Half-Life 2 is considered by some to be one of the best games ever created. While there’s not much that can be improved upon, a few modders have got together and created Half-Life 2 Remastered Collection, a visually upgraded version of Valve’s classic.
As noted by PCGamesN, the Remastered Collection is the next evolution of Half-Life 2 Update, a fan project created by modder Filip Victor. This project launched in 2015 and reworked the original game’s lighting system, fog, particle effects, fixed numerous bugs, and also added in a Community Commentary Mode.
The project was initially spotted by fans on SteamDB and was initially touted to be an episodic update for Half-Life 2 Update. However, it seems that the developer has deemed it worthy enough to be its own standalone game. News of the project was also corroborated by Tyler McVicker, who is well known for his reporting on Valve.
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“According to SteamDB, the team that brought us Half-Life 2: Update is working on a further update and remaster of HL2 & the Episodes, with Valve’s consent. The Half-Life 2: Remastered Collection is coming soon to Steam,” tweeted McVicker. “I have been able to confirm this projects [sic] legitimacy, being made by the former Half-Life 2: Update team.”
Fan remasters for the Half-Life series aren’t a new phenomenon. One of the biggest remasters for the original Half-Life came in the form of Black Mesa, a remake which took 15 years in the making. Developer Crowbar Collective also announced in October last year that a Definitive Edition of the remake was on the way.
Back in May 2019, we reported that World War Z developer, Saber Interactive had approached Valve to discuss a potential Half-Life 2 remake, but was shot down. The studio definitely had the expertise to remake the title, considering its work with the first two Halo titles, but Valve wasn’t having it. According to Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch, Gabe Newell stated that “if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it internally.”
It seems Valve may have gone back on its word, considering that it gave its blessing to a fan project later. Perhaps the company prefered to let the fans work on it, rather than another studio.
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