HL2: Lost Coast actually uses HDR (High dynamic range) lightning which is a really new & advanced technology only avaliable on DirectX 9 cards.
http://www.wireless-life.de/wp-content/hf2-lc1.jpg - That's a screenshot with an HDR capable card, notice the brightness of the light is much different, the reflection on the ground...
* brian starts HL2: Lost Coast
=P