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. 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!
  2. Richard_dias
    Aug 14, 2023
    7
    Pretty good side content for Half-Life, and I liked when I played it. I really whink is a must if you liked the OG Half-Life.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Babutto
    Feb 13, 2023
    6
    As part of HL lore Blue shift is very important to play. But apart from the original it is rather inferior. Even to Opposing Force. The game is too quick - back in a day it felt quick for the teenage me. Now, with all modern fast pace games the game is being finished super fast. There are visible issues of the level design and gameplay. For example, you rarely interact with anyone exceptAs part of HL lore Blue shift is very important to play. But apart from the original it is rather inferior. Even to Opposing Force. The game is too quick - back in a day it felt quick for the teenage me. Now, with all modern fast pace games the game is being finished super fast. There are visible issues of the level design and gameplay. For example, you rarely interact with anyone except Rosenberg. No new guns or at least something from the previous expansion which would make them more integrated between each other (there is just one time the marines point Shepard, and one Xen location where you can teleport as Shepard using your portal gun). Also, the armor situation looked curious (cannot use H.E.V.) but could be made in a more elegant way (like in Opposing Force metal military boxes which are closed in HL but some are opened and are actually charging stations). So, even back when it was released I didn't score it high. Apart from introduction and ending it was quite a shocking disappointment after marvelous Opposing Force.
    However, these are points from the 2023's and experienced view. I'll talk more about the recent version of it.

    Pros.:
    - As usual - some uplifting of the textures, models, sounds, etc.
    - The game runs quite smooth.
    - Less clanky animation than in Opposing Force.

    Cons.:
    - There were a couple of glitches.
    - The game is too short even for an expansion.    … Expand
  6. threeoftendie
    Feb 5, 2023
    7
    Это одна из первых игр моего детства. И, несмотря на возраст и недостатки, о которых я сейчас узнаю от других, она не кажется мне плохой
  7. 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
  8. Targaryen006
    Jan 21, 2023
    8
    RETRO
    Good Things(+)
    -gameplay
    -main story

    İt Could Be Better
    -chapters
    -puzzles

    Bad things(-)
    -none

    on record:4h
  9. 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
  10. Mastereed
    Dec 27, 2022
    6
    THE FOUNDATION OF GAMES

    REVIEW 3 of 3. This is a mini review of the Half-Life expansion, Blue Shift. In the game, the player impersonates security officer Barney Calhoun, who, like Freeman, finds himself in the midst of an apocalypse shortly after the start of a normal workday. This expansion delves into the history of the incident and the minds working on the Black Mesa facility    THE FOUNDATION OF GAMES

    REVIEW 3 of 3.

    This is a mini review of the Half-Life expansion, Blue Shift.

    In the game, the player impersonates security officer Barney Calhoun, who, like Freeman, finds himself in the midst of an apocalypse shortly after the start of a normal workday. This expansion delves into the history of the incident and the minds working on the Black Mesa facility project. Unfortunately, however, the expansion lapses into triviality, telling little to no interesting stories and reconnecting the game to the expansion in a very dull and dodgy way. Also on a gameplay level it lasts significantly less than the previous expansion and does not add any innovative mechanics or diversified weapons compared to the original campaign. A mediocre expansion overall, which, however, evaluated for the price is not insufficient.
    _    … Expand
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. Tomle1202
    Nov 28, 2022
    6
    Blue Shift felt weirdly short and constrained especially after the excellent Opposing Force.
  14. 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.
  15. m3ny0
    Oct 14, 2022
    6
    Em Blue Shift você está na pele de um dos guardas de segurança da Black Mesa e sua tarefa é proteger os cientistas dos perigos que andam pelo lugar. É um jogo curto, bem curto aliás, e eu não me recordo de ter um chefe final. Acho que o objetivo aqui é mais explorar o ambiente fora do radar do personagem principal do jogo original e descobrir um pouco mais do que se passou com os outrosEm Blue Shift você está na pele de um dos guardas de segurança da Black Mesa e sua tarefa é proteger os cientistas dos perigos que andam pelo lugar. É um jogo curto, bem curto aliás, e eu não me recordo de ter um chefe final. Acho que o objetivo aqui é mais explorar o ambiente fora do radar do personagem principal do jogo original e descobrir um pouco mais do que se passou com os outros personagens.… Expand
  16. TEG_17
    May 15, 2022
    7
    Короткая история про одного из охранников "Black mesa", проходится буквально за часа 3. Все тоже самое что и в оригинале, изменений похоже вообще никаких нету. Зато не было замечено багов с застреваниями, в отличии от основной игры и первого дополнения.Короткая история про одного из охранников "Black mesa", проходится буквально за часа 3. Все тоже самое что и в оригинале, изменений похоже вообще никаких нету. Зато не было замечено багов с застреваниями, в отличии от основной игры и первого дополнения.
  17. 2I2l1a
    May 2, 2022
    7
    We're back in the Black Mesa compound yet again for the second "official" expansion for 1998's groundbreaking first-person shooter "Half-Life." Take the role of security guard Barney Calhoun who, like Gordon Freeman, is given the task of wiping out every nasty extraterrestrial or misled soldier who crosses his path. (Also includes the first HL expansion pack
  18. 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
  19. 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.
  20. bruhman54
    Aug 2, 2021
    7
    Its good. It didnt expand on a lot like opposing forces and was just a bit of more Half life I guess. It was short and sweet and the ending was a lot more satisfying than opposing forces I can say that much.
  21. 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
  22. Tromble
    Jun 28, 2021
    4
    More of a themed level pack than proper expansion Half Life: Blue Shift is an unremarkable story a security guard escaping Black Mesa.

    I recommend this only if you are desperate for more Half Life.
  23. Ali129
    May 24, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half-Life'ı ve Half-Life'ın ilk eklentisi Opposing Force'u keyifle oynamış biri olarak söyleyebilirim ki; Half-Life: Blue Shift tam anlamıyla bir hayal kırıklığı. Opposing Force'u çok keyif alarak bitirdikten sonra hemen bu eklentiyi de oynamak istedim fakat hevesim kursağımda kaldı. Bu eklenti oyuna kısa ve sıkıcı bir hikaye eklemekten başka hiçbir şey yapmıyor. Hiçbir şey yapmadığı gibi önceki eklentide oyuna eklenen yeni silah ve düşman çeşitlerini kaldırıyor, hatta Half-Life'ta bulunan bazı küçük yaratıkları silah olarak kullanma özelliği bile çıkarılmış. Hikayeden kısaca bahsetmek gerekirse; Black Mesa'da güvenlik görevlisi olarak çalışan Barney Calhoun her zamanki gibi işe gelir ve göreve koyulur. Her şey sıradan ilerlerken Black Mesa faciası gerçekleşir ve Barney diğer güvenlik görevlileri ve bilim adamları gibi Black Mesa'da mahsur kalır. Kaçmak için uzaylılarla savaşan Barney'nin önündeki engellerden biri de Black Mesa'ya oradaki tüm görgü tanıklarını ortadan kaldırmaya gelen HECU askerleridir. Barney kaçmaya çalışırken rastladığı bir bilim adamı, onu buradan ancak Dr. Rosenberg'ün çıkarabileceğini ve onu bulması gerektiğini söyler. Çok geçmeden Barney, Rosenberg'ü bulur. Rosenberg, Barney'ye onları dışarı ışınlayabilecek bir makinenin olduğunu ve eğer bu makineyi çalıştırabilecek malzemeleri bulabilirlerse kurtulabileceklerini söyler. Barney gerekli malzemeleri bulur ve Rosenberg makineyi çalıştırır. Açılan portala önce Rosenberg sonra da Barney girer. Ardından Barney kendini Black Mesa'nın dışında Rosenberg ve diğer iki bilim adamının yanında bulur. Ancak Barney birden Xen gezegenine ışınlanır. Xen gezegeninde biraz yürüdükten sonra tekrar Rosenberg'ün yanına ışınlanır ve hikaye bu şekilde biter. Hikaye Half-Life ve Opposing Force'ta da detaylı değildi ancak Blue Shift'in hikayesi bana tamamı ile baştan savma geldi. Ayrıca Opposing Force'ta geliştirilen hikaye sunumu bu oyunda yerini tekrar zayıf ve özensiz hikaye sunumuna bırakmış. Half-Life ve Opposing Force'un aksine Blue Shift'te G-Man yalnızca 1-2 defa görünüyor ve hikayeye hiçbir etkisi bulunmuyor, ayrıca yine Half-Life ve Opposing Force'un aksine Blue Shift'te bölüm sonu canavarı yok. En azından hikayenin sonunda bölüm sonu canavarı ile karşılaşsak güzel olabilirdi fakat maalesef oyuna koyulmamış. Oynanış kısmında daha önce de bahsettiğim gibi silah ve düşman çeşitliliği azaltılmış. Half-Life'ta ve Opposing Force'ta bulunan özel eğitimli infazcılar bu eklentide kaldırılmış, Opposing Force'ta bulunan yeni uzaylı düşman çeşitleri de Blue Shift'te bulunmuyor. Eklenti boyunca yalnızca birkaç çeşit uzaylı ve HECU askerleri ile savaşıyoruz, bu da tahmin edilebileceği üzere bir yerden sonra çok sıkıcı oluyor çünkü çeşitlilik yok. Silah çeşitliliği konusunda da önceden söylediğim gibi eksiklikler var, Opposing Force'ta bulunan ağır makineli tüfek, portal atan silah ve keskin nişancı tüfeği bu eklentide bulunmuyor. Hem Half-Life hem de Opposing Force'ta bulunan uzaylı ve enerji silahları da bu eklentide yok. Ancak Half-Life'ta bulunup Opposing Force'ta olmayan altıpatlar Blue Shift'e eklenmiş. Bölüm tasarımı olarak Blue Shift kendini zaman zaman tekrar ediyor, ancak güzel tasarlanmış bölümler de var. Half-Life'ta bulunan ve oynarken çok sıkıldığım, oynanışı yavaşlatan dizaynı ile kötü tasarlanmış platformdan platforma zıplama kısımlarının bulunduğu Xen gezegeninde geçen bir bölüm Blue Shift'te de bulunuyor, neyse ki çok uzun değil ve beni oyundan soğutmadı. Yani bölüm tasarımı ne iyi ne de kötü denilebilir, ortalama düzeyde. Grafiksel olarak bir iyileştirme yapılmamış, performans konusunda ise Half-Life ve Opposing Force'ta olduğu gibi Blue Shift de oldukça stabil. Oyunu oynarken bir hata ile karşılaştım, oyunun sonunda Rosenberg'ün yanından Xen gezegenine ışınlandığımda oyunu kayıt etmek istedim fakat oyun çöktü, tekrar tekrar kayıt etmeyi denememe rağmen her defasında oyun çökmeye devam etti. O bölüm çok kısa sürdüğü için bu hata bana büyük bir problem yaşatmadı ancak 20 senelik bir eklentide bu hatanın çoktan düzeltilmesi gerekirdi. Eklentinin oynanış süresinin çok kısa olduğunu da belirteyim, yaklaşık 1.5 saatte bitirilmesi mümkün, hatta internette 1 saatte bitirenler bile var. Bunun bir eklenti olduğunun farkındayım fakat 1.5 saat çok kısa bir süre, en azından 3-4 saat olmalıydı diye düşünüyorum. Half-Life: Blue Shift kısa oynanış süresi, çeşitli olmayan ve sıkıcı oynanışı ile benim için başarısız bir eklenti.… Expand
  24. SadenRedTT63
    May 20, 2021
    6
    Gearbox could have done a lot more with blue shift but instead they just made a very short and boring experience. Blue shift can be ignored easily and there's nothing fascinating about it. it is just a little journey in the Half-Life world about barney's past. the weird thing is that they did nothing with his character he was just another Gordon freeman like Shepperd.
  25. Oinky
    Apr 28, 2021
    0
    A good game for half life fans. Not as good as opposing force but still....
  26. 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
  27. GODvaria
    Feb 1, 2021
    8
    Ну если касательно сюжета,то слабо в отличии от оригинала и Opossing Force.Геймплей дефолтный.
  28. Arbores
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    Oynanış: 40/40
    Hikaye: 30/30
    Grafikler: 20/20
    Sesler ve Müzikler: 10/10
    Sonuç: 100/100
  29. 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
  30. trifonas
    Dec 9, 2020
    7
    idk, i kinda dislike Barney, made fun of him throughout Half Life 2, but this is a nice little game. Especially for those who don't want Half Life to end.
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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.
    Read full review
  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
See all critic reviews »