The Valve studio doesn’t do things by halves. To celebrate Half-Life 2’s 20th anniversary, the developers are offering much more than just a technical update. The American studio’s flagship game becomes temporarily free and is enriched with numerous new content.
An announcement that will delight both early fans and new players curious to discover why this title remains a reference two decades after its release.
A complete and modernized experience
Valve hits hard by directly integrating the Episode One and Episode Two expansions into the base game. Players can now experience the full adventure without interruption. The developers have overhauled each level to fix historical bugs and restore content lost over time.
Before the release of the game’s RTX modlighting resolution and fog effects also benefit from a notable improvement. Controller controls and the Steam Deck menu have been optimized to meet current standards.
A treasure trove of archives and exclusive content
The anniversary is accompanied by a two-hour documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the development. Comments from the creators help us understand the design choices that made Half-Life 2 a benchmark. Valve also reveals previously unreleased demo videos, offering a fascinating look at early versions of the game.
A collector’s book is making a comeback
Fans will be able to get their hands on a real Holy Grail. Raising the Barthe behind-the-scenes work released in 2004 which has become a highly sought-after collector’s item, returns in a second, enriched edition planned for 2025.
This new version incorporates concept art from Episode One and Episode Two, but also documents on the mysterious third episode which never saw the light of day. A unique opportunity to discover the genesis of one of the most influential sagas in video games.
Half-Life 2 marked its era with its technical and narrative innovations. The Source engine enabled unprecedented realistic physics, while the immersive staging redefined the standards of the genre. Twenty years later, the title hasn’t aged a bit thanks to its exemplary level design and its unique atmosphere. Half Life 2 is available for free on Steam today, hurry and grab it before it becomes paid again!
- Half-Life 2 becomes free on Steam until November 18
- A major update includes additional episodes and improves graphics
- An exclusive documentary and a new edition of the Raising the Bar book complete the festivities
