Valve is marking the 25th anniversary of Half-Life with a substantial update, bringing a treasure trove of new content as well as quality-of-life improvements and even Steam Deck support. This rekindles the charm of a classic while showing a commitment to a seminal title. To drive the point home, Half-Life is currently available for free download, allowing a new generation of gamers and long-time fans alike to experience the groundbreaking title.
The anniversary update isn’t merely Valve’s way of cashing in on nostalgia – to be honest, Valve has no financial need for it given that it basically has a monopoly on digital games distribution on PC. It’s a comprehensive enhancement of one of gaming’s foremost experiences, including the addition of Half-Life Uplink, a mini-campaign previously exclusive to a handful of CDs distributed with magazines and hardware manufacturers. This inclusion allows players to delve into content that many might have missed during the game’s initial release era.
Valve has also introduced four new multiplayer maps, pushing the boundaries of what the original Half-Life engine can achieve. These maps, alongside restored content such as maps and multiplayer character models from Half-Life: Further Data enrich the game’s expansive world. The update breathes new life into the multiplayer aspect of Half-Life, helping rejuvenate it for both new players and veterans.
Technical improvements accompany these content additions, enhancing the game’s compatibility with modern gaming standards. Valve has implemented settings allowing for widescreen Field of View and proper gamepad configurations, ensuring that the game feels current and accessible on contemporary hardware. The user interface has been updated for scalability on larger screens, addressing the evolution in display technology since the game’s initial release in 1998.
A standout feature of the update is the Steam Deck verification. This inclusion means players can enjoy Half-Life on the Steam Deck without the need for additional modifications. The optimization for Steam Deck brings this classic game into the realm of handheld gaming, offering a fresh way to experience the iconic title.
The update’s extensive list of patch notes and new content reflects Valve’s commitment to maintaining Half-Life’s status as a definitive title in its catalog. While the original version of the game is still accessible via the “steam_legacy” beta branch, Valve has positioned the anniversary edition as the definitive version of Half-Life, going forward.
In conjunction with the update, Valve has released a 25th-anniversary documentary on its YouTube channel, directed by Danny O’Dwyer. This documentary offers an in-depth look at the making of Half-Life, covering various aspects such as character, weapon, and level design, and the creation of the game’s opening levels. The documentary provides profound insight into the early days of Valve, a company that has significantly influenced the gaming industry.
Moreover, Valve has launched a sale on the Half-Life franchise, offering substantial discounts on nearly every entry in the franchise, including Alyx. This sale excludes Team Fortress Classic, which remains priced at $5. The sale presents an excellent opportunity for gamers to explore the wider Half-Life universe at a reduced cost.
While it’s not quite Half-Life 3, as previously rumored, it’s still a celebration worth remembering.
Speaking of Half-Life, a team of modders is working on bringing ray-tracing to Half-Life 2.
