Half-Life 2 scores in Time Magazine

[Narcolepsy]

In the new issue of Time Magazine, Half-Life 2 has garnered the distinction of #3 game of 2004, beating out other excellent games ranging from Halo 2 to San Andreas. I realize that some here may consider 3 to be too low or too high, but keep in mind that Time is a news magazine, not a gaming magazine, so they cater to the mainstream. Predictably, The Sims 2 came in first, with Rome: Total War (a game that I truly admire), coming in second. Time actually did a pretty good job with the list.

If anyone is interested and can convince me that it's legal, I'll post some quotes and the full list.

 

[nagual678]

/convinces you it's legal

 

[Asuka]

The sims 2? Rome total war? How can they even compare those 2 games to Half-Life 2.

 

[Mechagodzilla]

Sales, probably.

 

[[[LuCkY]]]

The sims 2? Rome total war? How can they even compare those 2 games to Half-Life 2.

The Sims 2 is vastly more popular than HL2.

 

[nagual678]

because they're good games ?

 

[Asuka]

I dont care which one is more popular. Sims 2 is crap compared to hl2. Rome Total War isnt my type of game but from what iv seen there are better rts games out there. Half-Life 2 deserves a lot more then 3rd place. It should be #1 on sales and #1 game. Simple as that.

 

[nagual678]

pathetic

 

[Arathiel]

As far as I'm concerned, RTW is the best game in it's genre, just as HL2 is. However, it's more revolutionary... the first completely 3d RTS of such an epic scale. That is probably why it placed above hl2. As for the sims... mass popularity, probably.

 

[Asknoone]

How they can compare sims 2 to half life 2 is beyond me...sales most definatly

 

[nagual678]

you reason from a strictly personal POV.. RTW is revolution at its biggest, if you play RTS games you'll understand why in the first minute of gameplay.
the sims 2 is because, surely, of sales, but you can't put aside the fact that The Sims is a social phenomenon. i personally can hardly play more than 5 minutes straight, but it's undeniable that it's more than just a game.
half life 2 MAY be a better game, but you're placing it against unfair competition.

 

[vetebulle]

I dont care which one is more popular. Sims 2 is crap compared to hl2. Rome Total War isnt my type of game but from what iv seen there are better rts games out there. Half-Life 2 deserves a lot more then 3rd place. It should be #1 on sales and #1 game. Simple as that.

Sounds like you haven't even played Rome. Typical fanboy.

 

[Asuka]

As far as I'm concerned, RTW is the best game in it's genre, just as HL2 is. However, it's more revolutionary... the first completely 3d RTS of such an epic scale. That is probably why it placed above hl2. As for the sims... mass popularity, probably.

I disagree about RTW being more revolutionary then hl2.

Reason:

RTW might be exactly what your saying but.
HL2: Have you seen such quality in a game before?
How about the emotion in the game?
Is there any other game with such jaw droping action/scripted scenes?
How about the level of detail and realism?

I think Hl2 has a lot more to offer and start then RTW.

 

[KagePrototype]

HL2 is far from revolutionary. It doesn't re-invent the wheel; it simply takes everything the fps genre has done well in the past six years, and does it better. It's a benchmark, by all means, but not revolutionary. The original Half-Life gets that title.

 

[Cunni]

HL2>all

And no, I am not a fanboy. Really. I'm not. Seriously!!

 

[Asuka]

Sounds like you haven't even played Rome. Typical fanboy.

Yes i have played it and its just not my type of game. Why post these childish comments? "fanboy" That makes you look like a 4 year old kid. I do respect what its done with the RTS genre tho. I just dont think it did more then hl2.

 

[ShadowFox]

I don't really care about Time Magazine's rankings, but its nice to see a PC sweep!

 

[nagual678]

how can you judge games that are not, shall we say, in your field ? isn't it unfair to compare one of these to a game that is in your field (as HL2 obviously is ?).. it's just biased

 

[Chiefi]

I don't mind RTW being #2 and Hl2 being #3, but come on...

The sims 2 is #1 ?! I just don't get it. It might be the fact that I think the game's concept is ridiculous.

 

[MigaS_tX]

Sims 2 is very poor. The game is very very repetitive... I was a bit disappointed...

I have not played RTW yet, but Sims 2 DO NOT deserves the first place. Really. Maybe RTW, maybe HL2... Time , I do not ph34r y0ur 1337 skillz! (or sumething)

 

[Asus]

Come on guys. Think a little. This is Time Mag.
Who reads it? Many many people who are not gamers.

I think it's a good sign that HL2 is 3rd on the list. Sims was by far the most 'fun' and far reaching game this year. I don't know how many regular people came into Compusa wanting to upgrade their Graphics card, add memory or ask why Sims 2 wasn't working.

I have not played RTW so no comment.
Half life 2 3rd? That's great! Being 3rd on the list of such a broad game list for such a hardcore PC game shows how great it is.
Personally I think all the improvements in HL2 would probably out-do the revolutionary improvements for RTW. But that's just my opinion as I don't favor those type of games. I've seen it played though.

 

[Milkman]

Personally, Sims 2 was a complete failure to me. I just didn't find it as fun as the first Sims and their expansion packs. Despite all the improvments it just isnt that great of a game. I am not a fanboy, I am even hard on HL2 sometimes but it is still the best game of this year and probably the best game in recent history.

 

[nagual678]

how can you have an opinion on a game you haven't even played ? i'm not even mentioning comparing HL2 (a game you obviously play/ed) to this game

 

[MigaS_tX]

It's like Britney Spears: all magazines that don't understand about music say that she sings well, because she sells a lot, because the kids with 8-16 buy her cd's... but the trully band, with nice music, do not pleseaure the stupid kiddies... its unfair to the nice band, but it's the sells speaking.

Sims 2 = Britney Spears.


Thank ya, thank ya.
Who here played Sims 2 for like a week? I can't.

 

[nagual678]

It's like Britney Spears: all magazines that don't understand about music say that she sings well, because she sells a lot, because the kids with 8-16 buy her cd's... but the trully band, with nice music, do not pleseaure the stupid kiddies... its unfair to the nice band, but it's the sells speaking.

Sims 2 = Britney Spears.


Thank ya, thank ya.
Who here played Sims 2 for like a week? I can't.

can you feel the irony of basing an argumentation on the fact that a certain game is popular, and in consequence is bad, then implying that few people like it ? i can.

 

[jmjneary]

they probobly did a poll and if you go to everyhouse in america or where ever i think little kids and others might know the sims as a more reconizable thing because hl2 has had no brainwashing commertials so people arent thinking about it like those other games

 

[Milkman]

Sims 2 isnts a bad game, it just doesn't appeal to alot of people who would play games like Half-Life 2. I mean its like comparing apples and oranges; One is a Simulation of life from a third person view. The other is a First Person shooter with plenty of violence.

 

[MigaS_tX]

can you feel the irony of basing an argumentation on the fact that a certain game is popular, and in consequence is bad, then implying that few people like it ? i can.

I didn't say that. Please, do not put word in my mouth. I only said that both Sims 2 and Britney Spears are things that are bad and have a lot of popularity. For being popular doesn't means that it is bad. Half-Life 2 is popular. And it's very good, IMO.

You look THE fanboy here... really, look at your replys... sims 2 fanboy?

 

[nagual678]

Please, do not put word in my mouth.You look THE fanboy here... really, look at your replys... sims 2 fanboy?

ermm... when did i say anything about being a fanboy ? also, read the thread.

 

[MigaS_tX]

ermm... when did i say anything about being a fanboy ? also, read the thread.

Really sorry, there were so many replys saying that that i confuded you. But please, answer my reply.

 

[nagual678]

Really sorry, there were so many replys saying that that i confuded you. But please, answer my reply.

the only thing i can see a reply to is your statement about being a sims2 fanboy. that would be merely because i contradicted you on your reasoning, but let's not even think about that. i'll just reiterate - check the thread.

 

[OJS]

who here made a sims 2 game with gordon freeman as your guy?
I didn't

it is more popular, more people have it than have even heard of hl2 probably(dont quote)

now having freeman's face on the cover of Time would be pretty cool

 

[MigaS_tX]

the only thing i can see a reply to is your statement about being a sims2 fanboy. that would be merely because i contradicted you on your reasoning, but let's not even think about that. i'll just reiterate - check the thread.

LOL okay..... i still think that you aren't right.

 

[nagual678]

there's not much left to disagree with, is there

 

[CookieCuttah]

Sims is a game?

 

[Narcolepsy]

First of all, this was not based on sales, but rather on Time's game critics. Second, Rome: Total War is an oustanding game, and The Sims 2 has an uncanny ability to appeal to non-gamers. Finally, for Half-Life 2 to be third, above both GTA and Halo 2 (mainstream favorites) shows just how good it is. They called it the year's best thriller, or something to that effect.

 

[Motley]

Sims 2 is incredibly dull. After a few hours, you've done everything there is to do and every single action gets tedious. Horrible 'game'.

RTW is very polished and has garnered a lot of respect, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. I love RTS games - probably my favorite genre - but RTW is not even vaguely revolutionary. It set a new standard for presentation, but the gameplay itself is lacking somewhat. Because you don't choose where your next colony is (rather you take over existing colonies) the game quickly becomes about only the battle sequences. They're done very very well, but at the end of the day that's just what RTW is - a battle simulator. I can think of dozens of RTS games that have much more depth.

HL2 is the ultimate polish, as far as I'm concerned. Excluding the audio stutter it runs amazingly well despite being the most visually pleasing game on the market. The voice acting is superb, the use of physics is outstanding and the plot isn't too bad either.

Overall I would put HL2 at the top. It's a work of art, even admitting it has flaws.

 

[Kakashi]

I've always hated The Sim's for some reason..... maybe just the way they talked. But I must say The Sims 2 doesn't look too bad. But I still say Half-Life 2 should've overtoped them

 

[Commoner]

Yeah I dunno about Sims 2, I think its mostly there because of its massive fan base and popular appeal, both good things, but they don't necessarily ensure a good game.

I totally think RTW deserves it, it has its bugs and the AI could be better but personally I have dedicated way more time just playing the campaign than I did or probly ever will spend playing the HL2 singleplayer. Its a great game.

As for HL2, to make it that high on a list with many of the greatest games ever released it quite an accomplishment. No matter which games you enjoy and which you don't, I think we can all agree its been a good year in games.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

A score to be proud of :].

People are acting as if it came in last. Hehe. Look at what beat it and for what reasons, in a non gaming periodicle. That's damn good.