Improve Xen puzzle repetition

Fix Gonarch fight mechanics

Optimize Linux performance

Reduce Xen platforming sections

Fix collision detection issues

Shorten Xen's length

Improve controller auto-aim

Address multiplayer lag and crashes

Reduce forced animations

Add more backtracking options

Diversify Xen's puzzles

Improve Vortigaunt city pacing

Fix ragdoll physics glitches

Optimize Xen's performance

Balance Xen's difficulty spikes

Add more narrative depth

Refine Interloper section pacing

Improve enemy AI responsiveness

Add skippable cutscenes

Expand multiplayer stability testing

Positive Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I feel that Black Mesa is a wonderfully done remake of an old classic, which shows the developers' passion and effort in recreating Half-Life 1.
  • I appreciate the progress video games have made, and playing the original Half-Life 1 first helps me understand and value this progress even more.
  • I can see that the developers put a lot of passion into remaking Half-Life 1, which makes the game feel special and well-crafted.
  • I think playing the original Half-Life 1 before Black Mesa enhances the experience and allows me to fully appreciate the remake.
  • I believe the remake highlights how far video games have come, which is a positive reflection on the evolution of the gaming industry.

Positive Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I feel that Black Mesa is a fantastic remake of the classic Half Life, staying true to its predecessor while introducing significant improvements to graphics and gameplay.
  • I appreciate how Crowbar Collective gave old environments a modern makeover, adding cool cinematic and narrative set pieces while keeping the essence of the original intact.
  • I find the Xen overhaul to be the standout feature of the remake, transforming what was the weakest point of Half Life into an enjoyable experience with breathtaking visuals.
  • I think the conveyer belt section in Xen still sucked, but I understand that a little bit of tedium is part of the experience.
  • I believe the HECU getting absolutely creamed in the cinematic set pieces adds a lot of excitement and engagement to the game.
  • I feel that the improvements in graphics and gameplay make Black Mesa a worthy successor to the original Half Life.
  • I acknowledge that the remake successfully modernizes the game while respecting the original's core elements.
  • I think the Xen overhaul is a significant improvement, but it still has minor flaws like the conveyer belt section.
  • I appreciate the effort to enhance the narrative and cinematic aspects, making the game more immersive.
  • I feel that the remake captures the essence of Half Life while elevating it with modern enhancements.

Positive Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and emotional connection when re-playing this game, as it reminds me of my childhood and the first time I played it on an old computer.
  • I am amazed by the improved graphics and gameplay, which enhance my experience compared to the original version.
  • I have fond memories of playing this game on an old Pentium 4 computer, which adds to my appreciation of the updated version.
  • I feel a sense of joy and excitement when recalling the good old days of playing this game as a young boy.
  • I appreciate the effort put into updating the game, as it allows me to relive my childhood memories in a more polished way.
  • I feel a tearful emotional response when reflecting on how far technology has come since I first played this game.
  • I am impressed by the fact that the game now runs smoothly, unlike the original version, which struggled on my old computer.
  • I feel a strong connection to the game because it was the first one I ever played, making it special to me.
  • I am grateful to my uncle for introducing me to this game, as it holds a significant place in my gaming history.
  • I feel a sense of awe at how the game has evolved while still retaining the essence of the original experience.

Positive Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I found Black Mesa to be the perfect remake of the original Half-Life game, with amazing visuals and graphics that surpass the original.
  • I loved the Xen world in Black Mesa so much that I bought the game primarily because of the screenshots of it.
  • The soundtrack during fights or encounters in the game is amazing and epic, adding to the overall experience.
  • Some of my friends disliked Black Mesa because they found it too long and sometimes boring, but I didn't share this sentiment.
  • I played the original Half-Life three times, and it was my first serious game, which holds a special place in my heart.
  • For me, Black Mesa was an amazing experience, and I loved everything about it, reinforcing my belief that old shooters are the best.
  • I definitely recommend Black Mesa and am excited to play the next project from the Crowbar Collective team, likely a Half-Life: Opposing Force remake.

Positive Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I feel that Black Mesa is a perfect game in every way, from game mechanics to graphics, story, difficulty, music, and even memes, which is rare for me to experience.
  • I believe Black Mesa is the ideal game to start with when trying to get into more 'classic' games, as it provides a great introduction.
  • I find the balance between action and exploration in Black Mesa to be incredibly engaging and well-executed, keeping me hooked throughout.
  • I consider Black Mesa to be a masterpiece, as it excels in all aspects and delivers an exceptional gaming experience.
  • I think the first Half-Life game is boring and uninteresting, which is why I prefer Black Mesa for a better experience.
  • I recommend Black Mesa over the original Half-Life because it offers a reimagined and improved version of the game.
  • I appreciate the reimagined experience in Black Mesa, as it enhances the original game and makes it more enjoyable.
  • I feel that Black Mesa is a great way to experience the classic Half-Life story with modern improvements.
  • I acknowledge that Black Mesa is a game that even someone like me, who doesn't often explore gaming, can thoroughly enjoy.
  • I find the first Half-Life to be unengaging and a 'snore,' which contrasts sharply with my experience with Black Mesa.

Negative Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I adored this game until I got to Xen, which was a massive disappointment due to the liberties taken with its design and the addition of repetitive, tedious puzzles.
  • I loved Xen in Half-Life, but in this version, they took way too many liberties with it, making it feel less enjoyable and more frustrating.
  • The squishy explodey plants were confusing and poorly designed, as they initially tell you not to touch them but later expect you to climb on them without clear guidance.
  • The game design rules of Half-Life were thrown out the window in Xen, which made the experience feel inconsistent and poorly executed.
  • The Gonarch fight was ruined with dragged-out fake fights and cutscenes, where damage was ignored, making it feel like a waste of ammo and time.
  • The original Half-Life's Gonarch fight was better designed with clear stages and no damage-ignoring mechanics, making it more enjoyable and fair.
  • The Vort city was somewhat neat and visually interesting, providing a brief positive moment in an otherwise disappointing experience.
  • The Nihilanth fight was interesting and trippy, but it suffered from the same bullet-sponge, damage-ignoring behavior as the Gonarch fight.
  • Overall, I wouldn't recommend this version of the game, as the original Half-Life remains the superior experience.
  • The game had moments of potential, but the poor design choices in Xen and the boss fights overshadowed the positive aspects.

Negative Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I did not care for Black Mesa, which indicates a negative sentiment toward the game overall.
  • I acknowledge that Black Mesa is a well-made game, which shows a positive sentiment toward its quality.
  • I recommend playing Black Mesa if someone wants to experience Half-Life in a different way, which is a neutral sentiment about its purpose.
  • I felt that the game became repetitive with puzzles, which is a negative sentiment about its gameplay design.
  • I suggest playing the original Half-Life instead, which is a negative sentiment toward Black Mesa in comparison.

Negative Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I am extremely frustrated with the Linux version of the game because it is unplayable due to massive graphical issues.
  • I find it impossible to navigate certain areas of the game because the flashlight is broken and shaders are not working correctly.
  • I am disappointed that many players have reported these issues, yet there is still no fix available.
  • I am forced to run the Windows version through Proton, which is an inconvenient workaround.
  • I encountered a crash in the 'Surface Tension' section of the game, specifically with the error 'failed to lock vertex buffer DX8'.
  • I am unable to progress past the crash point despite trying to reload saves and change graphic settings.
  • I feel like I have no choice but to stop playing the game because of these unresolved issues.

Negative Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I am a big fan of the whole franchise and absolutely admire the dedication and persistence of Black Mesa developers.
  • I can not recommend this game because of the combat flow and difficulty.
  • I consider myself fairly competent when it comes to pointing the crosshair and clicking, and I have played a ton of shooters (always on Hard).
  • I like a good challenge, but Black Mesa is different in a frustrating way.
  • HECU (the marines) start shooting at you before you even leave the cover, which feels unfair.
  • The marines always know where you are, even if you're walking and not making any noise, which feels unrealistic.
  • When the marines shoot, they lay shot after shot in your face without fail, making combat feel unbalanced.
  • Running or standing still doesn't make much difference in combat, which feels unrewarding.
  • The only way to win in some encounters is to execute several perfect headshots with the Magnum in a row, which feels overly punishing.
  • Unless I'm missing something here, this is bollocks, and the combat mechanics feel broken.

Negative Show original review

• Sentiments

  • I feel extremely frustrated because the game has game-breaking bugs on the Linux build, making it nearly impossible to play through completely.
  • I am disappointed that the developers did not play-test the Linux build, as it feels very blatant and neglectful.
  • I strongly advise against buying this game if you plan to play it on Linux or Steam Deck due to its poor performance.
  • I find it unacceptable that the Linux build is so poorly optimized, which significantly impacts the overall experience.
  • I feel let down by the developers for not ensuring a functional experience for Linux users.