Half-Life 2 Graphics MODernized With Extra Shine

By Marcus Yam
published

Want HDR? Want the updated Orange Box Engine? Want new Models and Textures! Mod to the HL2 rescue!

A first-person-shooter that looks better on a console than on the PC? Blasphemy! But that's the way things were for Half-Life 2 and HL2: Episode One, which when ported to the Xbox 360 as part of the Orange Box, received several graphical upgrades.

PC gamers longing for the upgraded experience needn't wait any longer, as modder Filip Victor took matters into his own hands and created a mod which bumps Half-Life 2 up to slightly more modern times.

Half-Life 2 Update Mod Features:

↗ Updated to Orange Box Engine.

↗ HDR (HighDynamicRange) Lighting.

↗ Updated Models & Textures.

↗ Includes 32 Steam Achievements.

Check out the YouTube comparison here. (Be sure to view it in one of the HD formats for a better look!)

There isn't any official comment or word yet on whether or not Valve approves of this mod, so those of you wishing to revisit one of the best PC games of all time with a fresh spit-shine should check out the download links here.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
44 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Gin Fushicho
    Doesn't look any better to me , just looks less blurry.
    Reply
  • knowom
    Gotta love the mod scene to disapprove would be brash move considering if it weren't for mods like team fortress and counter strike valve certainly wouldn't be the company it is today.
    Reply
  • SneakySnake
    Gin FushichoDoesn't look any better to me , just looks less blurry.
    I would consider less blurry to be better looking. ;)
    Reply
  • sliem
    After finishing HL1 (original), which I actually enjoyed, I can't find myself making through HL2.
    Reply
  • alvine
    long live steam engine
    Reply
  • sicpric
    Meh, it's always looked as good as in the second picture to me.
    Reply
  • Netherscourge
    It's not only less blurry, the textures are much much sharper and there's light glare from several light sources now.

    It looks spectactular, IMO.
    Reply
  • rodney_ws
    alvinelong live steam engine
    Uhh... it uses the Source engine.
    Reply
  • jisamaniac
    A first-person-shooter that looks better on a console than on the PC? Blasphemy!
    Marcus you make me proud.
    Reply
  • kato128
    Uh...correct me if I'm wrong but didn't HL2 already have HDR patched into it for PC?
    Reply