my friend bought it last night, and handed it over to me to install too. i have to say, i'm impressed on many different levels and only disappointed w/ a few things. here goes...
1. graphics - they are great. i cant quite venture to say they're as good as HL2, but they arent the same as HL2. it looks like the Unreal 3 engine which is awesome. i have no complaints about the graphics at all. the gore is good, the scenery is good, and the gun and player models are great. graphics 8.5-9/10
2. gameplay - great gameplay, the AI is awesome, and they actually tricked me at times. i've been playing FPS's since battlezone *the first fps* and i've seen all types of AI, and i've got to admit, this AI is right up there w/ the best i've seen. \
the mapping is great, the holes that your bullets put in the walls is awesome, the explosion shockwave from your grenades is awesome, and the pace of the game is consistently fast, w/ some slower scary parts mixed in. gameplay 8/10
3. storyline - ya, i have to admit, the storyline isnt the greatest, but i skipped all the sequences at the beginning, so i dont have any background on the storyline. i like the updates to the story as you transcend through levels too... that's kinda helped give me an overview of the storyline that i missed early on. storyline 6/10
4. scary scale - i'd rate this game right up there w/ any scary movie i've seen. i played this game w/ the lights off last night, and the hair on my legs stood up and tingled alot. some parts actually made me jump, and the part where you turn around to go down a ladder and she's standing there scared the shit out of me. i'd give the fear aspect of this game a 9/10.
so far, i've only played it about an hour and a half, but what i have done has impressed me. overall i'd give it at least an 8.5 possibly a 9. this game is definately a buy, and i think everyone should try it. it scares the shit out of me.
