I noticed (apparently a while after the fact) that the Half-Life 2 expansion, Lost Coast, was finally available through Steam. So then I downloaded it and played it. Some brief web-searching indicates that if I’d spent another $1000 or so on my PC in the past year, it would look like the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen on my desktop’s monitor. I have not, which only leaves the gameplay.

Now, here’s the thing. I was expecting it to be a full expansion going in, like the two that followed the original Half-Life. So, when it took approximately as long to play through the single level as it did to download and tweak the settings to my taste in the first place, well… not what I’d call a satisfactory experience. That said, it was definitely Half-Lifey goodness, and as a result I’ve snagged the first of what will probably be a few third-party level packs to play at, whereas before I’d never have thought to look. So, a win? Sure, why not.