Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2

Released Nov 2004

Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.

97% positive · 280K reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $9.99
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Evaluation

Half-Life 2 originally launched on November 16, 2004 as a complete single-player campaign. The two episodic expansions — Episode One and Episode Two — were released in the years following and have long been finished products. On November 15, 2024, Valve released a major 20th Anniversary Update that bundled Episodes One and Two directly into the base game, added a new developer commentary track, integrated Steam Workshop support, and delivered extensive visual and gameplay improvements. The store description now explicitly states that the game "includes the complete Episode One and Episode Two expansions." This update represents the fullest, most complete version of Half-Life 2 Valve has ever released, and no additional story content or expansions have been announced. Since the 20th Anniversary Update, Valve has continued to ship small bug-fix patches (the most recent on July 23, 2025), consistent with routine maintenance of a finished product rather than active new content development. There are no unreleased DLC entries, no announced future expansions, and no roadmap pointing to additional content. The only DLC listed is the soundtrack, which has already been released. The 20th Anniversary Update is the clearest marker of when the game reached its final, complete form — bundling all prior expansions and delivering the definitive version of the experience Valve intended.
Evidence
20th Anniversary Update bundles Episodes One and Two into the base game, adds developer commentary, Steam Workshop integration, and broad visual/gameplay improvements. Marketed as 'the complete Half-Life 2.'
news post · Nov 15, 2024 source content shipped
high
Store description states the game 'includes the complete Episode One and Episode Two expansions,' reflecting the post-20th Anniversary state of the product as a complete package.
description source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Valve
Achievements
69
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

The Seven Hour War is lost. Earth has surrendered. The Black Mesa incident is a distant memory. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people he cares about are counting on him.

Half-Life 2 is the landmark first-person shooter that “forged the framework for the next generation of games” (PC Gamer). Experience a thrilling campaign packed with unprecedented levels of immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.

Includes the Half-Life 2 Episode One and Two Expansions

The story of Half-Life 2 continues with Episodes One and Two, full-featured Half-Life adventures set during the aftermath of the base game. They are accessible from the main menu, and you will automatically advance to the next episode after completing each one.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Fast multiplayer action set in the Half-Life 2 universe! HL2's physics adds a new dimension to deathmatch play. Play straight deathmatch or try Combine vs. Resistance teamplay. Toss a toilet at your friend today! Included in your Steam library with purchase of Half-Life 2.

Steam Workshop

Play entire campaigns or replace weapons, enemies, UI, and more with content created by the community.

Last evaluated Jun 28, 2026
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