- Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
- Release Date: Nov 19, 1998
- Also On: PlayStation 2
User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 5680 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 5,113 out of 5680
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Mixed: 349 out of 5680
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Negative: 218 out of 5680
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May 6, 2012If you want to buy this game:
What the **** are you waiting for? DO IT!
The game is extremely fun and paced, it's mostly composed of action and understandable story. Great graphics (for the time it was released anyway). -
Apr 1, 2012Half Life is a game of epic proportions, Valve provided a knock-out game. Good shooting mechanics, great map design, deep and involving story and of course hitting alien zombies with crowbars. Gameplay gets slightly repetitive at times though.
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Mar 30, 2012This game is still a masterpiece and makes me proud to be a gamer. Despite being a handsome game for the late 90's Half-Life now looks very dated. However teh brilliant gameplay is still there. You can't call yourself a hardcore gamer unless you've played Half-Life.
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Mar 23, 2012
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Mar 11, 2012
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Mar 3, 2012The best game ever, along with Zelda, Goldeneye, Deus ex, Metal gear, FF7 and (insert your favourite MMORPG here). Basically. Showing it's age but if you download the 'HD' version with nicer visuals, it's still worth a play. Lets hope the endless sequels of today wind down and quality original games become the norm again.
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Feb 29, 2012
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Feb 19, 2012I played the first 2/3rds of this game at least 4 times when I was 8 years old. Only problem is, the game glitched me out of finishing the last and likely most fun portion, so all I got was an incomplete game. At least the building up part was a lot of fun, even if the payoff was nonexistent.
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Jan 23, 2012
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Jan 17, 2012
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Jan 14, 2012Half-life is an amazing game. It defined storytelling in FPS games (and probably other genres too). It's FPS combat was masterful. The graphics, while outdated in this day and age, were excellent for it's time and are still excellent. It's a great combination of modern and futuristic warfare with militants and aliens. Well done Valve. Well done.
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Jan 5, 2012This is probably one of the best FPS experience I've had. The game has a great story and atmosphere and is very fun to play. Graphics were outstanding when it got released. They're not the greatest right now, but you can install an HD pack to improve them. The game is a must buy for those who want to know what FPS really means.
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Jan 4, 2012PC gamer? You need to play this. Take all the great things that Valve does, like great map design, mood, satire, dark humor, fun humor, emotional pull, good dialog, driving gameplay, award-worthy story telling, guns guns guns, and physics!, and then go back to the roots. Here you are, now go kill some aliens with your PhD, crowbar and shotgun, because you're GORDON FREEMAN.
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Jan 1, 2012
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Dec 23, 2011Half-Life has become the most cool game in the world.
This game love million peoples. Beautifull story line, gameplay.
Must buy, or download! -
Dec 21, 2011
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Dec 18, 2011This is the first person shooter of the century. It is the greatest. Graphics are amazing for the time period (1990s) and the gameplay is so innovative. Valve is a great company. They haven't released a disappointing game yet. It is the reason for the word 'perfect'. Definitely recommend to everyone.
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Dec 1, 2011I don't like this game at all, now don't get up at me for saying it's bad graphics because it was made a long time ago. I just believe this game is a piece of sh*t due to the fact that it's pretty much just a FPS disguised as a great game.
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Dec 1, 2011One of the best games ever made - great story plot, one of the best introduction cut scenes to ever be in a game, well balanced weapons, variety of weapons is just right. The graphics might look dated 10+ years later, but eye candy does not make a game great.
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Dec 1, 2011This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Nov 30, 2011i just wanna say three words, BEST-GAME-EVER!!! i love the history, the npc, the graphics, weapons, enemies, sequels, extras..... i just love it, awesome work valve!!!
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Nov 23, 2011This game is a classic, not only has it basically started valves career into FPS making but it is a good start. Excellent storyline even though it looks a bit dated, but graphics don't make a game, 10 out of -2
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Nov 17, 2011
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Nov 13, 2011One word: perfect.
The next games haven't got the same fantastic story and gameplay!
Only one impressed me like Half-life and it is Portal (1-2)....i love this games....LOVE! -
Nov 11, 2011I never thought it was the game changer everyone else did but it was a good game. However most of the mods that came out of it were amazing. So for that I give it a 7 otherwise I would give it a 5.
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Nov 8, 2011
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Oct 29, 2011I have played Half Life since the beginning. It is an excellent game that has good replay ability. When I was able to get the Half Life Source on Steam it improved the graphics and game play considerably. I highly recommend this shooter to anyone. It has a great storyline and will bring a lot of enjoyment.
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Oct 8, 2011My favorite game so far I have absolutly nothing negative to say about this game it is just WOW! once you play it you will be begging for more no doubt in my mind a 10/10
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Oct 5, 2011I seriously have nothing negative to say about it, it's JUST good. Fantastic combat, extremely creative, it's just so addicting and fun. I don't care who you are, get this game. - 100/100
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Sep 8, 2011I've played all the Half-Life games since the first and Each and every one is AMAZING! I just cant get enough of it! I Can't wait until Episode 3! I
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Sep 3, 2011
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Sep 1, 2011One of the first 'mature' games i ever played in my life and instantly became my favorite series. The creepy moments kept me at the edge of my seat and all the characters and actions always kept my attention. I really enjoyed this game. This game was also a high end game for the time that it came out in.
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Aug 23, 2011
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Aug 22, 2011
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Aug 21, 2011Half-Life is a great game developed by a genius corporation which was about 8 years ahead of it's time.
Great storyline, the graphics with design are fun don't forget it had the best game-play you had ever seen.
Once you got off of that monorail you were able to put yourself in situations you would never forget! -
Aug 19, 2011After all these years, Half-life is still just as timeless as ever. Sure, the graphics are dated, but if you can look past that then you're in for a treat. Just be warned, Half-Life 3's release date is still sometime after the rapture. So you might want to prepare for a wait.
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Aug 16, 2011the low critics from 2005 to 2011 are becouse you didnt play the game when this came out, and you are a noob. this game is still an EXCELLENT GAME, this game has everything...you will have fun always, and, for playing hl2, you must play this masterpiece!!
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Aug 1, 2011This is far away the best shooter from history of games. Everything changes since its was made.
If you like shooters from todays, you got to know this game!
So, i dont need to explain about the great gameplay, grade awsome context, everything was nice.
GOrdon Freeman is the greatest hero of all times and, he dont need do say a word.. -
Jul 31, 2011Such a great game! Half-Life is the game that launched Valve into superstardom and they have good reason! It's got action, suspense, horror, twists, and an ever-changing plot that will leave you speechless. What else can I say? It has all the elements that make a first-person shooter great! I can not recommend this game enough!
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Jul 30, 2011Surely PC games were made before this, but PC games didn't truly exist until this was made. This is the messiah of PC gaming. This is everything. I have barely even played this, but I can confirm this as true.
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Jul 27, 2011It's just OK. I found myself lost in a huge maze without ever knowing what is going on or what to do. Killing things didn't really feel satisfying and monsters came without variety. But the weapons did! I think half life 2 is a lot similar, but half life 2 just worked, I think it was just much more enjoyable.
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Jul 24, 2011
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Jul 23, 2011This is where the trend of puzzles in FPS games have started? I must say i prefered the old(er) school where we just shooted things instead of pushing crates around. Probably a good game, i just didn't feel it.
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Jul 8, 2011
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Jul 5, 2011
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Jun 23, 2011
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Jun 16, 2011This was simply a genre defining game, and an example for many game developers to follow on, amazing single player, amazing mod support, great shock/horror moments, introduction of interactive AI, etc.
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May 10, 2011
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Mar 28, 2011
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Mar 26, 2011Great original game which can be bought on steam for a cheap $10! Has awesome graphics for its age, game-play and story and you can even meet some funny and scary people in this game. I recommend this game!
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Mar 14, 2011
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Mar 9, 2011An absolute masterpiece that still holds up today. I try to play through HL every few years and every time I do it's almost like a brand new experience.
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Feb 18, 2011
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Feb 18, 2011This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Feb 3, 2011
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Jan 25, 2011
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Jan 6, 2011
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Dec 31, 2010The creation of a series of games that surpass any game out there. It's just an amazing game that has different twists to it(ex) when they teleport to space and to Xen. It is truly a masterpiece that created a new aspect on video games. Best FPS ever.
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Dec 26, 2010This is so much more than a game, because you end up forgetting it's a game. It's old and it's the best.
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Dec 4, 2010
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Dec 1, 2010
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Nov 26, 2010I thought that his game was a realy great game, it has a much better experience than the 2nd one, not that half life2 was bad, but this game had a pretty fun element, and a good story. A fun fps. It is definatley a classic and will not be forgotten.
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Oct 23, 2010
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Oct 23, 2010This game is amazing still to this day on any platform you play it. I originally got it on the PS2 and I was blown away by it. It is even better on the PC! No other FPS game after Goldeneye had the same effect this game had on me. If you have never played this, you must give it a shot some time if you can. There are mods and tools to make the game look pretty again.
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Oct 9, 2010
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Sep 16, 2010Gaming perfection, resulting in the quality of gaming we know today. Map design was genius for the time, when most games lacked puzzle elements, weapon design and a.i. was also top notch. Everything from the safe feeling the start had until the ending on xen was a joy ride with constant new equipment and weapons.
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Aug 23, 2010Half-Life is simply magnificent. It has a easy to very hard difficulty for each of it's levels. I do have to say though, they need to give you less ammo. Enemies can be easy and hard. It is a great game for it's time and even for today. I have to recommend it to everybody.
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Aug 20, 2010This game blew my mind. The storyline combines puzzles, action and exploring in a perfect harmony which makes Half-Life one of the history's most important game. Still today it gives me a lot of gameplay. The multiplayer is absolutely worth a shot, especially during LAN's since on-line is not so very crowded and the people playing are veterans.
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HobartJ.Aug 3, 2010Amazing!
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HobartJ.Mar 15, 2010Amazing!
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KaiS.Feb 16, 2010It is the best game I've ever played.
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FakeiFAKEJan 7, 2010Amazing game! Completely changed the FPS genre. This is also a MUST-play if your going to play hl2
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GrigoryTJan 2, 2010Half-Life was the thirst game I've ever played. And now I've realised that it was only GAME.
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FakeNameJan 1, 2010
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JaimyPDec 29, 2009Half-Life has a great storyline, it was almost as if you were in a movie. For that time the graphics were great and it brought so much pleasure to play. IMO. best game, ever.
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PeterRDec 26, 2009
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JamesSDec 10, 2009By far the best FPS ever made only the sequel comes close. A must buy for anyone.
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LiamWDec 3, 2009I remember walking into the store near my house back in '98, I remember seeing this game on the shelves. Not expecting much out of this shooter I picked it up, I got home and installed it. When I was through playing, I was shocked. This game has revolutionized all shooters out there. And to this very day, it still amazes me how great this was. Even after 11 years, it is still great!
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BlazeMNov 27, 2009
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ClodovilGNov 19, 2009It is, without a doubt, the best single-player first-person shooter ever. Period. It is so good for so many reasons. But most importantly, it is fun. I mean really fun. I have yet to play a more immersive game period. Half-Life is brilliant in every respect with huge monsters appearing later on, Half-Life gets so spooky it hurts, so frightening people simply watching jump!
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ChristopherNNov 4, 2009
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RobSOct 18, 2009
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EganAOct 1, 2009
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EddieDSep 13, 2009
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DylanBAug 24, 2009
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AnonymousMCAug 5, 2009
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AnonymousMCAug 1, 2009Good game. Sadly, this review comes too late because of the age of the game. If it was '98, I would most likely give it a 10, but due to the antiquated graphics and somewhat slow storyline compared to contemporary titles, I can't get into it as much. However, everything is very well designed and the experience is top-notch.
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HelpUJul 19, 2009
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mikegJul 13, 2009THIS game has Extraordinary Graphics,Very Beautiful Gameplay,Movie like Sequences, and Awesome Sound! I hope people who play this game will last a life time in there hearts because this game still ROCKs all others ever made for the PC Valve i love your Work! please keep kickin ass on the best game series you have made in the Years and in the years to come!
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MeNotYouJul 13, 2009
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PeteHMay 31, 2009This game is the best i've ever played, I remember the day it came out back in '98. all these people are giving it zero's because they arn't reading what game it is, or think that it was made this year! BEST GAME EVER!
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JoshCMay 27, 2009This game is unbeatable. When you think of a 1998 video game, it my be bad in graphics, lacking a real storyline, etc etc. However, still I find myself booting up the game just to re-live the action of Gordon Freeman again and again. This is truly an "oldie but goodie".
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AnseltMay 21, 2009Simply amazing. Half Life is my favorite game and in my opinion, almost rivals Half Life 2. Don't let the crappy graphics fool you, you wont be able to stop once you start.
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AnonymousMCApr 21, 2009Mike J: This game is just crap. So boring and gay. FF7 is a game with a great story. This was just gay........... You're joking right? Final fantasy is possibly the most boring slice of excrement ever finely sprayed over the population of the world. HL on the other hand is magic :)
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AnonymousCriticAnonApr 19, 2009
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AnonymousMCApr 9, 2009Truly one of the best games ever made, this game has appeal ten years after it's release. I can't think of many FPS games where this is true. Also, to all the people he rate this low because it looks bad, it's ten years old. What do you expect. Just enjoy the gameplay.
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ShockKApr 7, 2009
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AnonymousMCApr 6, 2009@ Mike J
Half Life is not crap and no one on here wants to know about halo and COD 4 and Final Fantasy 7 in a Half life review so grow up you Xbox fanboy, anyway this is a great game great story great characters great weapons and a challange so great at the end you just want to yell, yeah i did it! -
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AnonymousMCApr 5, 2009Mike J?
I don't think they made it knowing that games like Cod 4/5, Halo and all of them were going to come out, I bet HL is older than you to be honest.
Other than my rant, about Half Life. Brill game, still amazing to this day, pretty fun story line. -
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AnonymousMCMar 31, 2009This is was the best game of its time. While not the "best game" today it inspired most current games. If you like Deus EX, Bioshock, COD, F.E.A.R. or any fps with a story then you can thank Half-Life. This game changed everything when it was made from from developers supporting mods to story telling in games.
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Awards & Rankings
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It isn't everyday that you come across a game that totally revolutionizes an entire genre, but Half-Life has done just that.
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The storyline runs in perfect harmony with the action and acts as a conduit not a stopgap, or a padding device. Each gaming element compliments the next and the entire presentation is nothing short of, well…dare we say it…revolutionary.
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PC GamerThis is The Big One, and it's even better than we could've hoped. [Jan 1999, p.166]