! In fact there’s a game essentially about making your own things made from a modded Half Life 2 and that game is called Garry’s Mod.
Cons
Con Frustrating stealth sections
When trying to sneak past guards or stealth kill them, there is no discernible pattern that hey abide by. This is made worse as trying to stealth kill may sometimes miss (even though the item used is a silent throwing knife), which alerts every guard in the are, who will now know precisely where you are. This all can be frustrating as slight mistake, even ones that can not be avoided, will be ones downfall.