A Nightmarish Aggressor of Unrelenting Cuteness and Cuddliness

Valve, creators of the landmark, 2004 Half-Life 2 PC game, is selling a 13″ plushie version, above, of their unstoppable Hunter attack “synth,” below. (The Hunter appears in the 2007 Half-Life 2: Episode 2 mini-sequel.)

Available for $39.95 through their online Steam service, the soft toy features the original, three-legged, “bioengineered” “shock troop”‘s ice-blue eye sensors, and poseable appendages, all featured prominently and lethally in this Episode 2 trailer.

Half-Life 2 tells the story of a rebel insurrectionist group attempting to overthrow the totalitarian and oppressive Combine, an invading alien race. Both iterations of Half-Life are considered milestones in the history of computer gaming, breathtaking for the breadth of their narrative and design.

Half-Life 2 has sold over four million copies. (Thanks to TOMOPOP.com for the tip!)