10 Incredible Video Game Sequels & Remakes Made Entirely By Fans

Creator(s): Crowbar Collective.

In 1998, the FPS genre was in its infancy, consisting mostly of loud, obnoxious shooters, most of which hoping desperately to replicate the success of DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D. Half-Life, by comparison, was relatively slow-paced, constructing a comprehensive universe in which the action could reasonably take place. The result was a realistic shooter prioritising storytelling over mindless destruction, completely unlike anything that had come before it.

Gameplay is divided equally between puzzles and combat, and while the latter is certainly emphasised throughout the game, the two create combined to create a remarkably unique experience.

Black Mesa – the fan-made remake – was first announced in 2004, following the release of Half-Life 2. Valve re-released several of its previous titles, ported to their new Source game engine, which Crowbar Collective used as a template, continuing work for over a decade until the project was eventually approved by Valve and released on Steam Early Access in 2015.

In the game, players assume the role of Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist inadvertently responsible for causing a resonance cascade, opening a gateway between dimensions and allowing extra-terrestrial invaders to launch an offensive on the Black Mesa Institute.

The remake is a wonderfully recreation, improving upon the original in several notable areas, even renovating areas which were subject to constant criticism from players.