Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Key points
- Installing the Update mod is recommended to fix numerous bugs introduced by various later updates.
- Numerous mods are available for the game, including new levels and completely new game modes.
General information
- GitHub Issue Tracker for Linux bugs in Half-Life 2 and other Source-based games
- Unofficial Half-Life Wiki
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
Retail |
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European copies also include SecuROM 5 DRM. Collector's Edition copies can bypass Steam if you launch hl2.msi directly. |
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Steam |
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DRM-free when launched directly from the executable.[citation needed] |
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- All versions require Steam DRM.
- Soundtrack is available for free with purchase here.
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Enabling the console
- A list of console commands can be found here.
Command line[1]
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- See Command line arguments.
- Use
-console then in the console write bind F2 "toggleconsole"
Notes
- You can replace
F2 with any key of your choice.
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Options menu[1]
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- Go to Options, select the Keyboard tab and click on Advanced.
- Check Enable the developer console and open the console by using ~.
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Mods
- An extra list of mods can be found here.
- To view the most-rated mods, click here.
- A discussion of various graphic improvement mods can be found here.
- An unofficial update that fixes bugs, improves the lighting, draw distance and adds new effects among others.
- An unofficial port of the Japanese arcade version.
- This mod does not require Steam in order to run, but it requires you to use old files from Source SDK Base 2006. Click at the link above for more info.
- Enhances visual effects, weapon animations, sound, and gunplay. Most features can be toggled on and off.
- Compatibility patches for all Half-Life 2 titles are available. Patches for other mods can also be found on the mod page.
Current List of games and mods with MMod compatibility:
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.
Save game data location
Video settings
In-game general video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
Template:Video settings
Input settings
In-game key map settings.
In-game mouse/gamepad settings.
Template:Input settings
Audio settings
Template:Audio settings
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
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Czech |
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Fandub, download. |
Simplified Chinese |
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Traditional Chinese |
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Danish |
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Dutch |
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Finnish |
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French |
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German |
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Italian |
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Japanese |
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Korean |
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Norwegian |
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Polish |
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Portuguese |
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Russian |
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Original localization by SDL here |
Spanish |
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Swedish |
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No explicit setting. Steam client has to be in Swedish. |
Thai |
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Network
Multiplayer types
Type |
Native |
Players |
Notes |
LAN play |
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Users will need to open the developer console and type "maxplayers 4; sv_lan 1" and "map d1_trainstation_01" in the console. Do note that the game will not load an autosave, but you and your partner will respawn instead. |
Online play |
| 10 |
Use Synergy. |
Connection types
VR support
Issues fixed
Windows
- TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game which can be found here.
Purple and black textures
- See missing textures.
No lighting after Black Mesa East
Activate the High Dynamic Range in the Advanced Video Options[citation needed]
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Stuck in Black Mesa East
Walk into the elevator, Quick Save F6, then Quick Load F9.
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Not enough space on disk (retail)
Copy the files[1]
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- Copy all the files from the disc to a new folder, then run
setup.exe
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Available memory less than 128 MB
Setting the compatibility mode[1]
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- See compatibility mode.
- Go to
<path-to-game> and find hl2.exe
- Set the executable to run under the Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode.
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Half-Life 2 stuck on DirectX v8.0
Command line parameter[1]
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- See Command line arguments.
- Use
-dxlevel 95 , start the game and configure the desired video settings.
- Remove the command line before starting the game again.
Notes
- Not removing the command line will cause the game to set the options to their default values.
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Cyrillic Font Issue in Linux
Cyrillic Font Issue in Linux[citation needed]
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Find and remove the Helvetica font.
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Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
7, 8, 8.1, 9 |
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OpenGL |
2.1 |
OS X and Linux only. |
Shader Model support |
1.x, 2, 3 |
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Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows |
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macOS (OS X) | |
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Linux | |
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Middleware
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Middleware |
Notes |
Physics |
Havok |
Heavily modified variant. |
Audio |
Miles Sound System |
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Cutscenes |
Bink Video |
Used for startup videos and in-game movies. |
Launch options
- A list of command lines can be found here and here.
System requirements
Windows |
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Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 | |
Processor (CPU) |
1.7 GHz
| 2.0 GHz |
System memory (RAM) |
512 MB |
1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
4.6 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
Nvidia GeForce FX 5700 ATI Radeon 9500 128 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible
| Nvidia GeForce 6800 ATI Radeon X800 512 MB of VRAM |
- Windows 98SE, ME, and 2000 were previously supported operating systems for the game, but as future updates for this game and Steam occurred; the support for these operating systems were dropped with non-Collector's Edition retail copies.
- Must be run without Steam to play on XP and Vista.
macOS (OS X) |
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Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
10.5.8, 10.6.3 |
Processor (CPU) |
1.7 GHz |
System memory (RAM) |
1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
4.6 GB |
Video card (GPU) |
Nvidia GeForce 8000 Series ATI Radeon X1600 Intel HD 3000 |
References