Half Life - Part 1

Hi all, here's my first entry into the world of journalism. If you can call it that. I'm going to discuss a game loved by most gamers, if they're old enough to have played it (I've realized that I'm actually older than I thought). The game in question being Half Life. Not the 2004 sequel or the subsequent spinoffs, but the original foray into the life of theoretical physicist Gordon Freeman; the place where it all started. I'll be discussing it in parts, as I get time to post.

The introduction has you riding a train into the Black Mesa compound, a scientific research facility where a variety of secret research is being conducted, from quantum physics to military hardware. You are Gordon Freeman, a guy with a Ph.D MIT, Theoretical Physics and apparently one badass scientist.

Shortly after your arrival, an obscure experiment runs adrift and you are left with a resonance cascade, whatever that's supposed to mean. Of course, for you it means that the world is falling apart faster than a third world economy and yes, you are the only guy capable of fixing what went wrong.

After escaping the "Test Chamber" where the whole mess started, your first encounter is a funny crab-like creature, commonly known as a "headcrab" because of the problematic way they attach themselves to one's head. In case you're wondering, this is A Very Bad Thing. A while after disposing of the first headcrab, you realise why. A scientist attacks you. But this scientist is sporting a headcrab crash helmet. And he's not impressed with the idea. Or with your attempts to kill him. Ignoring his disrespect for a fellow egghead, you will probably decide to knock him senseless with the crowbar you (hopefully) collected along the way. The headcrabs and headcrab zombies (which aren't limited to scientists, by the way) are the most common, but weakest enemies you'll face.
Preferred Weapon: anything you can lay a hand on, including the trusty crowbar.

Next up is a very annoying creature that looks like ET on a very bad day, known as a vortigaunt (sounds awfully similar to Commander Keen's vorticons). And he shoots (I assume) force lightning of some sort from his claws, which hurt. A lot. They're easily disposed of, luckily, because they're also a relatively common occurrence.
Preferred Weapon: anything that shoots bullets, but don't waste rare ammo on it.

The next enemy you'll be facing is the aptly named "bullsquid". They look like squid-faced dinosaurs and spit green acid your way. Don't get too close, either, they are quite nasty in close quarters.
Preferred Weapon: shotgun, MP5 or .357magnum.

Tomorrow in Half Life - Part 2: Continuing with the alien enemies you'll encounter.