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. saraysamuel
    Dec 25, 2022
    9
    es un juegazo , solo que como estaba en dificil , pero igual eso no le quita lo bueno , menos 1 punto porque no puede coshear con el bebe giganrte
  2. xalugg
    Nov 30, 2022
    9
    Esse jogo tem uma historia muito boa e a jogabilidade tambem e muito boa, eu vou perdoar a parte dos graficos por que o jogo era de 1998 então ne mas tirando isso e um dos melhores jogos do mundo
  3. Epicmonster5600
    Dec 5, 2022
    9
    For an fps back in 1998 this is really damn good, combat is solid and challenging. When going against human enemies with guns you cant just run straight in. The game holds up somewhat well, however can we please stop adding platforming to first person games, whoever though it was a good idea is a buffoon.
  4. arllda
    Feb 4, 2023
    9
    When I was little, my computer was so bad that when I turned on the flashlight, my computer went black. I would try to pass by randomly trying the dark places without turning the flashlight on.
  5. FrankCreeper
    Jul 11, 2023
    9
    A game that 25 years later still manages to be magnificent... and it's amazing how it's structured better than other games of its kind that are even recent....Truly magnificent for his years good job Valve!
  6. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 28, 2023
    9
    I'm not fan of shooter games but this game is awesome... Great history, great immersion, very good shooter. The options for multiplayer games made the title infinite
  7. JIMEY
    Aug 24, 2023
    9
    "Half-Life," the original entry in the franchise, is often considered a landmark game in the first-person shooter genre. Its impact on gaming history, innovation, and lasting influence contribute to its reputation as a 9 out of 10 title. Here's why:

    While "Half-Life" is praised for its contributions to the gaming industry, some players might not rate it a perfect 10 due to potential    "Half-Life," the original entry in the franchise, is often considered a landmark game in the first-person shooter genre. Its impact on gaming history, innovation, and lasting influence contribute to its reputation as a 9 out of 10 title. Here's why:

    While "Half-Life" is praised for its contributions to the gaming industry, some players might not rate it a perfect 10 due to potential dated graphics and technical limitations compared to modern games. However, its innovative gameplay mechanics, narrative presentation, and lasting legacy easily justify a 9/10 rating.    … Expand
  8. AnonymousMC
    Aug 1, 2009
    8
    Good 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.
  9. PhilT.
    Mar 10, 2004
    8
    Absolutely groundbreaking in its day, still very playable today. A very engaging narrative level design that is still not surpassed by some more recent games. I Loved it! Bring on Half Life 2!!!!
  10. AnonymousMC
    Sep 29, 2007
    8
    i found the program limiting as all closed in screens are in real life. theres no perifegy vision and its hard getting used to. story line is lame as the head suckers have no purpose other than to jump on your head and become a parasite. its action is almost believable. as you go thru the story looking for whatever. i was always unsure of what i was after.
  11. HelpU
    Jul 19, 2009
    8
    Every thing is well detailed and designed to an amazing degree. Everything is awesome until were the game should have ended. Before The Desert. I mean, you fight through everything until you get to the main goal of making it to the surface after that everything drags on. Its directionless. Once you open the doors to get to the desert that is when you should have been revieled the entire Every thing is well detailed and designed to an amazing degree. Everything is awesome until were the game should have ended. Before The Desert. I mean, you fight through everything until you get to the main goal of making it to the surface after that everything drags on. Its directionless. Once you open the doors to get to the desert that is when you should have been revieled the entire plot of everything, but no you keep going. Sometimes its feels like the level designer is trying to fill the game with cheap tricks instead of good design when you get to this point. This is were the fun ends. Honestly, the desert and the levels after should have been an expansion that no one bought, it totaly deviates from the game's design. Even the soldiers AI seems confused and out of place. If the desert wasn't apart of the game I would give this game a 10 and the desert a 5. Actually, I stopped playing after I hit the desert because it really pisses me off and I can tell the rest of the game is like it because I briefly played it.… Expand
  12. ERIDIAN
    Dec 4, 2010
    8
    This is a good game, everyone who is a REAL gamer knows what Half Life is and respects it for being an important piece of video game history. However, it is well known that first person shooters do not age well, that is all that is keeping this game from being a 10 in my eyes. So instead of purchasing this game, it may be worth the wait to download a copy of Black Mesa Source (aThis is a good game, everyone who is a REAL gamer knows what Half Life is and respects it for being an important piece of video game history. However, it is well known that first person shooters do not age well, that is all that is keeping this game from being a 10 in my eyes. So instead of purchasing this game, it may be worth the wait to download a copy of Black Mesa Source (a independent source engine remake of the original Half Life) to play the old fashioned shooter and puzzle action in a restored modern glory.… Expand
  13. keefbaker
    Jan 1, 2014
    8
    An old classic. A good storyline (but not a patch on its even better sequel) but it's a classic "for its time". Best game of 1998, sure. But unlike some games it's not survived the test of time as well.
  14. Ztride
    Dec 21, 2011
    8
    Played this game for the first time this year (2011), and I was positively surprised by it, altough I knew how much people like it. The graphics are dull today, but I imagine perhaps the best '98 had to offer. Despite that it is 13 years after release they still work fine, and gameplay is great aswell. The best thing about the game however is the way it tells the story, constantly throughPlayed this game for the first time this year (2011), and I was positively surprised by it, altough I knew how much people like it. The graphics are dull today, but I imagine perhaps the best '98 had to offer. Despite that it is 13 years after release they still work fine, and gameplay is great aswell. The best thing about the game however is the way it tells the story, constantly through the eyes of the players with no cut-scenes, and that said it is quite an interesting story aswell.… Expand
  15. potatoes351
    Apr 1, 2012
    8
    Half 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.
  16. KalanYamato
    Mar 26, 2013
    8
    Dr. Freeman is a pretty cool game, he diagnosed me with ichthyophobia and doesn't afraid of anything. 8/10.
  17. Cubixreviews
    May 19, 2012
    8
    Results: The Best FPS of 1998, The Best Story in games of 1998. With It's outstanding story, great single player and the terrific multiplayer, still It's not perfect. Still, It is great, and It shows some fancy classic graphics. It is a great FPS. It is difficult, but great.
  18. Simolius
    Jul 1, 2013
    8
    I thought Half-Life was a standard 90's shooter...but then I played Alien Vs Predator (Classic 2000) and I saw how HL was so ahead of its time, both in controls and graphics. The game plays very similar to today's first person shooters, the graphics still hold up (in my opinion) and the story is quite nice, even though the storytelling suffers a bit from the lack of cutscenes or other waysI thought Half-Life was a standard 90's shooter...but then I played Alien Vs Predator (Classic 2000) and I saw how HL was so ahead of its time, both in controls and graphics. The game plays very similar to today's first person shooters, the graphics still hold up (in my opinion) and the story is quite nice, even though the storytelling suffers a bit from the lack of cutscenes or other ways of telling the story. You will simply not understand the story if you're not paying attention. Nice soundtrack, nice pacing...Overall, its a great game! 8/10.… Expand
  19. K1LL34
    Aug 31, 2013
    8
    Wonderful game, lots of mods, at a low price?! The answer, YES! This game delivers on a massive scale, having lots of awards and praise for it being the first game Valve ever released!

    Pros: -Very influential and unique story and concepts -Extremely moddable, great mods out there -Obscure and cool weapons, such as the Egon and the Tau Cannon. -Still being supported in the modding    Wonderful game, lots of mods, at a low price?! The answer, YES! This game delivers on a massive scale, having lots of awards and praise for it being the first game Valve ever released!

    Pros:
    -Very influential and unique story and concepts
    -Extremely moddable, great mods out there
    -Obscure and cool weapons, such as the Egon and the Tau Cannon.
    -Still being supported in the modding community.
    -The graphics are a little dated, but still hold up today.
    -10+ hours of gameplay (unlike some games today)
    -Good sound design for the technology back then.
    -Very affordable, ONLY $10 in the US!

    Cons:
    -It gets a little repetitive towards the end.
    -It does not hold up well today, since it is so influential.
    -The boss is a bit too long and tedious.
    -Loading screens everywhere, but this is not such a big problem, since with computers
    now can breeze through the loading process
    -Some of the puzzles are easy to figure out and are not challenging.
    -The voice acting is nothing special.

    Those are all the pros and cons that I can list off of the top of my head. I am sure there are more things to list, but overall, this game is great! Buy it! It is very cheap!    … Expand
  20. TheBlueConsole
    Oct 18, 2013
    8
    A masterpiece and in my opinion better than HL2. It has more weapons, enemies, challenges, difficulty and all in all fun. Gordon Freeman feels more 3-D rather than an empty shell even though he's still silent, characters to hate and love, enemies to destroy and it ranges from aliens to zombies to soldiers. Really, its enjoyable for everyone. The storyline is simple, and based in a labA masterpiece and in my opinion better than HL2. It has more weapons, enemies, challenges, difficulty and all in all fun. Gordon Freeman feels more 3-D rather than an empty shell even though he's still silent, characters to hate and love, enemies to destroy and it ranges from aliens to zombies to soldiers. Really, its enjoyable for everyone. The storyline is simple, and based in a lab rather than in a city like HL2. It also gives some backstory on HL2 in the ending. Weapons are wide-ranged and for the 90's the graphics are top notch. Go play it, you might not LOVE it but you'll still enjoy.… Expand
  21. sengork
    Nov 24, 2013
    8
    One of the games people grew up on in the late 1990s. Gordon Freeman is a memorable character however time has not done him well as he had no voice acting associated with him so all that remains is a blocky character render and a few paintings. Today it appears Valve are busy enough with Steam to give Half-Life series serious focus. HL1 was a stepping stone in storytelling first personOne of the games people grew up on in the late 1990s. Gordon Freeman is a memorable character however time has not done him well as he had no voice acting associated with him so all that remains is a blocky character render and a few paintings. Today it appears Valve are busy enough with Steam to give Half-Life series serious focus. HL1 was a stepping stone in storytelling first person shooters and varied environment interactivity (eg. physics puzzles).… Expand
  22. PublicNuisance
    Jun 7, 2021
    8
    Half-Life is certainly a great game and playing through it over twenty years after it’s initial release only strengthens that for me. That being said it is far from perfect. It’s story; characters; world building and presentation are ground breaking and still worthy of praise. It was a pioneer in not having any cut scenes and keeping you in Gordon Freeman’s shoes. It also managed a greatHalf-Life is certainly a great game and playing through it over twenty years after it’s initial release only strengthens that for me. That being said it is far from perfect. It’s story; characters; world building and presentation are ground breaking and still worthy of praise. It was a pioneer in not having any cut scenes and keeping you in Gordon Freeman’s shoes. It also managed a great feat in that it Valve chose to communicate the story through side characters you encounter and through announcements. Having Freeman be a mute could have been a terrible choice but they pulled it off. The presentation of the game was fantastic. In that I mean things like the intro train ride setting up the facility and little things such as Gordon’s locker giving him some backstory. The characters of Barney; G-Man; and the scientists all cemented their place in gaming history. There was a good selection of weapons that had many good and memorable choices. The difficulty curve of the game felt a bit off though with some sections feeling extremely easy and others feeling almost sadistic. The enemies were varied and all had little differences that made them unique as well as have slightly different strategies for. The graphics were good for the time. I wouldn’t say they were the best of 1998 but certainly top 5. The reload sounds and animations of the guns were varied and gave them extra character. I will now get to something that brought the game down for me from possible all time great to just great: the physics. Half-Life has by far some of the worst physics I have ever seen and to top it off it is compounded by having brutal levels of fall damage. The worst part of the physics for me was interacting with ladders. Going up or down would be an exercise in patience as it was all to easy for the game to think I wanted Gordon to leap off of it. Other times I would climb up the ladder and it may shoot me up in the air a bit having me lose half of my life in fall damage when I hit the ground. The fall damage and poor physics made some of the platforming very frustrating as well. Some of the issue was timing the jumps while others were seeming to slide a bit after landing. I had these issues years ago when I first played the game and they’re still there now. There are health kits scattered about as well as medical stations scattered as well. You can’t carry any med kits with you though.

    I played Half-Life on Linux. It never crashed on me. The game ran great which given the age wasn’t a surprise. There was an option for V-Sync but not any graphics options. The game seemed to be locked to 101 FPS regardless of if V-Sync was turned on. I will say that voices felt a bit muffled or with an echo at times. I also had one time where I went through a platform and got stuck making me have to reload my previous save. There were also textures that appeared black and others that would flicker. I could manually save whenever I wanted and there seemed to be no limit on number of saves. You can also just let the game auto save if you want to. You can’t change the difficulty after starting the game. Alt-Tab works.

    Graphics Engine: GoldSrc
    Graphics API: OpenGL
    Disk Space Used: 529 MB
    Save System: Manual and Auto
    Health System: Med Kits/Stations
    Input Used: Keyboard + Mouse

    Settings Used: V-Sync on; 1920x1080
    GPU Usage: 3-13 %
    VRAM Usage: 534-717 MB
    CPU Usage: 14-17 %
    RAM Usage: 2.2-2.8 GB
    Frame Rate: 92-101 FPS

    If you haven’t played Half-Life yet you really should. Physics issues aside it is a great game that has stood the test of time. I finished the game on medium difficulty in 9 hours and 30 minutes. I beat it on hard years ago and knew that with it’s difficulty curve spikes I didn’t want to do that again. I got the game for free years ago from a friend, and also got it through the Orange Box I bought for $49.99 CAD. It is easily worth it’s current price of $11.49 CAD.

    My Score: 8.5/10

    My System:

    AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | MSI RX 580 8GB Gaming X | Mesa 21.1.2 | Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500GB | Manjaro 21.0.6 | Mate 1.24.1 | Kernel 5.12.8-1-MANJARO | AOC G2460P 1920*1080 @ 144hz    … Expand
  23. Honestcritic19
    Sep 20, 2014
    8
    A true gaming classic that should be played by everyone. The story (like half life 2's) is great, the gameplay is always exciting and fun. This is a must own.
  24. Machine1211
    Oct 9, 2014
    8
    I liked this one, but Half Life 2 blew my mind. The storytelling is quite good here, the maps are very well edited. The graphics looks dated today but overall it's quite OK. A very innovative and enjoyable FPS, one of the most obvious classics of the genre
  25. Pawulon
    May 23, 2015
    8
    While it was a bit revolutionary in its times with more variety and puzzles, it lacks in one key element: satisfaction from using weapons. Some enemies, while being human are bullet sponges. Sometimes you spend a minute or two blasting one mutant in face until it falls.
  26. G1GN_pH
    Dec 11, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Run, Think, Shoot, Live. This is still one of the greatest games i played. As the modding community for Half-Life is still very active, that made Half-Life whole. Story plot is awesome and all but, sometimes puzzles are too hard and can lead you to nowhere. But hey! That doesn't mean that the game is not cool!… Expand
  27. imnotyourguy
    Aug 13, 2016
    8
    This game is great,but not as great as it's made out to be.The first thing that I should get out of the way is that the visuals haven't aged very well but that shouldn't be that much of an issue.The presentation,besides the graphics,is also outstanding.It's a game that never switches to cutscenes and is constantly in first-person perspective allowing you to stay immersed at all times(IThis game is great,but not as great as it's made out to be.The first thing that I should get out of the way is that the visuals haven't aged very well but that shouldn't be that much of an issue.The presentation,besides the graphics,is also outstanding.It's a game that never switches to cutscenes and is constantly in first-person perspective allowing you to stay immersed at all times(I felt like I had to wash my hands after the sewer level.That speaks volumes.).The sound design is great,but the voice acting is pretty cheesy by today's standards.The shooting,on the other hand,has aged very well.It has a kind of an auto locking system which slows down your cross-hairs whenever you place them over an enemy,allowing you to shoot much more comfortably.That shooting system goes hand in hand with the game's great weapon variety.There is a weapon for every situation and it's always up to you to figure out which one it is.The levels are also very varied too;not at a single point did it feel repetitive.By the end of the game you'll be encountering mostly the same enemies,but the varied environments will make it feel completely different.As for the story,while not very complicated,it's still functional due to the game's narrative.The story's most standout feature is the use of the G-man.I don't want to spoil anything about him,just play the game and you'll see.There are two bad things I can say about this game:the controls feel kinda slippery,making the early platforming segments infuriating(though,the later ones are okay),and the final boss is not fun to fight at all.But still,the game is more than recommendable,and I guarantee you'll enjoy it… Expand
  28. DreamEaglr
    Apr 8, 2020
    8
    Отличный шутер, но дизайн уровней ужасен.

    Игра хорошо вносит разнообразие в геймплей, чередуя то монстров, то врагов с огнестрелом, но к сожалению, в солдат стрелять абсолютно уныло.
  29. Garybaldo
    Mar 3, 2020
    8
    This game not only has defined what shooters are today and broke infinite amounts of new ground in the gaming industry back in its day; it has also aged incredibly well and it's still a very fun game when compared to newer titles.
  30. CoKronakan
    Jan 30, 2018
    8
    An Awesome Classic game that changed games back then. This game has a solid and original story to it's core. Great immersive music is also present in the game. And the mechanics are pretty polished. Gameplay is very good, and easy going with the player, although the HUD is pretty slow at times. Graphics hold up even for today, considering that they are 20 years old. The game is veryAn Awesome Classic game that changed games back then. This game has a solid and original story to it's core. Great immersive music is also present in the game. And the mechanics are pretty polished. Gameplay is very good, and easy going with the player, although the HUD is pretty slow at times. Graphics hold up even for today, considering that they are 20 years old. The game is very frustrating every now and then, when it forces you to guess what you have to do. Which is great for some gamers, but not for all. The total lack of a pointer or objective hint (at least) was definitely needed. For this game was programmed to make you fail. After all this the difficulty of this game is appreciated, but also frustrating after a very short amount of time.… 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

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 »