I got it unlocked today at about 11:am or so. Did'nt get to play it though, too much, as alot was going on. First impressions?... Breasts. Some Fine digital vixen swinging them in my face and building up a somewhat dicey back story was the intro I saw. She also makes an appearance soon thereafter in a skimpy bikini standing in a pool of some sorts. Some good secrets in the first few minutes of gameplay as well. I also blew the head completely off one of my opponents once I got hold of a shotgun. So it is quite a bit more graphic than HL2.

my ratings thus far:

Graphics: Well it's the Source engine, so nice of course.

Environments: somewhat generic. Not the best mapping I've ever seen, but adequate for the story line.

Gameplay: Definitely linear,hard to say more so early on. More violent, more sexy, and more language than HL2.

I am really happy at the moment though. This game seems fun, and is almost like playing HL2, thanks to the source feel of it.

I also set it to the most difficult level of play, but it does'nt seem too over the top difficulty wise.

bottom line: worth the price so far. Anybody else played it yet?

I have just made it to the end game (I think) on the rooftop. Campainjunkie is right.I never had more than like 15 health all the way up the side of the building( except for the occasional health stash). Insanely difficult to be sure.

There were times when I was surrounded by opponents with less than 5 health, gattling guys, standard soldiers, and jet pack guys all at the same time. I died alot!. Very challenging. Quick save is essential.

Grenades are an invaluable commodity in these situations. Pop out, roll a grenade, duck back wait for carnage, pop out, shoot through flames to awaiting opponents, and one of the most important lessons I learned was, move forward. Opponents will keep spawning unless you move forward, apparently theres an opponent shut off entity you have to hit. Keeps you moving.

Secrets aplenty, kinda cool there (dopefish lives!).

I could see why they might want to patch the difficulty slide, but then again, it is possible to play through the way it is. I'm kind of on the fence about that one.

Repetitive, yes, but always challenging thus far. Theres no method I know of which will make you a master of this game at the highest difficulty, because, even with quick save, opponents spawn differently, and randomly even from the same spot you started at from the last death. I noticed that after you play all the way through, you unlock the ability to play all the way through without dying, or you start over. I'd like to meet the person who could do that with the current version of this game.

I am suprised at how long the game is as well. I thought I was at the end about three times now, and it keeps going. So was it worth the 25 bucks?, You bet. I wish there was a multiplayer aspect to the game though.

Post note: Just finished the game. No spoilers, but the last 5 or 6 quicksaves, I was down to 4 health, and almost zero ammo.(effective ammo anyways). Took me 40 minutes to end it.

Fun stuff.

I feel pretty much like you do Juim. Very fun, challenging, and satisfying. Not too long, not too short, not too expensive. Perfect.