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Black Mesa

Black Mesa

|Shooter, Adventure

9.3 /10

Aww Amazing!

Super hit!

144.7k ratings
Time to beat
Main
9.5h
Main + extras
10.7h
Complete
60.4h
Where to get it
Trailers & screenshots
Why play it

Black Mesa is a 2020 Shooter, Adventure, Platform, Indie game rated 9.3/10 from 144.7k ratings, with a main story of about 9.5h, available on Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows).

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.

Story and worldbuilding

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.

Game highlights
Rating momentum

Aww Amazing!: 9.3/10 across 144.7k ratings. This score says: bump it to the top of your backlog.

Play style

This is a Remake leaning into Shooter, Adventure, Platform, with a main story around 9.5h. Check form, fantasy, and time commitment.

Reviews

16 media reviews

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IGNDan Stapleton · 13 Mar, 2020
8/10

Black Mesa is the best way to play the classic original 1998 Half-Life today, but it's a remake that already feels old enough that it would benefit from a remake itself.

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EurogamerRick Lane · 5 Mar, 2020
10/10

Finally complete after fourteen years, Crowbar Collective's remake is more than faithful to Valve's masterpiece.

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PC GamerAndy Kelly · 5 Mar, 2020
8.4/10

A quality remake that broadens the scope of the original and massively improves its final chapters.

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Rock, Paper, ShotgunGraham Smith · 11 Mar, 2020

As it is, it’s the best way to play Valve’s original design if you haven’t done so before, and it’s a brilliant way to retread those old ventilation shafts, if you have.

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Gaming ProfessorsPetr Polák · 24 May, 2021
8/10

Black Mesa is clearly one of the best remakes of the moment, and if you are a fan of the genre or looking for a good game that is not just a dull shooter, Black Mesa is the obvious choice for you. Moreover, the pleasant soundtrack can be listened to as a background during other activities.

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GameGrinJoshua (Shnook) · 7 Feb, 2021
7/10

Black Mesa remains true to the original Half-Life with updated graphics, improved sounds and redesigned levels. However, the graphics still look old for a "modern" game and loading screens are still a pain as it freezes the game for a few seconds.

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Pardis GameAlireza Abroshan · 28 Jul, 2020
10/10

Black Mesa is one of the highest quality shooters made to this day, and with its fantastic combat along with exciting boss fights, provides a unique experience. Furthermore, the Platforming is excellent without overstaying its welcome, and has made the game twice as fun. Major graphical increase over the original title has also made it possible to enjoy this historical game in 2020. Because of all these reasons, I recommend this title to all fans of Half-life, and for those who have not experienced it at all, I highly recommend it. Don’t miss one of the best remakes in history

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The Games MachineAlessandro Alosi · 21 Mar, 2020
9/10

This Half Life remake not only gives a more modern and pleasant look to a timeless masterpiece, but makes it even more magnificent without ruining its magic. If you don't know who Gordon Freeman is or if you want to relive once again one of the most incredible single player experiences in the history of video games, you simply cannot miss it.

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Everyeye.itGiuseppe Arace · 18 Mar, 2020
8/10

From our point of view, we do not believe that Black Mesa can be an integral substitute of the original Half-Life (still very enjoyable), as much as an adventure that is flanked with respect and dignity. And walking tall with a legend can be considered a success in itself.

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GameblogGianni Molinaro · 17 Mar, 2020
8/10

It started as an homage, and it became the best version of the game. Black Mesa is fantastic remake of Half-Life, that never betrays the source material and gives it what is needed to be appreciated by a modern player on a modern PC - even if Source Engine is definitely very old. Just keep in mind it's a well refined but not triple A game, and you'll be just fine with it.

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