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, this 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 grant players access to two beloved locations: the eerie Ravenholm and the imposing Nova Prospekt prison. A previous trailer showcased the impressive ray tracing and DLSS 4, promising a performance boost.
Digital Foundry's in-depth, 75-minute video meticulously analyzes gameplay footage from both demo areas, providing a detailed side-by-side comparison of the original and remastered visuals. The improvements made by Orbifold Studios are truly remarkable.
Orbifold Studios' dedication 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 occasional frame rate dips in specific areas. Nevertheless, the overall transformation is breathtaking, revitalizing this legendary game for a new generation.
