Half-Life 2 Archives

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

I finally played Duke Nukem Forever’s unfinished 2001 build, and while it probably would have been better than Gearbox’s fiasco, it still wouldn’t hold up today

Duke Nukem Forever was released in 2011 with outdated graphics and gameplay compared to its ambitious 2001 E3 trailer. A playable prototype of the 2001 version surfaced, revealing various levels and features, including the Ladykiller Casino and Hoover Dam, but it was unfinished and plagued by glitches. The prototype included navigational puzzles, scripted events, and innovative mechanics like vending machines for healing items. Combat mechanics showed potential, with satisfying weapon dynamics, but the overall experience felt disjointed and less cohesive as it progressed. The prototype demonstrated ambitious ideas but likely would not have stood the test of time alongside classics like Quake or Half-Life.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

At long last and ‘with gracious permission from Valve,’ Garry’s Mod now contains ‘most of Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2 Episodic content’ even if you don’t own those games

Players of Garry's Mod will no longer need to own or install Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source to enjoy community maps that use assets from these games. This update aims to reduce the occurrence of missing textures and models, which previously resulted in visual glitches like pink checkerboards and ERROR messages. However, it does not guarantee the complete elimination of all missing content issues, and players may still encounter some visual glitches. Additionally, the update does not include actual map files, voice-over files, or music from these games due to licensing constraints. The gaming community has responded positively to these changes.

AppWizard

June 29, 2025

A rising Peak lifts all boats as climbing sim Cairn breaks 500k demo downloads after endorsement from mountaineering megahit Peak’s devs

Peak sold over two million copies within 48 hours of its launch. The Game Bakers, developers of Cairn, shared a clip of Peak's character Bing Bong on X, leading to a playful exchange between the two games. Cairn's demo surpassed 500,000 downloads the day after this exchange. The demo of Cairn is available on Steam, with a full release scheduled for November 5, while Peak is priced at eight dollars on the same platform. PCG news writer Elie Gold gave Peak an 86% review.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Random: Xenoblade Chronicles X Pops Up On Microsoft PC Game Page

Monolith Soft's game, Xenoblade Chronicles X, has appeared on a Microsoft PC webpage for "enhanced games for Microsoft Edge Game Assist," alongside titles like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. The listing suggests that Microsoft Edge Game Assist will provide tips and guides for popular PC games. This unexpected appearance has led to speculation among fans about its validity, with some considering it a possible error. Monolith Soft is now owned by Nintendo, which recently released Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for the Switch. While it seems unlikely that major Nintendo titles will be available on Xbox, Microsoft has shown interest in bringing select first-party games to Nintendo platforms.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

The first ever third-party game to come to Steam probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves—mostly because no one remembers it

Steam's automated monthly top-seller list has highlighted Rag Doll Kung Fu, the first third-party title on the Steam platform, which debuted in 2005. Developed by Mark Healey, the game is available on Steam for one dollar and has a Mostly Positive rating of 73% based on 68 reviews. It remains accessible two decades later, although it is labeled "Unsupported" on Steam Deck. The game launched eight years before the introduction of Steam reviews, which may explain its limited feedback.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

PC gaming is the real next-gen and now’s the best time to switch

Cyberpunk 2077 offers an immersive gaming experience on high-end PCs, showcasing advanced technology such as real-time reflections and path tracing for enhanced visuals. The game runs seamlessly at maximum settings on an RTX 5070Ti, achieving over 120fps in 4K resolution. The current gaming landscape indicates that next-generation gaming is primarily driven by PC technology, which remains more viable due to stable hardware prices compared to rising console costs. Modern platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store have simplified PC gaming, making it more accessible and often more economical. Recent advancements, including ray tracing, enhance even older titles like Half-Life 2. Major console games are increasingly launching on PC simultaneously, and PlayStation titles are appearing on Steam within a year of their console release. Speculation about future consoles suggests they may adopt PC-like features, but they are unlikely to match the performance of top-tier graphics cards.

BetaBeacon

April 27, 2025

What is Steam: The popular gaming platform explained

Steam is a platform and app for distributing video games online that also has social media features and community message boards.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Vampire: The Masquerade

PC Gamer features an exclusive look at The Chinese Room's RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, including gameplay and developer interviews. The issue also covers Raccoon Logic Studios Inc.'s game, Revenge of the Savage Planet, showcasing new alien worlds and screenshots. Additional content includes a humorous piece on Surgeon Simulator, a group test of rapid trigger keyboards, a revisit of Crysis, a new diary series for Bloodlines, a guide for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II mods, an exploration of SCP: Secret Laboratory’s chat features, survival strategies for Atomfall, and a look at Half-Life 2 RTX. Issue 409 is available in stores and digitally.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Half-Life 2’s 2003 beta reveals the mystery behind a City 17 river that once led players to the foot of the Citadel

Various unfinished iterations of Half-Life 2 have emerged over the years, showcasing the evolution of Valve's vision for the game. A recent video by YouTuber CMDR RileySV explores the 2003 beta, focusing on the "City 17 river," which was originally intended to play a significant role in the gameplay. In the beta, players would navigate through canals leading to the Citadel, promising a striking visual reveal. Although remnants of these elements exist in the final version, the canal section was repurposed, leading to mixed player reactions. A comment from user @FlintExp highlights that the city layout of City 17 draws inspiration from New York City, with specific coordinates matching real locations. The river was once a crucial aspect of the journey through City 17, guiding players toward the Citadel. The 2003 beta closely resembles the retail version, with notable differences reflecting Valve's editing process before release.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.