Half-Life is truly one of the most iconic games ever made: its chilling atmosphere, polished game play and gripping narrative have allowed it to remain on numerous lists counting down the greatest games ever made. It was a breath of fresh air, and a shot in the arm to an industry that desperately needed one. The game begins in such an unassuming manner, on an average day at work, where the player feels an interesting sense of comfort. For the first time, a game didn't drop you right into the middle of a full-scale World War II battle or some huge space battle. It was just another day, like any other, or so you thought. This sense of organic storytelling, as well as the fact that Half-Life never leaves Gordon's perspective, created a very intimate connection with the character from the start. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEgO16JaW4Y There had never been a game like Half-Life before, which meant that the years to come would see more games like it. The unnerving horror that it created has inspired so many games to come, all of them borrowing the concepts that Half-Life invented. Gordon Freeman was an everyman, a normal guy who was pulled into something far bigger than himself, which was also a huge influence on game heroes later on. The industry owes a great debt to Half-Life, as many landmark franchises may not have existed without that first resonance cascade.
