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.
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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.
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  3. Happy Puppy
    80
    Just know that you're in for a short ride that will leave you yearning for a full-fledged sequel.
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