I don't have Half Life 2 so I can't say exactly how it's packaged but I've seen this too many times already.
I have to agree with being peeved at what I consider cheap@$$ packaging. The software companies want us to shell out our money and throw a lot into the creation of the games and the marketing of them yet they can't even package them in a semi-protective way.
You finally get a game home and what are you stuck with? A game consisting of 5 install CDs in paper sleeves inside a cardboard box. And, of course, they copy protect the games so you can't make backups in the event your CD so protectively contained in a paper sleeve gets scratched. So now it is your responsibility to safely store away the game after it's installed or, if you are like me, you now grab the appropriate number of jewel cases that you buy in bulk whenever you see the cheap sales in the weekend flyers. And, of course, I do all of this while cursing under my breath.
rotjong