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. Yelson463
    Apr 9, 2021
    10
    Whether you are a PC gamer or whatever... Half-Life offers an authentic experience from the very first moment, the game sets its tone and feeling and offers new story elements in each segment. Half-Life is the godfather of First person shooters and the reason why gaming reached this state today.
  2. TGseram736
    Apr 30, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Loved the started sequence and the graphics have something special about them. The story may sound a bit like DOOM (1993) but as you progress you realize there's alot more to the story and it's way more complex and mysterious that you initially thought. A Classic 90's fps that finished the good old days of first person shooters and started a new era of PC games.… Expand
  3. JohnMetax
    Mar 16, 2021
    8
    The graphics have kinda aged,and the shooting is not the best but the story and enviroment is great,one of the most revolutionary games of all time.You should definetely give it a try.If you do not wanna play it due to the graphics and gameplay,be sure to check the remake called Black Mesa
  4. Lapenoman
    Jan 23, 2021
    10
    HALF-LIFE
    1. Техническая составляющая - 10/10
    2. Искусственный интеллект - 10/10
    3. Музыкальное и видео сопровождение - 9/10
    4. Локализация - 9/10
    5. Сеттинг - 10/10
    6. Сюжетная линия - 10/10
    Итого = 58 баллов (9.6)
  5. BStheBOBI
    Feb 25, 2021
    9
    This legendary title was one of the first to show how storytelling can work in an FPS. The way scientists talk to you and progress the story really helps you to take an interest in what's happening and not just shoot your way from A to B and thankfully no key hunting. The graphics by today standards is very poor but compared to other games in 1998 it looked very advanced. The guns areThis legendary title was one of the first to show how storytelling can work in an FPS. The way scientists talk to you and progress the story really helps you to take an interest in what's happening and not just shoot your way from A to B and thankfully no key hunting. The graphics by today standards is very poor but compared to other games in 1998 it looked very advanced. The guns are pretty weak against the soldiers you play but pretty strong against the monsters. Overall gameplay, sound and music are good. It is a must play for any FPS fan. My only main problem is with the last couple of levels when you enter xen. They shouldnt even be there.… Expand
  6. yeemasterpro
    Jan 26, 2021
    10
    Very good,one of the best video game,music,gameplay,graphic,excellent fps on PC.
  7. GODvaria
    Feb 1, 2021
    10
    Была и всегда будет топ 1.Ну рили Best game ever.Тут вообще без слов. 10 из 10.
  8. BEG5210
    Feb 9, 2021
    10
    this is an amazing game. it relies on visual storytelling and is incredible to play. you are able to choose how your character acts with no consequences, and it adds another layer of immersion. its linear design is unforgettable, and so are the events that happen, yet, it's just as fun to play through it multiple times. the only annoyance is that you may have to quick save a lot, but thethis is an amazing game. it relies on visual storytelling and is incredible to play. you are able to choose how your character acts with no consequences, and it adds another layer of immersion. its linear design is unforgettable, and so are the events that happen, yet, it's just as fun to play through it multiple times. the only annoyance is that you may have to quick save a lot, but the game is so good, that I'm able to ignore it. half-life is a masterpiece, and I think every gamer, old and new should play it.… Expand
  9. Nernstein
    Feb 23, 2021
    9
    this is one of the best games of all time.i really like the storytelling and the weapons have a good feeling to them.the graphics are dated by today standers but i don't think thats a problem.my only problem with the game are the chapters on a rail and the xen chapters
  10. Khaffy02
    Feb 24, 2021
    10
    Half-Life is a 1998 game that revolutionized the first-person shooter genre. At that time, an unknown company, Valve, licensed the Quake engine from idSoftware, in order to significantly rework it and create their own game. No one expected such a success, but HL has become a truly unique project. The game has won numerous awards, and has received high ratings from critics and was warmlyHalf-Life is a 1998 game that revolutionized the first-person shooter genre. At that time, an unknown company, Valve, licensed the Quake engine from idSoftware, in order to significantly rework it and create their own game. No one expected such a success, but HL has become a truly unique project. The game has won numerous awards, and has received high ratings from critics and was warmly welcomed by the usual players. There were many reasons for this: a well-thought-out, interesting, intriguing plot (which, however, in the second part revealed much more than in the first), graphics, which at that time was a breakthrough, advanced AI of opponents and allies, a convenient and at the same time simple interface, excellent voice acting and soundtrack. Also, the HL feature was that the plot developed inside the game space, without any video inserts. Everything that happened in the game, we watched with our own eyes in real time and it made us dive into the game much more. And of course, skeletal animation.

    You, Gordon Freeman, a researcher at the Black Mesa Portal Research Laboratory, located in New Mexico, are on your way to conduct another planned experiment, but in the course of it, a large-scale disaster occurs. On the territory of the laboratory, portals from other worlds are opened, from where alien, aggressive mutants come, attacking people. The main character's goal is to make an attempt to eliminate the consequences and understand the causes of this tragedy.

    In addition to the classic skirmishes with enemies and shooting monsters, part of the gameplay is involved in the use of physical puzzles. Thanks to the advanced game physics, we could perform various manipulations with objects and objects of the environment, which in other games of those years was almost absent.

    Special mention should be made of the AI system and its allies. We can ask a security guard to come with us and cover us, or call a scientist who will open the door, having access to it. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the engine, AI can not pass everywhere, but even this, not the most perfect system could be proud of in 1998.

    Very well designed environment, the interior of the laboratory, models of monsters and zombies. The result is a very unique and sometimes eerie atmosphere, thanks to the beautiful sound, picture and method of narration.

    The game also features 32-player multiplayer, with multiple modes. The gameplay is very dynamic, interesting and addictive for a while. The servers are not empty to this day.

    Among the minor disadvantages, we can mention the bots (allies in the game), which get stuck in the floor, often blunt out of the blue, can run along an incomprehensible trajectory. Or the AI of the military, who simply run out on you in the open, like cannon fodder, can sometimes ignore the player, without reacting to him in any way.

    Great game, great story, good graphics (for the 98th year), interesting gameplay and great sound.

    This game in my opinion should be for everyone.

    10/10    … Expand
  11. ertyz
    Jan 13, 2022
    9
    legend
    legendary game if I need to compare among all other games by the way.
  12. Zeyon88
    Mar 17, 2021
    9
    Story: 9/10
    The Way story is given: 18/20
    Gameplay: 28/30
    Design: 10/10
    Feelings left after playing: 20/20
    Playability(Bugs and optimization): 9/10

    AVARAGE: 94/100
  13. Melih10712009
    Mar 7, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half Life hakkinda düşüncelerim;
    1. Hikaye: Black Mesa denen adlı bi bilim merkezi vardır. Orda da çalışan "Gordon Freeman" adlı bi bilim adamı vardır. Bi gün bi tane riskli bi deney yapacaklardı. Deneyi yaparken bi anda bi patlama olmuş ve değişik değişik uzaylılar ve yaratıklar çıkmış ve Black Mesa denen bilim merkezinde nerdeyse çoğu bilim adamı ölmüş. Yaşayanların arasında ki "Gordon Freeman" ise canavarların ve yaratıkların arasında ki yaşam mücadelesini anlatıyor Half Life. Hikaye böyle biraz ilgi çekici ama biraz daha derine inersek o kadar güzel değil.
    2. Diyaloglar: Diyologlar o kadar boş ki oyunun bi yerinden sonra diyologlara bakmadım. Yani diyologlara hiç bakmazsanız bi şeyleri kaçırısınız ama oyunun ortalarına geldiğinizde diyologlara bakmazsanız bi-iki şey kaçırısınız ama o kadar bişey kaybetmezsiniz.
    3. Karakterler: Oyunda doğru düzgün karakter yok amq. Herkes birbirinin klonu aq. Bide o Black Mesa'da bulunan profesör ve güvenlik görevlileri hep yanımız da geziyo ama hepsi mal. Hepsi birbirinin klonu,hepsi mal,hepsi sanki bot gibi. Ana karakterimiz belki iyidir falan dedik adam konuşmuyooo!!! Kabul ediyorum ki bazenleri ana karakteri oynarken sanki ana karaktermişim gibi hissediyorum ama bi zahmet biraz diyolog,biraz kişilik falan ekleyin. 10 dakika da bir konuşup o konuşmalarında ise kendi kişiliğini gösteren diyologlu ya da anlamlı ve mantıklı diyologlu bi karakter olsa ona ben Razıyım.
    4.Grafikler: Şimdi 1998'de ki oyunun grafiklerini eleştirmek şaçmalıktır bana göre.
    5. Bölüm dizaynı: Her bölüm de nerdeyse değişik yerler,değişik düşmanlar,değişik şeylerle karşılaşıyoruz. Cidden bu özelliği çok iyi. Bi de nerdeyse Gordon Freeman'ın yaşadığı herşeyi görebiliyoruz. Bu da çok güzel bi özellik.
    6. Düşmanlar: Düşman çeşiti yok yani ama oyunun finalin de o kadar çeşit düşman var ki.(Zaten oyunun finalinden de bahsedeceğim.)
    7. Yapay Zeka: Yapay zeka fena değil ama bazenleri mallaşabiliyorlar.
    8. Bosslar: Cidden 1998'de çıkan bi oyun da boss var şaka maka. O kadar boss olmasa da yine de fena değiller. Bide son Boss... M-U-H-T-E-Ş-Ş-E-M.
    9.Atmosfer: Oyunun atmosferi çok iyi.
    10. Müzik: Oyunda ki müzikler beni gaza getiriyor.
    11. Zorluk seviyesi: Oyun o kadar zor ki... Oyunu oynarken illa internete bakmam gerekiyor. İlk kez Half Life'ı oynayan kişiler internette bakmadan oyunu bitirdiyse ne diyim helal olsun. Bide oyun çok hızlı. Aynı speedrun yapılacak gibi. Hem zor hem de hızlı olması çok değişik.
    12. Silahlar: Silah çeşitleri çok fazla ve çok iyi. Silahlarla savaşırken hiç sıkılmadım.
    13. Oynanış: Oynanış da zor bi bakımdan. Çünkü nişan alırken sanki gerçekten savaşıyormuşuz gibi hissediyorum ama yine de zorlanıyorum.
    14. Buglar: Oyun da o kadar bug var ki... Arada sırada oyun çöküyor. Savelerin siliniyor. Ya da bi bölümü geçemiyorum. Valve artık bu bugları düzelt bee yaw.(Tabi onun yerine yeniden yapımı ismi "Black Mesa" olan bi oyun çıkardılar. Onu da oynayacağım.)
    15. Final: Finali o kadar güzel ki... Böyle bi anda uzaylıların mekanını basıyorsun. Sonra daha oyunda hiç görmediğin değişik yaratiklarla savaşıyorsun. Sonra o canavarları öldürdükten sonra Uzaylıların Lideri yani son boss'la kapışıyoruz. Epik bi savaş geçirdikten sonra karşına gizli bi "G-Man" adlı bi adam geliyor. O G-Man bize iki seçenek sunuyo ya benim tarafıma geçip çalışırsın ya da hayatin sona erir gibi bişey diyor. Dedikten sonra da bi trenle gidiyoruz değişik bi evrende. Ve trenin kapısında bi portal var. O portala atlarsak mutlu bi şekilde oyun bitiyor ama portala bi yerdem sonra atlamazsak G-Man bizi canavarların ortasına bırakıp yediriyor.

    Ekstra: Oyunla alakalı o kadar önemli seyler olsa da yine de yazıyım.
    1. Oyunun ilk saatlerinde güzel güzel canavarlarla,yaratıklarla savaşırlen bi anda askerler olaya karıştı. Asker ne alaka amq. Askerlere bişey yapmadık ama yine de bize saldırıyorlar o kadar saçma ki. Bide oyun bunu adam gibi anlatmıyo. Tabi bu olay o kadar sıkıntı değil ama yine de bana saçma geliyor.( Hatta o ordunun bi çavuşunun olduğu bi oyun var. Onuda oynayacağım.)
    2. Oyun da çok easteregg var. Mesela oyunda arada sırada G-Man geliyor. Bi de nerdeyse hikayenin çoğunu internetten öğreniyorsun. Bu yönde biraz üzüldüm.

    Sonuç: Şimdi bunları derleyip toplayınca size sunucağım. Bu yazdıklarıma bakılınca oyunun hikayesi bana göre "BOMBOŞ" olduğunu ama öbür yanlardan güzel olduğu anlami çıkarılıyo.



    Puan=81    … Expand
  14. tufekciero
    Mar 12, 2021
    9
    ALTIN zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  15. ADITYA0526
    Apr 27, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. TTHIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS... you're someone into PC gaming in the 90's and i think you would agree that there were two largely defining moments for shooting games that decade.
    this is one of the most influential and groundbreaking FPS games.in this game you take a role of gordon freeman, the typical the oritical physicist working in the fictional black mesa re-scarch facility.
    here the character begins a long journey fighting all manner of aliens and hostile soldiers along the way gordon can also be added by members of the science and security team.
    the most essential feature is of unlocking security doors. its reliability is good due to its amazing 1080p resolution graphics, which has practically zero compatibility problems ,which makes a lot easy to get into and up and running.
    everything they put in this game world was put in a way that felt a lot more realistic ,guns were kept in storage rooms for instance and health or battery packs found in crates or on shelves.
    playing this game for hours doesn't disappoint you at all.
    valve software did a pretty good job as per my view.    … Expand
  16. HarborMan3838
    May 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First Review Here. I have to say, the xen levels were a bit disappointing, interpoler was a very good level but other areas like Gonarch's lair or the first area of Xen when you have to wait and jump for 10 times were really simple and lackluster for Half-Life Standards. But the game itself is flawless. Half-Life understood the word "First-person shooter" and created the base of the genre for the next 20 years in 1998. The First moments of Half-Life are some of the best moments in any video game ever after the resonance cascade the game turned into a tour de force and it was non-stop action, story, mystery and puzzle-solving after that. The ending was so fitting and got me hyped for Half-Life 2.… Expand
  17. SadenRedTT63
    May 20, 2021
    10
    Half-Life was one of the best PC experiences that I had in recent years. The story had so many twists and turns that kept me on my seat, the visuals were dated but so unique and memorable, the puzzles were so much fun to solve, the platforming felt a bit dated but it was so realistic at the time. Half-Life is a must-play classic that is definitely worth buying and experiencing, it madeHalf-Life was one of the best PC experiences that I had in recent years. The story had so many twists and turns that kept me on my seat, the visuals were dated but so unique and memorable, the puzzles were so much fun to solve, the platforming felt a bit dated but it was so realistic at the time. Half-Life is a must-play classic that is definitely worth buying and experiencing, it made people realize that first-person shooters are more than shooting, they can have complex stories, mysterious surroundings, unique art direction and realistic combat. Half-Life built upon DOOM's unrivaled legacy and started a new era for PC gaming. Half-Life was the beginning of a new era for first-person shooters and video games in general. The game's so fascinating and well-made that is hard not to like it. Half-Life became the next gem in my video game collection.… Expand
  18. ILostMySanity
    May 21, 2021
    10
    One of the best FPS games I have ever played in my life. Great story. Totally worth playing in 2021.
  19. SneakingTom
    May 22, 2021
    10
    this game is so good that you wouldn't even care about the graphics anymore! everything about this game is just very awesome!
  20. GogglesofCritic
    May 23, 2021
    10
    Half-Life was my first game on a personal computer, so i have a lot of nostalgia for it and this review might sound a bit biased; but nevertheless before Half-Life i basically thought games were for young people but Half-Life changed my opinion. From the very first moment, Half-Life will surprise you. It doesn't give you a gun, it doesn't open with badass music, and you are certainly not aHalf-Life was my first game on a personal computer, so i have a lot of nostalgia for it and this review might sound a bit biased; but nevertheless before Half-Life i basically thought games were for young people but Half-Life changed my opinion. From the very first moment, Half-Life will surprise you. It doesn't give you a gun, it doesn't open with badass music, and you are certainly not a badass; you are just a dude going to his work but that ominous tone and soundtrack is like a warning of something mysterious happening in the facility, a weird suited man continues looking at you as the tram moves on, there's a rocket, you see military action, scientists are running for something and so on. It shows that today something secret is happening. The voice guide feels so real and creepy and tells you about a suit. Back then the H. E. V suit was such a cool thing. Half-Life knows when to use its soundtrack to startle you and keep you on edge. The game never stops for your weaknesses, Half-Life is an intense tale of survival. The gameplay feels so real as it combines Horror, action, mystery, puzzles and exploration. The story never gets boring for it is filled with twists and turns, this game uses true old-fashioned hitchcock suspense and the sci-fi elements of the story are so balanced, Half-Life plays you like a piano. Half-Life is a TRUE classic all the way that changed the gaming industry for ever, and became an icon in the first-person shooter genre.… Expand
  21. BoogieReviewer
    May 24, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half-Life wasn't a shooting gallery unlike any other shooter at the time, you weren't some huge ass dude with tons of crazy weapons or huge muscles surrounded with girls... No no Valve didn't want to blend in with the ecosystem of first-person shooters in 1996, instead they created a mysterious rich world that offers tons of complexity.
    Half-Life changed the way many people looked at the games back in the late 90's, it revolutionized PC gaming and with 50 goty awards Half-Life proved video games can be as complex or as interesting as novels or movies. The story has enough surprises for you to keep you going for the whole game and the narrative is told flawlessly, Marc Laidlaw used the old ways of story-telling brilliantly and offered an old-fashioned story which is being told through the most modern ways of narration. The level design is unforgettable, the levels will stick with you even after you're done with a certain level. Half-Life never leaves you, the monsters are always lurking somewhere, the soldiers are always coming for you and the intelligent scientist friends of yours betrayed you and made YOU make a mess and you aren't some badass dude with a cigarette in his mouth; you are just some random scientist stuck in a long loop of conspiracies and betrayals. Many other games after Half-Life used this story-telling method to keep you on edge or surprise you like Halo 1, so yeah as i was saying Half-Life is a lonely game; a game that requires all your brains and brawn to get by. There are a lot of puzzle sections in the game that you need to solve to progress, the whole concept of solving puzzles to overcome the problems was established with this game.
    In conclusion Half-Life may be the most important shooter ever made, It balanced and revolutionized many things in the genre and introduced tons of new innovations as well. Half-Life will definitely be a surprising experience with anyone accustomed to the 90's action games because Half-Life has been and always will be the most important shooter of all time. God bless Valve and gabe newell for giving us this masterpiece and they shall burn in hell for not giving us Half-Life 3 (just joking!?) but anyway thank you for reading this post if you made it till the end. Play this piece of gold if you haven't already, i'm sure you'll have a great time at least :)    … Expand
  22. Ka3rA_freeman
    Jun 8, 2021
    10
    یکی از بهترین گیم هایی که پلی دادم و هیچ گیمی هنوز اون حس خاصی که هف لایف یک بهم داده رو هنوز نداده بهترین گیم تاریخ...
  23. Goodbadcritic45
    Jun 26, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What can i say about Half-Life? The game pulled me into the world of video games. The whole idea to experience a story in this way made me realize how immersive video games are. Half-Life puts you in the shoes of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist who works in Black Mesa Research Facility. As the game's famous ominous soundtrack, Black Mesa Inbound, starts playing, it contrasts with the smooth robotic voice that is going through the facilities rules, creating a sense of dread and insecurity. Everything turns upside down when an experiment goes wrong and opens up a portal into a mysterious dimension. It's now up to you to escape from the facility and unravel the mystery behind the experiment. Black Mesa is a weird place, as you're going from place to place to survive and fight back against the enemies, there's a mysterious man following you and watching you, suddenly soldiers start attacking the scientists that they were supposed to rescue, huge weird monsters appear in the facility that seem to have specific behaviors. Half-Life presents the story like opening a box. Its slow yet fascinating; your objectives change, your allies change, with each step that you take, the world around you changes as well. There are no cinematics or cutscenes. Half-Life is a work of art that combines traditional story-telling methods with innovative aspects. It pioneered the idea that a video game's story can be as complex as a novel.
    Half-Life's gameplay is simple yet so fun. The game's main focus is story and environments but the gameplay doesn't have anything annoying that ruins the experience. I didn't encounter any bugs in the game and it ran as smooth as possible.
    The final episodes of Half-Life which take place in Xen are a bit weak in the gameplay department yet still having strong story-telling.
    Half-Life pacing is also something so brilliantly-balanced; The game knows how to manage the fun without sacrificing either gameplay or story. Half-Life may feel a bit overlong due to its dated graphics but you will get accustomed to them after some time or you can play the fan-made remake BLACK MESA which i will play in a few days myself. Don't miss the Steam Summer sale. Have Fun!    … Expand
  24. Correspond76
    Jun 27, 2021
    10
    My video game journey started with Half-Life (1998). From the very start, Half-Life felt like a tour de force. Half-Life will challenge you with its complex story-telling, heart-pounding action, horror themed elements and a world that is hard to gasp. Half-Life used the elements that the previous icons, like doom and wolfenstei, n established and created its own art. The game didn't useMy video game journey started with Half-Life (1998). From the very start, Half-Life felt like a tour de force. Half-Life will challenge you with its complex story-telling, heart-pounding action, horror themed elements and a world that is hard to gasp. Half-Life used the elements that the previous icons, like doom and wolfenstei, n established and created its own art. The game didn't use any cutscenes instead it presented its story with maximum coherence. If you think you will be disappointed by a 23-year-old video game, you're wrong. Even if the graphics annoy you and you can't play with them, i still recommend going through the game because Half-Life delivers a real first-person shooting experience. A classic that changed our industry forever.… Expand
  25. Tromble
    Jun 28, 2021
    10
    Half Life is one of those few games that came along and pushed the entire medium forward.

    However the most mind bending part is that this title would not be the last time this franchise revolutionized gaming.

    Half life is on the of the greatest games I have ever had the pleasure to play.
  26. Cocleta1718
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    This is just a masterpiece, I advise everyone.This is just a masterpiece, I advise everyone, and still on the schedule, there is a remake where we play for the same Gordon Freeman in the same laboratory in the same suit AAAAAAAAA, and yes the game is a shooter, I love shooters and if you, too, then you should it is necessary to play, this is the game of my childhood
  27. Torment3837
    Jul 12, 2021
    10
    Half-Life's sophisticated narration will suck you in and never let you go. The dated visuals might be distracting at first but as you go; the game shapes an immersive world. Half-Life's launch in 1998 simply shifted the industry, making the previous shooting galleries look dated in comparison, everything in Half-Life was meaningful and important to the story, from npc dialogs to a simpleHalf-Life's sophisticated narration will suck you in and never let you go. The dated visuals might be distracting at first but as you go; the game shapes an immersive world. Half-Life's launch in 1998 simply shifted the industry, making the previous shooting galleries look dated in comparison, everything in Half-Life was meaningful and important to the story, from npc dialogs to a simple crowbar, Half-Life depicted a dark and mysterious reality that was serious and gruesome, so much that sometimes i felt Half-Life plunged itself into the survival horror genre.
    Half-Life's level design isn't something revolutionary or new these days but back in 1998 Half-Life's closed and open areas felt more real and natural than any other first-person shooter that came after and before it.
    To summarize it, Half-Life is a masterpiece that will amaze you with its deep story, sophisticated narration, balanced gameplay and a realistic world filled with tons of character and uniqueness. Play the game on steam or buy the original 1998 copy from Amazon.    … Expand
  28. theasic
    Sep 30, 2021
    10
    23 years later and I still hop on every once in a while for a couple rounds or a solo playthrough.
  29. Jirentix
    Jul 16, 2021
    10
    The Half-life series contributed to gaming technology with groundbreaking innovations. Both the engine, the graphics, the level designs and the bosses are beautifully designed!
  30. CosmosGamer27
    Jul 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half-Life's sophisticated narration and moral ambiguity really fascinated me. I had to play the game for like five times to fully understand the story. Half-Life is a demanding game; it constantly throws new gameplay mechanics and story elements at you. Half-Life always keep you on your toes because the world around you changes as fast as you run through the Black Mesa Research Facility. You are Gordon Freeman, a 27-year-old scientist with a PhD in Theoretical physics from MIT, who is going to his work on a normal day, or is he?
    From the very first scene, Half-Life shows you what the game will be about:
    1. You see military action in the facility. 2. You see A rocket ready to be launched. 3. You can see scientists running for something and they're in hurry. It doesn't sound like a normal day, does it?
    From the start, Half-Life establishes an ominous tone that will carry on within the game; it's not obvious who's right or who's wrong... Are we really the guy who started this mess or thy tricked us into doing it?
    Half-Life plays with simple narrative structures like no other video game title or even movie. It's one of the most interactive stories ever made because it demands your full attention and care. Half-Life isn't perfect though; the final few levels that happen in Xen are weak from several aspects: sloppy level design, not so satisfying visuals and lack of enemy variety; but Half-Life makes up for it with the ending which leaves you wanting more from this dark and mysterious world.
    I highly recommend playing the original Half-Life for Black Mesa ruins the charm of the original. Whether you like it or not, Half-Life's impact on video games and gaming is undeniable and we should all praise Valve software for taking such huge risks back in 1998. Half-Life's visuals might be old but as everyone says: it's an old dog with new tricks. Even if you have played all the first-person shooter games in the modern day; Half-Life will have something for you because it's a game like no other. My final score: 9.6/10    … Expand
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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

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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.
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  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.
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  3. PC Gamer
    97
    This is The Big One, and it's even better than we could've hoped. [Jan 1999, p.166]
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