Half-Life 2, one of the most influential video games in history, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in a special way: with a remaster that promises to make history. Under the name of Half Life 2 RTX, Valve's game returns with new visual technologies that transform it into something totally different from what we remember. And this is not just a facelift; we are talking about an exhaustive remodeling job that includes everything from texture improvements to the implementation of ray tracing in real time, taking the graphical experience to another level. The person in charge of this impressive remaster is Orbifold Studios, a team that brings together experienced and passionate Half-Life 2 modders who have collaborated on projects such as Half-Life 2 VR y Raising the Bar: Redux. Thanks to the platform NVIDIA RTX Remix, a powerful open source tool designed to remaster classic titles, have managed to breathe new life into this iconic first-person shooter. The result? A Half-Life 2 which looks like it was released in 2024.
The technology behind Half-Life 2 RTX
One of the big keys to this remastering is the use of RTX Remix, which allows you to apply to the game full ray tracing, technology DLSS-3.5 y NVIDIA SLRNot only that, new features have also been added textures generated with artificial intelligence, modeled with many more polygons, and lighting effects that make Half-Life 2 RTX look like a completely new game.
The improvements in terms of graphical fidelity are overwhelming. Textures now have up to eight times more pixels than in the original. Even Gordon Freeman's iconic suit has been recreated with 20 times more geometric details, taking Valve's delivery to a level of detail that was previously unimaginable for the title. In addition, thanks to the implementation of the latest versions of DLSS and ray reconstruction, NVIDIA DLSS-3.5, players will be able to enjoy smooth performance without sacrificing visual quality. Knowing all that, you can imagine that the game looks completely different, however, it doesn't lose its essence.
New gameplay: Impressive changes
Half-Life 2 RTX not only impresses with its graphics, but also with the introduction of gameplay improvements. Now, the physics of objects and interactions with the environment have modifications that provide a greater sense of realism. In levels like New Prospect, the changes are striking: from new, more detailed geometries to shadows and lights that vary in real time, taking advantage of the new ray tracing technology.
During the Gamescom 2024, an extensive gameplay was revealed that shows many of these advances. The community was able to appreciate what Orbifold Studios has achieved, with more realistic animations, improvements to weapons such as the pulse rifle and revolver, and a clear technical leap reflected in the overall quality of the title. This gameplay has been conducted by Jacob Freeman, a member of NVIDIA, who took the opportunity to highlight the performance of the new technology, a perfect showcase for the company's latest innovations.
A remake with Ray Tracing and DLSS 3.5
Ray tracing, along with the use of DLSS-3.5, is undoubtedly one of the fundamental pillars in this remastering. Ray tracing allows players to experience how light interacts with objects, generating shadows and reflections in real time that add a great deal of realism to each scene. As for the technical requirements To run the game, Orbifold has noted that they will be high. To enjoy all the visual goodness that Half-Life 2 RTX has to offer, you will need at least a NVIDIA RTX 40 Series graphics card.
For those who do not have a compatible RTX GPU, there is always the option of using modifications using AMD FSR 3.0, although the results will not be exactly the same as with native NVIDIA technology, obviously.
NVIDIA celebrates anniversary with a giveaway
The celebration doesn't stop with the remastering. NVIDIA has announced a giveaway on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2. Participants will be able to win a NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super Custom, designed with motifs inspired by Gordon Freeman's suit. The graphics card is worth more than $2,000, and to participate you only need to follow NVIDIA GeForce on social networks such as X, TikTok, Instagram or Facebook, and leave a comment or like on the corresponding post.
The deadline to participate in the draw ends on November 22 at 2:00 AM (Spanish time), which just adds one more reason to keep an eye on the event. Additionally, NVIDIA has noted that Half-Life 2 RTX will soon be available to wishlist on Steam, so nostalgic gamers can already start preparing to relive Gordon Freeman’s epic story.
As if that were not enough, NVIDIA has taken the opportunity to present the progress of its RTX Remix Platform, which is now from open source, allowing other developers and modders to enhance classic titles with AI-powered tools and advanced rendering technologies. While there is not yet a official release date For Half-Life 2 RTX, it looks like we won't be long before we can enjoy this impressive remaster. With its extensive gameplay and cutting-edge technologies, the wait is worth it.