I dunno what you're talking about in point 1, but I agree overall.

I came. 

The music pwnz j00 etc..

ambient distorted monolithic drums ftw, ie. the music before you fight the first zombies with Alyx. Absolutely rocks. 

I doubt my 6600GT can run the game with HDR...will try the game out because HL has always been my favorite and the coments above really get me... 

1) What czg said - thicker plot? not much, but good storytelling as always from Laidlaw.

2) My hardware dunt support HDR :~(
What sort of specs does one need for it anyway?

3) Not the first time it's been done, but one Alyx > any number of dipshit marines.

4) You mean the entry into the citadel? With Dog and the van? That was inspired. I dunno if it's superlative, but it was fun. And unexpected, which is an achievement.

additional:

5) Configuring a model's ragdoll thingumy is an art, right? compared to both D3 and Q4, HL2's ragdolls are so much more convincing:
RPG @ Combine = gas-masked bastards flung across the rooftops OMFG THAT WILL NEVER GET OLD!!! XD

6) Mini boss combat thought through and playtested; not a symmetrical arena.

7) Characterisation + dialogue; I sometimes feel embarrassed that Alyx credits me/gordon with far more than I/he actually deserves. And sometimes I suspect that, despite the MIT education, Gordon isn't as smart as Barney. Top stuff ^_^

8) Despite their size, antlions are weak and easy to kill. That's because they appear in potentially infinite numbers. This is proper monster design

9) Seeing a gunship up close - fantastic design, unlike the derivative scifi cliches of Q4.

10) Dr. Kleiner's 'now would be a good time to shag' You just don't get that sort of imperative in other games :D

Disappointing stuff:

a) Zombine grenadiers - shoot/switch/grab/throw...say what? o_O A bit overwhelming for me.

b) A few too many claw mines.

c) Nope, that's all I can think of.

note: what I love most about Valve - what sets them apart from, e.g. id, is their wit...
in the 'pitch dark and fighting zombies' bit, find a quite corner, turn off your flashlight and listen to Alyx. She's a larf innit :P

/Valve fanboi 2 

Well it seems lots of guys are complaining about crashes in EP1 so I'll wait for a patch. 

I dont like coop/sidekicks. Will I enjoy it? Can I play ignoring sidkick, or leaving it to wait me? 

She never died on me once even when I left her alone in the dark with half a dozen zombies. 

hmm I had no trouble what-so-ever with Ep1 at all, haven't heard about any crashes either???

Either way, the game is updated automatically over Steam so there will never be a "patch" :)

You get a cool "next episode" video when you complete episode 1, looks very interresting with lots more outdoors and natural stuff.

CZG : What new alien race???? 

 

that is so obviously a combine enemy, just look at it! It was also in one of the video window cutscenes in ep1.