Life's End

The player is invited to look at the Black Mesa disaster through the eyes of Luther Johnson — a scientist who was late for work on the most inappropriate day. It's this seemingly simple change of perspective that creates the foundation for unusual storytelling, where familiar events intertwine with absurd situations.

The mod contains plenty of humor and unconventional scenes that break away from the familiar Half-Life canon. Here you can encounter satirical posters, get lost in a bar-maze, and at certain moments — experience vivid hallucinations that turn gameplay into true surrealism. Particularly notable is an episode in "Star Trek" style, which looks unexpected but fits organically into the project's overall tone.

The authors have done extensive work: the levels look well-thought-out, sufficiently detailed, and technically polished. The locations allow for navigation without unnecessary difficulties. However, in some places the design becomes monotonous, creating an impression of long corridors that look similar to each other. Despite this, the overall quality of the maps remains high.

The gameplay is built on combining classic Half-Life elements with new details. Shootouts, puzzles, and scripted scenes are executed with good balance. There's no feeling of "just another set of levels" — the campaign tries to surprise and hold your attention until the very end.

Playing through all 35 new maps takes approximately 4-6 hours — enough for the mod to show all its strengths without becoming tiresome. Many call Life's End an example of what a fan project should be: long enough but not drawn out, restrained yet not lacking bold ideas.

Life's End is a mod that stays in memory thanks to its combination of classic and surrealism. It offers an unconventional view of Black Mesa events, skillfully plays with expectations, and adds humor, absurdity, and vivid scenes to the familiar story. Despite some monotonous moments in level design, the campaign feels cohesive and high-quality.

If you're looking for a quality adventure with unexpected twists, Life's End is worth your attention.