Launched on 16 November 2004, Half-Life 2 is now 20 years old and not only turned the gaming landscape on its head but also changed how we buy games. When I bought the DVD in December 2004, I had no idea I would have to download the rest of the game through some weird portal called Steam. At the time, I lived in the Spanish outback with no mains power and certainly no Internet, except GPRS on a Nokia 6310. Fortunately, I managed to lug the PC to a friend’s house where he had 3Mbps broadband – a luxury at the time – and I rushed back home to play the game over solar power and batteries, but that’s another story.
The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.
Clearly, one has to have an interest in the Half-Life universe to appreciate the impact, but if you’re a gamer, you will already have felt that.
As a celebration of its anniversary, Valve has updated the game with improved graphics, UI, and other tweaks and also launched a documentary on how the game was made. It’s also on sale at Steam along with the entire Half-Life franchise, so if you have never bought it, now is the time. I still play the game today and never get tired of it.
Half-Life 3 Confirmed?
Rumours still persist about a possible final and third episode, with most observers donning their alchemist hats and translating crumbs of information into secret coded messages for what has been nothing but rumours for nearly two decades. It remains a mystery to most of us why Valve hasn’t capitalised on Half-Life 2’s success because if the company did finally break the spell, it would surely be a massive hit. Anyway, don’t hold your breath because waiting for Half-Life 3 is like prospecting for fool’s gold.
Digital Downloads Are Now The Norm
Steam also changed the way we buy games and although I still have dozens of games on CD and DVD, I no longer buy physical copies and the DVD player has been consigned to history, thankfully. In conclusion, the impact this game had on the gaming universe was far-reaching and moulded the future.
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Played Half-Life 2 when it was first released and loved it, revisiting the game from time to time through the years. Might be time to play again!
I got the Orange Box for my birthday some 10 or12 years ago from my step son and from that bought all of the Half Life series which I still enjoy from time to time. Just sampled the Project Borealis: Prologue which although very short has peeked my interest again.
Thanks for the demo tip, Alan.
I’m downloading it now.
I do love steam but I do think if you buy the disc you shouldn’t need extra software and it should just be optional.
I think the reason we’ve not seen half life 3 is they would want to do something that felt new rather than just the same gameplay. I’ve not got a VR device so could never play Half Life Alyx although I believe there’s now non VR mods available
That’s interesting about Alyx, Robert. I’ll check that out because I don’t have VR either.