Many action games begin with a catastrophic event, but none matches the intensity of the opening level of Half-Life, a first-person shooter published by Sierra Studios. Utilizing a heavily modified Quake 2 engine, the game follows a day in the life of Gordon Freeman, a mild-mannered scientist who inadvertently opens a portal to an alien dimension. As Gordon, you'll battle a variety of hostile alien creatures and some not-so-friendly government soldiers while you attempt to escape from the underground--and heavily ravaged--testing facility. Featuring both an engaging, atmospheric single-player experience and frenetic multiplayer action (supporting both local network and Internet play), Half-Life is currently one of the best games of it type. What makes Half-Life special is its combination of crisp 3-D graphics (supporting many 3-D hardware accelerators), creepy ambient sound effects, and nail-biting action, which creates an immersive, movie-like experience. In moments reminiscent of the movie Aliens, creatures leap from behind desks, drop down out of air vents, and pounce from dark corners--nowhere is safe, and you'll often feel overwhelmed and outgunned. Speaking of weapons, Half-Life features an imaginative offensive and defensive arsenal, from a simple crowbar to the explosive heat-seeking rocket launcher and crafty crossbow. If you're looking for an action-packed, story-oriented game that continues to impress after many hours, check out Sierra's Half-Life. --Doug Radcliffe