Half-Life: Source

 PC
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 107
  3. Negative: 14 out of 107

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  1. kizakmaccazak
    Nov 30, 2017
    5
    This product has no reason to exist. Play the original Half-Life for a bug-free, classic experience and play Black Mesa for a modernized experience. Half-Life: Source is OKAY, but it's now obsolete and runs extremely poorly. The tentacle boss doesn't even do any damage anymore because of whatever updates they pushed through the engine. It's actually quite ridiculous that this gameThis product has no reason to exist. Play the original Half-Life for a bug-free, classic experience and play Black Mesa for a modernized experience. Half-Life: Source is OKAY, but it's now obsolete and runs extremely poorly. The tentacle boss doesn't even do any damage anymore because of whatever updates they pushed through the engine. It's actually quite ridiculous that this game remains for sale on the Steam Marketplace, and shows a more sinister side of Valve if you ask me. Anyway, I digress. The original game is 10/10 amazing, this re-release was good when it first came out but has since turned into a pile of crap - if you don't already own it, DO NOT PURCHASE unless it's on sale for a dollar or something.… Expand
  2. gman2971
    Jun 14, 2011
    7
    not much improvement. wouldve liked the hd pack, but other then that and the same graphics from the original, the game is just as good as the original.
  3. Dune_Jumper
    Feb 10, 2015
    7
    -snip-
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  4. forfb
    May 20, 2018
    7
    For me, 19 years later, Half-Life is still very playable, often underestimate game, with - sadly - not astonishing storyline and thrilling gameplay. The game's climate of secret institution (based on 'Area 64' complex) and design of underground labs is perfect. I won't reffer to anything about graphics since in 1998 it was delightful, however the sound quality could've been definitelyFor me, 19 years later, Half-Life is still very playable, often underestimate game, with - sadly - not astonishing storyline and thrilling gameplay. The game's climate of secret institution (based on 'Area 64' complex) and design of underground labs is perfect. I won't reffer to anything about graphics since in 1998 it was delightful, however the sound quality could've been definitely better. Storytelling technique was highly sophisticated back then, it was told rather visually than in bare spoken text. The game guarantees tons of action and fun. Personally - as my favourite one - I find it the best one in the series and now, Source engine is making it even better. Thanks Valve.… Expand
  5. Crispy_
    Apr 22, 2016
    5
    No difference when compared to the original Half-Life. The only noticible new things are bugs and somewhat prettier water. That's it. Also half life mods wont support this, so you should get the original half life instead. You won't regret it.

    In short, this is a nearly direct port. Buying this for Garry's Mod might not even be worth it if you want all of those models. Buy Black Mesa.
  6. cidgrad01
    Mar 18, 2014
    7
    I’m going to recommend Half Life: Source to modern gamers but just barely. I never played it nor Half Life 2 back in the day, so I am completely unbiased by nostalgia. Both games have intrigued me for years, though, and I saw them together in a Steam sale bundle so decided to pick them up and finally play through them. Though a flawed release, HL: Source still shines thanks to itsI’m going to recommend Half Life: Source to modern gamers but just barely. I never played it nor Half Life 2 back in the day, so I am completely unbiased by nostalgia. Both games have intrigued me for years, though, and I saw them together in a Steam sale bundle so decided to pick them up and finally play through them. Though a flawed release, HL: Source still shines thanks to its brilliant & pioneering design.

    Yes, it was state of the art when it came out and a truly groundbreaking game for its time. But should people spend money & time to play it today? Despite the Source engine update, Half Life looks quite dated and is missing many modern FPS creature comforts we have come to take for granted. When I first fired the game up my initial thought was, “I can’t do this. It’s too old.” The polygon models are harsh. People’s hands look sharp enough to poke your eye out. The sound is downright terrible in some places. Environments are often sparse with low-res textures. It can also be difficult to tell whether or not you are damaging certain enemies.

    So I took a break and came back to it. I’m happy to say I got hooked shortly afterward. Half Life is made so well, I was able to overlook its technical shortcomings and get immersed in Gordon’s flight from Black Mesa. The pace is frenetic, rarely giving you the chance to catch your breath. It’s a very intelligent shooter, also. There are many hidden areas, multiple paths, clever puzzles, and neat surprise moments along the way. You keep moving almost continuously to the very mysterious ending.

    Which brings me to why I almost gave the title a thumbs down. The ending is deeply unsatisfying. After everything that happened I still only had the vaguest idea of what was going on. I think there was an accident in the lab that led to an alien invasion, with either the gov’t or privately contracted troops trying to destroy the entire facility to cover it up. And then, dude in suit with briefcase in the interdimensional train car. The end.

    I have started Half Life 2 and while I love it so far, in terms of story it adds even more confusion to the narrative. Gordon Freeman is one of the most incurious people in the universe, never once pausing to ask anybody, “Hey, WTF is happening!?!?” I’m hoping more light gets shed on the plot as I progress through the sequel. You can only tease people for so long before they get bored.

    From a pure gameplay standpoint, though, Half Life: Source will not disappoint. If you have never played it and can deal with outdated graphics & sound, go ahead & pick it up. If not, you can skip straight to Half Life 2 without missing much in the way of story. In other words, you’ll be just as confused at the beginning of HL2 whether you played through the first game or not.    … Expand
  7. big_chonky
    Dec 29, 2020
    6
    the first half-life was an amazing game with a unique story at the time. it revolutionized the gaming industry back when it came out. valve released this and half life 2 back in 2004. this port was... disappointing. it is very buggy with residue processing getting the worst of it. this had lots of potential, it was just wasted. although decent fun to play it Half-Life 1 was better. pleasethe first half-life was an amazing game with a unique story at the time. it revolutionized the gaming industry back when it came out. valve released this and half life 2 back in 2004. this port was... disappointing. it is very buggy with residue processing getting the worst of it. this had lots of potential, it was just wasted. although decent fun to play it Half-Life 1 was better. please if you want to experience Half-Life 1 in the source engine go play Black Mesa. Another fantastic game.… Expand
  8. StarkAgentos
    May 13, 2022
    5
    Наконец, я нашёл игру по халф лайв (не vr), которая запустилась бы на моём ПК. Сюжет тут по сути дополнительный. Основное - это геймплей. Геймплей тут для нашего времени очень устаревший. Геймпдизайн очень непонятный. Зачастую ты возвращаешься в старые зоны, в которых уже бывал, но уже обновлённые и не понимаешь, куда надо идти. Главный минус этого ремастера заключается в том, что в нёмНаконец, я нашёл игру по халф лайв (не vr), которая запустилась бы на моём ПК. Сюжет тут по сути дополнительный. Основное - это геймплей. Геймплей тут для нашего времени очень устаревший. Геймпдизайн очень непонятный. Зачастую ты возвращаешься в старые зоны, в которых уже бывал, но уже обновлённые и не понимаешь, куда надо идти. Главный минус этого ремастера заключается в том, что в нём вырезали русскую озвучку. Игра очень устаревшая, даже на максималках ПК в 144 фпс.… Expand
  9. The_D4RknesS
    May 24, 2023
    6
    As old as half life 1998 molds are, this one is still good, the only thing I didn't like is the amount of loading per scenario no matter how fast they are, they are still boring.
    now in fact the biggest problem of this game is the amount of bugs