Half-Life
Groundbreaking first-person shooter series following theoretical physicist Gordon Freeman as he fights through alien invasions and government conspiracies.
Category
Game
Release Year
1998
Origin
USA
Tags
fpssci-fiactionpuzzlenarrativevalve
Detailed Overview Information
Basic Information
Full Name
Half-Life
Aliases
HL, Lambda, Black Mesa Incident
Type
First-Person Shooter Video Game Series
Release Year
1998
Status
Active
Origin
United States
Region
United States
Creation Information
Creator
Valve Corporation
Publisher
Valve Corporation, Sierra Entertainment
Original Work
Video Game
Genre
First-Person Shooter, Science Fiction, Action, Puzzle, Adventure
Content Information
Synopsis
A theoretical physicist must fight his way through an alien-infested research facility after a scientific experiment goes catastrophically wrong.
Main Characters
Gordon Freeman, Alyx Vance, Eli Vance, Barney Calhoun, G-Man
Setting
Black Mesa Research Facility, City 17, post-apocalyptic Earth under alien occupation
Themes
Scientific responsibility, survival, resistance against oppression, consequences of experimentation
Target Audience
Mature gamers, sci-fi enthusiasts, FPS fans
Characters
Gordon Freeman
Theoretical Physicist/Protagonist
Silent protagonist and theoretical physicist who becomes humanity's unlikely savior during the Black...
Theoretical Physicist/Protagonist
Alyx Vance
Resistance Fighter/HackerHuman ResistanceFemale24
Skilled resistance fighter and daughter of Dr. Eli Vance, Gordon's closest ally in the fight against the Combine.
Abilities: Hacking expertise, Combat skills, Technical knowledge...
Quotes:
"Gordon! About time!"
""I am Alyx Vance.""
"Sometimes I dream about cheese."
character
Dr. Eli Vance
Resistance Leader/ScientistHuman ResistanceMale60s
Former Black Mesa scientist who leads the human resistance and serves as a father figure to Gordon.
Abilities: Scientific expertise, Leadership skills, Strategic planning...
Quotes:
"Gordon Freeman! My God, how long has it been?"
""I am Dr. Eli Vance.""
"We've learned to live with less, Gordon."
character
G-Man
Mysterious OverseerUnknown EmployersMaleUnknown
Enigmatic interdimensional being who manipulates events and controls Gordon's fate for unknown employers.
Abilities: Time manipulation, Dimensional travel, Reality alteration...
Quotes:
"Rise and shine, Mr. Freeman. Rise and... shine."
""I am G-Man.""
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world."
character
Combine Advisor
Alien OverlordUniversal Union (Combine)Unknown
Grotesque alien beings that serve as the true rulers of the Combine occupation force.
Abilities: Psychic powers, Telekinesis, Mind control...
Quotes:
"*Alien psychic communications*"
""I am Combine Advisor.""
"*Telepathic domination*"
character
Civil Protection Officer
Combine EnforcerUniversal Union (Combine)Various
Human collaborators who enforce Combine rule in occupied cities through intimidation and violence.
Abilities: Law enforcement, Crowd control, Surveillance...
Quotes:
"Pick up that can."
""I am Civil Protection Officer.""
"Move along, citizen."
character
Headcrab
Alien ParasiteXen WildlifeN/A
Parasitic alien creatures from Xen that attach to human hosts, creating zombies.
Abilities: Host attachment, Leaping attack, Survival instincts...
Quotes:
"*Chittering sounds*"
""I am Headcrab.""
""Every journey begins with a single step.""
character
Vortigaunt
Alien AllyHuman Resistance (allied)N/A
Enslaved alien beings who later become allies to humanity in the fight against the Combine.
Abilities: Electrical powers, Healing abilities, Collective consciousness...
Quotes:
"The Freeman! We are in your debt."
""I am Vortigaunt.""
""Every journey begins with a single step.""
character
Media Forms
Video Games
Main series, expansions, spin-offs, VR adaptations
Merchandise
Collectibles, apparel, gaming accessories, art books
Books
Strategy guides, art books, lore compendiums
Digital Content
Mods, community content, Source engine games
Cross Media Adaptations
Fan films, machinima, community projects
Commercial Information
Sales
Over 15 million copies sold across all games in the series
Revenue
Hundreds of millions in direct sales and Steam platform success
Awards
Game of the Year awards, innovation in gaming awards, technical achievement awards
Critical Reception
Universal critical acclaim, considered one of the greatest game series ever made
Cultural Impact
Revolutionized FPS storytelling, influenced entire gaming industry, created modding culture
Market Value
Multi-billion dollar franchise value through Steam and game sales
Fan Culture
Fanbase
Global community of PC gamers, modders, and sci-fi enthusiasts
Communities
Steam forums, Reddit communities, modding communities, speedrunning groups
Events
Gaming conventions, speedrunning marathons, modding competitions
Quotes
Rise and shine Mr. Freeman, The right man in the wrong place, Prepare for unforeseen consequences
Memes
Half-Life 3 confirmed, Gordon Freeman's silence, crowbar as ultimate weapon
Fan Projects
Black Mesa remake, countless mods, fan films, community maps
Collectibles
NECA figures, headcrab plushies, crowbar replicas, Lambda merchandise
Historical Development
1998
Half-Life releases, revolutionizing FPS gaming with immersive storytelling
1999
Opposing Force expansion introduces new perspectives on Black Mesa incident
2001
Blue Shift expansion continues expanding the Half-Life universe
2004
Half-Life 2 releases with groundbreaking Source engine and physics
2006
Half-Life 2: Episode One begins the episodic continuation
2007
Half-Life 2: Episode Two continues the story with cliffhanger ending
2020
Half-Life: Alyx releases as VR prequel, reviving the franchise
2023
Continued speculation and hope for Half-Life 3 among fans
Related Links
www.half-life.com
www.enjoyip.com