Comparing Original Half-Life 2 to RTX Version

Digital Foundry's YouTube channel recently showcased a comprehensive comparison between the original 2004 Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2 RTX, an ambitious remaster spearheaded by Orbifold Studios. This hour-long video highlights the significant visual enhancements achieved using NVIDIA's development tools. Orbifold Studios, a team of seasoned modders, promises dramatic upgrades including 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 let players explore the iconic Ravenholm and Nova Prospekt locations. A previous trailer already demonstrated the impressive ray tracing and DLSS 4 performance boosts.

Digital Foundry's in-depth, 75-minute video meticulously analyzes gameplay footage from both demo areas, providing detailed side-by-side comparisons showcasing the transformative impact of Orbifold's work. The team's focus on high-resolution textures, advanced lighting, ray tracing, and DLSS 4 integration is clearly evident. While Digital Foundry's experts noted some minor frame rate inconsistencies in specific areas, the overall visual upgrade is undeniably remarkable, breathing new life into this classic title.