Half-Life on the PlayStation 2 is a port of the game that was initially released for Windows. However, a lot of work was done to update the weapon and character models, the general map geometry, and several additional levels.
It also includes an expansion pack known as Half-Life: Decay, which was never officially released as an expansion for the Windows game until it was eventually recreated as a modification. Before this, the expansion pack existed only as a modification. This is the third extension for the base game, and it adds a cooperative mode for two players that takes place on a split-screen, with the two protagonists being two female scientists named Gina Cross and Colette Green. Because it focuses more on puzzles than the base game and the first two expansions, it is designed to be played with two players simultaneously. Single-player is also an option; however, you must alternate between your two characters in this mode to make progress. The bare acts of the other character are taken care of by the AI while it is not engaged.
It takes place within the same period as the events of the first Half-Life game but from the point of view of a different cast of characters. The original game serves as the inspiration for all of the game’s foes and weaponry, and many of the missions have a cooperative focus on helping NPCs or working together to complete their objectives. The absence of a continuous narrative distinguishes the series as a whole; in its place, the add-on comprises independent, predetermined tasks. After each mission, the player is presented with a grade, and their statistics are displayed. After completing all nine stages with a grade of A, players can access a bonus mission in which they will take control of two Vortigaunts and collaborate. After that, the entire single-player experience can also be finished as a Vortigaunt, a bonus.
The game is compatible with a mouse and keyboard connected through USB, allowing for more precise control.
