Is Half-Life 2 actually that great?

Ok, no one would be stupid enough to argue that Half-Life 2's physics and graphics engines are anything less than sublime.

However, I have to ask if anyone else out there found the experience to be a little... uhmm... soulless?

I found myself plonked on a random train and spent the rest of the game running from Point-A to Point- C, via the very linear Path-B, for no apparent reason other than being told to do so by one of the characters. When I did reach Point-C, I was then transported back to Point-A only to be told I now needed to go to Point-E, via the very linear Path-D and so on...

maybe it is jsut me but I found the 'You are stuck in an underground research facility gone mad. Get out.' storyline of the original Half Life massively compelling even with its linear path, however I just didn't feel it with Half-Life 2.

ET:QW

Anyone seen the trailers for Enemy Territory - Quake Wars.

Being an avid player of Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory I personally can't wait for this one.... although I doubt my current PC will even run it

anyone here played ET at all?