Half-Life 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Half-Life 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
'What is it?' We snooped around in our favorite gaming characters' inventories: can you identify the…
This article presents a quiz challenging readers to identify obscure items found in the inventories of various video game characters, drawing inspiration from the subreddit r/whatisit. It humorously contrasts the potential for finding benign items with the paranoia of snooping, suggesting communication over suspicion.
Vilka är det som jobbar med FZ?
This article introduces the staff behind the Swedish gaming website FZ, describing them as passionate gamers with diverse tastes and strong opinions. It highlights their backgrounds, favorite games, music, films, and books, aiming to connect them with the FZ community.
'The mid-2000s was the golden era of first-person shooters': David Syzmankski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung,…
David Szymanski, creator of Dusk and Iron Lung, discusses his gaming history and preferences in a 'Disk Cleanup' feature. He highlights Myst as a foundational experience and considers the mid-2000s the golden era for first-person shooters due to their variety. Szymanski also shares his high playtime in Elden Ring and his enduring appreciation for Doom.
Retiring Valve programmer says 'at least one' of the studio's beloved game modes was made in secret to…
Retiring Valve programmer Christopher Green announced his second and final departure from the company, reflecting on his 16 years working on titles like Half-Life 2 and its Source engines. Green revealed that the popular Half-Life 2: Deathmatch game mode was developed semi-secretly by a single programmer who believed in the project.
Jsaux doubles down on its Steam Machine e-ink faceplate plans with a dot matrix version and a panel that looks like my…
Accessory maker Jsaux is moving forward with its plans for Steam Machine faceplates, announcing new versions including a dot-matrix LED display and a color e-ink panel with a rotary knob. The company reassured customers that the original e-ink display is still in development, aiming to offer customization options beyond Valve's own DIY instructions.
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.
Steam Machine review - it's all about the games you play
The Steam Machine offers a premium hardware design with a slick SteamOS interface ideal for living room gaming, but its high price and performance limitations hinder its appeal. While capable of 1080p gaming and some 4K upscaling, it struggles with demanding titles and ray tracing, making it a niche product for specific game types and users.
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 lawsuit
A 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-FPS
A 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 West
Guns 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 2
Guns 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 Life
Guns 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.
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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 knife
Max 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 Preview
SPRAWL 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 Feature
A 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.
