It appears like solely yesterday that Half-Life remake Black Mesa was a joke. The highest-profile vaporware of the Source modding group. That factor had been milling round since 2005. Nobody thought it might ever really come out. I keep in mind feeling correctly shook when ultimately did in 2012, seven years later.
Except, it wasn’t precisely carried out. Crowbar Collective have been attempting to determine Xen, Half-Life’s infamous final chapter, for nearly so long as the Earth bits had been in growth. With at this time’s Gonarch chapter coming into public beta, it acquired somewhat bit nearer to completion.
It’s not too shocking that the alien world is taking so lengthy. Xen was at all times a little bit of a garbage (if no less than fascinating) closing chapter for Half-Life. Crowbar Collective have spent a very long time reimagining what a greater model of it may seem like..
We acquired our first at how they assume Gordon Freeman’s first outing ought to have ended with the primary Xen Public Beta. Far faraway from the naked void-borne polygons of the unique, Black Mesa’s xen is a lush, if somewhat acquainted alien world bursting with life.
That beta opened up a second chapter at this time. It’s time to dive into the Gonarch’s Lair – your favorite disgusting crab mother is again. Even with the musty orange glow hanging about, it’s recognisable as the identical cliff edge you encountered the massive nasty on over 20 years in the past. The Gonarch itself hasn’t modified in design or behaviour, however I’m unsure I wanted to see that dangling egg sac in HD.
Black Mesa’s Gonarch beta will be checked out over on Steam, beginning at this time. There are a number of bugs and points to bear in mind, and Crowbar Collective suggest you don’t pull in an previous save. You can discover the complete checklist of additives, identified errors and extra over on the Steam announcement post.
With Earthbound and Gonarch checked off the checklist, Xen shall be solely three extra chapters away from completion.
