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. ZeroDestiny
    Jul 27, 2006
    10
    Still one of the greatest shooters out there. Half Life 2 has a ton of potential, but valve kinda tripped at the finish line when they released what felt like a partial attempt at a game. I play the original to get that feel good sensation that HL2 was kinda lacking.
  2. Somebody
    Jan 11, 2007
    10
    The greatest shooter ever, even with aged graphics and AI. I played it a while back, and I still do. Why does everyone compare to Half-Life 2 though? That's like comparing technology from WWII to modern-day tanks.
  3. KevinZ.
    Nov 28, 2007
    10
    Those people who didn't like the game are probably about 11 years old and can't appreciate a game that came out when they were about 2. I think its sad then, that they can't look past a game's graphics, and can't keep focused on a game that is longer than 8 hours. But for those of us who are older than 18, we will remember this as a game that completely changed Those people who didn't like the game are probably about 11 years old and can't appreciate a game that came out when they were about 2. I think its sad then, that they can't look past a game's graphics, and can't keep focused on a game that is longer than 8 hours. But for those of us who are older than 18, we will remember this as a game that completely changed FPS's forever, and is still, in my opinion, better than almost half of the FPS's that are out today, dates ignored.… Expand
  4. KinN.
    Jan 13, 2007
    10
    Half-Life is a great game. It keeps you into the FPS mindset with lots of action and ties in realistic puzzles that keep you sharp and on your toes.
  5. AlexeiL.
    Nov 9, 2007
    10
    Easily one of the best games I've ever played, it truly recreated the FPS genre.
  6. NickN.
    Dec 11, 2007
    10
    This is possibly--No, this is without a DOUBT the best game I have ever played in my entire life. And trust me, I've played a looot of games in my time and Half-Life just beats them all. The story, characters, cinematic qualities and innovative gameplay make this a true work of art. I played this game for the very first time when it first came out and I was overwhelmed by it This is possibly--No, this is without a DOUBT the best game I have ever played in my entire life. And trust me, I've played a looot of games in my time and Half-Life just beats them all. The story, characters, cinematic qualities and innovative gameplay make this a true work of art. I played this game for the very first time when it first came out and I was overwhelmed by it completely. Even now, 9 years later, I will never, EVER uninstall this game. I will play it until I'm too old to see the screen.… Expand
  7. NickC.
    Dec 16, 2007
    10
    Perhaps its too late for me to be rating this game, but it's puzzling gameplay, along with incredible graphics and life-like ai, make it a true Half-Life. Even for the ps2 platform, Half-Life is a memorable game, that evolved the way games of our time are made. Major kudos to Seirra! This game is a must play/have. The storyline is scary, freaky and phonomonal. I continue to play this Perhaps its too late for me to be rating this game, but it's puzzling gameplay, along with incredible graphics and life-like ai, make it a true Half-Life. Even for the ps2 platform, Half-Life is a memorable game, that evolved the way games of our time are made. Major kudos to Seirra! This game is a must play/have. The storyline is scary, freaky and phonomonal. I continue to play this game, roughly 10 years later.… Expand
  8. ThadM.
    Dec 19, 2007
    10
    I was bored and on my steam and i wanted to read some of the reviews of my games i was so amazed to see that some people actually gave half life less than a 10 half life changed gaming it was more than just like ever other stupid game that made you shoot and then shoot and then shoot some more.The Ai was amazing for the time and the storyline was by far the best in any fps at the time if I was bored and on my steam and i wanted to read some of the reviews of my games i was so amazed to see that some people actually gave half life less than a 10 half life changed gaming it was more than just like ever other stupid game that made you shoot and then shoot and then shoot some more.The Ai was amazing for the time and the storyline was by far the best in any fps at the time if you can somehow rate this game badly you are not a gamer and do not respect the field you need to just go play with your myspace and never game agian.… Expand
  9. JoshC.
    Feb 14, 2007
    10
    Best game out there definitely the best game ever fun action!
  10. AnonymousMC
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    Mister shgiot ktiv gave it a 1:
    Bad grafiks, bad criters, bad saund, bad stori, bad controll, all the gaim is bad.

    Wow, not only can he not spell, he's crazy too, haha.

    Simply amazing, years ahead of its time. I would give it an 11 out of 10 if it were possible.
  11. BryanH.
    Feb 22, 2007
    10
    Perhaps the most recognized PC game ever....... This one will last for ever. Your great grand kids will be asking someone in there family did they ever play Half-Life? My answer is all the time! I will always love to set down on a winter day and load up the original just to make my way to the end and yell "AWESOME"
  12. SteveM.
    Mar 24, 2007
    10
    This was my FIRST FPS and is what got me started in online gaming. I still believe this is the BEST FPS ever made.
  13. BenjaminC.
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    Classic. Like Super Mario and Metroid, this game continues to satisfy the FPS gamer. Yes it has aged (quite well) but I still find myself running through the single player often. The mods are amazing as well.
  14. GeneG.
    May 26, 2007
    10
    A true testament not just to FPS but to PC Gaming. Set the bar for all FPS's to follow.
  15. TruongN.
    Jun 23, 2007
    10
    This game is the best game ever, so does the multiplayer mode!!
  16. AaronK.
    Jul 21, 2007
    10
    Amazing game! Excellent story, Not as scary as hl2 but excllent!
  17. VichayaC.
    Aug 23, 2007
    10
    This is absolutely my favorite game of all time (along with Half-Life 2)!!! This game revolutionizes how FPS's to this day are made and played! The extremely immersive atmosphere and high levels of interactivity with objects and characters in-game provides you with the most jaw dropping, and one of a kind experience you will ever have in a video game. You don't just play This is absolutely my favorite game of all time (along with Half-Life 2)!!! This game revolutionizes how FPS's to this day are made and played! The extremely immersive atmosphere and high levels of interactivity with objects and characters in-game provides you with the most jaw dropping, and one of a kind experience you will ever have in a video game. You don't just play Half-Life, YOU LIVE IT! This is truly, the best game ever made! (along with Half-Life 2)… Expand
  18. JohnY.
    Sep 29, 2007
    10
    Half-Life is the game that started it all, the multi-player and single-player first person revolution. A game that managed to make its playing experience just that, an experience. You will be sucked in right away, no boring cut scenes, you play the story. This game will probably be one of the few games you just wont be able to stop playing until you finish it. Single Player not your Half-Life is the game that started it all, the multi-player and single-player first person revolution. A game that managed to make its playing experience just that, an experience. You will be sucked in right away, no boring cut scenes, you play the story. This game will probably be one of the few games you just wont be able to stop playing until you finish it. Single Player not your thing? Well guess what, not only is half-life deathmatch really fun. but theres about 20 QUALITY Total Conversion Mods out there.. From Counter-Strike to Vampire Slayer. This game started it all in the mainstream.. Valve learnt well from id's quake in the realms of multiplayer and single-player and really turned it into a masterpeice.… Expand
  19. Notelexxsenob
    Nov 5, 2008
    10
    If you played Half-Life when it first came out, you will never have that same "unbelievable...wow!" experience ever again in gaming. Half-Life was unlike anything else before or since. You were fully absorbed in another world that seemed so real in a story that was so incredible with creatures that were so unexpected and unforgettable. Now, years later, Half-Life has been imitated to If you played Half-Life when it first came out, you will never have that same "unbelievable...wow!" experience ever again in gaming. Half-Life was unlike anything else before or since. You were fully absorbed in another world that seemed so real in a story that was so incredible with creatures that were so unexpected and unforgettable. Now, years later, Half-Life has been imitated to infinity so it's impossible to experience it like we did years ago. This is the greatest PC game of all time!… Expand
  20. AmishP.
    Jan 16, 2008
    10
    Half-Life is probably the best game to ever have been produced. Sure graphics nowadays are much better but the impact the game had on all the gamers at that time, in 1998 changed their world. Let's put it this way, Half-life was so ahead of it's time in terms of graphics and storyline that it definitely leaves an imprint in you - an imprint of amazement and surrealism. Today Half-Life is probably the best game to ever have been produced. Sure graphics nowadays are much better but the impact the game had on all the gamers at that time, in 1998 changed their world. Let's put it this way, Half-life was so ahead of it's time in terms of graphics and storyline that it definitely leaves an imprint in you - an imprint of amazement and surrealism. Today games come out with really good graphics - Half Life 2, Halo 3...but you're sort of expecting that, since we've done leaps in graphics technology. But picture this - let's say that by magic you manage to get your hands onto a game that actually belongs to the future - 5 years from now and you're playing it! Well that's exactly how it felt and that's why half-life deserves a 10!… Expand
  21. TsayJason
    Apr 23, 2008
    10
    It has great action, story and mysterious nice game. I am very expect it revised edition black mesa:source.
  22. PS3Sucks
    Jun 28, 2008
    10
    This game is the ability to tell a great story with no cutscenes, shooting many different aliens with every weapon you can imagine, and great graphics for the time with music to boot.
  23. ClodovilG
    Nov 19, 2009
    10
    It 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!
  24. BlazeM
    Nov 27, 2009
    10
    Half-Life dominated the entire FPS scene back in 98'. The game is so awesome I still play it to this day. I've been playing HL for almost 11 years now and I never get bored. LOVE IT. Although, I'm extremely irritated that Half-Life 2 got rid of the tau, didn't add in bunnyhopping, and also made the crossbow a predict weapon. So I won't be playing that. Advice for Half-Life dominated the entire FPS scene back in 98'. The game is so awesome I still play it to this day. I've been playing HL for almost 11 years now and I never get bored. LOVE IT. Although, I'm extremely irritated that Half-Life 2 got rid of the tau, didn't add in bunnyhopping, and also made the crossbow a predict weapon. So I won't be playing that. Advice for valve on the next HL: GIVE US A TAU, KEEP LONGJUMP, USE BUNNYHOPPING. :D… Expand
  25. JaimyP
    Dec 29, 2009
    10
    Half-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.
  26. LiamW
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    I 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!
  27. AnonymousMC
    Feb 12, 2009
    10
    For all of those who are complaining about the graphics on this game, give it a fucking break! This game was made in 1998, before most of you who give it 0's were even born. The graphics were revolutionary back then, and still way better than anything you faggots could come up with. Half-Life is still a masterpiece after all of those years to rust. Valve is probably the best gameFor all of those who are complaining about the graphics on this game, give it a fucking break! This game was made in 1998, before most of you who give it 0's were even born. The graphics were revolutionary back then, and still way better than anything you faggots could come up with. Half-Life is still a masterpiece after all of those years to rust. Valve is probably the best game maker ever. Also
    @Alex E. -
    You say this game is pointless, but if you thing about it, does any game really have a point? Really?    … Expand
  28. mikeg
    Jul 13, 2009
    10
    THIS 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!
  29. AnonymousMC
    Nov 22, 2006
    10
    Alright, I read some very disturbing reviews, made by illiterate idiots who don't know how to spell, I just want to say that if you think you can make a game better, then do it rather than b****ing about how other games suck and how you'd rather play the sequal, obviously if there's a damn sequal, the game is pretty old, take this detail into perspective before you make aAlright, I read some very disturbing reviews, made by illiterate idiots who don't know how to spell, I just want to say that if you think you can make a game better, then do it rather than b****ing about how other games suck and how you'd rather play the sequal, obviously if there's a damn sequal, the game is pretty old, take this detail into perspective before you make a complete bafoon out of your already idiotic review. Thank you and have a nice day.… Expand
  30. TimmyB.
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    This is the best game ever. No other game can ever beat this game. If you don't already have it buy it of buy Half-Life 2 and get the digitaly remastered version of it. Graphically speaking this game is a 5/10 but with everything else it is a 10/10.
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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 »