Black Mesa

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1219 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,071 out of 1219
  2. Mixed: 101 out of 1219
  3. Negative: 47 out of 1219

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  1. CrazyGoat
    Sep 21, 2012
    10
    Black Mesa has the polish synonymous with a Valve property, and has surpassed all expectations in light of the sheer difficulty of the project. The amount of dedication, passion, and love the developers put into this game is immediately apparent as you explore the depths of Black Mesa, and uncover the secrets of this research facility.

    Black Mesa transcends the level of 'modification' -    Black Mesa has the polish synonymous with a Valve property, and has surpassed all expectations in light of the sheer difficulty of the project. The amount of dedication, passion, and love the developers put into this game is immediately apparent as you explore the depths of Black Mesa, and uncover the secrets of this research facility.

    Black Mesa transcends the level of 'modification' - they didn't modify anything. They created this game (save for a few sound bites, etc) from the ground up - in an impressive feat not many could accomplish. Having played Half-Life 1, this game left me without a single gripe or complaint regarding it's faithfulness to the original. The additions (of which there are a few) utilize the source engine's physics and graphics in ways that remind you of Half-Life 2. These are not modders, they're developers - and have made a shining masterpiece which raises the bar on third-party game development in the source engine. It's faithful to the original, and yet creates this bizarre sense of deja vu with Half-Life 2 - making them feel like one contiguous game, no longer separated by 6 years or different engines. They have truly done the impossible. This is a must-play.    … Expand
  2. fabbolous
    Sep 19, 2012
    10
    I've been waiting for this mod since the very beginning. Half Life is just one of the greatest PC Games ever made and walking Black Mesa again with these all new graphics it feels like coming home...well...home is nicer though :-)
    I have found no bugs so far. Everything has been rebuilt very accurately. No wonder this mod took about 8 years and it was worth every second. Hope the mod team    I've been waiting for this mod since the very beginning. Half Life is just one of the greatest PC Games ever made and walking Black Mesa again with these all new graphics it feels like coming home...well...home is nicer though :-)
    I have found no bugs so far. Everything has been rebuilt very accurately. No wonder this mod took about 8 years and it was worth every second. Hope the mod team will come up with the last part of the Half Life on Zen very soon!!    … Expand
  3. NorBdelta
    Sep 18, 2012
    10
    Ok where to start. Black Mesa is a complete remake of Half-life. Now to sum it up would be "a masterpiece".The graphics have been totally revamped, characters (scientists, guards, etc.) have totally remade models and are now different from one another not the same guard over and over, the textures and other props have been replaced with higher quality ones. Some levels are slightlyOk where to start. Black Mesa is a complete remake of Half-life. Now to sum it up would be "a masterpiece".The graphics have been totally revamped, characters (scientists, guards, etc.) have totally remade models and are now different from one another not the same guard over and over, the textures and other props have been replaced with higher quality ones. Some levels are slightly different but I found them very fluid and I believe they were worked to make the story more cohesive. Enemies are more intelligent and look amazing. Guns totally remade. This game is certainly on par with the original quality of story wise. The quality of work is of the highest I have seen in a mod and it is a "Valve" level of quality product. I find little else to say as this mod is so amazing I am lost for words trying to explain how highly I respect this remake and the dev team behind it was done such an amazing job.… Expand
  4. FrenchToast
    Nov 9, 2014
    10
    Absolutely fantastic remake of an incredible game. I recommend downloading it from Desura instead of other websites. Controls are spot on, visuals are great, and the sound is better than ever. It's free, get it now!
  5. Obomrapaz
    Sep 30, 2015
    9
    Eu dou meus parabéns aos produtores do game(que eu sei que não é Valve), melhorar algo que já era incrível com tão poucos erros. Agora, Valve faz trilogia, fala sério!
  6. hoanns
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    A well deserved remake for a revolutionary game. Still better than most shooters today. Atmosphere, pacing, variety and gameplay are great. Only the fanmade Xen at the end falls short and does not feel like the great game that came before.
  7. rwncop
    Feb 15, 2021
    9
    After playing all the Half-Life games all last year in preparation for Alyx, playing Black Mesa is really a special treat. It's been in development for a long time but it really has been worth the wait. I was completely blown away with how well done Xen was done, I've seen it's some people's favourite part of the game. In a way Xen feels like it's own game it's so well done, adding so muchAfter playing all the Half-Life games all last year in preparation for Alyx, playing Black Mesa is really a special treat. It's been in development for a long time but it really has been worth the wait. I was completely blown away with how well done Xen was done, I've seen it's some people's favourite part of the game. In a way Xen feels like it's own game it's so well done, adding so much great content. While remaking Half-Life they were able to keep what kept the original special, it has a certain feel to it. The music was really out of this world, adding to sections of the game that gave me goosebumps. If you're a fan of Half-Life then this really is a must play.

    The reason I didn't give a 10/10 is because it still needs a little bit more polishing. There were a few times the fps tanked and we had a couple crashes.    … Expand
  8. AlexandrRosca
    May 15, 2021
    9
    Black Mesa | 2020 | PC | Played for: 15h

    A complete remake of original Half-Life in Source engine. It is mainly fan made. The plot and main theme is faithful to the original game. The graphics are gorgeous, but nothing extraordinary for 2020, but well optimized. Sound and music are good. Gameplay is mostly a mix of HL1 and HL2, with some wackiness her and there. Overall I would    Black Mesa | 2020 | PC | Played for: 15h

    A complete remake of original Half-Life in Source engine. It is mainly fan made. The plot and main theme is faithful to the original game.
    The graphics are gorgeous, but nothing extraordinary for 2020, but well optimized.
    Sound and music are good.
    Gameplay is mostly a mix of HL1 and HL2, with some wackiness her and there.
    Overall I would recommend playing this one after completing the Original.

    Story: 9/10
    Gameplay: 8/10
    Graphics/Physics: 9/10
    Music/Sound: 8,5/10
    Overall: 8,6/10    … Expand
  9. DGDrocks7
    Feb 15, 2013
    9
    The quality of the game is so great, it looks like it was actually made by Valve. However, it's actually a stand-alone mod of Half-Life 2 made by a group of fans. And boy they did wonderful. Anyway, this is a remake of the original Half-Life from 1998. I, however, haven't played it, but just by looking at levels from the original on YouTube and then comparing them to those of Black Mesa,The quality of the game is so great, it looks like it was actually made by Valve. However, it's actually a stand-alone mod of Half-Life 2 made by a group of fans. And boy they did wonderful. Anyway, this is a remake of the original Half-Life from 1998. I, however, haven't played it, but just by looking at levels from the original on YouTube and then comparing them to those of Black Mesa, you can see how much is changed. There is so much to be seen and done that there's no way I can find the words to express it let alone state it. So, why don't you download the game and see for yourself? I mean, there's nothing to lose, it's free! All you just need is Steam (which is, of course, free as well).… Expand
  10. 10k_Volts
    Nov 20, 2012
    9
    There really isn't much more you could have asked for when it came to bringing Half-Life into modern times. It's not a direct carbon copy, but what is different is definitely not detracting from anything at all. For a group of modders doing this in their spare time with no real funding, you have to sit back and appreciate just what has actually become of their hard work. I could so easilyThere really isn't much more you could have asked for when it came to bringing Half-Life into modern times. It's not a direct carbon copy, but what is different is definitely not detracting from anything at all. For a group of modders doing this in their spare time with no real funding, you have to sit back and appreciate just what has actually become of their hard work. I could so easily have dropped $30 on this game.… Expand
  11. Darkmark
    Mar 9, 2013
    9
    An almost perfect remake of an almost perfect game. It was great to play the good old Half Life again with some sweet new HD graphics and some awesome new music. I'd recommend this game not only to the ones that played the old Half Life, but also to other gamers that enjoy a good story and some awesome first-person shooter action.
  12. Cupcakeboy14
    Dec 4, 2012
    10
    Really fun playing an old classic. It is nice to have something half-life related since HL3 or HL2 ep3 is no ware to be seen. Good job at an amazing remake.
  13. Eddard
    Nov 28, 2012
    9
    I have so many nice memories about the good old Half-Life time. Its so many yeats ago, that i have played Half Life and i love this mod with improved Graphics. Black Mesa makes fun and is for free! What else should i say?
  14. MrNegative
    Dec 29, 2012
    9
    This is one of the only games that I have ever been truly excited for. This game is a truly fantastic revamp of a truly fantastic game. With just about everything redesigned from its original counterpart, it looks great and also feels great. This game also exhibits amazing things that can be done in the Source Engine. Gameplay is fun, but there really isn't much of a storyline. Oh well.This is one of the only games that I have ever been truly excited for. This game is a truly fantastic revamp of a truly fantastic game. With just about everything redesigned from its original counterpart, it looks great and also feels great. This game also exhibits amazing things that can be done in the Source Engine. Gameplay is fun, but there really isn't much of a storyline. Oh well. Good job, Black Mesa developers!… Expand
  15. Xonerix
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    Absolute masterpiece, a remade Half-Life game with extremely good and efficient graphics, Xen got a complete overhaul, beautiful alien scenery, more levels, bigger and longer with spectacular events.
  16. HorrHeyy
    May 28, 2016
    10
    Black Mesa is an homage to the greatest FPS game of all time (minus the few perplexing end levels). Didn't think Half Life 1 could get any better? Well it just did.
  17. Crispy_
    Apr 22, 2016
    10
    A brilliantly crafted remake of the original Half-Life. The design was handled by experts, and even rivals much of Valve's work. The developers really knew what they were doing when bringing the world of Half-Life into modern standards. Even if you know Half-Life from top to bottom, you should still play this game. It's a whole new experience and contains many new and heavily touched upA brilliantly crafted remake of the original Half-Life. The design was handled by experts, and even rivals much of Valve's work. The developers really knew what they were doing when bringing the world of Half-Life into modern standards. Even if you know Half-Life from top to bottom, you should still play this game. It's a whole new experience and contains many new and heavily touched up areas.

    It might be more taxing on your hardware than Half-Life 2: Episode 2, but it's very understandable. They've done changes to the engine itself to bring you new graphical effects and many assets were designed for a 4k resolution. They're pushing the source engine beyond its limits.    … Expand
  18. Andre19926
    Dec 24, 2015
    10
    I've played this game before when it was a free mod to be downloaded on the Black Mesa homepage.
    I liked the game and I also still like it. Great adaption of a great game!
    You haven't played it yet? What are you waiting for??? Go get it!
  19. Jason312
    Jun 12, 2015
    10
    Black Mesa is now available to purchase and download on Steam and is currently on early access. It costs £14.99 on Steam UK and it's well worth it. It's impressive what the Crowbar Collective have done by taking the seminal and classic Half Life and re-mastering the game using Valve Software's Source engine. So visually it's much improved over the original Half Life and if you ever playedBlack Mesa is now available to purchase and download on Steam and is currently on early access. It costs £14.99 on Steam UK and it's well worth it. It's impressive what the Crowbar Collective have done by taking the seminal and classic Half Life and re-mastering the game using Valve Software's Source engine. So visually it's much improved over the original Half Life and if you ever played Half Life then you should enjoy Black Mesa.… Expand
  20. DarrenMc
    Jul 6, 2020
    10
    I went to the Steam Summer sale and saw all the aaa discounted games but felt like a kid at the Blockbuster video store,all these games but not many I am interested in,the only one that stood out for me was Black Mesa,I love the hl2 engine,the hl2 game and I was yearning for more single player first person shooter story gaming goodness and I wasn’t let down.

    This game is fantastic,the    I went to the Steam Summer sale and saw all the aaa discounted games but felt like a kid at the Blockbuster video store,all these games but not many I am interested in,the only one that stood out for me was Black Mesa,I love the hl2 engine,the hl2 game and I was yearning for more single player first person shooter story gaming goodness and I wasn’t let down.

    This game is fantastic,the ai are smart,the locales are very atmospheric and pull you in to the game but the sound is incredible,the crispyness of the weapons sounds,the cavernous sounds when you go through tunnels or big underground rooms,the voice acting.

    For me,this is the best game I have played for a long time and actually outdoes the original.

    All who worked on the development should be congratulated.

    And this game does not cost a ransom either,it is a true labour of love,not contrived in any way,just pure perfection.    … Expand
  21. MadJaples
    May 23, 2015
    10
    I rate this 10 purely on it's aesthetics. That is ALL.
    Some twenty odd years after having played the original Half Life, I was impressed with the improvements that were made to some degree. For whatever reason the torch was, I find, a bit too dim to be user friendly.
    If it were the original game, I would rate it 6 based on the renewed frustrations of the years gone by, whilst trying to    I rate this 10 purely on it's aesthetics. That is ALL.
    Some twenty odd years after having played the original Half Life, I was impressed with the improvements that were made to some degree. For whatever reason the torch was, I find, a bit too dim to be user friendly.
    If it were the original game, I would rate it 6 based on the renewed frustrations of the years gone by, whilst trying to traverse conveyor belts MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY goddamn times over.
    Good job.    … Expand
  22. Voodoo123
    Jul 6, 2020
    9
    +Incredible effort from the mod community in birthing such an ambitious project
    +Excellent upgrade from the 1998 original firmly putting the visuals in line with HL2 and effectively turning a visual upgrade patch into a full blown remaster
    -While most of the new additions are welcome, some added a bit too much 'roam bloat' for my taste I bought this on release and was not    +Incredible effort from the mod community in birthing such an ambitious project
    +Excellent upgrade from the 1998 original firmly putting the visuals in line with HL2 and effectively turning a visual upgrade patch into a full blown remaster
    -While most of the new additions are welcome, some added a bit too much 'roam bloat' for my taste

    I bought this on release and was not disappointed. This project more effectively tells the story of Gordon Freeman and sets up new players for HL2 wonderfully. It is an essential purchase for anyone who is a fan of the fps action adventure genre that Valve started back in 1998. Is it perfect? Most of the original game is intact with additional visual and gameplay upgrades. However IMO some of the pacing feels off towards the end section of the game with some overly long back and forth missions in a vast dull environment.... Overall an absolute joy to see this game finished and pick it up.    … Expand
  23. gimus
    Feb 12, 2016
    10
    Perfect game! But, do not think it is Half-Life, do not expect the same game experience. Enjoy new game! ;-) I recommend it to everybody, who likes good old Half-Life and wants to taste something new...
  24. pigsy2400
    May 23, 2014
    10
    I can remember buying the original and my jaw hitting the floor at such a revolutionary game back in 1999. My jaw similarly hit the floor 14 years later with Black Mesa, the attention to detail in some of the areas is fantastic!

    I was an avid modder when the original Half-life 1 SDK was released and the same with Half-life 2, some of the corridors that take seconds to walk down would    I can remember buying the original and my jaw hitting the floor at such a revolutionary game back in 1999. My jaw similarly hit the floor 14 years later with Black Mesa, the attention to detail in some of the areas is fantastic!

    I was an avid modder when the original Half-life 1 SDK was released and the same with Half-life 2, some of the corridors that take seconds to walk down would have taken months to create.

    Don't play this expecting anything groundbreaking, just sit back and enjoy the ride and appreciate it for what it is -;

    A faithful recreation of a masterpiece!    … Expand
  25. derek10
    Mar 1, 2015
    10
    Whether you already played Half Life or not, Black Mesa is worth a try, excellent level design based on HL but way bigger and detailed (because it uses a more modern engine), excellent graphics, sounds, voice and levels that makes it a very professionally made game. It's a very good way to replay Half-Life with updated visuals and resembling more Half-Life 2.

    Waiting for the Xen part!
  26. Epicfury
    Sep 16, 2014
    10
    I very polished and refined experience. This remake of Half-life is superb in every way. Despite not having xen, Black Mesa has familiar maps and weapons from the original Half-life but if a few tweaks to balance out the gameplay.
  27. jelikey
    Oct 11, 2017
    9
    Firstly it's free! Anyone caught whining needs to be shot in the face. It is a update to a classic from passionate and dedicated fans, who happily gave up their time to give a facelift to one of histories best FPS games. It feels as good as it did all those years ago, the improved graphics help it feel modern. If you haven't already played the original (or wanna get back into the boots of
  28. SarudeDankstorm
    Aug 18, 2015
    10
    It's literally a remastered Half Life 1. What's not to like? Both the story and the multiplayer seem just a good as they were back then, if not better.
  29. vuckoland
    Mar 16, 2017
    10
    Excelent remaster of one of the best single player shooter of all time. Half Life epic story and campaign is must play for everyone! If only todays shooter are half as good as this one... they will be considered a masterpiece
  30. Sheip
    Dec 28, 2015
    10
    Bom para quem jogou half life, e ama a saga, black mesa foi um mod que refez o primeiro jogo na source engine, e com o tempo ganhou apoio da própria valve lançando o game na ultima versão da Source Engine. Muito bem feito em todos os aspectos vale apena você compra, se você pega pirata você e um cuzão!
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best PC Game of 2012
30
#30 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
25
#25 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. GameGrin
    Feb 8, 2021
    70
    Black Mesa remains true to the original Half-Life with updated graphics, improved sounds and redesigned levels. However, the graphics still look old for a “modern” game and loading screens are still a pain as it freezes the game for a few seconds.
    Read full review
  2. Washington Post
    Mar 31, 2020
    80
    Those with a taste for retro-gaming or lighthearted sci-fi shooters, take note: few games with a foot in the nineties hold up this well.
    Read full review
  3. GameStar
    Mar 23, 2020
    87
    Reasonable innovations and a completely new Xen complement the authentic Half-Life atmosphere: This is what a remake should look like.
    Read full review
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