Skip to HL2?

[Obliviator27]

Huh? Gordon is probably the most infamous example of a mute "character". He has no lines.

But in all honesty, you have to realize that the game was made quite some time ago. Of course it's going to be dated with "bad graphics". Computers back then didn't have the hardware we have today. They couldn't handle games like Skyrim or Bioshock or (insert modern game here). For it's time, it was an amazing leap forward.
The gameplay, I feel, was solid. There were times where you would end up putting yourself into quite the predicament and having to get yourself out of it (3 hp, and have to take down a tank and 2 men with assault rifles. Not easy.)
I wouldn't say I'm fanboy-ing. I'm just trying to express a logical reasoning for all of your arguments of "It's dated". 'Course it is. It's 14 years old.