Crates and Barrels is a single-player "minigame" mod for Half-Life 2. It is a unique mod for several reasons, most notably for what it is not: it isn't a shooter (first or third person) - it isn't an RPG, strategy, or adventure game - and it doesn't use the Source game engine. What it is, though, is a collection of mini-games which use the Half-Life 2 characters, objects, and textures in several simple and classic video games that are intended for a few moments of comic relief. Written entirely in Visual Basic 2008 and using Managed DirectX 1.1, it is a first for Half-Life 2 mods. You will need Half-Life 2 installed in order to play this mod, as all game content is loaded as needed during gameplay from the Half-Life 2 GCF files.
This is a screenshot of the breakout game. It is like the classic game, of course, but with a Half-Life twist! The paddle is a barrel and the ball is a watermelon. Object is to break all of the crates (i.e. the bricks) and advance to the next level. But for more interest, there are powerups that are available from random item crates that float into the game occasionally. The powerups include extending the paddle width, multiple balls, large balls, and the most powerful one of all - guns akimbo, which enables you to shoot crates. But there are also rollermines that can appear as well, and they will destroy your paddle if you collide with them!
I luv it :)