Original Half-Life 2 vs. RTX: A Comparison

Digital Foundry's YouTube channel has unveiled an extensive hour-long video that meticulously compares the iconic Half-Life 2 from 2004 with the upcoming remaster, Half-Life 2 RTX. This remaster is being crafted by Orbifold Studios, a team renowned for their modding expertise. They are set to revolutionize the game with stunning visual enhancements such as upgraded lighting, fresh assets, ray tracing, and the integration of DLSS 4 technology. Excitingly, this remaster will be available at no cost to those who already possess the original game on Steam, although an official release date has yet to be announced.

Gamers can get a taste of the remaster through a free demo launching on March 18, which will feature two of the game's most memorable settings: the eerie, abandoned city of Ravenholm and the formidable Nova Prospekt prison. A recently released trailer has already given fans a glimpse into the impressive ray tracing and DLSS 4 features, promising a significant boost in FPS performance.

The comprehensive video, clocking in at a record-breaking 75 minutes, provides a detailed analysis of gameplay footage from both Ravenholm and Nova Prospekt. Digital Foundry's experts have gone to great lengths to compare the remastered visuals with the original, showcasing the remarkable upgrades brought about by Orbifold Studios.

Orbifold Studios is diligently working on enhancing the game with high-resolution textures, sophisticated lighting effects, ray tracing, and the integration of DLSS 4. While Digital Foundry's experts have praised the impressive visual overhaul, they have also pointed out minor frame rate drops in some sections. Nevertheless, the overall transformation of Half-Life 2 RTX is nothing short of extraordinary, reinvigorating this classic title for a new generation of gamers.