Half-Life: Decay

Details

INFO
Base game Half-Life
Release date 2001-11-14

It could be considered the third of Half-Life's expansions, and like the first two (Opposing Force and Blue Shift) it was also developed by Gearbox Software. This one took a different approach, as it is a multiplayer-oriented experience designed to be played cooperatively. Originally released as part of the PS2 port of HL, it can be played on PC as a mod.

The campaign puts you in the boots (or rather, HEV suits) of two female Black Mesa scientists, Gina Cross and Colette Green, who must survive the aftermath of the resonance cascade. Unlike the original game and its first expansions, Decay does not follow a continuous narrative. Instead, the game consists of nine standalone missions, each rated upon completion according to your performance. Getting the highest grade across all will unlock an additional level where you play as a couple of vortigaunts (the zapping aliens).

The enemies, weapons and environments are the same as in the original Half-Life.

As I said before, the game was designed as a cooperative multiplayer and the puzzle-heavy maps are meant to be explored using teamwork and coordinating your efforts. This can get a little dull sometimes, but otherwise the level is on par with Blue Shift and it has some nice moments which add up to an overall average experience. You can switch characters if you can't find someone to play with: a basic AI will make the other avatar defend herself, but she'll otherwise remain stationary.

Unlike HL, there isn't a continous flow of levels. There are separate missions.

Getting to see this will require some effort and puzzle-solving.

Not much else to say here. This pack won't change your life, but if you're a completionist you'll be able to finish this in a few hours without feeling embarrassed.

Getting to see this will require some effort and puzzle-solving.

Dr. Richard Keller is a new character created for this expansion. Dr. Rosenberg on the other hand was introduced in Blue Shift.

Scoring an A on every mission will unlock a new one, from the alien point of view. It has unique controls and gameplay.

Playing

  • As mentioned, it was included in the PS2 version of Half-Life, so you'll need one copy and a friend. Unless...
  • ... you install this PC mod that will let you create or join a multiplayer server, but it can be played solo too.
  • Decay: Singularity is another PC mod specifically meant for a single-player run. It modifies the maps slightly.
  • Finally, Half-Life Decay: Solo Mission is yet another mod that strives to rebuild the game, SP only. There's a demo on Steam but it may have been discontinued.

Score:

7