Horror novelist Marc Laidlaw's storyline tells a chilling tale of government scandal and experiments gone wrong.Īs if the protagonist of the story, Gordon Freeman, doesn't have enough on his hands with the varying cadre of foes, he's being hunted by marines and government assassins as well.
The diverse range of enemies includes tank-like warrior spore plants, headcrabs, and possessed scientists, just to name a few. Nearly all levels are located in or around the Black Mesa Research Facility, including subterranean railroads, laboratories, ventilation shafts, cafeterias, missile silos, and eventually the aliens' home world. As each new section or level is reached, the game pauses to load it, making for massive, seamless environments. The revolutionary Half-Life set the standard for subsequent first-person shooters.