Wake me up when November ends.

Why? Four Words: Half Life 2: Episode 2. (So it was three, sue me!). When Valve software announced the trio of Half Life episodes, gamers were in shock and awe. I mean, come on, who doesn't want to go back to City 17 and kick some more combine ass? Apparently, millions of PC gamers, that's who.

HL2:E1 was critically acclaimed, and sold tons of copies. While around only 6 hours of gameplay, gaming magazines everywhere consistently gave it high reviews. They praised it's action, as well as it's implementation of so-called "single player co-op".

But enough about Episode: 1. With it's announcement, Valve announced that it would be part of a trio of episodes. We all knew Episode 2 was coming, but we didn't know what a punch it would bring. Recently, Valve announced that, not one, but three games would make their way into Episode 2. Of course, the PC gamer in me nearly was giddy with glee.

Game one: The episode 2 story. Continuing where episode 1 left off, gamers are going to be treated to a new forest setting, as well as vehicles and a new enemy. Hunter synth, to be exact. Also, Gordon gets a new weapon. Apparently it's a "strider buster" that weakens a strider and lets the player take out the strider easier.

apparently, the gravity gun gets a new sort of ammunition. Don't ask me, I don't get it either. The new vehicle is a two-seater dunebuggyish vehicle. One seat drives while the other is a gunner. Sounds great to me. Just so you guys don't freak out, Alyx lives at the end of epidsode 1.

Game numero dos: Team Fortress 2. Imagine, if you will, a Pixar movie, mashed together with a plethora of classes, mixed together with some strategy. Enticing? It should be. Sequel to a Quake mod, remade into a Half Life mod, came out of left field, and smacked the gaming world in the face. Many expected this game would never some out. This game was on the list of games that would never come out , one step below Duke Nukeum Forever.

And finally, the game that has me the most excitedL Half Life 2 Portal. Take the portal system from Prey, and design a game around it. Makes me real excited. If you haven't seen the video of the game in action, you are dead to me. Check it out at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=if3Qv2tHyfA&search=portal

Found it? Good. See why I am so excited about this game? Besides the fact that this idea is revolutionary, it has so much potential for fun. Did ya see the part where the player was falling through the portals indefinitely? What about the part where he opened a portal, went through, made another one, and slingshot himself to an opposing ledge? Sound like fun?

My one concern about Episode 2 is price. Ep. 1 was $20, and came with the single player game, as well as HL2: Deathmatch, and HL: Deathmatch Source. Personally, I wouldn't bat an eye parting with $40 for this lovely package. I'm betting it'll be either $20 or $30.

Cannot' wait till December. Well, I'll be in a 6 month cryogenic stasis. Somebody wake me up when Episode 2 comes out. Later!