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Half-Life adventure archiveHalf-LifeGUIDES

Half-Life Guide

1998 · Science-fiction first-person shooter

Game guides

Find the guide you need
GuideWhat you will find
Gordon fires an automatic weapon at a marine inside a concrete Black Mesa corridor.Beginner guideLearn the Hazard Course, health and armor rules, movement puzzles and friendly NPC behavior.
A marine stands above the viewpoint against a bright sky in Valve’s original Half-Life image.Weapons guideCompare the original Half-Life arsenal by range, ammunition role and alternate-fire behavior.
A security guard fires beside an alien creature in a red-and-white facility corridor.Chapter orderA campaign route reference showing the main progression blocks and the skills each area demands.
Gordon holds the crowbar while a headcrab zombie advances across a tiled room.Boss solutionsQuick answers for the major original Half-Life boss encounters, including the Xen finale.
Gordon fires an automatic weapon at a marine inside a concrete Black Mesa corridor.CharactersIdentify the key people and factions in Half-Life, their roles and the relationships that matter during the campaign.

At a glance

Three useful starting points
FocusWhat to know
Learn the movementPlay the Hazard Course before beginning Black Mesa Inbound.
Choose the right toolUse cover and weapon range; Gordon has no automatic health regeneration.
Solve the boss mechanismBlast Pit and Power Up rely on machinery rather than ordinary gunfire.

Characters Character guide →

Key characters and their roles
CharacterRoleAt a glance
Gordon FreemanPlayable scientistA Black Mesa researcher wearing an HEV suit when the experiment causes the resonance cascade.
G-ManMysterious observerA suited figure seen watching Gordon; his purpose becomes more direct after the final battle.
Black Mesa scientistsCivilian alliesResearchers can open secured routes and sometimes provide medical help.
Security guardsArmed alliesGuards can follow Gordon and help fight when kept alive.
HECU marinesMilitary enemiesHuman opponents use gunfire, cover and grenades throughout the facility.
NihilanthFinal bossThe powerful Xen entity encountered at the end of Gordon’s journey.

Quick answers

Unlocks, routes and useful answers
TopicGo straight to
Boss solutionsBlast Pit requires power, fuel and oxygen →

Pictures All pictures →

Gordon fires an automatic weapon at a marine inside a concrete Black Mesa corridor.
Gordon fires an automatic weapon at a marine inside a concrete Black Mesa corridor.
A marine stands above the viewpoint against a bright sky in Valve’s original Half-Life image.
A marine stands above the viewpoint against a bright sky in Valve’s original Half-Life image.
A security guard fires beside an alien creature in a red-and-white facility corridor.
A security guard fires beside an alien creature in a red-and-white facility corridor.
Gordon holds the crowbar while a headcrab zombie advances across a tiled room.
Gordon holds the crowbar while a headcrab zombie advances across a tiled room.
References
Guide references
ReferenceWebsite
Half-Life: game and edition overviewstore.steampowered.com