I don't understand why you guys are happy they're not including Xen in the first release. Sure it may not have been perfect in the original game, but keep in mind this is a remake so it will be improved. Which also reminds me, I hope not too much is changed. From what I understand it's just everything being updated to the HL2 engine - but now I'm reading it's their "re-imagined version of Half-Life."
Anyways, I think I'm just going to wait until the entire thing is finished. No point in releasing it early without the last few parts because of the spoiled little brats that complain about it taking too long.
