Comparing Original Half-Life 2 to RTX Version

Digital Foundry's YouTube channel recently dropped a comprehensive, hour-long video comparing the classic 2004 Half-Life 2 with its upcoming RTX remaster. Developed by Orbifold Studios, a team of seasoned modders, Half-Life 2 RTX boasts impressive visual enhancements. These include dramatically improved lighting, entirely new assets, ray tracing, and support for DLSS 4. 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 let players explore two beloved locations: the chilling Ravenholm and the imposing Nova Prospekt prison. A recent trailer highlighted the game's stunning ray tracing and the performance-boosting capabilities of DLSS 4.

Digital Foundry's in-depth, 75-minute video meticulously analyzes gameplay footage from both demo areas, providing a side-by-side comparison of the original and remastered visuals. The experts showcase the transformative impact of Orbifold Studios' work.

Orbifold Studios' efforts encompass high-resolution textures, advanced lighting techniques, ray tracing implementation, and the integration of DLSS 4. While Digital Foundry's experts were highly impressed, they did note some minor frame rate inconsistencies in specific areas. However, the overall visual upgrade is undeniably remarkable, breathing fresh life into this legendary title.