I do not like the fact that I have to unplug my network cable (http://www.techspot.com/vb/archive/index/t-17245.html#) to be able to play in offline mode.
A SP game should be allowed to play without the need for anything but a once in a lifetime activation.

That Steam takes up extra resources best used elsewhere (like to play the game).

That I have to validate with Steam to get access to my games, what happens when/if when the steam valve is turned to the off position?
What happens when Valve decides to do what Epic tried to do (shut off UT master server (http://www.techspot.com/vb/archive/index/t-17245.html#)) to force people upgrading to CS:S 2?

It is my game! Valve has nothing to do with it anymore. I've payed for the game, now let me do what the "#%"#%#¤&" I want with it. Why shouldn't I be allowed to crack it so that I can bypass the cd/DVD check? Or stop it from contacting Steam?

EULA?! Yeah, like a legal document I only get access to after removing the shrinkwrap (thus removing any chance of a refund) has any legality to it. Not that it would anyways since I live in a country where the customer, not the company, is the one the laws take care of.

Why on earth do I have to register an account with you to play my retail bought Single Player game? I can live with activation, but why do you need me to have an account with you?

How will I be able to sell HL2 when I tire of it? It is fully legal to sell second-hand software (http://www.techspot.com/vb/archive/index/t-17245.html#), only that now I can not, since the dvd-key is registered to my Steam account. I can not move the key to another account, nor is it interesting having to give away my account, as it might contain more than just that single game.

What is to stop Steam from becoming spyware (http://www.techspot.com/vb/archive/index/t-17245.html#)? As it is it reports back to Valve whenever I play a Steam game, how about it starts telling Valve how often I play games (whether or not it's a Steam game)?
The potential for abuse is enormous!

Shall I go on?

It's not your game. Sadly, you purchased a license to play a game. They own the game, and you were foolish enough to purchase a license that allowed you to play it when and if they see fit for you to do so.

You can, in many states, return it regardless of Best Buy's policy.
You can, in the future, not buy licenses from companies who use this tactic.
You can, currently, suck it up and like it.

Steam does kind of suck, but if you're into more of their games (CS:Source, etc.) it makes it convenient. I sometimes find it difficult to uninstall from some systems though =(.

It's not your game. Sadly, you purchased a license to play a game. They own the game, and you were foolish enough to purchase a license that allowed you to play it when and if they see fit for you to do so.

sucks but true.

As bad as having to deal with all that crap is, the game really, seriously kicked ass.

Up till the end that is...the end was pretty lame (a' la HL1)

HL2 and KOTOR2 both win the "Great game with a crappy ending, but still overall enjoyable" award.

HL2 being much superior to KOTOR2 though

uhmmm no

But you have to love the gravity gun! Could be real fun multiplayer with that someday..hehe