Valve is celebrating Half-Life 2’s twentieth Anniversary with a large replace starting from QoL updates to extra options. The devs additionally present extra commentaries discussing occasions all through the years. Effectively, what ought to we count on from this replace?
100% Sale from the Get-Go
Half-Life 2 goes on sale 100% on Steam, which implies everybody can nearly get it without spending a dime. The sport already contains Episodes 1 and a pair of alongside the bottom model. Sadly, this replace doesn’t embody the misplaced and canceled Episode 3. It was by no means revealed why the supposed final entry of the trilogy was canceled or what it contained, however we’re getting some solutions with this new replace.
Half-Life 2 Dev Commentary and Documentary
The builders’ commentary is without doubt one of the most anticipated elements of the replace. The footage options a proof of what occurred to Episode 3. As well as, the dev workforce will present a commentary on the bottom itself, which initially didn’t have one, not like Episodes 1 and a pair of. The documentary will even present behind-the-scenes relating to the sport’s growth, together with moments of the notorious lawsuit and virtually going bankrupt.
Steam Workshop Assist Integration
Beforehand, you needed to shut the sport to put in user-created content material for Half-Life 2, which included mods and different plug-ins. Devs lastly launched an Extras menu so gamers can combine Steam Workshop initiatives in-game. Valve encourages modding and different user-based changes, particularly in its video games. The one catch is that any mod should strictly adhere to tips and ToS.
Steam Sport Recording Integration
One other characteristic added to the twentieth Anniversary is the Steam Sport Recording. This wasn’t out there in earlier variations, so it’s an excellent time for gamers to make new reminiscences in Metropolis 17 and report them. They will entry this through the Steam Overlay for occasion markers and share them with others.
Different Graphic Updates, Bug Fixes, and Steam Deck Optimization
Different adjustments from the replace embody optimizing the sport’s texture and fixing a number of bugs and glitches. The sport additionally receives higher high-quality mode with elevated lightmap shadows and shader particulars. Steam Deck additionally receives large optimizations as goal help turns into simpler to make use of, and the gamepad controls have been up to date to be extra suitable with the anniversary replace.
