Half-Life

Half-Life

PCPlayStation
Released

Release Date: November 19, 1998

Action, FPP, Science Fiction, FPS, Shooters, Splitscreen, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Internet, LAN

An FPS set in a science-fiction world, created by the debuting American studio Valve Software. The story takes place in secret research facility of Black Mesa and begins the main character of the game – Gordon Freeman - arrives at the facility.

9.7

Steam

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[1:45] Ray Traced trailer Videos: 1
Screenshot Images: 124
Screenshot
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Screenshot

Despite the fact that Half-Life is considered a first-person shooter, it is unusual representative of the genre. Even the beginning of the game doesn’t resemble a typical FPS game – we arrive at work as Gordon Freeman, a scientist working in a secret lab called Black Mesa. Everyone is friendly and there is no need to kill anybody, not to mention the fact that we are unarmed. Only after a big disaster the actual action starts.

We don’t save the world in this game, we need to save ourselves by escaping the destroyed complex. Our escape path is blocked by alien invaders, though, as well as human marines tasked with making sure that no one comes out of the lab alive. However, some of our collegues survived, too, and it is possible to cooperate with them.

The atmosphere of horror is much better than in many productions of that genre. Our enemies are very intelligent and even fight among themselves, so we can avoid combat in more than one occasion. Great graphics and sound only boost the suspense and the fear of what’s around the corner. Half-Life is definitely a game worth checking out.

Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows November 19, 1998

PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2 November 30, 2001

Developer: Valve Corporation / Gearbox Software (PS2)

Publisher: Sierra

Game Series

Half-Life
Half-Life
Half-Life

10GAMES

Half-Life Game Series

A hugely popular series of first-person shooters (FPS) in science fiction climates. The series was created by Valve Software studio with support from Gearbox Software and Taito Corporation, among others.

Half-Life Game Series

Features

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Originals

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10 Coolest Video-Games Weapons

Games used to be better? Well, when you narrow it down to specific examples of weapons from FPP shooters, there may be even more reasons for nostalgic memories and grumbling about today's standards!

10 Coolest Video-Games Weapons
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Originals

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Eight Enemies We Were Sorry to Kill

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Eight Enemies We Were Sorry to Kill
Eight Enemies We Were Sorry to Kill
Originals

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Silent Protagonists Ruin Good Stories

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News

21 Years Ago Valve's Future Was Saved by Counter-Strike 2 Deal. Gabe Newell Made Knife Out of Joy

21 Years Ago Valve's Future Was Saved by Counter-Strike 2 Deal. Gabe Newell Made Knife Out of Joy

The contract to develop a game called Counter-Strike 2 was signed back in 2003. To celebrate this success, Gabe Newell - the founder of Valve - handmade a knife with the name of the game.

video games

Maciej Gaffke

November 22, 2024

21 Years Ago Valve's Future Was Saved by Counter-Strike 2 Deal. Gabe Newell Made Knife Out of Joy
Valve Keeps on Patching Half-Life; Age-old Bug Removed

Valve Keeps on Patching Half-Life; Age-old Bug Removed

It didn't end with one update. Half-Life received three more hotfixes, and the last one removed a bug that has annoyed fans for the past 25 years.

video games

Jacob Blazewicz

November 23, 2023

Valve Keeps on Patching Half-Life; Age-old Bug Removed
Half-Life Gets Big Update for 25th Anniversary [Update: Weekend Success]

Half-Life Gets Big Update for 25th Anniversary [Update: Weekend Success]

Valve is lavishly celebrating Half-Life's 25th birthday. You can get the game for free on Steam and it received an update with new content and many improvements.

video games

Adrian Werner

November 19, 2023

Half-Life Gets Big Update for 25th Anniversary [Update: Weekend Success]
Fans Make Impressive Remakes of Half-Life DLC [Update: New Levels]

Fans Make Impressive Remakes of Half-Life DLC [Update: New Levels]

Half-Life DLCs have never lived to see official remakes, but fans are trying to fill the gap. One such project, based on Opposing Force, has just received a new version.

Files and Mods

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August 20, 2023

Fans Make Impressive Remakes of Half-Life DLC [Update: New Levels]
Half-Life Looks Gorgeous With Ray Tracing; You Can Test it Now

Half-Life Looks Gorgeous With Ray Tracing; You Can Test it Now

You can now download the Half-Life 1: Ray Traced project. True to its title, it's a modification that enhances the first Half-Life with ray tracing.

Files and Mods

Adrian Werner

February 23, 2023

Half-Life Looks Gorgeous With Ray Tracing; You Can Test it Now
Black Mesa: Blue Shift - Fan Remake of Half-Life DLC Gains New Missions

Black Mesa: Blue Shift - Fan Remake of Half-Life DLC Gains New Missions

A new version of the Black Mesa: Blue Shift mod, a remake of the second Half-Life DLC, has been released. The update introduces the fourth chapter of the campaign.

Files and Mods

Adrian Werner

December 16, 2022

Black Mesa: Blue Shift - Fan Remake of Half-Life DLC Gains New Missions
Half-Life: Another Story Combines Valve's Hit With Doom

Half-Life: Another Story Combines Valve's Hit With Doom

An ambitious and highly unusual mod called Half-Life: Another Story has been released. The project offers a new adventure in the universe of the Valve's series, but it is built on the Doom II engine.

Files and Mods

Adrian Werner

October 20, 2022

Half-Life: Another Story Combines Valve's Hit With Doom
Half-Life Sets New Popularity Record on Steam

Half-Life Sets New Popularity Record on Steam

The first Half-Life is a dated game, but despite the passage of time it still manages to attract and unite players. The record of 6022 concurrent players is a thing of the past. All it took was one action to improve it, and twofold!

video games

Jakub Tarchala

August 16, 2022

Half-Life Sets New Popularity Record on Steam
Half-Life with Ray Tracing; the Fan-made Project Will Launch This Year

Half-Life with Ray Tracing; the Fan-made Project Will Launch This Year

We've recently received trailers of two impressive mods for Half-Life. One of them replaces Gordon Freeman with Spyro. The other will introduce ray tracing to the game.

video games

Agnes Adamus

January 10, 2022

Half-Life with Ray Tracing; the Fan-made Project Will Launch This Year
Operation: Black Mesa Will Combine Refreshed Half-Life Opposing Force and Blue Shift

Operation: Black Mesa Will Combine Refreshed Half-Life Opposing Force and Blue Shift

Fans of the Half-Life series have another reason to rejoice. Fan group known as Tripmine Studios has announced that the remakes of Half-Life: Opposing Force and Half-Life: Blue Shift will be combined into a single production.

video games

Miriam Moszczynska

December 29, 2021

Operation: Black Mesa Will Combine Refreshed Half-Life Opposing Force and Blue Shift

Downloads

Top downloads for Half-Life Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Half-Life Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Recommanded System Requirements:
Pentium II 266MHz, 32MB RAM, graphic card.

Sony PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

Supports:
memory card

Expansions

List of Game Expansions for Video Game:

Half-Life: Blue Shift

Half-Life: Blue Shift

PC

Expansion

June 14, 2001

Action

The second, but this time a standalone, addition to the Half-Life game, developed once again by the American studio Gearbox Software under the watchful eye of the original's creators. The next episode is also another look at the same events. This time, they're shown from the perspective of a Black Mesa guardian whose task is to investigate the lab's restricted areas and rescue the surviving scientists.

7.0

Gamepressure

9.3

Steam

8.4

Users

Half-Life: Blue Shift
Half-Life: Counter-Strike

Half-Life: Counter-Strike

PC

Expansion

November 23, 2000

Action

Multiplayer modification of the cult Half-Life, prepared by the creators of the original from Valve Software studio. The game is a tactical FPP shooter, in which two teams face each other, representing terrorists and specialized anti-terrorist units. Each team has at their disposal a dedicated arsenal of weapons, which were prepared on the basis of original equipment of special forces from different countries (like Navy Seals, GSG9, GIGN or SAS).

9.7

Steam

8.4

Users

Half-Life: Counter-Strike
Half-Life: Opposing Force

Half-Life: Opposing Force

PC

Expansion

December 3, 1999

Action

The official expansion for Half-Life, Valve's bestselling debut from 1998. Gearbox Software, a young but experienced studio, was chosen to create the expansion. The Opposing Force storyline presents the events known from the original from a completely different perspective. We play as one of Gordon Freeman's opponents - a marine sent to cover up an incident at Black Mesa laboratories.

9.5

Steam

8.8

Users

Half-Life: Opposing Force
Team Fortress Classic

Team Fortress Classic

PC

Expansion

February 25, 1999

Action

Intended exclusively for multiplayer tactical action game, developed by the creators of Half-Life - American studio Valve. Production began its life as a modification of the legendary Quake, but after Valve bought the rights to the title, the effects of the developers' work were transferred to the Half-Life engine and made available as a free addition to the game. The gameplay in Team Fortress is based on a competition between two teams, consisting of soldiers belonging to nine different classes (e.g. sniper, medic, engineer or spy).

8.6

Steam

7.3

Users

Team Fortress Classic

Ratings

Game Ratings for Half-Life Video Game.

97%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (104,446)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Innovative Gameplay: Many users praised the game's innovative mechanics and level design, highlighting its ability to engage players with thoughtful gameplay rather than just mindless shooting.
  • Atmospheric Experience: The game's atmosphere, including sound design and environmental storytelling, received high marks for immersing players in the game's world.
  • Timeless Quality: Despite being released in 1998, players noted that the game has aged well and remains enjoyable, with many considering it a classic that still holds its charm.
  • Strong Story Elements: The environmental storytelling and character interactions were appreciated, with users noting the compelling narrative that unfolds as the player progresses.
  • Multiplayer Mode: The multiplayer component was mentioned as a fun aspect, allowing players to engage with friends and others online.

The main cons of the game

  • Clunky Mechanics: Some reviews pointed out that the game mechanics, particularly player movement and puzzle-solving, can feel frustrating or outdated by modern standards, leading to moments of confusion or annoyance.
  • Difficulty and Lack of Guidance: Several users mentioned that the game can be challenging, with minimal hints provided, which may require players to rely on trial and error or walkthroughs.
  • Bugs and Technical Issues: A few players encountered bugs, including game-breaking glitches, which detracted from their experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Quality of Life Improvements: Users expressed a desire for modern conveniences such as quest markers or clearer guidance, which could help alleviate some of the confusion during gameplay.
  • Enhanced Graphics Options: While many acknowledged the game's age, some players wished for graphical updates or options to improve the visual experience without needing to resort to fan-made remakes like Black Mesa.
  • Improved AI: Complaints about the friendly AI being frustrating at times indicated a desire for smarter NPC behavior to enhance gameplay.

Summary

  • Overall, while Half-Life is celebrated for its groundbreaking contributions to the FPS genre and its engaging gameplay, players recognize its age and some of its mechanical shortcomings, which could benefit from modern enhancements.

Summary generated on:

OSZAR »