Half-Life: Blue Shift

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 739 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 508 out of 739
  2. Mixed: 186 out of 739
  3. Negative: 45 out of 739
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  1. Svenborg
    Feb 4, 2012
    9
    Yet another good expansion with Half-Life's trademark storytelling, and now constant reaction with an NPC, Blue Shift is a stable expansion with a good graphics update. My only problem was it's length, but since it's Half-Life, it's awesome.
  2. temps
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    Granted, this one was far too short. But honestly, it was just an expansion pack... what do you expect? Bottom line, it's more Half-Life action. If you're a Half-Life fan, you have every reason to give it a chance. It's a great game, but it's just a SHORT expansion pack. Don't expect it to be what it isn't. This isn't Half-Life 2, it is Half-Life: Blue Shift ... a short little expansionGranted, this one was far too short. But honestly, it was just an expansion pack... what do you expect? Bottom line, it's more Half-Life action. If you're a Half-Life fan, you have every reason to give it a chance. It's a great game, but it's just a SHORT expansion pack. Don't expect it to be what it isn't. This isn't Half-Life 2, it is Half-Life: Blue Shift ... a short little expansion that gives you another several hours of the Half-Life universe to enjoy through the eyes of a different character. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for more Half-Life action. If not, go play the other Half-Life games instead. They are definitely better.… Expand
  3. KonataGoTimotei
    Dec 15, 2012
    8
    You know, I really can't say what makes this game appeal to me so much. Its really just a much shorter half-life from a different point of view, but I still cant help but love it.
    I think that what might be the main appeal to me about this is the fact that you just play as a normal guy. He isn't the main character of the series, so he doesn't have the "Main Protagonist" kind of    You know, I really can't say what makes this game appeal to me so much. Its really just a much shorter half-life from a different point of view, but I still cant help but love it.
    I think that what might be the main appeal to me about this is the fact that you just play as a normal guy. He isn't the main character of the series, so he doesn't have the "Main Protagonist" kind of immortality. He isn't a trained soldier like in Half-Life: Opposing Force, hes just a kind of normal dude. He probably just woke up that morning, had his breakfast, went to work, then everything just went to **** for no reason.
    Really, this is just Half-life just shorter and from a different point of view, so there's really not much to say about it, because what you buy is what you expect.    … Expand
  4. Longtimegamer
    Nov 9, 2009
    10
    This game has to be the best of all the half-life series... I've always wanted a game where I could do exactly what I would in real life... If I were casted into this apocalyptic senario you can bet your butt that I would be doing nothing other than trying to escape... I would not go to some alien homeworld to kill their boss... I would just make a break for it.
  5. BigD.
    Jun 10, 2006
    10
    This is one of the best games EVER i think that all the HL games and modes RULE the gaming industries.
  6. t0bssu
    May 14, 2012
    9
    This happens, when a game company tries to make money out of VALVe:s best game.
    If this game were made by VALVe... it would have been SO much better, but it still is a game worth playing.
    Graphics for year 2001:9/10
    gameplay:8/10
    musics:10/10 (but still they are from hl1, so....)
    sound effects: 5/10 THAT LOUD MP5!!
    overall 8,7/10, but play it still. It's a half life game after all ;)
  7. Zebunker
    Jul 14, 2015
    8
    Being a cop always seems like a fallback job. Sure, you wanted to be a doctor but studying really is not your thing. After you got out of the military your thirst for killing innocent people has no place in the modern workplace. How do you write that on a resume anyways? Come to Black Mesa, you can kill stuff and we won’t ask too many questions.

    That’s exactly what you get to in this    Being a cop always seems like a fallback job. Sure, you wanted to be a doctor but studying really is not your thing. After you got out of the military your thirst for killing innocent people has no place in the modern workplace. How do you write that on a resume anyways? Come to Black Mesa, you can kill stuff and we won’t ask too many questions.

    That’s exactly what you get to in this spin-off / sequel to the amazing Half-Life. Just how amazing Half-Life was is being lost over time but it was really the big push for modern FPS games. This spin-off is a bit more of the same that was in Half-Life. But this cop adventure preys more on nostalgia of Half-Life. It’s billed as a new adventure, when much of the game is just re-used from the original.

    You play as Barney, the loveable cop who makes an appearance later in Half-Life 2. This is his story, how he came to be. Well, not really. If you took just the action scenes from Half-Life and threw away the story and cut-scenes this is what you get. It’s a short adventure that allows you much faster to start shooting things. It’s an alternate perspective on how the start of the main games story unfolds. Seeing things from a different character and the cameos are really the highlights.

    It’s a fun romp for a few hours, but much like security guards it’s not as prestigious or exciting as the real deal. Still beats watching re-runs of Cops on late night TV. Stay safe out their gamers. And remember swatting is a serious yet hilarious crime.    … Expand
  8. eva3si0n
    Jan 16, 2021
    9
    Half-Life: Blue Shift is the shortest game in the series and does not have any gameplay changes relative to the original. But here there is a completed plot and it does not break off like a cliffhanger. And also only 1 meeting with G-Man, apparently to him in general, a joke at Barney. Half-Life: Blue Shift may seem the most boring and unnecessary part, but it is very important. It is sheHalf-Life: Blue Shift is the shortest game in the series and does not have any gameplay changes relative to the original. But here there is a completed plot and it does not break off like a cliffhanger. And also only 1 meeting with G-Man, apparently to him in general, a joke at Barney. Half-Life: Blue Shift may seem the most boring and unnecessary part, but it is very important. It is she who connects the first and second parts. It takes place in one breath in 2 hours, allowing you to enjoy the already outdated but still excellent gameplay of the original.… Expand
  9. SamR.
    May 6, 2006
    9
    Good Game Was a good, but short add on to the HL series!
  10. CarlN.
    Jul 1, 2006
    9
    This is a very fun FPS game, the reason i give it a 9 is that the game contains mutch bugs.
  11. MartinF.
    Oct 16, 2006
    9
    Overall not a bad game, its short sure, but it provides some pretty cool/funny story elements to Half Life and at the same time does not leave you asking yourself what other silly task needs to be done!
  12. EliasO.
    May 14, 2006
    8
    Amazingly fun game, good story, good gameplay, it really makes me feel like i'm a elite soldier working as a lame security officer! Only bad thing is that it's too short.
  13. SteveS.
    May 19, 2006
    8
    Good addition for any hardcore Half life Fan. Its not as good as other games but if you love H.L. and the story and Barney its a diffent look at the same thing. Plus $$$ its free from steam when its bundled, No brainer. Doom 3 was not a better game.
  14. JamesF.
    May 6, 2006
    9
    This game is sweeeeeeeeat, It is a very good MOD for Half-life the integrates very will with the main game. Game play, awsome, New gats great, new places cool. Great MOD.
  15. PeterU.
    May 7, 2006
    9
    The game rocks, but you have fewer weapons and the missions are shorten then in Opposing Force. So why is the price the same ??? I would give it a 10 if you would get the game as bonus of Opposing Force.
  16. MikeF.
    May 8, 2006
    8
    good game but not fast enough although i did play easy mode
  17. BrianL.
    May 8, 2006
    10
    nice game even though its not new. most people will like it.
  18. DonnickD.
    Jun 4, 2006
    10
    This is wonderfull game! It expierence both best games- Half-life and Opposing Force!
  19. XanderS.
    Aug 13, 2006
    9
    Excellent parralux to the origional, though it lacks a learning curve and remains a similar difficulty throughout the entire game.
  20. DanielT.
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    The best Half Life Add-on I ever Played. Great Story, great graphics everythig is perfect!!!
  21. Critic
    Apr 5, 2007
    10
    Great game. 1st Gordons view, 2nd governments view, now you get the security view of Black Mesa. Too bad we dont have an alien version...
  22. Nocturn
    Sep 5, 2007
    10
    Well, nevertheless it was very interesting to play the game Half-Life in different point of views. So that I can say: This game rocks!
  23. Zyler
    Jan 1, 2009
    10
    Half-Life: Blueshift was, and still is, a marvelous edition to the franchise. Many may call this game weak and disappointing, but this game provided just the experience needed to complete the story. This classic First Person Shooter, as in the original Half-Life, has challenging AI and great playable levels. I do admit that many parts to this expansion can leave you helpless as you try Half-Life: Blueshift was, and still is, a marvelous edition to the franchise. Many may call this game weak and disappointing, but this game provided just the experience needed to complete the story. This classic First Person Shooter, as in the original Half-Life, has challenging AI and great playable levels. I do admit that many parts to this expansion can leave you helpless as you try for extensive amounts of time trying to figure out how to progress throughout the story, but hard puzzles and mysteries are exactly what I expect from the Half-Life series. Showing the game from just a common point of view, rather than a god-like superhero like Gordon Freeman, adds to the overall intensity that the Half-Life series. Even with minor flaws and a depressingly short storyline, this expansion proved to be a worthy edition to the Half-Life franchise.… Expand
  24. CharlieD
    Aug 31, 2009
    9
    I believe this is game is just as good as the original Half-Life, its only bad thing is that there areno new enemies in it, although there is a new character: Stanley Rosenburg.
  25. Goliath
    Aug 29, 2001
    9
    Something between the original half-life and opposing force.
  26. VladimirP.
    Feb 11, 2002
    8
    Good game, but they should let you choose more guns. MP-5, M-16, and M-4. You know, it kinda gets boring. Amazing graphics and level variety though.
  27. Jon
    Apr 9, 2003
    10
    SWEET GAME! Half-life Blue shift was one of the coolest games I've ever played. The graphics and gameplay is reason enough to buy the game. Not to mention the amazing AI. The soldiers aren't stupid, they use grenades to smoke you out, flank you, and provide cover for their force. The puzzles in the game are pretty neat to, they actually require you to think; not just waste SWEET GAME! Half-life Blue shift was one of the coolest games I've ever played. The graphics and gameplay is reason enough to buy the game. Not to mention the amazing AI. The soldiers aren't stupid, they use grenades to smoke you out, flank you, and provide cover for their force. The puzzles in the game are pretty neat to, they actually require you to think; not just waste everything. The HD pack is a nice bonous too, it enhances character models so every security guard isn't some old guy with a gun. It smoothes out the environmental graphics. And enhances the gameplay with improved weapon graphics. The new shotgun model kicks the old one's ass. I admit the game is a bit short, but it's the quality not the quantity. Gearbox and Valve squeezed every ounce of action they could into the game, considering that it was origanally created for Sega Dreamcast, I'd let that go. I think this game goes on my top 10 list. … Expand
  28. [Anonymous]
    May 22, 2003
    10
    Are you stupid its an expansion of the greatest game ever, and it is just as good as the original only shorter.
  29. VolkovM.
    Oct 8, 2006
    10
    I enjoyed this Campaign more then the original Half Life.
  30. HomerS.
    May 7, 2006
    10
    Short and sweet. Graphics slightly better than HL:1 and OpFor. Gameplay is excellent, like the first two.
  31. ChaseM.
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    Found it funny how it was playing my old CD in my disk drive while i was playing, I didnt know any games did that. my only gripes are that now after beating the game I can never go threw the first 3 loading sequences with a gun in my hand thus making me not be able to replay the game, and therz no select chapter thing to allow me to avoid this. It ends short where I thought it had Found it funny how it was playing my old CD in my disk drive while i was playing, I didnt know any games did that. my only gripes are that now after beating the game I can never go threw the first 3 loading sequences with a gun in my hand thus making me not be able to replay the game, and therz no select chapter thing to allow me to avoid this. It ends short where I thought it had potential to have somthing ELSE go horribly wrong and prolong the game. but the ending was satisfying enough, would have liked to see more corolation with gordon freeman though. this game is TOTALLY worth the price, i think its actually under-priced now.… Expand
  32. GDe
    Sep 23, 2006
    8
    This is worth playing. The High Def pack was cool and so was seeing Freeman up close.
  33. AndrewB.
    Oct 21, 2007
    9
    A solid shooter that runs well on older machines, Blue shift was the last gasp for my dell notebook. True it runs about the same route as half life, but that's to be expected. They are after all, variations on the same story. The difference is, in blue shift you can actually escape the insidious G-man.
  34. BenU.
    Feb 20, 2007
    9
    Perfect if you have played the first one. You play a Security Officer During Gorden Freeman' s Barricade.
  35. BillC.
    Jun 5, 2007
    8
    Good game, but a bit easy to complete.
  36. TerryC.
    Jul 16, 2007
    8
    Good solid game in the Half-Life series, slightly short but still very enjoyable, and it gives a great perspective of a security guard's viewpoint. Also to "Critic", in response to your comment, there is a 3rd party fan made game called point of view where you use an alien, it's quite good, I recommend giving it a try.
  37. HugoS.
    Jan 6, 2008
    9
    Nice game altought .. it's not really for the graphs or anything like this but for the storyline.. its makes a different view of Gordon Freeman's Universe.
  38. AnonymousMC
    Apr 10, 2009
    9
    Like The original Half Life? Who doesn't?! Blue Shift is exactly like the middle portion of Half Life, for another hour or 2. If you inserted this game in its entirety into the original Half Life, Half Life would have been slightly longer, and that's it. These days, you can get it for 5 bucks. You can do your own cost to content math from that.
  39. ArnieL.
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    Man!! This game is sweet! i dont care wat other people say, this game is awesome! Especially the graphics!
  40. MichaelR.
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    This game is tight. but pretty short. ahhh! who cares still a tight, one of the best half life games. this game is cooooolll
  41. IgorS.
    Oct 25, 2003
    9
    i liked this game. its cool graphics makes this game sweet. what i like about this game is how the soldiers work together and the sweet graphics. the people who said this game sucks should eat their hearts out.
  42. Awesomeness
    Dec 14, 2006
    9
    Too short, but other than that a fun game. Not as good as the original or OpFor though.
  43. MikeC.
    May 19, 2006
    9
    Puzzles that you would never forget and a realism pack for OPFOR and half life.
  44. M.Peters
    May 31, 2006
    9
    Blue Shift is Half-Life from a different viewpoint. If you finished Half-Life and are thirsty for more, give this one a shot and you will not be disappointed.
  45. C.P.
    Jun 14, 2006
    10
    personally, despite its shortness and lack of bosses or new weapons, i think blue shift is every bit an essential part of the Half Life saga. this game is awesome- alright, so it might not be up there with the much longer Opposing Force or the original Half life, but the graphics, advanced AI, and storyline more than make up for it. most games out today dont have the AI the soldiers do in personally, despite its shortness and lack of bosses or new weapons, i think blue shift is every bit an essential part of the Half Life saga. this game is awesome- alright, so it might not be up there with the much longer Opposing Force or the original Half life, but the graphics, advanced AI, and storyline more than make up for it. most games out today dont have the AI the soldiers do in this 2002-ish release. when i first played, i couldn't believe how the soldiers used grenades and flanking maneuvers to hit me from every angle! in short, a good game from what is hands down the best FPS franchise ever created, bar none. Doom 3 and Halo can't touch HL. period.… Expand
  46. AnonymousMC
    Jun 11, 2008
    9
    Well... overall the game was good as soon as it got exciting it ended and i acctually thoought the marines would stop you in the teleporting part.But in return i got a big no in my eyes the game is virtually same as the others maybe less weapons and only one boss WTF.!!!
  47. LukeW
    Sep 13, 2009
    8
    The editions of better AI, graphics, some more play time of the awesomeness that is Half-Life, and background story on Barney make this game a worthy edition. Plus, its 5 dollars. On steam, anyways.
  48. patz
    Sep 17, 2009
    9
    it was not a bad game but a little short
  49. RobL.
    Dec 11, 2003
    10
    This game is awesome!!
  50. GordonJ.
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    S... graphics, not quite as s... as hl1, but sweet gameplay none the less. Tho I am still kind of confused as to how we got from blueshift to hl2? At the end of hl1 and blueshift gordon and barny escape black mesa which appears to be under a military cover up aka kill everyone involved. But how do we get to the point where an alien race has occupied earth and the resitance and how the S... graphics, not quite as s... as hl1, but sweet gameplay none the less. Tho I am still kind of confused as to how we got from blueshift to hl2? At the end of hl1 and blueshift gordon and barny escape black mesa which appears to be under a military cover up aka kill everyone involved. But how do we get to the point where an alien race has occupied earth and the resitance and how the vortagons became our friends? Sounds like we need another mini episode... cheers none the less.… Expand
  51. BenW.
    Dec 31, 2007
    9
    I thought this deserved more than a 7.9 All of the half life games especially the original series are a work of art, and playing through the similar story in black mesa as different character roles really made it interesting.
  52. AlexandrRosca
    Apr 16, 2021
    9
    Half-Life: Blue Shift | 2001 | VR | Played for: 5h

    Played for the first time in 2021 (two decades late to party) and did so in VR on Oculus Quest 2. It's hard to judge graphics and sound after all these years, but the level design and overall story connection is well thought out. Absolutely recommended for any HL fans who would like some extra information on the Black Mesa incident.    Half-Life: Blue Shift | 2001 | VR | Played for: 5h

    Played for the first time in 2021 (two decades late to party) and did so in VR on Oculus Quest 2.
    It's hard to judge graphics and sound after all these years, but the level design and overall story connection is well thought out.
    Absolutely recommended for any HL fans who would like some extra information on the Black Mesa incident.

    Overall the VR experience is really good and weapons aiming works really well.

    Story: 9/10
    Gameplay: 9/10
    Graphics/Physics: 8/10
    Music/Sound: 9,5/10
    Overall: 8,8/10    … Expand
  53. SandeProElite
    Jan 5, 2012
    8
    The game follows the events of Half-Life, but you're playing as Barney instead of Gordon. Game has the same good atmosphere as the original Half-Life and you can even see the same events that happened in the original game from different perspective. The story mainly follows the original storyline but it ends before the original game. The game is not as long as the original game, making itThe game follows the events of Half-Life, but you're playing as Barney instead of Gordon. Game has the same good atmosphere as the original Half-Life and you can even see the same events that happened in the original game from different perspective. The story mainly follows the original storyline but it ends before the original game. The game is not as long as the original game, making it a bit less fun to play but the game is still worth your money. I'd also recommend installing the HD pack from Steam to improve the graphics of the game.… Expand
  54. MexaCii
    Aug 21, 2011
    10
    Another one that fills in the story, not alot of changes but it's still a masterpiece, if you have played Half-Life, you have to play this game aswel. Enjoy!
  55. Kirase
    Jan 1, 2012
    8
    Just imagine the situation back then.
    We had this plain awesome game called half-life that pretty much everyone played. Singleplayer, Multiplayer, we made lan parties, there were hundreds of new maps and modifications every week. (You really had to see it to believe how ridiculously big the community actually was and how many downloads there were available for this game) Than on top of all    Just imagine the situation back then.
    We had this plain awesome game called half-life that pretty much everyone played. Singleplayer, Multiplayer, we made lan parties, there were hundreds of new maps and modifications every week. (You really had to see it to believe how ridiculously big the community actually was and how many downloads there were available for this game) Than on top of all this, this very good official addon was announced and released to further enhance the singleplayer. Thank you!. How could it get any better?    … Expand
  56. Mouse
    Jan 4, 2012
    8
    Some people give poor ratings to a game developer that rips off of what another has done. But when they do it seamlessly as an addition to the latter's game in question, it's tribute-worthy material. Blue Shift serves up all the awesomeness of Valve's Half-Life from another perspective and a couple of added-in dynamics. Plus, it gave us Black Mesa security guard Barney Calhoun, who wasSome people give poor ratings to a game developer that rips off of what another has done. But when they do it seamlessly as an addition to the latter's game in question, it's tribute-worthy material. Blue Shift serves up all the awesomeness of Valve's Half-Life from another perspective and a couple of added-in dynamics. Plus, it gave us Black Mesa security guard Barney Calhoun, who was made so great by this game that Valve kept him on for Half-Life 2 and Episode 1.… Expand
  57. MasteRR
    May 3, 2013
    9
    Like the first expansion, Blue Shift told the same story from the perspective of a security guard called Barney Calhoun, who's also pinned down in the facility during the incident.

    Unfortunately, unlike Opposing Force, Blue Shift only re-tells the original story through a different perspective, featuring significantly fewer new characters, but has more location, and the Xen is    Like the first expansion, Blue Shift told the same story from the perspective of a security guard called Barney Calhoun, who's also pinned down in the facility during the incident.

    Unfortunately, unlike Opposing Force, Blue Shift only re-tells the original story through a different perspective, featuring significantly fewer new characters, but has more location, and the Xen is relatively more explored than in Opposing Force, when Shephard enters the borderworld only several times, and very short, while Barney explores more places, and eventually uses some technology put by the science team from Black Mesa there, to solve puzzles.

    Also, the game unfortunately doesn't feature more guns like Opposing Force did, and it also lacks of a multiplayer, which makes Blue Shift a bit lower in quality like the first expansion.

    But like before, neither this things make the game bad, and is still enjoyable and memorable.    … Expand
  58. gracjanski
    Dec 2, 2022
    9
    a bit short, you will not need more than 4 hours. But the idea of playing a security guard was great.
  59. iddqd4
    Jan 23, 2018
    8
    Возвращение в Черную Мезу, только под углом другого персонажа. Достаточно качественная добавка.
  60. overfiend87
    Aug 7, 2013
    8
    I love this edition as it adds more to the Half-life story on the otherside as a security guard. You might not think much, but this addition has had the same TLC as the main game itself.
  61. debigman
    May 15, 2014
    9
    A good expansion for a good old game. This comes with the half-life complete pack, which is $10 when it goes on sale. This adds 8-10 hours to your enjoyment of half-life.
  62. tapittuco
    Nov 5, 2013
    9
    -1/10
    i expected a doughnut simulator but all i got was green-flavored aliens.
    misleading cover.

    nah, but although it was, well IS plagued with more bugs than an apartment complex in queens, it still tells an interesting story and manages to expand the half-life universe.
  63. AstiX
    Sep 3, 2017
    10
    Heaps of fun! It's a bit short, but the length suits its storyline. It's simple in a clever way and feels much more action-packed and fast-paced than the previous Half-Lifes. The plot takes a more realistic approach and we get some nice perspective on how the scientists handled themselves after the accident.
  64. Captain_Chaos
    Dec 7, 2016
    8
    Though I prefer Opposing Force overall, Blue Shift was nonetheless a fun addon that delivered the same quality gameplay as the rest of the Half-Life series. Everyone loves Barney, right? I mean, I like him.
  65. npc_barney
    Oct 18, 2016
    10
    I think Blue Shift is better than Opposing Force. Yes, I'm serious. OK, first of all, Blue Shift has a much better level design than Opposing Force and Half-Life 1. The facility feels actually alive this time, you know, basketball courts, laundry rooms with arcade machines, cafeterias... Also, Blue Shift feels more like "Half-Life" than Opposing Force. Opposing Force feels like an anotherI think Blue Shift is better than Opposing Force. Yes, I'm serious. OK, first of all, Blue Shift has a much better level design than Opposing Force and Half-Life 1. The facility feels actually alive this time, you know, basketball courts, laundry rooms with arcade machines, cafeterias... Also, Blue Shift feels more like "Half-Life" than Opposing Force. Opposing Force feels like an another military shooter like Call of Duty or Battlefield. Blue Shift's protagonist, Barney Calhoun, is better than Opposing Force's protagonist, Adrian Shephard, because Barney was just an ordinary security guard whose been trying to escape from the facility as soon is he can, after the incident, of course. But Adrian is a trained H.E.C.U. Marine whose been sent to the Black Mesa for a military coverup. Blue Shift's ending was very different compared to the other Half-Life games, while the Opposing Force's ending was almost exactly same as Half-Life 1's ending. Sure, Blue Shift was short, and there wasn't a "final boss", and it didn't add some new cool stuff like new weapons, enemies etc. like Opposing Force did. I mean, both of them are awesome, but I personally enjoyed Blue Shift more than Opposing Force.… Expand
  66. Panica3643D
    Jun 16, 2018
    8
    Неплохая игра о тех же событиях, но от лица другого персонажа. Жаль, что такая короткая.
  67. LasPlays
    Mar 1, 2018
    8
    La verdad que no hay mucho que decir sobre esta exp del Half life, pero se podría decir que esta muy bien echa yo me la pase muy bien es igual que el original pero cambiado y un poco mas mejorado, me gusto mucho tener la oportunidad de jugar esta joya.
  68. gold
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Идеальное дополнение из-за длины и лёгкой сложности. А в общем без изменений: графика, интересность сюжета.
  69. mr-NachoMen
    Jan 23, 2020
    8
    Half-Life: Blue Shift is an stand alone expansion for the original game, even that it didn't do any major improvement aside from the more detailed character models, it manage to be better than the original game.
    In this short campaign... an it is very short... with a length of 2 hrs max, we play as a blue shift security guard as he fights his way through black mesa to escape.
    Somehow    Half-Life: Blue Shift is an stand alone expansion for the original game, even that it didn't do any major improvement aside from the more detailed character models, it manage to be better than the original game.
    In this short campaign... an it is very short... with a length of 2 hrs max, we play as a blue shift security guard as he fights his way through black mesa to escape.
    Somehow this game is a little less a pain in the ass like the original game, and the difficulty is a little bit more balance, making encounters less painful. Death is inevitable, but fells less frustrating. Even that most of the time you will be in sewers and closed areas, the level design stills pretty solid with amazing lighting and shadowing, unfortunately... the game is pretty dark, you will be walking in pitch darkness most of the time this due that most of the environments takes places in air docks and sewers and the flash light is not that great. Platformed sections are still pretty bad and annoying, but at least those are not that often.
    Combat feels more fluent than in the first game... and... well... i feel blue shift more "lineal" in it's design but... well... it was a good experience. I was a little skeptical about playing this one, because i didn't like that much Half-Life 1, but... i did like this entry, now, i just have to find out how opposing forces works and then how Half-Life 2 works.    … Expand
  70. NightElves
    Mar 3, 2019
    8
    Another masterpiece and second expansion to Half-Life, very short but still good. You are now Barney Calhoun, a security guard. In Half-Life you see him knocking on the door with a flashlight in the other hand, I think. I believe you see him in the beginning of the train part
  71. Goiti_2002
    Nov 3, 2022
    8
    He tenido algún problema con el ratón al principio del juego, y el personaje en determinados momentos de la historia se quedaba atascado por culpa de algún bug. Pero por lo demás el juego es muy entretenido, corto y esta chula la perspectiva de la historia del half life.
  72. Arbores
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    Oynanış: 40/40
    Hikaye: 30/30
    Grafikler: 20/20
    Sesler ve Müzikler: 10/10
    Sonuç: 100/100
  73. GODvaria
    Feb 1, 2021
    8
    Ну если касательно сюжета,то слабо в отличии от оригинала и Opossing Force.Геймплей дефолтный.
  74. somerandomguyhx
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    gotta be onest its very good but you shold just buy half life 1 or opposing force because this is basicly just a map pack
  75. DonldTrump_45Th
    Jan 26, 2023
    8
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 8
  76. petrkozak13
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    A bit of a letdown in comparison to Opposing Force but still a great addition to the Half-Life universe.
  77. VyseHD
    Nov 28, 2022
    8
    hat mir gut gefallen, war ein sehr kurzes spiel aber ich fands echt geil, außerdem mein erster einstieg ins half life frachise
  78. TimEngineer
    Feb 26, 2022
    10
    Играл в саму халф лайф и во все дополнения. Мне всё понравилось в Blue Shift было интереснее всего играть, когда я только познакомился с халф лайф моя первая часть была 2, и мне было непонятно кто такой Барни Калхуман. Вообщем мне понравилось. Недостатков в графике нет. как для начала 2000ныхИграл в саму халф лайф и во все дополнения. Мне всё понравилось в Blue Shift было интереснее всего играть, когда я только познакомился с халф лайф моя первая часть была 2, и мне было непонятно кто такой Барни Калхуман. Вообщем мне понравилось. Недостатков в графике нет. как для начала 2000ных
  79. Targaryen006
    Jan 21, 2023
    8
    RETRO
    Good Things(+)
    -gameplay
    -main story

    İt Could Be Better
    -chapters
    -puzzles

    Bad things(-)
    -none

    on record:4h
  80. LT_Gruber
    Jan 19, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great but very short expansion for Half-Life.

    I loved the second expansion, Half-Life: Blue Shift for the Half-Life series. It puts the player, once again, in a new perspective of the story, this time as a security guard at the Black Mesa facility. It got enhanced graphics, another piece of the plot and a fresh new experience.

    In this game, you play as the Barney Calhoun, a security guard for the Black Mesa facility. You ride the train to work, just like Gordon Freeman in the original game, and are sent to inspect a broken elevator with the mechanics. When inspecting, the elevator goes haywire and plummets to the bottom of the complex, with you inside it.

    You try to find your way back to the surface and suddenly hear the HECU forces attacking the facility. When arriving to the classification yard, you meet Dr. Rosenberg and his colleagues, who want to escape the facility using new teleporter technology. They sent you to a location from where you must find a pinpoint research device thingy so a teleport outside the Black Mesa facility can be made possible.

    You are searching for power cells to power up the teleporter device, while fighting Xen aliens and HECU forces. You make it back to Rosenberg and his buddies and they teleport themselves to safety. Just when Barney wants to enter the teleporter himself, the door is breached and HECU is entering the room, firing immediately on you. The teleporter explodes and you enter a state of “Harmonic reflux” in which you get sent all over the place, including the Xen world, Black Mesa locations and, the location where you see Gordon Freeman getting captured by HECU. Eventually, the teleporter gets stable again and you are teleported to the location of the escaped scientists. You than enter a SUV and call it a day.

    For some reason, Valve decided to enhance the graphics in this expansion. It looks beautiful and almost look like a HD remake of the original game. The weapon detail, the facial features of NPC’s, it is all really good. The animations and effects are also spot on. That came out of the blue (pun intended).

    Sound and control wise, the game still uses the same scheme from the original Half-Life game. In terms of weapons, it is just a small selection of weapons used in the original Half-Life game. All the fancy weapons from Half-Life: Opposing Force are not present sadly.

    The only downside to Half-Life: Blue Shift is, like mentioned before, its length. This game can be completed in less than four hours. It really felt like just another two levels. It is a shame really, considering the beautiful new look of the game. This expansion does also not add anything in terms of multiplayer.

    Even so, Half-Life Blue shift is still a great expansion and gives you a nice little story from yet another perspective.

    Definitely recommend it.    … Expand
  81. SomeoneYouKnew
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    (spoilers to Half-life 1) Honestly, the game isn't worth the 5$ it sells for on steam. The game is only 4 hours and I finished it in a weekend afternoon. Some puzzles were somewhat confusing but overall the game was pretty easy. However I think that it works out in the end.
    Half-life specifically had Gordon Freeman as the main character because he was much more relatable then someone like    (spoilers to Half-life 1) Honestly, the game isn't worth the 5$ it sells for on steam. The game is only 4 hours and I finished it in a weekend afternoon. Some puzzles were somewhat confusing but overall the game was pretty easy. However I think that it works out in the end.
    Half-life specifically had Gordon Freeman as the main character because he was much more relatable then someone like the doom guy, but the further we go through the main story the less relatable he becomes, after all he's the main character. On another hand Calhoun is a blue collar worker with an undecided major that doesn't get to fight the thing holding up portals between realms. Calhoun is your average joe that doesn't get to do much stuff, the game doesn't even have all of the weapons from the original game available to the player. In the end he's just a security guard.
    Now I know that the game was probably made like this due to it just being a cash grab after the success of the opposing force but I did enjoy playing Blue-shift however if there is any way to get it for a lower price I would strongly advice to do that instead of paying the 5$.    … Expand
  82. mawwex
    Jul 19, 2023
    9
    Playing as barney is really fun and gives his character a lot of flair and a status similar to Gordons in HL2
  83. Archangel2001
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
    Barney Calhoun is definitely not an unimportant character within the Half-Life-Universe but I don't really think he needed his own game in the series. The game is still fun but it doesn't feel that relevant to the story of Half-Life. It is still good though. Thank you Gearbox!

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best PC Game of 2001
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    A nice return to a classic game scenario, but is far too short and fails to bring anything new to the series. While playing Blue Shift was fun, I would compare the experience to eating Chinese food. No sooner had I finished, than I wanted more.
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  2. Yahoo!
    60
    As it stands, it's almost in the realm of the type of content you expect to freely download.
    Read full review
  3. Happy Puppy
    80
    Just know that you're in for a short ride that will leave you yearning for a full-fledged sequel.
    Read full review
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