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. BrianL.
    May 8, 2006
    10
    nice game even though its not new. most people will like it.
  2. 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.
  3. DonnickD.
    Jun 4, 2006
    10
    This is wonderfull game! It expierence both best games- Half-life and Opposing Force!
  4. DanielT.
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    The best Half Life Add-on I ever Played. Great Story, great graphics everythig is perfect!!!
  5. 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...
  6. 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!
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. [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.
  11. VolkovM.
    Oct 8, 2006
    10
    I enjoyed this Campaign more then the original Half Life.
  12. HomerS.
    May 7, 2006
    10
    Short and sweet. Graphics slightly better than HL:1 and OpFor. Gameplay is excellent, like the first two.
  13. ArnieL.
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    Man!! This game is sweet! i dont care wat other people say, this game is awesome! Especially the graphics!
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. RobL.
    Dec 11, 2003
    10
    This game is awesome!!
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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!
  20. 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.
  21. 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
  22. Arbores
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    Oynanış: 40/40
    Hikaye: 30/30
    Grafikler: 20/20
    Sesler ve Müzikler: 10/10
    Sonuç: 100/100
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. SamR.
    May 6, 2006
    9
    Good Game Was a good, but short add on to the HL series!
  27. 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.
  28. 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!
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
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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.
    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.
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