Half-Life 2: Deathmatch on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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Fast multiplayer action set in the Half-Life 2 universe! HL2's physics adds a new dimension to deathmatch play. Play straight deathmatch or try Combine vs. Resistance teamplay. Toss a toilet at your friend today!

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is a action, fps and multiplayer game developed and published by Valve.
Released on November 01st 2004 is available in English on Windows and Linux.

It has received 14,296 reviews of which 12,962 were positive and 1,334 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. 😎

The game is not available on Steam.


The Steam community has classified Half-Life 2: Deathmatch into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Half-Life 2: Deathmatch through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows

Minimum: 1.2 GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, DirectX 7 level graphics card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Recommended: 2.4 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX 9 level graphics card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

May 2025
I feel like this game should be integrated into base Half Life 2, like the episodes were. Or listed as a F2p at least.
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March 2025
🎯 Rating: 8.0/10 📜 Overview Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve and released in 2004 as a standalone title, built on the Half-Life 2 engine. It allows players to engage in fast-paced, action-packed deathmatch combat in environments inspired by the Half-Life 2 universe. Players can choose from a variety of weapons, and the physics-based gameplay offers a unique and dynamic combat experience. This game focuses purely on PvP combat, pitting players against each other in various maps. 🌟 Pros ✅ Physics-Based Combat – The integration of Half-Life 2's physics engine into the gameplay offers a unique and dynamic twist to deathmatch-style combat. Players can manipulate the environment to their advantage, such as using crates or barrels to block paths or attack enemies. ✅ Variety of Weapons – Half-Life 2: Deathmatch includes a wide range of iconic weapons from the Half-Life 2 series, each offering different playstyles, from shotguns to the gravity gun. ✅ Smooth Gameplay – The game runs smoothly on modern hardware, with fast, responsive movement and controls that make combat enjoyable. ✅ Classic Map Design – The maps are inspired by the Half-Life 2 world and provide an engaging, nostalgic experience for fans of the series. ✅ Strong Community – Despite being an older game, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch retains an active community, often supported by mods and custom servers. ⚠️ Cons ❌ Limited Game Modes – Unlike some other modern shooters, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch primarily offers a single mode (Deathmatch), which can feel repetitive after a while. ❌ Aged Graphics – While the Source engine was impressive in its day, the visuals may seem outdated compared to newer FPS titles. ❌ Player Base Decline – With the rise of newer multiplayer games, the player base for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch has significantly decreased, making it harder to find active games without relying on custom servers. ❌ Lack of New Content – The game has not received substantial updates or new content since its release, which can make it feel stagnant for some players. 💬 Player Sentiment Positive Reviews: Fans of the Half-Life series appreciate the nostalgia and the incorporation of physics-based mechanics into fast-paced, tactical combat. The variety of weapons and enjoyable movement system are often praised. Negative Reviews: Criticisms usually focus on the repetitive nature of the gameplay, the limited number of game modes, and the diminished player base. 🎯 Target Audience Players who enjoy classic, fast-paced deathmatch combat. Half-Life fans looking for multiplayer experiences in the series' universe. Gamers who enjoy physics-driven gameplay and creative combat tactics. 🏆 Rating Breakdown 🎮 Gameplay: 8/10 🎨 Graphics & Art Style: 7/10 🔄 Replayability: 7.5/10 ⚙️ Mechanics & Balance: 8.5/10 👥 Community & Support: 7/10 Overall Experience: 8.0/10 🎯 Final Verdict Half-Life 2: Deathmatch offers a fun, physics-driven deathmatch experience set in the beloved Half-Life 2 universe. The fast-paced combat and variety of weapons give it an engaging feel, though it can become repetitive with limited game modes and a declining player base. For those looking for a nostalgic and dynamic multiplayer shooter, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is still worth playing, but the lack of ongoing updates and a smaller community may limit long-term appeal.
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Feb. 2025
🎯 Rating: 9/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 📜 Overview Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve, released in 2004 as part of the Half-Life 2 series. The game focuses on online multiplayer combat, where players battle it out in fast-paced deathmatch-style gameplay. Set in the Half-Life universe, players can use a variety of weapons and mechanics from the original Half-Life 2, with maps designed for high-action, team-based gameplay. The game offers intense matches where skill, reflexes, and strategic use of weapons come into play. 🌟 Pros ✅ Classic Weaponry – Players get to use a range of Half-Life 2 weapons, including the crowbar, pistols, shotguns, and the iconic gravity gun, adding a unique twist to the gameplay. ✅ Fluid Gameplay – The mechanics are fast and satisfying, with smooth movement and action-packed combat. ✅ Well-Designed Maps – Maps are well-suited for multiplayer combat, providing opportunities for tactical play and strategic use of the environment. ✅ Great AI Bots – In the absence of human players, AI bots can be used to fill matches, ensuring that the game remains fun even when there aren't enough players online. ✅ Modding Support – The game has a strong community of modders who provide custom content, maps, and mods that enhance the replayability of the game. ⚠️ Cons ❌ Limited Game Modes – The game primarily focuses on deathmatch-style gameplay, which can get repetitive over time if you’re looking for more variety. ❌ Aging Graphics – While the visuals were impressive for their time, they can feel outdated compared to more recent first-person shooters. ❌ Low Player Base – As with many older multiplayer games, finding matches may be difficult, especially during off-peak hours. ❌ Limited Features – It lacks the depth and variety of some more modern multiplayer shooters, offering fewer customization and game mode options. 💬 Player Sentiment Positive: Many players love the fast-paced, classic Half-Life action and enjoy the nostalgia that comes with battling it out in the game's familiar universe. The simplicity and directness of the gameplay make it a fun, no-frills multiplayer experience. Negative: Some players express frustration with the low player base, especially since the game’s popularity has dwindled over the years. The lack of game mode variety also means that the gameplay can become stale. 🏆 Rating Breakdown 🎮 Gameplay: 9/10 – Fun, fast, and engaging, offering a solid multiplayer experience. ⚔ Combat Mechanics: 9/10 – Smooth controls, diverse weaponry, and satisfying action. 🎨 Graphics: 7/10 – Although functional, they’re showing their age compared to modern titles. 🕹️ Replayability: 8/10 – Modding support and the potential for bot matches ensure the game remains entertaining, but its limited modes can make it feel repetitive. 🎯 Final Verdict Half-Life 2: Deathmatch remains a classic multiplayer shooter that captures the essence of the Half-Life 2 universe while providing fast-paced, action-packed combat. Its simplicity, engaging mechanics, and community-driven content make it an enjoyable experience for fans of the series and FPS enthusiasts alike. However, its aging visuals, limited features, and reduced player base may deter new players or those seeking a more varied multiplayer experience. For fans of Half-Life 2, it’s a fun and nostalgic way to dive back into the universe and experience classic multiplayer gameplay.
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Dec. 2024
I played a little, fun as gaben says. The gravity gun makes the difference, also the energy ball of the pulse rifle. You can gravnade.
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Nov. 2024
It's old as hell, Half Life 2's weapons do not work well in a PVP game and the time to kill is way too high but maaaaan, this is some stupid fun. It gives a me a nice feeling reminding me of old school Steam times around 2008-2009 when PVP games were more simple and playing janky Source mods. You can kill people with a toilet.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is not available on Steam.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is not available on Steam yet.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch received 12,962 positive votes out of a total of 14,296 achieving a rating of 8.84.
😎

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch was developed and published by Valve.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is not playable on MacOS.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is playable and fully supported on Linux.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is a multi-player game.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch features PvP mode where you can test your skills against other players.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch does not currently offer any DLC.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch does not support Steam Remote Play.

Half-Life 2: Deathmatch is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 05 July 2025 18:16
SteamSpy data 28 June 2025 20:30
Steam reviews 04 July 2025 03:47

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, 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 Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Half-Life 2: Deathmatch concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Half-Life 2: Deathmatch compatibility
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
8.8
12,962
1,334
Game modes
Features
Online players
122
Developer
Valve
Publisher
Valve
Release 01 Nov 2004
Platforms