Black Mesa

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 14

Waiting for Reviews

The MetaMeter requires a minimum of 15 professional critic reviews before issuing an official MetaMeter Score and Recommendation.

Waiting for Reviews

Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 14

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 14

The MetaMeter requires a minimum of 15 professional critic reviews before issuing an official MetaMeter Score and Recommendation.

Where to Play

** VSG may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Rate and Review

What did you think of Black Mesa?

Player Reviews0 Votes

Critic Reviews for Black Mesa

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

14

Reviews

Average Score

100

Ranges

8/10

Dan Stapleton (IGN)

Black Mesa is the best way to play the classic original 1998 Half-Life today, but it’s a remake that already feels old enough that it would benefit from a remake itself.

March 12, 2020 |

Full Review

One of the best remakes ever, not because of its loving recreation of the original Half-Life but because it dares to change and improve it.

March 10, 2020 |

Full Review

8/10

GameCentral (Metro GameCentral)

84/100

Andy Kelly (PC Gamer)

A quality remake that broadens the scope of the original and massively improves its final chapters.

March 5, 2020 |

Full Review

Dan Stapleton (IGN)

8/10 - (Read Review)

Black Mesa is the best way to play the classic original 1998 Half-Life today, but it’s a remake that already feels old enough that it would benefit from a remake itself.

GameCentral (Metro GameCentral)

8/10 - (Read Review)

One of the best remakes ever, not because of its loving recreation of the original Half-Life but because it dares to change and improve it.

Andy Kelly (PC Gamer)

84/100 - (Read Review)

A quality remake that broadens the scope of the original and massively improves its final chapters.

**Read all 14 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (14 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
3DNews	Иван Бышонкoв	9 / 10	03-14-2020	Black Mesa is a great remake of the original Half-Life. The game is really fun to play, and Crowbar Collective not only manages to preserve the atmosphere of the Valve’s creation, but make the overall experience even better.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Brandon Adams	4.5 / 5 stars	03-09-2020	Black Mesa may show its age in some areas, but that doesn’t detract from what is an otherwise stunning achievement. It’s not only Half Life at its best	Read review
Eurogamer	Rick Lane	Recommended	03-05-2020	Finally complete after fourteen years, Crowbar Collective’s remake is more than faithful to Valve’s masterpiece.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Giuseppe Arace	8 / 10	03-18-2020	From our point of view, we do not believe that Black Mesa can be an integral substitute of the original Half-Life (still very enjoyable), as much as an adventure that is flanked with respect and dignity. And walking tall with a legend can be considered a success in itself.	Read review
Gameblog	Gianni Molinaro	8 / 10	03-17-2020	It started as an homage, and it became the best version of the game. Black Mesa is fantastic remake of Half-Life, that never betrays the source material and gives it what is needed to be appreciated by a modern player on a modern PC	Read review
GamingBolt	Ravi Sinha	9 / 10	03-12-2020	It’s been a long, long wait but Black Mesa is here. If you’ve never experienced Valve’s original masterpiece, want to wax nostalgic about real story-telling in an FPS, or just want an excellent game to play, Black Mesa is where it’s at.	Read review
IGN	Dan Stapleton	8 / 10	03-13-2020	Black Mesa is the best way to play the classic original 1998 Half-Life today, but it’s a remake that already feels old enough that it would benefit from a remake itself.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	GameCentral	8 / 10	03-10-2020	One of the best remakes ever, not because of its loving recreation of the original Half-Life but because it dares to change and improve it.	Read review
Pardis Game	Alireza Abroshan	10 / 10	07-28-2020	Black Mesa is one of the highest quality shooters made to this day, and with its fantastic combat along with exciting boss fights, provides a unique experience. Furthermore, the Platforming is excellent without overstaying its welcome, and has made the game twice as fun. Major graphical increase over the original title has also made it possible to enjoy this historical game in 2020. Because of all these reasons, I recommend this title to all fans of Half-life, and for those who have not experienced it at all, I highly recommend it. Don’t miss one of the best remakes in history	Read review
PC Gamer	Andy Kelly	84 / 100	03-05-2020	A quality remake that broadens the scope of the original and massively improves its final chapters.	Read review
PC Invasion	Andrew Farrell	8 / 10	03-05-2020	Black Mesa is dated in several ways and the new Xen levels have some issues, but this is an excellent experience that old fans of Half-Life and people who may have never played it before should absolutely check out.	Read review
Rock, Paper, Shotgun	Graham Smith	UnscoredFALSE	03-11-2020	As it is, it’s the best way to play Valve’s original design if you haven’t done so before, and it’s a brilliant way to retread those old ventilation shafts, if you have.	Read review
The Games Machine	Alessandro Alosi	9 / 10	03-21-2020	This Half Life remake not only gives a more modern and pleasant look to a timeless masterpiece, but makes it even more magnificent without ruining its magic. If you don’t know who Gordon Freeman is or if you want to relive once again one of the most incredible single player experiences in the history of video games, you simply cannot miss it.	Read review
WayTooManyGames	Kyle Nicol	9 / 10	03-09-2020	The Crowbar Collective knew exactly what needed to be done to improve on the original. Not only is this a great game for fans of the original, but this is a perfect new entry point into the franchise.	Read review

** Learn more about how to become a MetaMeter-approved Critic.

About Black Mesa

Game Description / Storyline:

Black Mesa is a re-envisioning of Valve Software’s classic science fiction first person shooter, Half-Life. Powered by Source Engine, You will re-visit the inaugural role of Gordon Freeman and his memorable journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility. Expect detailed environments to explore, a huge cast of characters and experimental weaponry. All-new music, voice acting, choreography and added dialogue give way to a more expansive and immersive experience than ever before.

RELEASE DATES:

DEVELOPER(S):

PUBLISHER(S):

GENRES:

SERIES/FRANCHISE:

GAME MODES:

GAME ENGINE:

DLC:

BUNDLED IN:

DIRECTOR(S):

PRODUCER(S):

DESIGNER(S):

PROGRAMMER(S):

ARTIST(S):

WRITER(S):

COMPOSER(S):

LINKS:

ESRB RATING:

Detailed Information

GAME MODES:

GAME ENGINE:

DLC:

BUNDLED IN:

DIRECTOR(S):

PRODUCER(S):

DESIGNER(S):

PROGRAMMER(S):

ARTIST(S):

WRITER(S):

COMPOSER(S):

Developed by Crowbar Collective. All titles, content, brand names, trademarks, logos, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. © All rights reserved.