HL2 "Import" $15 cheaper

[simeon]

Q: Is the $35 "import" any different than the $50 regular retail version? (all in japanese or something?

and if you buy the retail box, import or otherwise, do you still get HL2 Deathmatch free from Steam when you go in to verify or initialize or whatever?

 

[MedicBob]

I would be very leary of "import" versions. It used to be and might still be very rampant to just get copies that someone else made and are selling.

 

[sswingle]

The game itself is the same. It will even be in English since steam asks you what language you want and it all goes from there.

That being said, I woudln't trust an import due to it probably being copied, as MedicBob said. That is especially bad with HL2 because then you can't play due to steam not letting you use your cd key.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Maybe some answers here??

 

[simeon]

yeah nice link Blue Weasel thx.

2 ppl said it's an asian version that is the same as the U.S.

"I'm playing the Asia version of Half Life 2 right now that i bought from New Egg for 29.99. There is absolutely nothing anywhere that would make you think its not the American Version except for a sticker on the back of the paper cd case..that says Half Life 2 - Asia."

BTW, the import version that I saw is @ newegg also.
sounds good but its kinda freaking me out now lol maybe i'll just pay the extra 15 like MedicBob and SSC suggest, just in case.

does anyone know if you get the deathmatch from steam when you sign on with the retail box version (since it wouldn't come on the CD'S) or if you only get it if you purchase HL2 through steam directly?

not exactly sure how steam works so i figure that having the physical CD's from the retail box is good backup... is this incorrect - does steam somehow negate this advantage?

 

[sswingle]

You get deathmatch no matter how you buy HL2. Once you get your game validated by steam, it will download all the updates including deathmatch.

I went the Steam route. With cable internet, once I paid for the game it just downloaded. If I get a new computer, or want to play on a different computer, I just install steam, and HL2 is now downloaded onto that computer. Another bonus is getting the entire Valve back cataloge for free with a Steam purchase. I had never played Opposing Force or Condition Zero, so that was a great bonus.
If you are worried about downloading the game over and over again, you can also backup all your files to CDs or DVD once you download the first time.

Oh, and ANOTHER bonus, you get DOD: Source free with Silver and Gold steam purchases. Retail HL2 owners will need to buy DOD seperately if they want it.

Edit: Since its newegg selling the import version, that makes me feel a lot better that its not a copy.

 

[simeon]

I've got cable too so that sounds like the safe/easy way to go. thx for the help!