Half-Life 2 is the 2004 sequel to its critically acclaimed predecessor Half-Life 1.

Set in a much different setting than the first game, the player is sent years after the events of the first game inside of a dystopian post-soviet metropolis. The Combine, an alien organism reigns supreme and dominates the human race and its planet.

Right away, the scale of the story is much more grandiose and ambitious than the first one and it manages all of that without putting it right in your face. The story-telling is subtle enough that it doesn't distract you from the gameplay itself.

As you may already know, this game is infamous for popularizing the concept of letting a player keep control during dialogue cutscenes.
This is able to create lots of opportunities narrative wise. It also helps retain attention if the player isn't engaged in the story due to being able to occupy yourself during cutscenes.

Another thing this game is deservedly infamous for is its physics engine.
At the time, never ever before had a game introduced such a robust set of systems where every object reacts the way you'd expect it to. The proper weight, materials and properties make the game feel more alive than any other FPS game from that time.

I have yet to mention the satisfying gunplay.

Half-Life 2 actually takes a step back from the first game by slowing down the movement while reducing the size of your arsenal aswell as ammunition.
On paper this may seem counter-intuitive and lackluster but this reversibly enhances the experience in a subtle manner.

In Half-Life 1, due to the faster movement and larger arsenal, you tend to take out everything in front of you by rushing in and destroying anything standing in your way with just about any weapon.

In Half-Life 2 however, there isn't such a direct method to wipe off hordes of enemies. Due to the limited selection of weapons and ammo, without noticing, you will find yourself being more strategic by resolving issues with the few tools available to you depending on the situation.

Will you send back a grenade with your Gravity gun? Perhaps set a prop on fire from afar or take out a squad in a crowded area with the smg's grenade launcher, etc...

If you're a fan of ambient and industrial rock then you are in luck because this game's soundtrack is exceptionally creative in that regard.
There is no other video game soundtrack that distinctively sounds like Half-Life's. If you know of this franchise then you will definitely remember its music when you hear it.

Talking about the music, one thing this franchise also understands is to not bombard you with songs. Most of the game is seemingly pretty quiet which leaves you with a taste of isolation. It's perfect for this kind of setting as it emphasizes the secluded and lonely nature of the environment and narrative.
You are able sit still and appreciate the many vistas and atmosphere from various places in the game.

Despite the now dated graphics for today's standards, this game visually remains impressive to this day for its stunning art direction, aesthetic and character models. Especially when it comes to facial features and animations which are still challenged to this day...

All of these factors makes this game a timeless masterpiece and I believe everybody who worked on Half-Life 2 should be proud to have this game under their belt and be able to say: "I helped make this."

If you're somehow still reading this (I appreciate you for making it this far ^^), I highly recommend you get this game when it goes on sale and give it a try.

Half-Life 2 store page