Comparing Original Half-Life 2 to RTX Version

Digital Foundry's YouTube channel recently unveiled a comprehensive, hour-long video comparing Valve's 2004 classic, Half-Life 2, with the upcoming Half-Life 2 RTX remaster. Developed by Orbifold Studios, a team of seasoned modders, this project leverages NVIDIA's technology to deliver a stunning visual overhaul. Expect significantly enhanced lighting, new assets, ray tracing, and DLSS 4 support. Best of all, the remaster will be free for existing Steam owners of the original Half-Life 2, although a release date is yet to be announced.

A free demo, launching March 18th, will let players explore two memorable locations: the chilling Ravenholm and the imposing Nova Prospekt prison. A recent trailer showcased the impressive ray tracing and DLSS 4, highlighting the performance boost the latter provides.

Digital Foundry's in-depth, 75-minute video meticulously analyzes gameplay footage from both demo areas. The experts directly compare the original and remastered visuals, clearly demonstrating the transformative impact of Orbifold Studios' work.

Orbifold Studios' commitment to high-resolution textures, advanced lighting techniques, ray tracing, and DLSS 4 integration is evident. While Digital Foundry's experts praised the results, they did note some minor frame rate inconsistencies in specific areas. Nevertheless, the overall transformation is nothing short of breathtaking, revitalizing this legendary game for a new generation.