An industry insider, Tyler McVicker, shared details about a version of Half-Life 3 that never reached completion. He noted that Valve reportedly canceled the project in 2015 as the company redirected its bets toward a virtual reality initiative. While the project never released, the discussions reveal what the team was building during that era.
The storyline under consideration placed Gordon Freeman two decades after the events of Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Early drafts opened with a dream sequence in which Freeman envisions the deaths of key figures during the Seven Hour War, including characters like Alyx, Eli, and others who mattered to the series. The tone was described as darker than the prior installments, aiming to deepen the emotional stakes of the narrative.
One major design concept involved a surprising crossover. After waking from the dream, Freeman would traverse into a location tied to Aperture Science, the setting known for Portal. The intent was to fuse elements from both universes and create a blended experience that bridged the two franchises in a single, cohesive arc.
Among the proposed innovations was a metal prosthetic hand for Freeman. This device would enable changing the size of objects and altering their temperature, integrating these abilities into the core puzzle-solving mechanics. The aim was to give players tactile, dynamic tools for solving challenges and progressing through the story.
In the envisioned sequence, Freeman would depart from the Aperture setting and glimpse a ruined city still controlled by the oppressive Alliance. The action would unfold against the backdrop of a devastated United States, echoing some of the themes seen in earlier beta concepts for Half-Life 2.
City 17, in this version, would present a sterner, more brutal environment. Captive soldiers and civilians alike would appear as resources, painting a grimmer portrait of daily life under the regime and offering a harsher test for Freeman and the resistance.
From the rebels’ perspective, Freeman would no longer be seen as a simple savior. Instead, his presence might be interpreted as a burden or a curse, given the toll his appearances seemed to extract on others. Over time, this dynamic could evolve into Freeman earning the trust of others through actions and consequences rather than formal Messiah-like status. The proposal included procedurally generated quests to increase replayability and shift the game away from strict linearity. Additionally, stealth elements were floated, with drones playing a role in reconnaissance and mission planning.
Ultimately, development on the envisioned montage of Half-Life 3 was halted in favor of a different project: Half-Life: Alyx, released in 2020 as a virtual reality title. The reception to Alyx was positive, underscoring the market interest in a VR-focused continuation of the series. This shift reflected Valve’s broader strategy at the time, prioritizing immersive VR experiences while shelving earlier roadmap ideas for Half-Life 3. The discussion continues to captivate fans who still hope for a new entry in the beloved franchise. This overview draws on reporting from VG Times.
Source attribution: VG Times