Get Half-Life For Free Now With 25th Anniversary Update!

The original Half-Life was released all the way back on 19 November 1998. 25 years later, Valve has released a new update, calling this the definitive version of Half-Life and making the iconic first-person shooter (FPS) free to keep for a limited time.

Here's how you can grab Half-Life for free via Steam, how long you have left to claim this freebie, and a quick overview of the 25th Anniversary update.

Get Half-Life For Free Via Steam

PC gamers have until 20 November 2023 at 18:00 UTC to claim the original Half-Life as their own. You can simply head on over to the Half-Life page on Steam and click "Add to Account," as per the image above.

If you do this before the free offer expires, the original Half-Life will be yours to keep and play forever...or at least until the Combine invades and dooms us all.

What's in the Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update?

The 1998 classic has been "restored, augmented, and revitalized" with the Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update. A quick overview of what you can expect to find can be viewed below.

• Updated graphics settings, including lighting fixes and an actual widescreen field of view.
• Controller and Steam Networking support.
• Steam Deck support - officially Verified!
• Content from Half-Life Uplink.
• Four (4!) new multiplayer maps.
• Restored content for the true nostalgia-seekers, including original main menu artwork and some early prototype player models from the alpha builds of the game.

You can check out a full list of content, including details on the new multiplayer maps and much more, by heading to the official Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update website recently released by Valve to mark the occasion. 

In case you've missed it, check out the awesome, one-hour video from Valve; a documentary about Half-Life for its 25th Anniversary celebrations!

No, Half-Life 3 is not confirmed! Enjoy the original Half-Life, restored for modern systems, and even the Steam Deck!