15 Genius Gameplay Mechanics That Defined the 2000s

GRAVITY GUN (HALF-LIFE 2)

Valve has always excelled at creating games around a single mechanic and using that idea to craft excellent moments. In the seminal Half-Life 2, that mechanic was the gravity gun. Physics were crucial in the game, and the gravity gun was the perfect foil for that, turning every moment in the game into a compelling brain teaser, whether that was combat or puzzles or anything else. Like most gameplay mechanics that stand the test of time, it struck the perfect balance between simplicity and ingenuity.