Deal | Under $2/€2: Over 120k players agree - this cult remake is worth it, now 90% off on Steam
If you've ever wanted to relive Half-Life but with a fresh coat of paint, there's no better time than now. Black Mesa, the definitive fan-made remake of Valve's iconic 1998 FPS, is currently available for just $1.99/€1.95 on Steam - a 90% discount as part of Steam's Midweek Deal, and it is the game's lowest recorded price to date. The offer runs through May 19, 2025, at 10:30 PM IST.
Black Mesa is the result of more than a decade of work by Crowbar Collective, who rebuilt the original Half-Life from the ground up using the Source engine. While staying true to the core gameplay, the remake brings modern level design, updated visuals, expanded set pieces, and reimagined environments - particularly in the previously criticized Xen chapters. The project eventually received Valve’s blessing and launched officially in 2020, with the 1.5 "Definitive Edition" patch serving as the final major update.
If we talk about reception, it has been overwhelmingly positive across the board. The game holds a 93% rating on Steam with over 124,000 reviews, and it's routinely praised for improving on Half-Life's atmosphere while respecting its legacy. Publications like PC Gamer and Rock Paper Shotgun have called it a modernized, faithful recreation, while players constantly speak in favor of its refined pacing, memorable level design, and high replay value.
System requirements are modest too: Black Mesa only asks for a 2.6 GHz dual-core processor, 6 GB RAM, and a 2 GB dedicated GPU - which makes it great even for older machines.
It doesn't really matter if you're a returning fan or someone new to the Half-Life saga, this is easily the best way to experience Gordon Freeman’s story in 2025. At just two bucks, it's a no-brainer.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
