7 Best Games Like Half Life That You Should Know Update 04/2024

Games Like Half Life

On March 23, Alyx was launched for virtual reality headsets to widespread acclaim, translating the gripping narrative of the Half-Life series into an immersive virtual reality experience. If you don’t have a VR headset to play Alyx, here are some other video games that might pique your interest.

It’s no surprise that fans have been clamoring for additional Half Life content since Valve’s last release in 2007, which ended on an extremely tantalizing cliffhanger. However, virtual reality goggles and the powerful CPUs needed to run titles like Half-Life. Alyx remain prohibitively expensive, and even those who are interested must contend with a lack of available gear. When it comes to Half Life, you’re out of luck. You can play Alyx right now, but if you’re looking for some new non-VR games to play later, these seven will do the trick.

7. Black Mesa

Black Mesa

As it turns out, Alyx wasn’t the only Half-Life project to see a March 2020 release date. Crowbar Collective also released Black Mesa, a recreation of the original Half Life. In spite of Valve’s endorsement, this project is technically a fan game that has blossomed into something more and has just recently exited early access in March after over 15 years of labor.

Valve’s Source engine is used to reconstruct the complete 1998 FPS classic, making it seem just as you remember it. When you see what a tiny group of dedicated fans can accomplish, it’s awe-inspiring to see what they can achieve. If you’re planning on returning to the original Half-Life instead of Alyx, you should give Black Mesa a shot.

6. The Orange Box

There are a lot of Valve’s major hitters in The Orange Box, so it’s a good place to start before diving into Half Life.

Alyx. Half-Life 2, as well as Episodes 1 and 2 of that game’s DLC, Team Fortress 2, and Portal are all included. Every game in the collection is amazing, and it’s available for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms.

Half Life 2, a seminal first-person shooter, is still a fun to play today. Make Half Life by immersing yourself in the story. If you can play Alyx ahead of time, the experience will be even more rewarding. Valve’s flagship multiplayer shooter, Team Fortress 2, was a forerunner to hero-based shooters like Overwatch and Valorant, which have since gained popularity. At long last, we have a Valve-developed puzzler that is as clever as we’ve come to expect.

5. Portal 2

Portal 2

Portal 2 is one of Valve’s best games, with Half Life 2 and The Orange Box, a successor to one of the titles in that collection. Fun puzzle game that extends on fantastic portal-based gameplay from the original, making it one of the best ever. To top it all off, the plot follows Chel as she tries to flee Aperture Labs and has a lot of amusing dialogue.

As a fan of the company, you’re undoubtedly already familiar with Portal 2, but if you haven’t, it’s definitely worth your time. The second game is still one of the best puzzle games ever made, even if there is no third.

4. BioShock: The Collection

When gamers talk about the most influential first-person shooters of the 2000s, the BioShock series is frequently included alongside Half Life. The dystopian underwater metropolis of Rapture is the setting for the first two games in the series, and the original BioShock includes one of gaming’s most memorable plot twists.

When it comes to BioShock Infinite (the third game), it’s a more character-driven plot that’s as compelling as the first two games in the series. Gunplay techniques are used in conjunction with extraordinary magical powers in all three games. Those who are fans of these genres and BioShock should play all three of the BioShock titles. For those of you who can’t wait for BioShock 4, the Collection includes all three games in one convenient package.

3. The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle

Lasers play an important role in the puzzle game The Talos Principle. In terms of immersion, it’s right up there with Half Life. Portal 2 and Alyx Eloheim, a Croteam-created android, guides the android through the game. The Talos Principle’s dystopian universe is revealed as players go through the game’s riddles.

The Talos Principle’s puzzles can be challenging, but the game’s sophisticated design and adherence to many of the same cues as other Valve titles make up for that. This first-person puzzle game is worth checking out if you’ve already played Portal.

2. Firewatch

A ‘walking simulator,’ according to some, Firewatch depicts the dramatic narrative of a guy who has relocated to the Shoshone National Refuge in Wyoming to become a fire watcher. Henry’s connection with Delilah, the park ranger he communicates with via walkie talkies, is the primary subject of Firewatch.

Firewatch, which was released in 2017 to much critical acclaim, is evocative and well-written. As a result of Campo Santo’s work on In the Valley of the Gods, Valve purchased the studio in 2018. Half Life.well-written Alyx’s tale can be attributed to the fact that several Campo Santo developers were involved in the creation of the virtual reality game.

1. Hunt Down the Freeman

Hunt Down the Freeman

We began and ended this list with fan games. However, if you’ve exhausted all other Half-Life-related games (or simply want to play a dumpster fire), you may find Hunt Down the Freeman on Steam.

An Indiegogo-funded and released by Royal Rudius Entertainment game that tells the story of a soldier who wants to murder Gordan Freeman was launched in 2018 amid the Half Life drought. It’s a shame, because this game has a lot of flaws, including weak design and shoddy scripting, not to mention the numerous technological faults. What a disgrace that Valve allowed this to be released on Steam so that it may tarnish the reputation of the Half Life series. However, this simply adds to the list of reasons why Half Life lovers should check it out. For those who aren’t fans of Half-Life at its most harrowing moments, Hunt Down the Freeman may not be for you.