The orignal game merly consisted of single-player and deathmatch. But that alone was keeping people buying it. The graphics were amazing, (and even four and a bit years later can be turned up to an excellent quality). The story was gripping and action-packed, (being written by a published author of horror/action novels). AI was unbelievable, as friend/foe worked together in shockingly realistic ways, and terribly strong ways in the foes case.
But the thing that kept people coming back is the BRILLIANT engine created by Valve (EXCELLENT creaters, and still helping out with Half-Life). It was part Quake engine (the first shooter apart from DOOM), and a lot of tweaking made it VERY versatile.
This is were the modifications (mods) came in. They were freeware add-ons for Single-Player OR Multiplayer created by skillful fans, one for example may consist of simply a new gun in single-player, but some consisted of whole game changes. For example instead of Half-Life's typical action-shooter style, it might be a racing mod or a wizard mod...
This and the famous Counter-Strike mod, created by Gooseman (Mr Lee), have kept Half-life going into the millenium and further.
And now with Counter-Strike : Condition Zero, Team-Fortress 2,
Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 3!
The future seems positive for the great Half-Life to rule over gaming, people and most things for EVER!
*Half-Life* for EVER!
MOST popular game EVER made in history with a GIANT amount of things under its control/name!
