@Zucas, I agree with most of your writings...but have you actually played Gears 2 single player campaign?
If any game has ever came close to HL2 strictly concerning the campaign, that is it. I think you've either under-appreciated it, or have misjudged it by assumption.
Edit: Wait, I forgot Call of Duty 4. I think CoD4 is almost as good, or equal to HL2's campaign, when it comes to fun. It is also far more accessable.
One issue with HL2(it's not a perfect game, just a magnificant one) is that its story has a small scope. It takes place over only a couple of days of real time and isn't necessarily the sprawling campaign that you want it to be. Gears 2 has that issue, but CoD4 doesn't, for some reason, despite it being a much shorter game.
Finally, imo, Half-Life 2 episode 2 is better than the original Half-Life 2 for many reasons. The least of which is the flashlight battery.
I don't need your console war.
It feeds the rich while it buries the poor.
You're power hungry, spinnin' stories, and bein' graphics whores.
I don't need your console war.
NO NO, NO NO NO.
