Valve Corporation's 1998 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1998 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Valve Corporation
- Publisher
- Sierra On-Line
- MobyScore
- ★ 8.74
- Players today
- Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam (96% of 79836)
The history
Half-Life served as the debut title for Valve Corporation, released in 1998 and published by Sierra On-Line, Inc. It entered the scene as a blend of action and adventure, utilizing award-winning technology to construct a frighteningly realistic world.
The title mattered because it is viewed as a definitive single-player game in the first-person shooter genre. Its approach to storytelling—avoiding film conventions and instead telling the story entirely in-game through the eyes of the protagonist—helped write the rulebook for narrative delivery in gaming.
How it plays
Players take on the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist at the secret Black Mesa Research Facility. After a volatile experiment goes wrong, aliens from the dimension Xen invade, followed by marines sent to eliminate both aliens and human witnesses. The core loop involves fighting through the complex to reach freedom, alternating combat with environmental puzzles. The experience is delivered through scripted sequences triggered by the player's movement, with characters addressing Gordon directly.
The arsenal features a mix of realistic pistols and machine guns, futuristic energy weapons from Black Mesa, and organic alien weaponry, most of which include alternate firing modes. While alien enemies are often simplistic, the human soldiers utilize advanced AI, seeking cover and using grenades to flush the player out. Certain aliens require the use of the environment to be defeated.
How it was received
Half-Life received universal acclaim, earning a 96 on Metacritic. It was named Game of the Year by over 50 publications and won "Computer Entertainment Title of the Year" and "PC Action Game of the Year" at the AIAS 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. While critics praised its immersion, the final portion in Xen was widely panned for bad platforming and a frustrating boss fight. PC Gamer named it the best PC game of all time in 1999, 2001, and 2005.
Then and now, the sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive; while period critics hailed it as a revolutionary step for the genre, modern Steam players continue to praise its standout level design, though some still find the final boss fight poorly designed.
In the magazines
The period press.
Allgame gave the game a 5/5, and CGW also awarded it 5/5. GameFan provided a perfect 100/100 on PC, while IGN gave it a 9.5/10 and GameSpot a 9.4/10. Next Generation gave the PC version 5/5, though the PS2 port received a lower 3/5.
What players say today
Modern sentiment on Steam is Overwhelmingly Positive, with 77,035 out of 79,836 reviews being positive. Players describe it as a staple of gaming history and a building block for modern titles, noting that while there is some "jank" and the mechanics are no longer surprising, the level design remains impressive even by modern standards.
“Genuinely amazing game that for the most part stands the test of time... except for the final boss fight that ♥♥♥♥ was terrible designed even for the era. 9/10”
“Ignore my playtime hours, but I've played this game so much on other accounts. I got it on this account because the CD key from the original PC release still worked! Props to Valve!”
“The best game of the 1990s, and the one that changed shooters forever. Playing it in 2026, the mechanics don't surprise you anymore. They became the standard a long time ago. What does impress me is…”
Screenshots
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
Following this debut, Valve Corporation became a powerhouse in the industry. Half-Life is worth seeking out today because it fundamentally changed the FPS genre, creating a dividing line between the pre- and post-Half-Life eras of game design.
What it's worth
Copies surface on the second-hand market from time to time, but listings are sparse enough that there's no reliable price band to quote — check the live search for what's available right now.
See current copies on eBay →Copies in the wild
Real listing photos — the range of condition you'll meet.
Photographed examples from past listings — illustrative of condition, not a live inventory.
How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: Steam or GOG (DRM-free) on modern Windows. Either way the core game is intact.
As of the 25th Anniversary Update on November 17, 2023, the Steam version of Half-Life now includes content from Half-Life: Uplink as well as maps and sprays from Half-Life: Further Data V.1.
Verdict
Half-Life largely stands the test of time. Its integration of narrative and gameplay remains a masterclass in immersion, and its level design continues to hold up against contemporary titles.
While the Xen sequences and the final boss fight are noted as weak points—marked by imprecise jumping and poor design—the overall experience remains a definitive piece of gaming history that defined the modern shooter.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.