Parent Game: Half-Life
Black Mesa

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Summary

Black Mesa is a re-envisioning of Valve Software's classic science fiction first person shooter, Half-Life. Powered by Source Engine, You will re-visit the inaugural role of Gordon Freeman and his memorable journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility. Expect detailed environments to explore, a huge cast of characters and experimental weaponry. All-new music, voice acting, choreography and added dialogue give way to a more expansive and immersive experience than ever before.

Storyline

The plot of Black Mesa is almost identical to Half-Life's storyline, playable through the "Lambda Core" chapter. As in the original game, the player controls Gordon Freeman, a scientist working at the Black Mesa Research Facility. He is tasked to place a sample of a strange material into an electromagnetic instrument, using the Hazardous Environment Suit Mark IV to do so safely. However, the sample material causes a "resonance cascade", devastating the facility and creating an interdimensional rift to an alien dimension called Xen, bringing its alien creatures to Earth.

Freeman survives, finds other survivors, and makes his way to the surface with the protection of his hazard suit to get help. Upon reaching the surface, however, he finds that the facility is being cleansed of any living thing - human or alien - by armed forces. From other scientists, Freeman finds the only way to stop the alien invasion is to cross over to Xen and destroy the entity holding the portal open.


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Black Mesa Reviews & Ratings

100
Review by WHITESIXOMAR [user]
2022-04-24

This remake is a masterpiece! Man, I was a teen when I played half-life, It was a new, life-changing experience! Been trying to come back toThis remake is a masterpiece! Man, I was a teen when I played half-life, It was a new, life-changing experience! Been trying to come back to it a couple of times, but it's impossible for me. Not only for the graphics, but I'm also used to modern standards -even thou revolutionary for 1998- half-life is an unpolished, plane, dated, and boring shooter with almost no gameplay narrative to connect the masterpiece plot. I needed Black Mesa to satisfy this nostalgia.The 1st time I tried the MOD was in 2013 I believe, it was a blast! I remember writing an email to the guys at crowbar collective to thank them for the hard work, I really appreciated their effort. Then I bought the game when it was released on the Steam platform as a stand-alone game around 2017. Man, that was an awesome experience! What a great way to relieve the story that started my deep connection and passion for the games and their lore.But after completing the Lambda Core chapter, when I jumped into the portal instead of taking me into the alien world, I was told that the game was not completed yet. I would have to wait for the final chapter to be released! They did not have the XEN chapters ready yet. OMG, I didn't like that at all, I was frustrated, felt history repeating itself, felt the same way I felt when it was becoming evident that Episode III was never going to be released. A few years went by, and then I saw the Black Mesa definitive edition including the XEN chapters, it was beautiful. You could see the passion, the love, and the hard work these guys put their back into it. I felt the lure, calling me back to complete the story, become the freeman once again and kick the nihilant ass.It was beautiful, I enjoyed it. Man what a Masterpiece. Wish we could see Half-life III someday.

100
Review by Yrthraz [user]
2021-12-18

Fantastic. Tried playing the first few hours of Half Life and it definitely showed its age, fun, but definitely not a modern experience. BlackFantastic. Tried playing the first few hours of Half Life and it definitely showed its age, fun, but definitely not a modern experience. Black Mesa brought a modern touch to that Half Life experience while still keeping the genuine experience of the original game. The only game, whereupon reading reviews, was I encouraged by fans of the original release to play Black Mesa instead, because it is so faithful and well done. I was honestly blown away, and would encourage others to enter the world of Half Life from this vector. It makes a game from 1998 play like a game from 2008, and that is selling it far short of the actual experience.

90
Review by AlexandrRosca [user]
2021-05-15

Black Mesa | 2020 | PC | Played for: 15hA complete remake of original Half-Life in Source engine. It is mainly fan made. The plot and mainBlack Mesa | 2020 | PC | Played for: 15hA complete remake of original Half-Life in Source engine. It is mainly fan made. The plot and main theme is faithful to the original game.The graphics are gorgeous, but nothing extraordinary for 2020, but well optimized.Sound and music are good.Gameplay is mostly a mix of HL1 and HL2, with some wackiness her and there.Overall I would recommend playing this one after completing the Original.Story: 9/10Gameplay: 8/10Graphics/Physics: 9/10Music/Sound: 8,5/10Overall: 8,6/10

100
Review by Patuzzoz [user]
2020-03-28

This games is for everyone who has or hasn't played the original Half Life. Remake aspect of the game feels and looks phenomenal and perfectlyThis games is for everyone who has or hasn't played the original Half Life. Remake aspect of the game feels and looks phenomenal and perfectly fills in the gameplay and visual gaps I had with the original without ruining the immersion.Best part about this remake is the complete overhaul of XEN. Making it more lengthy, interesting and most importantly stunning to look at.The music kicks in at perfect times and enhances the experience immensely. As a remake, this game is 10/10 for me. But as a standalone game, it still falls short as its predecessor. Mundane story, repetitive enemies and poor engine mechanics keep the game from a perfect 10. But based on the remake, it's a 10 for me.

90
Review by Malditos Nerds
2020-03-18

Black Mesa will probably go down in history as one of the most ambitious, successful, eye-catching and exciting fan-made projects. Its value as a remake is very high: it elevates in every respect the original Half-Life by Valve and even adds a lot of content. It is definitely the best way to enjoy this story.

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Game Information
Release Date 2015-05-05
Publisher Crowbar Collective
Total Rating 88%
Game Modes Single player, Multiplayer
Player Perspectives First person
Genres Shooter, Platform, Adventure, Indie
Themes Action, Science fiction, Warfare
Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows)