Gamespot have whizzed up their impressions of the final build of CS: Source.
Here's a some of it:

"CS: Source comes with nine different maps, but again, none of these will be new to longtime players. It's still extremely fun to see old favorites such as Dust, Office, Aztec, Italy, and Cobble in a brand-new light, thanks to the improved graphics and detail afforded by the Source engine. The most obvious change is the inclusion of more detailed skyboxes that actually render the tops of buildings. On Aztec, for example, you'll actually see the tops of the pyramids that you're fighting in, and if you can find a moment to stop and look around, it feels more like you're actually in the center of a large archaeological site. Other outdoor maps, such as Dust2, also benefit greatly from the improved detail.

Want to read on? Don't forget to check out the whole impressions article.

BBC News in their technology column have posted up an article regarding HL2, CS: Source, and more, also featuring a short interview with Doug Lombardi.

"In terms of visuals and sounds of the software playable on today's hardware, yeah, I think we're approaching a point of diminishing returns.

"However, I do think the hardware will evolve to offer more advanced 'surround' display units, and perhaps more efficient input devices, like true voice input, and the introduction of these would naturally open the door to new experiences and designs."

For the rest of it all check out the full article.

And in other news, RC5 has been sent to VU Games as they have been ironing out bugs, and it seems like the horrid legal battle situation between VU Games and VALVe Software has been lightening up, so if VU Games don't sit on the game which they can but might not for another six months, HL2 just might go gold within the next couple weeks. Stay tuned.

Yes, image quality and performance wise in a variety of maps along with a stress test, check it out at firingsquad.

X-bit labs have up a benchmark report article of the final CS: Source build testing a variety of high-end, medium-end and low-end DX9 cards in both performance and image quality in a variety of settings from both ATi and nVidia. Check it out as it has some useful informaiton.

GameConnect Magazine have up a review of CS: Source, rating it a 9 out of 10.
Here's a quote:

"The first thing one will notice upon launching the game is the huge graphical upgrade from previous iterations of the series. Valve has been graphically improving its games for some time now; but after the higher-poly models released for Half-Life Deathmatch and Team Fortress Classic, the High-Definition pack released with Blue Shift and the upgraded map geometry and texturing in Condition Zero, the aging Half-Life engine has become a bottleneck. Valve has taken the freedom the Source engine brings and created new maps and models to breathe new life into an old game. The new grenade explosions are fantastic - particularly the flashbang???s blinding and dizzying effects. The changed weapon models may take some time to get used to but are uniformly excellent. Everytime, you can apreciate the fantastic Shaders effects, it is absolutely impressive to see how good is the lighting, brightness, water effects, real-time shadows....the engine is running perfectly. If Half-life 2 is that good, It will be hard to find a better game in the future."

Yep we've got up a new poll now, titled "Got Counter-Strike: Source?", the old poll was called "When do you think Half-Life 2 will actually be released?", and the results were:

Fall-Winter 2004! - 50%

2005 and beyond! - 19%

NEVER! Cause VALVe sucks and I suck worse! - 15%

No idea, Who knows!!! - 6%

When it's done. - 1%

Core Limits have a review up of Counter-Strike: Source, which is a great read IMO and is very detailed and nice, exploring the full potential of CS: Source and every minor detail as well with useful info and more, rating it an awesome 96%. Here's a slice:

"Counter-Strike: Source has drop-dead gorgeous graphics. With some of the latest technology implemented, Counter-Strike: Source gives the eye something to stare at. Be careful though, I have found myself many a time playing with the physics and looking at the graphics, only to have an opposing force sneak up behind me and take me out. I suggest starting your own private server to play in and investigate."

For the rest of the details and goodies be sure to head over to Core Limits and give the full review a read.

Voodoo Extreme had a few words with Doug Lombardi of VALVe Software regarding things like HL2's release canditate in an extremely short interview. Be sure to check it out.

HomeLAN Fed had a chance at this years E3 to sit down with Valve and have a quick go on Half-Life 2.

Here's a slice of HomeLAN Fed's preview:

"The first part showed off the myterious G-Man and his detailed facial artwork and animations as he basically make some on-the-slide theats against us. While he talked, scenes from Half-Life 2 were shown as a kind of super imposed image on his face. It was weird but cool looking. Then we witnessed the entrance from the beginning of the game and the buggy-mine car chase that we had actually played in our E3 demo last month. One new thing in the latter sequence that was not in the VUGames hands-on demo was a new weapon, an energy rifle that vaporised the humanoid guards."

Computer and Video Games have a preview up judging from E3 2004 regarding Half-Life 2. It's 11 pages long, but a very good read indeed. As always, you can find a link to any new preview noted in our news in the previews section of this site. Anyways, here's a slice of the preview:

"Having seen a basic demonstration of working with a team-mate in the graveyard level, I ask Gabe about HL2's AI mechanics, especially in regards to some of the larger battles we've seen in the past between Gordon and allied AI troops and the alien invaders. "There's a lot of information available to the AI, like where they're looking, what their health is and what they're in proximity to. We've spent a long time looking at the AI players' motions and tried to have them generate the kind of ideas and reactions that are consistent with yours. So if you're moving towards something, the AI will assume you have an intention. If you're trying to get into an elevator while under fire, the AI will try and do something sensible around those actions, like covering you, so that you feel that you're still driving the action. There are also some specific commands you can issue to the AI. You can play the whole game without using this system, but if you like more direct control of the people around you during combat, it's here to be used."

Sounds great! For the full preview, click here! NOTE: You may have to register *for free*iew preview. Enjoy!

I've got a new poll running title "Which version of Half-Life 2 are you going to buy"? Let's take a look at the old poll results:

How do you like the Half-Life 2 Portal site?

It's amazingly awesome! It totally rocks dude! -43%
It's pretty good, enjoyable, neat indeed! -43%
It's okay, mediocre, nothing special. -12%
It's fair, nearly poor, needs to improve. -0%
It's a poor pure pile of garbage! -0%

Not bad for a first time poll! Guess the majority of the visitors like us! w00t!