Everybody has the Half-Life 2 expansion downloaded and ready to play this Thursday, right? Good. I don't want to hear any Steam complaints this weekend. Here's what's new and notable.

Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (PC)
The adventures of Gordon Freeman and Alyx continue in this first expansion for the hugely popular Half-Life 2.

Hitman: Blood Money (PC, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360)
Agent 47 returns to pop some caps in some fools in only the sneakiest of manner in his fourth outing.

Stacked with Daniel Negreanu (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Finally! Some poker! And its No Limit Hold'em style. The sim features real-life players, a career mode, and help from the pros.

Scurge: Hive (DS, GBA)
You're a bounty hunter in this 2D isometric, sci-fi, action portable. Looks hot, but we'll see how it turns out.

Race Driver 2006 (PSP)
According to the official site: With real performance cars, real damage, real physics and real driver AI Race Driver is the biggest and best. Biggest AND best. Believe it.

I'm waiting to see how Scurge: Hive turns out before I invest, but I'll definitely be diving back into the Half-Life universe again. What about you, ladies and gentlemen? Whatcha gettin'?

Send an email to Michael McWhertor, the author of this post, at .