14 DAY TRIAL // Mac users aren't the only ones who get to enjoy the Half-Life 2 offerings this week, as the PC versions of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One are getting a graphical update. This will match the visuals that are now available on Apple's computers and will fix some of the few remaining bugs and glitches in the classic first-person shooter. Another new addition for both the PC and the Mac consists of the Steam Achievements for both the original Half-Life and Episode One.
To celebrate these enhancements to the Half-Life series, the three games are now available for 30 percent less on Steam. The Orange Box, Valve’s game pack that contains Team Fortress 2 and the incredible Portal besides the three Half-Life 2 titles, is also 30 percent off . All of these special offers will be available on Steam for a limited time only, so PC and Mac owners who still don't have these fundamental first-person shooters should hurry.
Fans are eagerly expecting a new Half-Life 2 announcement from Valve, as the latest Episode in the series was released almost two and half years ago. They were disappointed at the beginning of 2010, when the Game Informer magazine brought forth a rumor saying that the fabled Episode 3 would not be launched this year. This gave new life to rumors that were claiming that Episode 3 would be a full-fledged sequel for the Half-Life series and would take longer to develop.
Not much is known about this installment in the franchise other than what was apparent from Episode 2. It or part of it will take place in the northern reaches of the game's world, where Gordon and Alyx will be searching for the Borealis, a ship that disappeared during an experiment conducted by Aperture Science. The presence of the fictional research company from Portal pointed many fans to think that Gordon Freeman would get to play with the portal gun this time around, though none of this is certain at this point. There are hopes for a reveal at this year’s E3, but no official statement has been made by Valve yet.