PCGame

Half-Life: Blue Shift

First-person sci-fi shooter through Black Mesa as a security guard

Gearbox Software · Published by Valve · Released Jun 1, 2001

Action

Reviews
Very Positive
92% of 21K
Recent reviews
Very Positive
92% of 156 in 30 days
Players
49
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Playable
Last update on Steam
6 years ago
Aug 19, 2020
Minimum PC
–
not published

Metacritic: 71/100 (critic reviews)

What is Half-Life: Blue Shift?

A single-player, first-person sci-fi shooter and Half-Life add-on set at the Black Mesa Research Facility. You play security guard Barney Calhoun, moving through the facility and fighting aliens.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy single-player sci-fi shooters with alien combat

Not for you if...

  • −you want shooting without puzzles or slower stretches

What players say

92% of 21,292 reviews are positive · 92% of 156 in the last 30 days

Players praise seeing Black Mesa from Barney's perspective. Common complaints are the short length, few additions to the weapons and enemies, and awkward puzzles or level layouts.

Players over time

▼ -15% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 64 players on Oct 3, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202649
Nov 6, 202635
Nov 5, 202643
Nov 4, 202637
Nov 3, 202635
Nov 2, 202651
Nov 1, 202635
Oct 31, 202645
Oct 30, 202628
Oct 29, 202628
Oct 28, 202637
Oct 27, 202618
Oct 27, 202629
Oct 26, 202644
Oct 25, 202636
Oct 24, 202630
Oct 23, 202629
Oct 22, 202641
Oct 21, 202638
Oct 20, 202635
Oct 19, 202632
Oct 18, 202643
Oct 17, 202641
Oct 16, 202644
Oct 15, 202638
Oct 14, 202639
Oct 13, 202648
Oct 12, 202647
Oct 11, 202652
Oct 10, 202663
Oct 9, 202650
Oct 8, 202646
Oct 7, 202638
Oct 6, 202644
Oct 5, 202642
Oct 4, 202650
Oct 3, 202664
Oct 2, 202642
Oct 1, 202634
Sep 30, 202623
Sep 29, 202638
Sep 28, 202632
Sep 27, 202630
Sep 26, 202630
Sep 25, 202629
Sep 24, 202633
Sep 23, 202624
Sep 23, 202633
Sep 22, 202637
Sep 21, 202642

Screenshots and trailer

Half-Life: Blue Shift screenshot 1

Half-Life: Blue Shift system requirements

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Half-Life: Blue Shift?

The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

500 mhz processor, 96mb ram, 16mb video card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection Recommended: 800 mhz processor, 128mb ram, 32mb+ video card, Windows XP, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Does Half-Life: Blue Shift have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Half-Life: Blue Shift run on Steam Deck?

Playable Playable: it runs on Steam Deck with some adjustments.

  • Default controller config not fully functional
  • Native resolution not supported
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Steam features
Family Sharing
Languages
Text only: English, French, German.

Does Half-Life: Blue Shift use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 7, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

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