Crowbar Collective

Black Mesa

Black Mesa is a re-envisioning of Valve Software's classic science fiction first person shooter, Half-Life. Powered by Source Engine, You will re-visit the inaugural role of Gordon Freeman and his memorable journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility. Expect detailed environments to explore, a huge cast of characters and experimental weaponry. All-new music, voice acting, choreography and added dialogue give way to a more expansive and immersive experience than ever before.

Released: 6 March 2020
Developer: Crowbar Collective
Publisher: Crowbar Collective
Engine: Source
Perspective: First person
Metacritic: 84/100
Steam recommendations: 134,202
Platforms: Linux · PC (Microsoft Windows)
Genres: Shooter · Platform · Adventure · Indie
Also known as: Black Mesa Legacy · Black Mesa: Source
Estimated owners: 2,000,000–5,000,000 (est.)

88
Player rating: 88
Critic rating: 550
Ratings counted: 95%
Steam reviews: 50
Achievements

Black Mesa

Quick answers

System requirements 6 GB RAM Download size 20.0 GB Steam Deck Playable Player counts 998

Black Mesa

The story

The plot of Black Mesa is almost identical to Half-Life's storyline, playable through the "Lambda Core" chapter. As in the original game, the player controls Gordon Freeman, a scientist working at the Black Mesa Research Facility. He is tasked to place a sample of a strange material into an electromagnetic instrument, using the Hazardous Environment Suit Mark IV to do so safely. However, the sample material causes a "resonance cascade", devastating the facility and creating an interdimensional rift to an alien dimension called Xen, bringing its alien creatures to Earth. Freeman survives, finds other survivors, and makes his way to the surface with the protection of his hazard suit to get help. Upon reaching the surface, however, he finds that the facility is being cleansed of any living thing - human or alien - by armed forces. From other scientists, Freeman finds the only way to stop the alien invasion is to cross over to Xen and destroy the entity holding the portal open.

Black Mesa

How long to beat

Main story: 9.5 h
Main + extras: 10.7 h
Completionist: 60.4 h

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Key facts

Platforms

Game modes

Single player
Multiplayer

Themes

Action
Science fiction
Warfare

Black Mesa

Trailer

Black Mesa

Screenshots

Black Mesa

Reviews and languages

95% of 144,194 Steam reviews are positive. Valve labels that “Very Positive”.

35 languages in the interface, 1 of them with full voice acting. English is supported, with full voice acting.

Publisher's content notice

Violence and death due to falls, blunt force, gunshots, and explosions. Over the top dismemberment of NPCs (gibing) that some may see as realistic.

Black Mesa