Black Mesa on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Relive Half-Life.
Black Mesa is a fps, remake and action game
developed and published by Crowbar Collective.
Released on March 06th 2020 is available on Windows and Linux
in 30 languages: English, German, Spanish - Spain, Finnish, Norwegian, French, Portuguese - Portugal, Russian, Italian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Hungarian, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Greek, Japanese, Portuguese - Brazil, Spanish - Latin America, Vietnamese, Croatian, Georgian, Indonesian and Lithuanian.
It has received 124,102 reviews of which 118,226 were positive and 5,876 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. 😍
The game is currently priced at 19.50€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Black Mesa into these genres:
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS: Windows® 10 or Newer
- Processor: 2.6 Dual Core Processor or Greater
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: 2 GB Dedicated Video Card or Greater
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 20 GB available space
Linux
- OS: Ubuntu 14.0 or Greater
- Processor: 2.6 Dual Core Processor or Greater
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: 2 GB Dedicated Video Card or Greater
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 20 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Does not support the Nouveau display driver
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
The modern reimagination of the timeless masterpiece. It takes the original immersive complex of Black Mesa and expands it immensively. It also displays some of the story and lore more clearly, and more importantly it stablishes the bridge absent between Half Life 1 and Half Life 2. Can't go wrong playing this instead of HL1.
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This is an excellent fan-made remake of the original Half-Life game. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part where Freeman has to escape the facility; It kept true to the original story and maps while also adding some additional rooms and spaces to explore. The introduction, just after the Resonance Cascade event, is even more atmospheric and spookier than the original - adding in the half-zombies was a great touch. The soundtrack is also marvellous; Internal Conflict by Joel Nielsen goes too hard. However, this game is not without its flaws. It did crash on me a couple of times, but most often during the Nihilinth boss fight. Unfortunately, I did spend a good chunk of time relaunching my game and reloading uncorrupted saves before the crash trying to figure out how to defeat the boss. It took me far too long to realise that the rocket launcher was doing negative damage to its brain (makes sense) so once I swapped to the tau cannon I easily overcome it and was able to finish the game. Getting thrown out of bounds may have also added salt to the wound... The Xen level is absolutely gorgeous (so beautiful in fact there are entire guides on how to farm it for screenshots). Visually extremely stunning and rich in fauna and flora I actually preferred this over the original. The alien levels do drop off a bit in quality as they go on. The Interloper chapter was particularly tedious and repetitive, some parts poorly construed and thrown together. Perhaps the developers were also running out of steam towards the end. This game is well-worth a play-through but is by no means a replacement to the original which I believe remains the GOAT.
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Black Mesa | ★★★★★ When I was 6 or 7 years old, I first discovered that PCs could run games. Up until then, I thought gaming was reserved for consoles, and that computers were meant for school or work, at most, maybe only solitaire and minesweeper. That was also the time I was introduced to Half-Life. 'cue random half life baddass music' I was completely blown away by the tram ride introduction. My young mind was racing with thoughts as the game showcased the facility. I kept trying to jump out of the tram to explore, only to meet an untimely death. Sadly, my childhood self couldn’t grasp the basic tutorial and ended up getting stuck in the actual tram when I was supposed to get out. At 13, I nearly finished the game, but the Xen part frustrated the hell out of me. The difficulty ramped up, and without much games experience, I eventually abandoned it. Fast forward 12 years, and here I am. The graphics of the original game haven't aged well, and with this remake already available, I opted out with this. While it doesn’t have a fully modern look (essentially using Half-Life 2 assets), the graphical improvements become evident as you progress through the levels. Black Mesa started as a mod and evolved into a standalone game that was updated for five years. Some parts of the original game, particularly the Xen portion, were initially missing but were added back for the full release in 2020. I enjoyed most of the game, much like I did with the original, but what really stood out to me was the reimagined Xen part. They essentially recreated the Black Mesa levels 1:1 but went bonkers with Xen. Although it doesn't carry the same eerie atmosphere as the original, the rework is much more impressive. The Xen levels have been entirely overhauled to align more closely with the rest of the game. Unlike the original, which was dark and open, this version is more linear and refined. They cranked up the intensity for the last part, making it feel much more modern compared to the earlier sections. It features kickass boss fights and fun puzzles. The hype and excitement I felt before and after the final boss fight is what ultimately made me really love this remake. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3317489151 PC Specs CPU i5-14600k GPU RX6800 XT RAM 16GB No performance problem other than 1 crash in the middle of the Xen part. I also recommend quick saving alot since it has the ole Source "RPG" saving mechanics.
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Black Mesa is an FPS developed by Crowbar Collective, and the Definitive Edition was released in 2020. This is the Source Engine Remake of the cult first Half-Life published in 1998. The least we can say is that the talented developers have masterfully revisited Valve's masterpiece. The great scenario of the game originally written by Marc Laidlaw remains unchanged. The player embodies Gordon Freeman, a brilliant scientist recently graduated from M.I.T., working at the Black Mesa Research Center in New Mexico. During an experiment aimed at analyzing a crystal of unknown origin, an immense catastrophe of unprecedented scale occurred: a resonance cascade. Dimensional portals open here and there from which unfriendly aliens emerge. The army was called in to help stop the invasion, but seems determined to cover up the whole affair. You must do everything to try to get out of there, help your colleagues in difficulty, and destroy what is at the origin of this disaster... Black Mesa lives by Half-Life's motto of "Run, Think, Shoot, Live." The game retains the charm of yesteryear, oscillating between combat, reflection, and platform making it original. Unlike the sadly unloved Half-Life Source, Black Mesa is not a simple port of the first Half-Life to the Source Engine. Although the maps, enemies and plot are similar, the developers have taken some liberties, refreshing the original work. The very essence of the game is respected, and even embellished in many areas. The pace of the combat is much more frantic, the shootouts are dynamic to say the least. Some complex sequences have been simplified, while others have been largely redesigned. The game has a much more elaborate and spectacular staging than its glorious ancestor, and sometimes offers great moments of bravery. We are amazed at every moment, since the effect of nostalgia is enhanced by all the new things. Half-Life has never been more beautiful and immersive than in Black Mesa. The game pushes the limits of the ancient but still very effective Source Engine. The graphics are sublime, the lighting and reflections magnificent, the particle effects striking… The weapons become covered in blood when you pulverize an enemy in close combat, the game can be very gory, almost giving the impression of playing a modern version of Brutal Half-Life. The game accentuates its connection with the other illustrious Half-Life games, by borrowing various elements from them, including gameplay mechanics. It's possible to pick up various objects to clear your path, to burn Zombies using flares, to look for a valve to place on its support in order to use it, to reconnect a cable to a socket, to launch a flammable barrel on the tongue of the Barnacles so that it explodes once it reaches their mouth... The sprint system and the flashligt are similar to Half-Life 2, except that they no longer drain the battery of the H.E.V. Suit. The NPCs are much more numerous and detailed than in the past. First of all, scientists have a plethora of models, including female ones for the first time. Female scientists should have appeared in Half-Life 1, but only a few leftovers remain in the Half-Life Alpha and Half-Life Source files. The models of security guards are also much more diverse and better armed. Indeed, if they are often equipped with their famous pistol, some have revolvers and even shotguns! From time to time you can even lead a small squad of "Barneys" and Scientists. These valuable allies often interact with each other and have new lines of dialogue, in addition to those already well known. Some recognizable characters and elements now appear in Black Mesa. Gordon meets the likeable Issac Kleiner and Eli Vance early in the game. Vortigaunts communicate the same way as in Half-Life 2. Galanga! Don't forget Dr. Magnusson’s famous "microwave casserole"… The enemies are essentially the same as in Half-Life, but with models that resemble some of those in Half-Life 2, including their animations. In addition to the already well-known Xen creatures (including the iconic Headcrabs, the intelligent Vortigaunts, the fierce Bullsquids and many others), Black Mesa introduces : the Zombie Torso previously seen in Half-Life 2, the Zombie Security Guards and H.E.C.U. coming straight from Opposing Force and Blue Shift, two new variants of Houndeyes, the first one is explosive and kamikaze, while the second is a larger and beefier, and a sort of underwater Barnacle, undoubtedly drawing inspiration from the unfinished Sand Barnacle from Half-Life 2 Beta. The Military H.E.C.U. and Black Ops are as tough as ever, and can give you a hard time. They communicate constantly, attack in groups and are not there to make up the numbers. Female Assassins are extremely agile and flawlessly precise, and have the same Long-Fall Boots as the protagonist of Portal 1 and 2, Chell ! Additionally, there may be enemies where there were none in the original game. Black Mesa is much larger than before, and teeming with life and little details that will delight even the biggest fans. The weapons are exactly the same as in Half-Life, but are not necessarily picked up in the same place. Some have a few difference differences in their gameplay, such as: The 357 Magnum has an Iron Sight, similar to Half-Life 1 in multiplayer. The crossbow has a real scope at the scope, making it more practical and more realistic. However, all those guns seem much more powerful and impactful, giving a more dynamic combat feeling than in the past. The last part of the game, taking place in the "Border World" Xen, has been completely remade. The artistic direction is totally original and splendid, it's a perpetual visual feast. It almost feels like we're on the planet Pandora from the Avatar, one of James Cameron's masterpieces of the Seventh Art. This alien universe is adorned with its most beautiful shimmering colors, mixing caves worthy of HL2: Episode Two, lush jungles, and settings similar to the abyss. The firmament is covered with clouds of sparkling stars and a multitude of celestial objects. This ecosystem made up of several biomes is teeming with life and details of the highest quality. The flora is colorful, accentuating the exoticism of this distant land. The local fauna is variegated, and while Boids fly peacefully in the skies, other species are much more harmful. The aliens that we slay throughout the game are there have new variants. The Vortigaunts are much more surprising beings than we might think at first glance... Some areas are very industrialized and mechanical, while others are tribal and primitive, like in the Oddworld games. Xen contains traces of human activities, there are some installations and devices of all kinds. The original soundtrack by Joel Nielsen is simply masterful. It magnificently accentuates the feeling of strangeness and drama of the events suffered by Gordon Freeman with quite calm and mysterious sounds. During the fights, the music is very rock or orchestral and emphasizes the epic feeling of this atypical and mythical sci-fi shooter. On Xen, the music is as unique as it's breathtaking, composed of captivating sounds and exquisite lyrical female vocalizations. Black Mesa respects the authenticity of Half-Life by providing it with the necessary new features and accessibility. Newcomers will love the intriguing storyline, the masterfully orchestrated staging, and its anthology sequences. While veterans of the Half-Life franchise who have completed the first game countless times will appreciate the improved graphics, realistic physics, dynamic combat, subtle references to other episodes, and all the elements brought by this remake. The original work from 1998 is in no way stripped of its charm and is brilliantly modernized, with a delicious touch of fan service added. This is a must-have game.
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Probably one of my best purchases here on Steam. The remake of the first Half-Life is just perfect in terms of gameplay, graphics and sound. The areas are beautifully designed and this one atmospheric level (also shown in the trailer screenshot) is just amazing. You can spend many hours playing here. Another game that simply deserves a 100% positive rating. No DLC, no FOMO content and other nonsense.
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Last Updates| Steam data | 11 April 2025 14:18 |
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| SteamSpy data | 12 April 2025 07:52 |
| Steam price | 13 April 2025 12:48 |
| Steam reviews | 12 April 2025 15:52 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Black Mesa, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Black Mesa
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Black Mesa concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Black Mesa compatibility
Online players
601
Developer
Crowbar Collective
Publisher
Crowbar Collective
Release
06 Mar 2020
Platforms