I have to admit I'm a Half-Life addict -- at least an hour each day of playing time. The game is terrorists versus counter-terrorists and assassins versus bodyguards. The game was given to me by a friend. When my father first installed it, my brother played all the time, and I guess from there the spell ran over me too. I made fun of my brother for playing it so much, but little did I know I would be playing it too. You can choose from a variety of levels -- the best ones being The Hunted and Dustbowl, in my opinion. In the New York Times there was an article about Half-Life arcades. It sickens me. But I can't blame anyone because I’m an addict. The game is also very violent. I've never done anything violent because of the game, but research says kids are doing more violent things when they play Half-Life. The scenes are also very gory. I guess that’s how the game got its mature rating. The game uses weapons ranging from crowbars to shotguns. You can choose to be a medic, pyro, heavy weapons guy, spy, sniper, solider, or demo-man.

Right after the two planes hit the World Trade Center I saw my brother playing Half-Life. A bell rung in my head that by being a counter-terrorist I could take my anger out on the terrorists who committed a terrible act. So every day I played as a counter-terrorist pretending I was fighting terrorists. It was a great idea. Instead of gritting your teeth all day and cussing out the terrorists, I decided to express my anger in a media way. People had different reactions to 9/11, like joining the army. Obviously I wasn't doing something, but at least I felt like I was. I know you think it's stupid, but I just thought about what the real terrorists had done, and I was frustrated that as a kid I couldn't do too much about it.

Half-Life is not good because it lowers grades. Kids like me sometimes rush through their homework to play Half-Life. They do a crummy job and get no credit. I've seen it happen. Luckily I’m not yet a victim. Kids must cut down their study time just to play a game. I've done it once or twice. I've gotten good grades, but I was lucky. The test grades this year from kids are just terrible. I know why -- because of less study time. Teachers and parents will both tell you this. By rushing on homework, it will not be as legible or neat. The teacher won't be able to read it, and there goes the credit down the toilet. Projects are also a big factor. You rush through, don't follow directions, and you get points off. It's as simple as that. A straight A student can turn into a failing kid. Do you want that to happen to your sibling or child? I didn't think so, so my advice is don't get them started, and make sure they know their boundaries at friends' houses. Even talk to the parent, and tell them that you don't want your son or daughter playing this game.

Half-Life can lead to kids being overweight. They won't be functioning in their normal exercise activities. I love basketball, and Half-Life is taking away from my playing time. I'm not overweight, but there are many who are, and Half-Life is a major part in that role. They sit at the computer for hours, maybe eating cookies and doing nothing. Now that can make you fat, unless you have a great metabolism, like my brothers. Half-Life may also lead to having no friends. By turning your friends down on play dates, they might start to think you don't appreciate them. They will then leave you. This hasn't happened to me because I know to put friends first. Without friends you will feel depressed, your attitude may become negative, and you will do worse in school (already explained). So make sure your kids don't play this game. Do it for you and your child.

The game has many bad words. On Half-Life, kids are exposed to bad words that you had hoped they never knew. The kid might look these words up in the dictionary and find out what they mean. What if they say it in class, thinking it's an OK word? Well, they go to the principal, and a phone call gets sent home. Now, if you’re a parent you don't want that to happen, do you? I didn't think so. So make your life easy and make sure your kids aren’t exposed to these words.

Well, by now I hope you're convinced not to buy the game. I know what I need to do -- to stop playing. I will. That's a promise.


Recommended: No

Version Played: Released
Operating System: Windows