Half-Life 2's development history is well documented at this rate. Valve hasn't been shy about making the game by any means, but it is thanks to a notorious hacker that Half-Life fans know so much about the game's beta.
As one of the most devastating leaks in video game history, a hacker was able to leak Half-Life 2's beta files a year before the game officially released. While damaging to Valve, these files give great insight as to what was cut and changed before the game launched. It's thanks to this leak that players know of Half-Life 2's radical shift in development around 2002 and a plethora of cut content. Here are 10 of the most interesting pieces of cut content for Half-Life 2.
10 Darker Tone
Not much is known about the main plot of Half-Life 2 before Valve decided to overhaul most of the game. Little is known about the story in each level, but the game's overall tone is pretty clear.
The Combine were harvesting the Earth for its resources and exploiting humanity for labor. Before Valve came up with the suppressor field, children were to be featured as slaves that worked in factories in City 17. Areas outside of the city are referenced as uninhabitable due to the toxic pollution in the air. The overall narrative of overthrowing the Combine is the same in beta with the most notable difference being a cut act that takes players from Nova Prospekt to the Borealis ship and an underwater base. With the introduction of the suppressor field, however, Valve ended up overhauling the game's tone at large.
9 Borealis Mission
Various characters mention the Borealis ship in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 as a means to set up the plot of the third episode. While players never got to explore this mysterious ship due to Episode 3 never releasing, it seems it was originally meant to be a playable level in one of Half-Life 2's later chapters.
Gordon and a cut character named Odell would work together to fight through the Combine forces on the ship and escape through a mini-submarine that would take players to yet another cut level named Kraken Base. Even though few assets remain of the ship in Half-Life 2, modders have recovered most of the level's cut content. Surprisingly, most of the Borealis mission appears to be finished with fully modeled interiors that span multiple floors.
8 Skyscraper Level
Many levels were overhauled or cut during Half-Life 2's development. Borealis seemed to be one of the furthest along before being removed, but the Skyscraper cut level was also rather far in development before it was cut.
Meant to kick off the fourth day in the game's narrative, the Skyscraper level would take place right before players assault the Overwatch Nexus towards the end of the game. Gordon and Alyx would have their helicopter crash into the building and both would have to fight their way out. It was cut when Half-Life 2 removed its third act and reduced the game's length from 4 in-game days to 3.
7 Cut Weapons
Before Valve overhauled the tone and story of Half-Life 2, the game had a much larger weapon roster to complement the game's darker tone. Over a dozen weapons were cut before the game launched, most of which either overlapping with weapons in retail or tied to other pieces of cut content.
Weapons cut include the Tau Cannon that could be used outside of vehicle sections, the Combine Guard Gun that would function as a Strider warp-cannon, a submachine gun that resembles the MP5K, and the infamous XM29 OICW assault rifle that appeared in promotional material for the game before launch.
6 Cut Dialogue
Even after Half-Life 2's main plot changed, Valve still cut a large amount of dialogue from the retail game. Not only was Black Mesa mentioned frequently during the game's leaked beta, but some general facts about the game's characters were cut as well. Some of the most interesting pieces of cut dialogue include Eli's story of how he lost his wife at Black Mesa, how Gordon Freeman got hired at Black Mesa before the first game, and Judith's awareness of the G-Man and its interest with Gordon.
5 City 17 Beta
Before Half-Life 2 was leaked before launch, the game originally had a much darker tone than what was delivered in the final game. Out of every location that was changed, City 17 saw the most radical changes.
Instead of the post-Soviet oppressive atmosphere that City 17 gives off in the final game, the original version included towering buildings that were surrounded by Combine technology. It is oddly reminiscent of Blade Runner but with a larger emphasis on horror and grit compared to the post-Soviet obsessed city in retail.
4 Old Citadel
The most iconic building in Half-Life 2 for many is the Citadel, a massive stronghold for the Combine to expand its army and overlook the inhabitants of City 17. Just like the overhaul the main city received before the game leaked, the Citadel received the same treatment to a less extreme degree.
Compared to retail, the most striking difference is the shape of the Citadel. It appears much more intimidating in its older state with harsh edges and right angles instead of the sleek appearance it has in the final game. The interior of the Citadel also has many cut sound files from the final game that evoke a larger sense of dread. Some of these sounds include human screams and Combine radio chatter.
3 Half-Life 2: Lost Coast
One of Half-Life 2's cut levels was retooled by Valve as an HDR tech demo named Half-Life 2: Lost Coast. The level was originally supposed to take place during the Highway 17 chapter of the game. This level also includes concepts cut from the final game such as Headcrab artillery cannons. It's a short level that can be beaten in under half an hour but gives a great look into how Valve makes their levels. Considering how short it is, it wouldn't have hurt if Lost Coast was part of the main game.
2 Cut Hydra Enemy
The first trailer for Half-Life 2 depicts a blue tentacle creature impaling a Combine soldier. Of course, no enemy like this appears in the final game. This cut enemy is named the Hydra, and it was meant to be an enemy the player would fight during the underground portions of the opening hours of the game. Valve decided to cut it due to the Hydra being unfun to fight. If it appeared as an environmental instead, however, it could have been a solid addition to the game's first few chapters.
1 Cut Combine Soldiers
Many enemies were cut from Half-Life 2 besides the Hydra, however. The most notable enemies Valve cut were Combine enemies. Players spend most of the game fighting standard Combine grunts and Striders towards the endgame, but Valve planned to add more.
Cremators are the most interesting of the bunch. They patrol City 17 and burn citizens alive if they break the law. Combine Guards were also meant to make an appearance and wield a massive warp-cannon. Combine Assassins and stealth units were meant to be in the game at some point as well.