You Need To Play Half-Life Again
It's been over 20 years since the Valve classic Half-Life released. Due to a community effort, it has held up incredibly well. Here's why you should play it again.
Sascha Heinisch
16th Dec 2022 09:15
Images via Valve
When it comes to classic shooters, there is none more iconic than Half-Life, not just because of its qualities as a game but as an opportunity for other games and genres to come into existence on its engine.
It is no surprise that it has become a classic in the gaming world and is still played by millions of players today, while maintaining memetic importance in a gamer’s ability to count to three. Even almost two and half decades later, Half-Life has held up relatively well. Why not go back to where it all began?
What's The Story Of Half-Life?
Half-Life is a first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve Corporation and released in 1998. The game follows the story of Gordon Freeman, an MIT graduate, who embarks on a journey to save the world from a hostile alien race known as the Combine.
The game features semi-realistic physics, detailed environments, and intense combat, not least with the beloved headcrabs.
Continuously the game asks you to complete various objectives, including solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles. For its time, Half-Life featured cutting-edge graphics and sound design, making it one of the most immersive games ever created.
Why Play Half-Life Again?
Half-Life is a classic shooter that has stood the test of time. To this day, it is still one of the most enjoyable and captivating FPS games ever made, not least because its influence on especially first-person shooter gaming can be felt to this day.
While expectedly nowhere near as polished as modern FPS titles, replaying Half-Life highlights the path of technology game development had to take. In that, replaying it serves as much as a visit to the virtual museum as it provides a kind of introspective insight of a hike across the way of St. James.
Especially for us older folks who can draw additional motivation from the high-powered nostalgia beam to the dome piece, the experience holds up, not least when using one of its various mods to streamline the experience.
The Impact and Legacy of Half-Life
Half-Life has had a lasting impact on the gaming industry. It was one of the first FPS games to feature realistic physics, advanced AI, and detailed environments. The game was so popular that it spawned a series of sequels, spin-off games, and a vibrant modding community.
It is still played by millions of players to this day and is regarded as one of the greatest FPS games ever made. If you're looking to get the most out of Half-Life, there are several things you can do to enhance your experience.
For one, there are a plethora of mods done by a still dedicated mod community that still creates custom maps, game modes, gets rid of campaign bugs and chaff. They offer a unique and varied experience and can make the game more challenging and enjoyable.
Moreover, as many Counter-Strike players may remember, console commands offer an extensive amount of customisation for their time. These commands allow you to unlock special features, such as cheats and special weapons, but also change all kinds of aspects of the game, from gravity to graphic quality.
Finally, HD mods may just let you fall in love with one of Half-Life's many HD texture packs. They can make the game look and feel more modern, allowing you to enjoy the game in a new light.
Black Mesa As The Facelift for the Modern Player
If you've not grown up with Half-Life around, then Black Mesa might be a more gentle introduction to the story. Not only does the community project lift Half-Life into the updated Source version, but it also irons out a couple of wrinkles in the game mechanics and even the story of the old version.
Even that version has now had its tenth anniversary. That said, its last update, the "Definitive Version," has only turned two and is probably the best introduction to the franchise if you aim to keep exploring later on and eventually be able to appreciate Half-Life: Alyx with full context.
About The Author
Sascha Heinisch
Sascha "Yiska" Heinisch is a Senior Esports Journalist at GGRecon. He's been creating content in esports for over 10 years, starting with Warcraft 3.
