Should I play Half-Life 1?

[Valeyardian]

Should I play the first Half-Life, before Half-Life 2? Is it necessary to understand the story of Half-Life 2?

[Curtis@HeroesofTalon]

Its worth playing and it'll help you understand the character of Gordon, and some of the other characters featured in Half Life 2.

[BÖG]

Yes it is absolutely necessary to understand the story and the characters. And the first one is also a good game.

[Kyon]

Not entirely. I played Half Life 2 first and understood the story just fine. But it is kinda cool to go from the first game to the second, just to see how much things changed in the intervening 6 years. And like the guy above, it's still a good game on its own.

[Seseorang]

It's recommended, but you can dive straight in. But most people seem to ask so many questions you have to wonder how they look at a game.

[Hexidine]

all 3 of the first games are great i recomend playing them also.

[video games]

This shouldn't be a question.

[newfolder(7)]

If the graphics are puting you off try the Black Mesa mod, just be aware that it dosen't have the ending yet.

[arbabf]

Well, it's completely your choice. But, if you really want to understand the "incident", you should try the first Half-Life, and what the experience was in Gordon's shoes will also be a good reason why you should try Half-Life before HL2.

[Kavereon]

I started HL2 before HL1 and after 10 mins of playing decided to download Black Mesa to get the story. I made it to the last chapter at which point I am simply burned out and can't figure out where to go and what switch to hit, so I exited and read up on the ending online. It was great going through the facilities and fighting the bosses. Gordon is one tough mofo

[Rxpper Ram]

Yes, of course. Half life saga is better to be iniciated from the first game to understand the second part.

[OmegaShepard]

yes

[Kootness]

With the Half-life games, you have the story, and then you have the story behind the story, if you will. The immediate plot of Half-life 2 is not hard to understand without playing Half-life 1, but Half-life 1 places the entire sequel (and episodes) in context, and is definitely referenced with some frequency. Especially for the episodes, understanding the link to HL1 makes the story that much more exciting.

[Ziu]

Yes

[Himitsu]

Finished last week and started the hl2 yesterday, is insteresting to know why have a stange person saying strange stuff in the begin. :D

[fundle_]

I would recommend playing Half Life: Source. It's a great game. You get the entire storyline, and get a chance to have some fun with the physics as well (crossbow) :)