It’s been a while since we stopped counting how many times Half-Life 2 has been named one of the best video games in history. And rightfully so. Its impact on the digital entertainment industry has marked before and after, setting a standard that few titles have been able to match. Today, two decades after its release, Valve is celebrating the anniversary by giving away the game on Steam. That’s right, Half-Life 2 is free for all players until November 18, 2024, adding an air of urgency to this unexpected but welcome surprise.

This move is not a simple coincidence. Valve pays tribute the title that revolutionized video games thanks to an innovative graphics engine, advanced physics mechanics and a story that redefined the first-person shooter genre. When Half-Life 2 was released in 2004, it not only left an indelible mark on the industry, but also earned a place in the hearts of millions of gamers. City 17, the ravages of the Combine and the adventures of Gordon Freeman continue to be remembered as pillars of an experience that broke barriers and defined a new era of video games.

Promotion It comes at an interesting time for the saga. At Gamescom 2023, NVIDIA revealed that it is working on a remaster called Half-Life 2 RTX, which is supposed to modernize the game with ray tracing technologies. This version promises a completely renewed visual experience that allows you to rediscover the classic from an updated technological perspective. At the same time, Valve shared their thoughts on the franchise and recently explained why Half-Life 2: Episode 3 never saw the light of day. According to them, the ideas for this part did not meet the studio’s high quality standards, which led to the cancellation of the project that fans had been waiting for for years.

Picking up this gem of a video game is simple: just have a Steam account, search the store for Half-Life 2 and add it to your library for free. However, Valve clarified this The promotion will be active until November 18, 2024so if you’ve ever wanted to experience Gordon Freeman’s story or relive his epic fight against the Combine, now is the perfect time. There are no excuses for missing out on this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the most influential games in history.

Half-Life 2’s gift isn’t just a nod to nostalgia, but proof that some video games never get oldthey simply transcend generations. The question now is whether Valve has any franchise-related tricks up its sleeve, but whether it pans out or not, this promo is an unbeatable way to remind yourself why Half-Life 2 remains a timeless masterpiece. Will you miss it?