Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 is the second release in the beloved Half-Life series, upgrading all of the components of the original release while simultaneously continuing Freeman's journey and introducing players to an array of new weapons and abilities.

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Half-Life 2 Tag Page Cover Art
Shooter
Released
November 16, 2004
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
Developer(s)
Valve
Publisher(s)
Valve
Engine
source, havok
Franchise
Half-Life

1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named "Best PC Game Ever" by PC Gamer, and launches a franchise with more than eight million retail units sold worldwide.

NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around them, from the physical environment to the behaviors even the emotions of both friends and enemies.

The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.

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Half-Life 2 Gets Big Player Count Spike on Steam

Half-Life 2 gets an enormous player count spike on Steam thanks to numerous factors, exactly 20 years after its initial release.

Half-Life 2 Episode 3 Gordon Freeman logo with documentary screenshot 2x1 composite
Footage of Canceled Half-Life 2: Episode 3 Revealed

Valve shares footage from Half-Life 2: Episode 3, in addition to confirming some previously unknown details about the canceled game.

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Half Life 2 screenshot wasteland helicopter
20 Years Ago, Half-Life 2 Paved the Road for Advancing FPS Design in One Area

A generation later, Half-Life 2's approach to first-person shooter design proves it was well-ahead of the curve regarding a major aspect.

Stills from Planescape: Torment, Deus Ex, and Pathologic
8 Best Stories In PC Exclusive Games

The PC as a gaming platform is home to incredible stories, as proven by these (at least initially) PC-exclusive video games.

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Morgan Freeman from Half-Life , Iorveth from The Witcher  and Master Chief from Halo
8 Most Game-Changing Cut Content In Video Games

Many games have content that doesn't quite make the cut. These are the most significant pieces of cut content that changed the game almost entirely.

Best Action Games With Horror Elements
5 Best Action Games With Horror Elements

For action game fans who enjoy a skillfully-done scare, check out these titles that borrow from the horror genre.

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(Left) BioShock cover (Right) DOOM cover
10 Best First-Person Shooters Of All Time
FPS

Time to shoot 'em up... these games are the best of the best when it comes to FPS options.

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Half Life 2 - Trailer

1998. HALF-LIFE sends a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling.

half-life-2-new-update
Half-Life 2 Gets Mysterious New Update

Half-Life 2 receives an odd update just months prior to its 20th anniversary, leading some to believe that a birthday update may be in the works.

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