#Half-Life 2 is now 20 years previous – Destructoid

Again in ‘03, Valve hit the unsuspecting E3 viewers with what I consider stays the best presentation within the historical past of video video games. Sure, the ’03 E3 additionally featured the magnificent Halo 2 presentation, however I’m speaking in regards to the gameplay and tech reveal of Half-Life 2.

If you recognize what I’m speaking about, you’re probably getting goosebumps proper now. In case you don’t, that’s high quality — you’re nonetheless in time to get blown away by this marvel.

And, for those who don’t have the 20 minutes wanted to witness a few of the most revolutionary
gameplay reveals ever, then I solely ask you to give attention to the very first seconds of the presentation above.

It begins by displaying the G-Man’s mannequin from the unique Half-Life, which will get somebody within the viewers to blurt, “he appears like hell.” The poor idiot fell to one of many basic blunders, because the video swaps the G-Man’s authentic mannequin for the one that will be utilized in Half-Life 2.

At the moment, the G-Man wasn’t the spookiest entity in gaming simply because his mannequin featured probably the most lifelike appears within the biz, but additionally due to what made him work. Behind these alienating blue eyes, there was probably the most advanced facial animation system ever put right into a sport.

Although the mannequin’s graphics don’t stay as visually spectacular on this day, the facial expressions of the characters in Half-Life 2 do stay a factor of magnificence. That might be the spotlight of any presentation, however the remaining 19 minutes of the presentation is a crescendo of never-before-seen gameplay topping never-before-seen gameplay. Even these faux E3 displays of the PS3 period that attempted to move unbelievable pre-rendered cutscenes as precise gameplay had little on this.

With what had been proven alone, you possibly can already count on Half-Life 2 to instantly earn a barrage of Sport Of The Yr awards by the point of its meant launch date. However, the historical past of Half-Life 2’s improvement ended up proving as eventful as the sport itself.

In a very sudden flip of occasions — by early ’00s requirements, at the least — a hacker acquired his arms on Half-Life 2’s supply code and laid the nonetheless unfinished sport naked for everybody to see. Valve went darkish on the sport for a yr to return again with one thing even cooler than the best factor on the earth they’d beforehand proven to us.

It was one hell of a tall order, however they greater than cleared the duty after they lastly launched Half-Life 2 on November 16, 2024. The ultimate product was even higher than everybody had anticipated, a lot better than it wanted to be to make everybody overlook in regards to the delay.

I imply it wholeheartedly after I suggest you go play Half-Life 2 immediately, whether or not you’re a fan or a newcomer, because it nonetheless options the most effective single-player campaigns within the historical past of gaming. Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is fairly rattling enjoyable as nicely.

Half-Life 2 expands far past the sport itself, as with it, we acquired the Supply engine. It graced us with beloved titles comparable to Portal 2, Staff Fortress 2, Garry’s Mod, and Counter-Strike: Supply. If none of meaning something to you, that’s in all probability since you’re too younger to recollect, so I’ll simply level out that Half-Life 2 can also be liable for Skibidi Bathroom.

What’s subsequent for Half-Life 2?

The way forward for this basic appears vibrant, as Valve has simply introduced a bunch of superior updates to protect the sport and commemorate it’s anniversary.

From immediately on, you’ll be capable of expertise the unique Half-Life 2 marketing campaign with improved graphics, fixes for very resilient bugs, developer commentary, in-game Steam workshop help, and in-game recording.

And, for those who’re a real fan, you possibly can lastly watch the primary pre-beta take a look at footage of what Half-Life 2 would come to be.

Completely price ready over 20 years for, proper?

Now you can play Half-Life 2 in its authentic and nonetheless superb format by means of Steam, and if that’s in some way not ok, you’ll quickly be capable of expertise it in RTX mode as nicely.