They are not the same.

Which is probably for the best since its Lamarrs fault that Gordon gets teleported to the wrong location.

What happened to the cat?"

Gordon Freeman in his HEV suit from Half-Life 2 with Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us in the background.

and, humorously, never get an answer.

Naughty Dog’s masterpiece built on the foundation Valve’s classic FPS established.

The most obvious benefit is that it feels more immersive at least when Valve does it.

Art of Gordon Freeman from the first Half-Life with Half-Life 2 in the orange background.

The characters feel like they can just exist in the space.

This allows for more opportunities for blink-and-you’ll-miss-it character interactions and visual jokes.

Is It Casual Now?

A woman glowing purple with bat wings in Borderlands 4

Once you get to the lab, there’s another fun bit.

With the possible exception of you."

Alyx reacts how you would expect, with an annoyed, slightly embarrassed, “Dad.”

Alyx from Half-Life 2 giving a thumbs up with a headcrab standing on lockers in the background, with Dr. Kleiner.

But as she says it, Eli goes, “Ahhh.”

Half-Life 2’s humor stands out because it isn’t trying to.

Half-Life games start strong and never let up.

Barney disguised as a Combine soldier looking at Dr Kleiner on a computer screen in Half-Life 2.

Triple-A Games

Half-Life 2