List of Half-Life 2 mods
Encyclopedia
This is a selected list of Source engine Mods
(modifications). This list is divided into single-player and multiplayer mods.
Mod news
Mod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
(modifications). This list is divided into single-player and multiplayer mods.
Single-player mods
- Black MesaBlack Mesa (video game)Black Mesa is a planned third-party total conversion modification for Valve Corporation's Source Engine. The stated goal of the project is to recreate Valve's critically acclaimed 1998 video game Half-Life using the more advanced capabilities of the Source Engine...
- A total conversion mod of Half-Life 2 that features the original Half-Life storyline, characters, and enemies in the high-definition graphics of the Source engine. Currently under development, was aimed for a 2009 release, but now release date is possibly late 2011.
- Eclipse - A fantasy themed action-adventure total conversion mod in 3rd person view, developed by students of The Guildhall at SMUThe Guildhall at SMUThe Guildhall at SMU is a video game university located at the Southern Methodist University Plano campus. Students learn how to create a game, from the basics to a total conversion. Graduates present their work at a semiannual exhibition...
.- Received 2005 Editor's Choice (released mod) from Mod DB.
- Flipside - a mod where the player takes the role of a mental patient who is breaking out. Flipside was an IGF 2008 Finalist and received Mod DB's 2007 Editor's Choice award.
- MINERVA - Episodic single-player mod based in the Half-Life 2 universe, with a style of storytelling inspired by classic games such as MarathonMarathon (video game)Marathon is a first-person shooter video game with a science fiction theme developed and published by Bungie released in December 1994 for the Apple Macintosh. The game was Bungie's second foray into the emerging genre of games with a first-person perspective, the first being Pathways into...
and System ShockSystem ShockSystem Shock is a first-person action-adventure video game developed by Looking Glass Technologies and published by Origin Systems. Released in 1994, the game is set aboard the fictional Citadel Station in a cyberpunk vision of 2072...
. The first chapter, Metastasis, consists of 4 episodes: Carcinogenesis (September 2005), Downhill Struggle (March 3, 2006), Depth Charge (October 1, 2007), and Pegasus (October 1, 2007). MINERVA was ranked #11 mod of 2005, #5 mod of 2006 and #5 mod of 2007 by Mod DB.
- Nightmare House 2 - This horror-themed mod was nominated at the ModDB 2010 Mod of the Year awards for Best Original Art, Best Singleplayer Mod and Player's Choice Mod of the Year categories, eventually winning 2nd place at the latter.
- Portal: Prelude - An unofficial prequel to Portal, set before the activation of GLaDOS when scientists used to watch over the test chambers and instruct the test subjects. Gameplay is similar to Portal in its basic aspects: There are 19 Test Chambers in which puzzles must be solved in conjunction with a "portal device".
- Research and Development, a "non-combative" modification created by Matt Bortolino that has been likened to Portal, in which the player uses the gravity gun and other aspects of the Source engine physics to solve puzzles and progress forward.
- Riot Act - A mod set in the universe of Half-Life 2. Players take on the role of Jamil Lee, a young member of the civilian resistance. She begins the game imprisoned at Nova Prospekt by the Combine.
- The Stanley Parable - An interactive fiction modification, with multiple endings depending on decisions made by the player.
- Weekday WarriorWeekday WarriorWeekday Warrior is a mod for the video game Half-Life 2. It was developed by students at The Guildhall at SMU and released in its final state on 7 June 2006....
- A comic bookComic bookA comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
mod developed by students of The Guildhall at SMU. It won Best Mod of the 2007 Independent Games FestivalIndependent Games FestivalThe Independent Games Festival is an annual festival at the Game Developers Conference, the largest annual gathering of the indie video game industry. It was founded in 1998 to assist and inspire innovation in video game development and to recognize the best independent video game developers...
Mod Competition.
- Dear EstherDear EstherDear Esther is an experimental "ghost story" PC game created as a research project at the University of Portsmouth. It was first released on July 29, 2008 as a free Source engine mod, and is currently being remade for a commercial release in early 2012....
- An experimental "ghost story" created as a research project at the University of Portsmouth. It was released in 2008 as a free mod, and is currently being remade for a commercial release in 2011.
Multiplayer mods
- Age of Chivalry - A multiplayer modification. Players fight for either the Mason Order or Agathian Knights in a fictional medieval environment using swords, spears and many other medieval weapons. Version 1.0 was released on 12/01/07. Age of Chivalry received Mod DB Editor's Choice for 2007.
- Battlegrounds 2Battlegrounds 2The Battle Grounds 2 or The Battlegrounds 2 is a free first person shooter computer game based on The Orange Box Multiplayer Mod platform...
- BG2 places you in the time period of the revolutionary war in America. American rebels are fighting for their freedom and the troops of the british crown are trying to keep control of the colonies.
- Dino D-DayDino D-DayDino D-Day is a multiplayer team-based first-person action video game, developed as a total conversion modification on the Valve Corporation's proprietary Source engine. The game was released on 8 April 2011. The game is set in 1942 during World War II...
- The game is set in 1942 during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The premise of the game is that Adolf HitlerAdolf HitlerAdolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
has resurrected dinosaurs, and players can battle online choosing to serve either the Allied nationsAllies of World War IIThe Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
or the Nazis. The game has been described as a new twist on "the overdone World War II FPS ... that has become a running joke in the industry and gaming press".
- Dystopia - A cyberpunkCyberpunkCyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...
-themed total conversion, somewhat based on popular role-playing game ShadowrunShadowrunShadowrun is a role-playing game set in a near-future fictional universe in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy fiction, horror, and detective fiction.The original game has spawned...
, that pits Punk mercenaries against Corporate security forces in both the physical world and cyberspace. Last release February 6, 2009. Dystopia received the Player's Choice Honorable Mention from Mod DB in 2006, Best Mod for Half-Life 2 during the Independent Games Festival in 2006, and received the "Mod Of The Year - 3rd place" and "Genre Award - Action" for mods of 2005 by Mod DB.
- Empires - A first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
/real-time strategyReal-time strategyReal-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
hybrid where each team led by a commander, viewing the world in the top-down perspective leading troops in the first-person perspective. It features a variety of player classes and vehicles. Empires has received media coverage from IGF, PC Games magazine, PC Action magazine, SteamFriends, and Planet Half-Life. It was also awarded the "Genre Award: Multi-Genre" from Mod DB in 2006, won 3rd place Player's Choice at Mod DB's MOTY awards 2007, and a received a Silver award from SteamFriends as 2nd best Source mod of 2007.
- Eternal SilenceEternal SilenceEternal Silence is a Half-Life 2 modification blending FPS and space combat genres in a team based multiplayer game. The first public release, beta 1.0, was released on September 23, 2006. It was originally developed as a mod of Battlefield 1942, then converted to the Source engine. The latest...
- A hard science fictionHard science fictionHard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both. The term was first used in print in 1957 by P. Schuyler Miller in a review of John W. Campbell, Jr.'s Islands of Space in Astounding Science...
, class-based first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
featuring infantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and space combat scenarios. Eternal Silence pits two capital shipCapital shipThe capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; they generally possess the heaviest firepower and armor and are traditionally much larger than other naval vessels...
s of rival factions against one another for domination of human-occupied space. It won "Best Mod - Multiplayer FPS" during the Independent Games Festival in 2006, "Best Multiplayer Mod of the Year - Honorable Mention" from Mod DBMod DBPlayer's Choice*Best Indie Game: Tremulous*Best Released Mod: Point of Existence 2*Best Unreleased Mod: Black Mesa*By genre-2005:*-2004:*-2003:*-2002:*- External links :* *...
in 2006, and "Mod DB Editors' Choice Award" in 2007.
- Fortress ForeverFortress ForeverFortress Forever is a Half-Life 2 mod that uses the game's Source Engine. The game is based on Team Fortress Classic, but has been created entirely from scratch by the Fortress Forever development team...
- A mod based on Valve's Team Fortress Classic, but has been created entirely from scratch by the Fortress Forever development team. The intended scope of Fortress Forever is to please the adamant Team Fortress Classic fans, while at the same time creating a game enjoyable enough to players new to Team Fortress styled games. The mod was released on September 13, 2007. Fortress Forever received "Best mod of 2007" in PC Gamer magazine.
- Garry's ModGarry's ModGarry's Mod is a sandbox physics game using the Source engine. Garry's Mod has been available on Steam's content delivery service since November 29, 2006...
- A "sandbox" mod that allows the player to manipulate objects using the Source physics enginePhysics engineA physics engine is computer software that provides an approximate simulation of certain physical systems, such as rigid body dynamics , soft body dynamics, and fluid dynamics, of use in the domains of computer graphics, video games and film. Their main uses are in video games , in which case the...
. Allows both single- and multi-player interaction. Version 10 released commercially and version 9 available for free on Steam. Garry's Mod received Mod DB's "Player's Choice Honorable Mention" from Mod DB in 2006, "Mod of the Year" in 2005 and "Genre Award: Puzzle" from in 2005.
- GoldenEye: SourceGoldenEye: SourceGoldenEye: Source is a total conversion mod in development using Valve's Source engine. GoldenEye: Source is an online multi-player-only remake of the award winning 1997 Nintendo 64 video game, GoldenEye 007, itself based on the James Bond film of the same name.The first Alpha release was...
- A total conversion for Half-Life 2 that aims to recreate the original Nintendo 64Nintendo 64The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
classic GoldenEye 007. It received Mod DB's "Editors' Choice for Reinvention" in 2006, "Third Place, Mod of the Year" in 2006, and "Fourth Place, Top Unreleased Mods" in 2005.
- Half-Life 2: Capture the Flag - A simple capture-the-flagCapture the flagCapture the Flag is a traditional outdoor sport generally played by children, where two teams each have a flag and the objective is to capture the other team's flag, located at the team's "base," and bring it safely back to their own base...
mod. Players are divided into two teams, Combine and Rebels, and try to steal the other team's flag from their base and return it to their own for points, with the aid of ability enhancing runes and various weapons.
- The Hidden - Puts one player (called The Hidden) as an invisible genetically-modified human against a team of SWATSWATA SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
-like operatives called the Infinitum Research Intercept Squad, (IRIS) with regular human attributes but a selection of weapons to choose. The IRIS team's objective is to hunt down the Hidden, while the Hidden attempts to stalk and kill the IRIS team without being detected. Hidden: Source won Mod DB's "Fourth Place, Mod of the Year" in 2006, "Editors' Choice for Ambience" in 2006, and "Editors' Choice for Multiplayer" in 2005.
- Insurgency: Modern Infantry CombatInsurgency: Modern Infantry CombatInsurgency: Modern Infantry Combat is a total conversion mod for Valve Software's Source Engine. Insurgency is a multiplayer, tactical first person shooter, and implements elements of realism, in an attempt to increase player immersion and promote teamwork...
- Is a total conversion mod for Valve Software's Source engine. Insurgency is a multiplayer, tactical first person shooter, and implements elements of realism, in an attempt to increase player immersion and promote teamwork. The game is primarily set in the Iraq war, however some maps are set in Afghanistan, and future updates are planned to expand the setting into a hypothetical conflict in Kosovo and other theatres. Insurgency received the Player's Choice 2007 "Mod of the Year" award from ModDB, as well as the "Best Source Mod of 2007" Gold Award from Steamfriends.
- Iron Grip: The OppressionIron Grip: The OppressionIron Grip: The Oppression is a total conversion mod for Half-Life 2 . The game is set in the Iron Grip universe and focuses on guerrilla warfare, combining elements from both first-person shooter and real-time strategy games. A player can choose one of two sides in this game — the Rahmos military...
- A first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
/real-time strategyReal-time strategyReal-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
hybrid set within the fictional Iron Grip universe in a predominantly urban settingUrban areaAn urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
. The game pits two separate factions against each other: the Rahmos and the Resistance. Playing as the Rahmos gives at least one, but typically fewer players control of an array of AIArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
-controlled NPCs in a top-down real-time strategy perspective. Players in the resistance, conversely, are individual players in the first-person perspective fighting the player-controlled NPCs. Awarded Editors' Choice for Innovation from Mod DBMod DBPlayer's Choice*Best Indie Game: Tremulous*Best Released Mod: Point of Existence 2*Best Unreleased Mod: Black Mesa*By genre-2005:*-2004:*-2003:*-2002:*- External links :* *...
in 2006, and Players' Choice Honorable Mention for Multi-Genre from Mod DBMod DBPlayer's Choice*Best Indie Game: Tremulous*Best Released Mod: Point of Existence 2*Best Unreleased Mod: Black Mesa*By genre-2005:*-2004:*-2003:*-2002:*- External links :* *...
in 2006.
- Jailbreak SourceJailbreak SourceJailbreak: Source is a multiplayer team-based first-person action video game, developed as a total conversion modification on the Valve Corporation's proprietary Source engine. The game is currently in beta development stages, with its first public release on the 14th of February 2007. 0.2 followed...
- A team based first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
where each team has a jail in their base. When an enemy player is killed, they will respawn inside your jail, where they can either await release by their own team who are fighting to get to the release button, or escape by their own means, through devious and deadly escape routes. Jailbreak Source has received media coverage and reviews from Planet Half-Life, Total PC Gaming Magazine, and ModDB. Alongside Interviews with ModDB and Interlopers.net
- Modular Combat - Modular Combat is a Half-Life 2 Deathmatch role-playing shooter mod based in the Half-Life universe. The Resistance, Combine, and Aperture Science are testing the HEV Mark VI Combat System. Combatants face off against each other, and monsters, in the Controlled Combat Testing Facility, which is monitored by a super-computer known as BoSS. The gameplay involves "modules" that can be upgraded and used together in deadly combinations.
- Mario Kart Source - A Half-Life 2 mod which attempts to use the best features from each game in the Mario KartMario Kartis a series of go-kart-style racing video games developed by Nintendo as a series of spin-offs from its trademark Mario series of platformer adventure-style video games...
series. It is not licensed by Nintendo and has received criticism for its lack of originality. The release date for this mod has yet to be announced.
- NeoTokyoNeoTokyo (video game)NEOTOKYO° is a first-person shooter total conversion modification of Half-Life 2 in a futuristic world setting, developed by STUDIO RADI-8.-Gameplay:...
is a Half-Life 2Half-Life 2Half-Life 2 , the sequel to Half-Life, is a first-person shooter video game and a signature title in the Half-Life series. It is singleplayer, story-driven, science fiction, and linear...
mod which puts the player into a future Tokyo universe inspired by anime such as AkiraAkira (manga)is a manga series by Katsuhiro Otomo. Set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, the work uses conventions of the cyberpunk genre to detail a saga of turmoil. Initially serialized in the pages of Young Magazine from 1982 until 1990, the work was collected in six volumes by Japanese publisher Kodansha...
and Ghost in the ShellGhost in the Shellis a Japanese multimedia franchise composed of manga, animated films, anime series, video games and novels. It focuses on the activities of the counter-terrorist organization Public Security Section 9 in a futuristic, cyberpunk Japan ....
developed by Studio Radi-8.
- No More Room in Hell is a total conversionMod (computer gaming)Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
inspired by the films of George Romero. This survival horror game features eight-player co-op and hordes of npcNon-player characterA non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
zombies.
- Perfect Dark: Source is a total conversionMod (computer gaming)Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
for the video game Half-Life 2Half-Life 2Half-Life 2 , the sequel to Half-Life, is a first-person shooter video game and a signature title in the Half-Life series. It is singleplayer, story-driven, science fiction, and linear...
that aims to recreate the original Nintendo 64Nintendo 64The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
game Perfect DarkPerfect DarkPerfect Dark is a first-person shooter video game developed by Rare for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It is considered the spiritual successor to Rare's earlier first-person shooter GoldenEye 007, with which it shares many gameplay features...
. It was listed among the top 100 mods of 2007 at Mod-DB and "Honorable Mention" in the top unreleased mods of 2006 Mod DB feature.
- Pirates, Vikings and Knights IIPirates, Vikings and Knights IIPirates, Vikings and Knights II is a multiplayer team-based first-person action video game, developed as a total conversion modification on Valve's proprietary Source engine. The game is currently in beta development stages, with its first public release on 1 January 2007...
- A mostly melee-based mod featuring three factions – Pirates, Vikings and Knights – and includes map objectives such as Deathmatch or Capture the Flag.
- Plan of Attack - A multiplayer first-person shooter that highlights strategy, teamwork, and out-thinking the enemy. Last official release October 5, 2005. However, the development team has halted development and released the source code of the mod. Currently a new mod team is recruiting to continue development of the mod.
- Resistance and LiberationResistance and LiberationResistance and Liberation is a multiplayer World War II Half-Life 2 first-person shooter modification that tries to be as realistic as possible, while still being enjoyable to play...
- A WW2 infantry simulation mod for HL2 that realistically portrays the events and actions taken by the 82nd Airborne during their stay in Normandy. RnL features include no hud, no crosshair and no death messages to create a highly immersed and team play orientated game play with real 3D voice chat that is range limited.
- SourceFortsSourceFortsSourceForts is a multiplayer capture the flag mod for the computer game Half-Life 2. Two teams, red and blue, construct forts made from metal cubes and panels to protect their flag, and attempt to break into their opponent's fort to steal the enemy flag, which they must then return to their own...
- A capture-the-flagCapture the flagCapture the Flag is a traditional outdoor sport generally played by children, where two teams each have a flag and the objective is to capture the other team's flag, located at the team's "base," and bring it safely back to their own base...
mod. Teams use gravity guns to build a fort out of given parts during the build phases, and assault the other team's fort during the combat phases. One can play as a Soldier, Sniper, Engineer, Rocketeer, or Scout in a fast-paced battle for glory. Last release September 1, 2008.- Thirteenth Place, Mod of the Year from Mod DBMod DBPlayer's Choice*Best Indie Game: Tremulous*Best Released Mod: Point of Existence 2*Best Unreleased Mod: Black Mesa*By genre-2005:*-2004:*-2003:*-2002:*- External links :* *...
in 2005 - Players' Choice Genre Award: Action from Mod DBMod DBPlayer's Choice*Best Indie Game: Tremulous*Best Released Mod: Point of Existence 2*Best Unreleased Mod: Black Mesa*By genre-2005:*-2004:*-2003:*-2002:*- External links :* *...
in 2006
- Thirteenth Place, Mod of the Year from Mod DB
- Synergy - A cooperativeCooperative gameplayCooperative gameplay is a feature in video games that allows players to work together as teammates. It is distinct from other multiplayer modes, such as competitive multiplayer modes like player versus player or deathmatch...
mod. Synergy supports official campaigns by Valve, user-made levels, and other third-party mods (MINERVA, City 7, and Riot Act so far). In September 2008, Valve introduced it as one of the first five Source mods being offered on Steam and supported by Steamworks.
- WW1 SourceWW1 SourceWW1 Source is a Half-Life 2 total conversion modification utilizing Valve Corporation's Source Engine. It is claimed to be the only WW1 modification for Source, with a combined effort of three original teams: In Flanders Field Team, The Trenches 2 Team and the Field of Honor Team. WW1 Source has...
- A World War I modification for the Source Engine, it is an entirely multiplayer-based, tactical first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
placing the player in the shoes of either an Allied or Central Powers soldier on the Western Front, approximately between 1915 and 1918. Each side bears three classes- Rifleman, Machine Gunner, and Officer, with each possessing their own abilities and style of combat. The overall goal of each round is to capture all control points and/or deplete the enemy "morale bar". Released on February 21st, 2010.
- Zombie Panic! SourceZombie Panic! SourceZombie Panic! Source is a multiplayer Half-Life 2 first-person shooter modification that pays homage to the popular Zombie genre of film and games...
- A team-based zombie themed mod which pits player-controlled survivors against player-controlled zombies. The gameplay style simulates an outbreak: The zombie team starts with only a few players, but their ranks grow as survivors are defeated and switch to the zombie team. Its first public release was on December 28, 2007, and it received the Mod DB, players' choice, top unreleased mod award for 2007.
External links
Developer resources- Source SDK discussion forums
- Valve Developer Community
- Valve List Server Info
- Steam
- Half-Life Mods wiki - An external wiki
Mod news
- PlanetPhillip - Single player Half-Life 2 maps and mods database
- Amphibian Mods - List of notable HL2 single player mods
- ModDB - HL2 and other games mod profiles