10 hours Ago
Half-Life's introductory tram ride through the Black Mesa Research Facility is legendary. It's also where you can catch your first sight of the mysterious G-Man, the suited observer that quietly follows you through the game. The eruption of the Anti-Mass Spectrometer causes a Resonance Cascade; a tear in the fabric of space that allows a legion of alien creatures to pour into Black Mesa.
The US Marines arrive at Black Mesa, but their aim isn't to save the staff. Instead they'll kill every witness and cover up the incident. Half-Life's first major boss is the Tentacles in 'Blast Pit'; a blind, triple-headed creature that must be tricked through sound.
The fight with the Gargantua in 'Power Up' showcased the most dangerous alien yet; a colossal armoured beast with flamethrower hands. In 'Surface Tension' you finally make it out of Black Mesa, but the surface is just as dangerous. Thankfully laser-guided rockets are on hand to bring down the Marines' helicopters.
The mystery of Black Mesa becomes ever murkier in 'Questionable Ethics', in which you discover that your colleagues knew about the aliens all along and have been secretly experimenting on them. The true extent of Black Mesa's secrets are revealed in 'Lambda Core'; the lab's elite science team has been visiting the alien's home world using an advanced teleporter. And - surprise! - you get to be the next one to use it.
Half-Life completely changes gears when you are transported to the trippy alien world of Xen. The alien planet is widely considered Half-Life's weakest element, but it undeniably offers a striking shake-up. It would also be radically reinvented for the unofficial Half-Life remake, Black Mesa, in which Xen arguably becomes the best part of the game.
The 'Interloper' chapter is a fascinating look at Xen society. Here you learn that the lightning-shooting Vortigaunt enemies are actually an enslaved culture forced to fight for Xen's overlord. Half-Life's finale sees you go toe-to-toe with the Nihilanth; Xen's overlord and the creature responsible for keeping the portal to Earth open.
It's a rubbish boss battle against the game's weirdest-looking foe, but it's certainly a conclusion no one will forget. Again, this battle is vastly improved by the Black Mesa remake. In its final moments, Half-Life reveals the true purpose of the G-Man.
An agent of an unknown organisation, he's been observing you in order to assess if you're a worthy asset. You're surpassed his expectations, and are offered a job. You can accept your new role, or fight a battle you can't possibly win.
It's your choice..
