One of the most classic games to exist, Half-Life did many things that modern games still replicate or take inspiration from to this day. The cultural significance of Half-Life cannot be understated, and as such, there’s a beauty within the first Half-Life game that some consider a superior product to its sequel, Half-Life2.
So much about Half-Life works, and on a technical level, it’s a marvel for its age. Although players still have not – and do not know if they will ever – see Half-Life3, they will always have the replayability of the first Half-Life game, and the many factors that make it better than its sequel.
7 Black Mesa Scientists
Part of the charm of the first Half-Life comes from its scientists. These Black Mesa scientists are oddly adorable for their complete lack of competence and bravery. The scientists will cower, shout out for Gordon Freeman’s help, or simply run head-first into an interdimensional danger that will see their demise. They’re strangely like pets thanks to their AI.
The charm of the Black Mesa scientists is brilliant, as they can help reward players that help them, and their voice lines remain infinitely quotable and somewhat hilarious thanks to the sound compression on their audio files. These Black Mesa scientists help add to the overall aesthetic of the original Half-Life to provide humor, unintentional or otherwise.
6 Platforming Elements
Thanks to the level design of the original Half-Life, the game allows players to traverse through many different means. Players can find themselves crawling through vents, bunny hopping across long hallways, or discovering new areas just from their exploration of the Black Mesa facility. These platform elements bind the game together, as much as Gordon Freeman and a crowbar.
There are many platforming sections in the 3D scape of Half-Life, some of which introduce a line between life and death. Players need to rely on these platforming elements to get through the levels in some instances, whereas Half-Life2 has more of an open-ended level design, allowing for more areas to roam, but a lack of tight spaces to platform through.
5 No Guidance
The objectives of Half-Life aren’t exactly clear. Although to some players, this may seem like a burden, having to navigate the facility in mystery and confusion as to where to go next, it helps with the immersion of the game, as players will find themselves trying different things to try and get through to the next area of the game and escape the mysterious horrors.
There are many sections in Half-Life where the game doesn’t tell the player what to do, nor does it hint at it. However, this works in the game’s favor, and players are free to experiment and see what works and what doesn’t work, even if they might end up dying a few times in the process. The lack of guidance helps to make players feel smarter in their puzzle-solving.
4 Contained Story
From the opening chapter of Half-Life to its very last, the story is self-contained and keeps itself separate from anything else. Although one can argue that the ending is ambiguous thanks to Gordon’s mysterious invitation from G-Man, the fact that Half-Life is open and closed in the same game is a desired aspect that the sequel lacks.
Players that enjoy Half-Life2 have still not received closure, years later. The game teases a Half-Life3 that simply does not happen… yet? Half-Life has a rather simple story about messing with dimensions and alien beings, whereas Half-Life2 is far more ambitious with the story it is trying to tell. Players that enjoy something straightforward will enjoy Half-Life more.
3 Visual Nostalgia
The Source engine has been an incredible well for countless hours of entertainment. There’s something so beautiful about the engine, and its graphical capabilities that add a charm that cannot be replicated from that era. Many love Half-Life for the visual nostalgia it brings. The way crates break with a hit, the compressed audio files of a crowbar that remain iconic in media to this day.
There’s a bout of nostalgia for the original Half-Life over the sequel and good reason. The look of the scientists, and the graphics of the enemy types, although inferior to most modern hardware, it has a charm that remains prominent of its era, and who would want to change that?
2 G-Man Mysteries
One of the most prominent and mysterious characters in gaming, the enigmatic G-Man is terrifying for the capabilities and powers that remain unknown. This character has featured in practically every Half-Life game, and for good reason; he’s an icon of the paranormal. The G-Man first appeared in the original Half-Life, and what’s more disturbing, is how often he shows up without the player knowing.
In many sections of Half-Life, G-Man can be seen just standing there, suit and tie, holding a briefcase, before heading off into the unknown. Half-Life does a great job of showing what G-Man could be, as he observes Gordon from afar. The only power G-Man shows is his ability to create portals thanks to his “employers”, but the mystery remains unexplained.
1 Freeman’s Ponytail
It may be more of a comedic entry, but at least Half-Life1 provided Gordon Freeman with some style. The character may be sporting an uncomfortable and metallic HEV suit for the entire game, but he doesn’t let it get in the way of his ponytail. Players may not be able to see the ponytail, but it’s rather proudly displayed on his character model.
In Half-Life2, Gordon Freeman has ditched the ponytail in favor of a more “professional” haircut, along with some glasses. This is no doubt his more iconic look, but it’s fun to see Gordon or imagine a more modern Freeman sporting a ponytail.