Half-Life

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 5680 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5,113 out of 5680
  2. Mixed: 349 out of 5680
  3. Negative: 218 out of 5680
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  1. DemonicAngel
    Feb 9, 2004
    7
    Just for the fact that it showed the FPS genre was capable of much more than Quake and the like were able to deliver, I award Half-Life a 7. Now let's get down to business. The game is unfortunately very uneven, and whilst the first half is excellent, I soon found myself losing interest around the middle section of the game. The pacing really starts to suffer around this point,with Just for the fact that it showed the FPS genre was capable of much more than Quake and the like were able to deliver, I award Half-Life a 7. Now let's get down to business. The game is unfortunately very uneven, and whilst the first half is excellent, I soon found myself losing interest around the middle section of the game. The pacing really starts to suffer around this point,with too many sections where it's very unclear what you're supposed to be doing. The story, for a game that recieved so much praise for its "deep" storyline, is not developed nearly enough - we're left with just "experiment goes wrong, aliens appear, government soldiers arrive to cover it up, and you have to do something about it all", and that's more or less it. Now System Shock 2, that was a game with a fully-developed backstory that you could really sink your teeth into. With Half-Life, the story was mostly irrelevant and in itself provided little incentive to continue. In addition, the final couple of stages are nothing less than ridiculous. So overall, a game that heralded a (brief) new era for the FPS genre, but didn't quite live up to its own hype. … Expand
  2. AnonymousMC
    Jul 1, 2005
    10
    This game is one of the greatest frist person shooter ever!!! So what if the grafics were bad, for it's time the AI is extremly good. Also the game play really get you invloved in the story, and leave you asking questions even after the game is over. It desidened so perfectly, and i can't wait for the sequle, i with i could give this game a 15.
  3. JoeMamma
    May 29, 2006
    10
    This game has the most versatility shown out of all other games on the market.
  4. Nivo
    Jun 19, 2006
    10
    This game is excellent, but Source version is not good as I thought.
  5. RomanD.
    Jul 23, 2006
    10
    Game is the greatest, and the allowance of mods....I'm glad I existed for this game.
  6. MichaelC.
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    So far, the only game that is good enough to a two other than Counter-Strike and it's debut, Half-Life 2. Valve has done enough to this game, and also Half-Life 2, it's precursor.
  7. SørenW.
    Sep 6, 2006
    9
    This is simply an epic game. even now, years after its release, it keeps facinating me. this is a must have for all who like FPS games.
  8. FedorH.
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    The best game ever made!
  9. TiberiuC.
    Nov 22, 2007
    10
    Best. Game. Ever. Half Life has changed me in a way that is visible after all these years. A rare gem.
  10. DannyV.
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    A fantastic shooter that deserves no less than a score of 10.
  11. AnonymousMC
    Feb 2, 2007
    10
    its a really hot game! the best FPS ... its a legend man! and who ever posted 1 ... i think he didnt know what r the FPS reevolutions ... this game its a re-evolution of the FPS its all! it got all! mods, good graphics(for the year), music, history, the second shoot, and the fisics... damn... its just too good
  12. AntonA.
    Feb 5, 2007
    10
    I love this game!
  13. CarlC.
    Mar 1, 2007
    10
    The best game to date. Great bargain too. Each mod of this game is a game itself.
  14. JosephS.
    Mar 21, 2007
    10
    It's one of the best games of the world. No other game is playing by so many users! Good luck in the future.
  15. GisleA.
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    Really good game, in 1998 this game was the best ever. Its great for modding, and it includes much fun, a month of playing (first attempt) the last boss is so hard.
  16. Daniel
    May 20, 2007
    10
    Still, the best (ego)shooter ever.
  17. TK
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    There are two games in the world whose status and influence have endured over the years without fading one bit...I actually think they've just gotten bigger over time! These two games are of course Doom and Half-Life, and nothing can ever make such an immense impact on the gaming world as they did back in the day. An undisputed masterpiece.
  18. Weyland
    Jan 6, 2008
    10
    I loved this game. And I have comments for those who rated horribly. Erick: I have something to say specifically to you. You said "same type of monsters all the way to the last level," What last level? It's one frigging level all the way through. Of course there's going to be all the same monsters! Mister shgiot ktiv: You said "Bad grafiks, bad criters, bad saund, bad stori, bad I loved this game. And I have comments for those who rated horribly. Erick: I have something to say specifically to you. You said "same type of monsters all the way to the last level," What last level? It's one frigging level all the way through. Of course there's going to be all the same monsters! Mister shgiot ktiv: You said "Bad grafiks, bad criters, bad saund, bad stori, bad controll, all the gaim is bad." What the hell are you even saying? Apparently you're such an idiot you don't know how to spell "game," so why should we care what you say? Rami W.: You said "is that how much you guys love this game all you do is kill people for money to complete objectives." How the hell is that a review for this game? Did you think you were playing Assasin's Creed? Because last time I checked, no money system in Half Life one or two.… Expand
  19. FedorH.
    Oct 7, 2008
    10
    The best game ever made!
  20. LukeI.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Wow. This game was one of the many few that games I've played that still manages to beat modern-day video games. Excellent, easy to understand, basic storyline (aliens attack after a portal opens from thier alien world), great graphics (well, they were in 1997), great gameplay (I loved the gore), great physics, and I loved how you could go into thirdperson (though traditionally, this Wow. This game was one of the many few that games I've played that still manages to beat modern-day video games. Excellent, easy to understand, basic storyline (aliens attack after a portal opens from thier alien world), great graphics (well, they were in 1997), great gameplay (I loved the gore), great physics, and I loved how you could go into thirdperson (though traditionally, this game should be played in first-person view). Overall, this game was the best of the 1990's.… Expand
  21. AnonymousMC
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Also to people that had trouble PLAYING the game, get over it! I understand how annoying Half-Life can be, but you don't have to give it 0 just because you couldn't jump over electrified water and press a switch! This game was most likely designed to be hard because Gabe Newell and everyone else at Valve thought that people might be just smart enough to jump over a hole! This isAlso to people that had trouble PLAYING the game, get over it! I understand how annoying Half-Life can be, but you don't have to give it 0 just because you couldn't jump over electrified water and press a switch! This game was most likely designed to be hard because Gabe Newell and everyone else at Valve thought that people might be just smart enough to jump over a hole! This is why critics can be annoying; because sometimes they only look for the bad things! 'This game had lot's of bugs, and was found difficult by 56 percent of its players.'
    What about: 'This game was exciting from start to end; from escaping the Black Mesa complex to exploring alien worlds, this first-person shooter will be a hit!'. OK, some people might not agree, and might say something like 'It was repetitive'. OK, even I agree that it was repetitive. But I don't agree with people saying 'this game sux its to hard scientists are funny why can you kill them'. This is the best game of 1998 (other than MGS)    … Expand
  22. DefjacO
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    What valve has managed to do is position logical puzzles in a logical environment, using only what should logically be in it, and adding nothing outrageous to aid their puzzles.
  23. RobertoA.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Perfect Game, Perfect Story.
  24. RobertS.
    May 7, 2008
    10
    A good game, maybe the best in gaming history, I still play this today. And i bet many more does also.
  25. VladimirP.
    Jul 9, 2008
    10
    After so many years, easily still the best first person shooter ever.
  26. PaulO.
    Jul 23, 2004
    10
    Quite simply, a classic. The graphics weren't as good as some of the other Quake 2 based shooters, but this was more than made up for by a totally immersive storyline, smart level design, and controls that felt just right. Not to mention, when you get done with the main story, there are some excellent mods available, some of which are practically entirely new games.
  27. ScottP.
    Aug 3, 2004
    10
    Truly one of the greatest games of all time on the PC. Have re-played it recently and found that it still retains much of the great addictive quality it originally had. Becoming dated now, and yes, its true, the jumps and doors did get slightly repetitive, but the game still kept me at the seat of my pants at all times just bursting to make the next jump.
  28. JackS.
    Apr 9, 2005
    10
    Will always be my favorite all time game. ever. cant stop playing it.
  29. BenB.
    Oct 15, 2006
    10
    One of the greatest FPSs to date. This is a great one because it has awesome gameplay, low cost, a still rife online community, and ability to play on most computers. If you haven't already checked this out, you are doing yourself a disservice.
  30. AlanM.
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    This is one of my all time favorite FPS's.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 1998
1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 1998
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 1998

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. All Game Guide
    100
    It isn't everyday that you come across a game that totally revolutionizes an entire genre, but Half-Life has done just that.
    Read full review
  2. My Gamer
    94
    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.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gamer
    97
    This is The Big One, and it's even better than we could've hoped. [Jan 1999, p.166]
See all critic reviews »