Background image from the game Half-Life 2 (2004)
Game logo of Half-Life 2 (2004)

Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter developed by Valve, released in 2004. It is the sequel to the iconic Half-Life and set a new standard for the genre with its physics, storytelling, and interactivity.

The player returns as Gordon Freeman, this time in a dystopian world controlled by the alien Combine empire. Instead of cutscenes, the story unfolds in real time through dialogues, events, and the environment. The major technical breakthrough was the Source engine's physics system: objects follow physical laws, forming the basis for many puzzles and combat situations.

Half-Life 2 blends shooting, environmental interaction, narrative, and drama - from saving allies to driving vehicles and using the gravity gun as a primary weapon. The atmosphere, pacing, and attention to detail made it one of the most influential games in history.

Today, Half-Life 2 remains a foundation of the modding scene. Thanks to the Source SDK, the community has created hundreds of projects - from story-driven mods to total conversions and technical enhancements. Sequels, fan campaigns, and even entirely new games have been built on HL2’s framework, including the iconic Garry’s Mod.

Half-Life 2 is not just a sequel - it's a creative platform that has inspired generations of players and developers.

Recommended Files

BetterChat
Mod

BetterChat
FlatOut 2 (2006)

Overhauls

Author:

Ember

BetterChat is a mod that significantly improves the chat functionality in FlatOut 2. It automatically translates messages between Russian and English, and also allows you to write in chat directly during races, derby, or stunt competitions.

Legend of the Red Dragon
Mod

Legend of the Red Dragon
Heroes of Might and Magic III (1999)

Total Conversion

Author:

Berserker

Legend of the Red Dragon is a mod for HoMM3 created on the ERA platform. It expands the game by adding new creatures, spells, artifacts, heroes and interface improvements, as well as graphical changes for some locations and castles.

Heart Of Evil Napalm Edition
Mod

Heart Of Evil Napalm Edition
Half-Life (1998)

Total Conversion

Author:

Team Napalm & Editor321

Heart of Evil: Napalm Edition is a remake of the original game Heart of Evil. This single-player mod was truly captivating and offered players something new - a Half-Life mod that accurately and meticulously conveyed the American experience in Vietnam, down to the smallest details such as the shoelaces on the zombies' boots.

Heroes IV Equilibris
Mod

Heroes IV Equilibris
Heroes of Might and Magic IV (2002)

Balancing

Author:

Delai & EQ team

Equilibris is one of the oldest mods for Heroes of Might and Magic IV, created to improve the balance of the original game and fix its flaws. It rebalances castles, strategies and tactics, as well as unit characteristics, heroes, skills and spells, making gameplay more fair and diverse.

Half-Life: Gold
Mod

Half-Life: Gold
Half-Life (1998)

Models and textures

Author:

TheUnbeholden

Half-Life: Gold is a mod for Half-Life that features completely remade textures, updated models, and improved NPC behavior.

Bombs and Bullets
Fan Game

Bombs and Bullets
Command & Conquer: Generals (2003)

Classic-style games

Author:

Commander Rad

A 2D RTS in the style of the Command and Conquer series, specifically inspired by Command and Conquer: Generals. You can construct buildings, produce units, and destroy enemy bases.

Opposing Force Redux
Mod

Opposing Force Redux
Half-Life (1998)

Models and textures

Author:

Editor321

Opposing Force Redux is a large-scale mod for Half-Life: Opposing Force that completely overhauls the graphics and sound. New models, sprites, sounds, and refined maps bring the game's audiovisual elements up to modern standards.