Half-Life 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life 2 across the outlets.
A current Valve designer recreated Half-Life 2's Ravenholm in the Source 2 engine, and says he was "blown away…Valve level designer Chuck Wilson recreated the iconic Half-Life 2 level Ravenholm using the Source 2 engine, showcasing impressive improvements in textures and lighting while retaining the original's eerie atmosphere. Wilson expressed his admiration for the power of Source 2's level design tools, calling them his favorite to date. This fan-made recreation has sparked discussions about the possibility of an official Half-Life 2 remake.
One of our favorite Half-Life 2 mods is getting a stealth game prequel where you're a Combine assassin preying on…Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors, a new entry in the cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series, is in development and shifts focus to a stealth-focused Combine assassin. Set after the Seven Hour War, the game tasks the protagonist with eliminating a rogue Progenitor. Developer Blixibon is sharing gameplay clips showcasing ambitious mechanics, drawing comparisons to immersive sims like Dishonored, though a release date is currently unannounced due to development difficulties.
How a South Korean intern saved Valve from a Vivendi lawsuitA South Korean intern named Andrew played a crucial role in resolving Valve's 2002 lawsuit against Vivendi, which threatened the company's existence and the release of Half-Life 2. The intern discovered evidence of Vivendi destroying documents related to their deal, leading the court to side with Valve and secure ownership of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, paving the way for Steam's creation.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Guns of Eschaton är ett ockult western-FPSA trailer has been released for Guns of Eschaton, an occult western FPS that was the last game worked on by the late Viktor Antonov, known for his art direction on Half-Life 2 and work on Dishonored. The game is described as a soulslike FPS set in an apocalyptic occult wild west, featuring over 20 weapons, unique abilities, and various ammunition types. It will be available in co-op and PvP modes for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, though a release date has not yet been announced.
Guns of Eschaton Is an Upcoming Soulslike FPS Set in an Occult Apocalyptic WestGuns of Eschaton is an upcoming Soulslike FPS set in an occult apocalyptic Wild West, developed by Eschatology Entertainment and published by 4Divinity. The game features a fragile protagonist, challenging combat with over 20 firearms, and a world shaped by occult horror and twisted mythology, with art direction from Viktor Antonov. It will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S with solo, co-op, and PvP modes.
Guns of Eschaton is a wild west soulslike FPS and posthumous release from the art director of Half-Life 2Guns of Eschaton, the first "soulslike FPS," has been revealed as the posthumous debut title from Eschatology Entertainment, co-founded by the late art director Viktor Antonov. The game is set in a dying, wild west-inspired world with fantastical elements and features challenging gunplay where every bullet matters. It will be playable solo or in co-op and also offers a PvP mode.
Before his death in 2025, Half-Life 2 art director Viktor Antonov worked on one last game: A Wild West FPS soulslike…Guns of Eschaton, a Wild West soulslike first-person shooter, has been revealed as the final game worked on by the late art director Viktor Antonov. Developed by Eschatology Entertainment, the game features deep character customization, co-op multiplayer, and combat mechanics inspired by soulslike titles. Antonov, known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, contributed his distinctive visual style to the project before his passing in 2025. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.
The "final game" from Half-Life 2 and Dishonored's late art director has been revealed: "The world's first Soulslike FPS," an apocalyptic Western at "the end of America"Eschatology Entertainment has revealed Guns of Eschaton, the final game vision of the late Half-Life 2 and Dishonored art director Viktor Antonov. Described as the world's first Soulslike FPS, the game is an apocalyptic Western set in a transformed 19th-century American South. It features rhythmic combat, a focus on deliberate gunplay, and will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.- Guns of Eschaton Revealed, Bringing Viktor Antonov’s Final Original World To LifeGuns of Eschaton has been announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. This first-person Soulslike shooter is set in an occult Wild West and is the final original world created by the late artist Viktor Antonov, known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored.
- etc.Web port wizards have successfully created browser-playable versions of Valve's classic games Half-Life 2 and Portal. These versions leverage the Source engine and are accessible directly through web browsers, bringing these iconic titles to a new platform.
'Our game isn't gore porn' says director of game whose trailer features a zombie baby's skull being crushed and someone's eye getting scooped out with a knifeMax Verehin, CEO of Team Clout, defends the graphic content in their upcoming horror game Ill, stating it's not 'gore porn' but aims to evoke emotions similar to Half-Life 2's Ravenholm. He emphasizes the game combines horror and action, focusing on scaring and entertaining players rather than just shocking them. Despite the intense visuals, the game has garnered significant interest, becoming one of Steam's top wishlisted titles, and is slated for a 2027 release.
SPRAWL Zero PreviewSPRAWL Zero is a forthcoming first-person shooter from developer MAETH, drawing inspiration from early 2000s shooters like Half-Life 2 and F.E.A.R., combined with unique art styles. Set in the same grim cyberpunk megalopolis as its predecessor, SPRAWL, the game features a protagonist known as FIVE, who is one of several megacorp assets. The preview highlights the game's distinctive ammo system, intense combat with bullet time mechanics, and a soundtrack that dynamically ramps up with the action, all contributing to a highly engaging experience.
How to be a dad and a gamer and still get a good night’s sleep - Reader's FeatureA father of two young children shares his struggle to balance gaming with family life, finding that long, time-consuming games are no longer feasible. He details his process of organizing his extensive game library by length to better manage his limited playtime and rediscover enjoyment in shorter, more self-contained experiences.
SGF 2026: SPRAWL zero Preview—Movement Never Felt This GoodSPRAWL zero is a forthcoming first-person shooter developed by MAETH and published by Kwalee, heavily inspired by early 2000s FPS titles like Half-Life 2 and Halo. The game features fast-paced combat with mechanics like weapon swapping, throwable items, and special abilities such as Bullet Time and Gravity Shield, emphasizing fluid movement and reactive gameplay.
ILL Showcases Story and Gameplay in New Trailer, Coming to PC and PS5 in 2027Team Clout has released a new trailer for their upcoming horror game ILL, showcasing gameplay that involves stealth and combat against grotesque monsters. The trailer also confirmed that ILL will be released on PC and PlayStation 5 in 2027. Inspirations for the game's creature design include classic horror films and titles like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Half-Life 2.
The Sunday PapersThis article rounds up various gaming-related articles and discussions. It includes pieces on the humor in Titanfall, the unique presentation of Angelique Special 2, and the complexities of trans segregation laws in the UK. Additionally, it touches upon political funding related to cryptocurrency and a lighthearted debate comparing dogs and cats in gaming contexts, specifically Half-Life 2's Dog versus Stray's Cat.
Former Half-Life 2 Writer Doesn’t Want to Pen Half-Life 3: “I Don’t Want to Touch Anything Old”Former Half-Life 2 writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no desire to work on Half-Life 3, preferring to avoid established lore and the pressure of adhering to existing narratives. He expressed similar sentiments about other franchises with extensive backstories, including Left 4 Dead and Destiny 2, highlighting his preference for creating new intellectual property.
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek has no interest in writing Half-Life 3: 'I don't want to touch that with a…Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no interest in working on Half-Life 3 or any other sequels due to the pressure of existing lore and fan expectations. He prefers creating new characters and stories rather than revisiting established universes, finding the prospect of writing for them a "disaster nightmare."
"We tried something different": Looking back on SiN Episodes: Emergence, the Valve-backed shooter that tried and failed to kick off an age of episodic gamingRitual Entertainment's 2006 sci-fi shooter SiN Episodes: Emergence, backed by Valve, aimed to pioneer episodic gaming but ultimately failed to launch a new era due to financial and development challenges. Despite its ambition and innovative features like adaptive difficulty, the game's short runtime and the studio's financial struggles led to the cancellation of future episodes and the eventual sale of Ritual Entertainment. The article reflects on the game's legacy and the difficulties faced by developers attempting new distribution models in the mid-2000s.