There’s one big mystery that has been plaguing the gaming community since 2007: Where in the world is “Half-Life 3?” This unanswered question has become a meme, but at this point, it’s not funny anymore. For those who haven’t heard of it or have forgotten about it, that shows how bad this situation has gotten. It’s been far too long.
“Half-Life 2” was one of Valve’s biggest achievements that is still unmatched. It was followed by “Episode One” in 2006 and “Episode Two” in 2007. All are powered by Valve’s “Source” engine that allows for physics, revolutionary visuals, and creative combat to ensue. “Half-Life 2: Episode Three” was supposed to conclude the trilogy, but it was never released.
When it became overdue, gamers went crazy, and journalists tried to get the answer from Valve. Every journalist got similarly vague answers, and everyone, including me, was still mad.
All interviews with Gabe Newell, Valve’s president, received answers such as, “I have nothing to say about Half-Life 3,” “…when we do, we’ll certainly let people know,” and most notoriously, a complete refusal to answer.
Let’s look at what we do know. It was “Half-Life 2: Episode Three” that was supposed to release, not “Half-Life 3” in general, but it’s painful knowing neither exists. Valve was also productive after 2007, creating some of gaming’s greatest hits. “Left 4 Dead 2” is regarded as the best zombie game of all time; “Counter Strike: Global Offensive” became Steam’s most populous title; and “Portal 2” was just great all around. Thus, there is no excuse why the sequel doesn’t exist when they have had plenty of time.
“Half-Life: Alyx” entered the mold in 2020 and became one of the greatest VR titles due to its quality of immersion. However, it’s technically “Half-Life 1.5.”
Valve’s beautiful “Source 2” engine has also been on display in both “Half-Life: Alyx” and “Counter Strike 2,” and it’s impressive. Everything, down to the rough edges of buildings and environmental reactions to impacts, is stunning, and the third “Half-Life” title should definitely utilize it. The tools are in place but haven’t been lifted yet.
Now, let’s recap what we know about the story itself. For those that have not played “Half-Life 2,” its episodes, or “Half Life: Alyx,” this is your chance to avoid spoilers.
“Half-Life 2: Episode Two” houses gaming’s biggest cliffhanger. Gordon Freeman, Alyx Vance, and her dad, Eli, were about to board a helicopter to find a ship called the Borealis, but a Combine Advisor breaks in and kills Eli. Alyx sobs over her dad’s corpse, and credits roll when she says, “Don’t leave me.” It was sad seeing him go, but that moment arguably doesn’t matter.
That’s because “Half-Life: Alyx” ended off with a plot twist that changed the original ending. Alyx’s mission was to free Gordon Freeman from a Combine prison. When she breaches his cell, she realizes that she hadn’t found Gordon and unintentionally releases G-Man, the series’ mysterious figure that “employs” Gordon and has the power to “nudge” certain events in time. When informed about Eli’s death in the future, G-Man makes an offer, and Alyx accepts it to save him, only to be transported elsewhere at the end of “Episode Two.” The game ends with Eli handing Gordon his crowbar with Alyx’s robot, D0g, also present.
Thus, if we get a third game, there are a few things we do know: The Combine still poses a grand threat, even without a leader, but so does G-Man. While G-Man hasn’t directly hurt or helped Gordon in the series, his neutrality itself is dangerous. Alyx is now “employed” and given tasks by G-Man and is almost like Gordon’s replacement since G-Man said he was “unwilling to perform the tasks laid before him.” The seizing of the Borealis is still valuable, as it possesses strange powers, such as teleportation.
The prolonging of the sequel has made the community impatient. Besides memes and the popular “Valve can’t count to 3” joke, independent developers have tried their hand at making it themselves in the form of mods, like “Half Life 2: Epistle 3.” Some have even released games to expand on the “Half-Life” lore, like the hit “Entropy: Zero 2,” which takes place during “Episode Two” from a Combine soldier’s perspective, and the more notorious “Hunt Down The Freeman,” which follows a HECU soldier’s pointless revenge-mission, which flops terribly.
The fact that people are making games to keep everybody hooked is only a bigger sign that “Half-Life 3” is needed now more than ever. There’s hope, but there is not confirmation. Only time will tell if the right man in the wrong place will make a difference yet again.