For years, Half-Life fans have been left yearning for the elusive Half-Life 3. While Valve, the creators of the iconic FPS series, have remained tight-lipped about a true sequel, the passionate fan community has stepped in to fill the void. Enter Project Borealis: Prologue, a fan-made Half-Life 3 experience that’s now available on Steam. Developed by a global team of developers, Project Borealis draws inspiration from the plot synopsis outlined by Half-Life writer Marc Laidlaw, offering a continuation of the story left hanging after Half-Life: Episode Two in 2007.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Project Borealis is its use of Unreal Engine 5, a significant departure from the Source Engine that powered previous Half-Life titles. This shift allows for impressive visuals and a faithful recreation of the iconic Half-Life 2 movement and gameplay mechanics. While the prologue is a brief experience, lasting around 10-15 minutes, it provides a taste of what a full-fledged Project Borealis could offer.
The description of Project Borealis: Prologue states, “Inspired by the epic cliffhanger from Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Project Borealis represents a fan-made effort to realize a cohesive story conclusion to the episodic series. This prologue chapter invites players back into the HEV suit of Gordon Freeman, offering a glimpse into the next chapter of his journey.” The prologue allows players to step back into the shoes of Gordon Freeman and experience a small fragment of what could be the next chapter in his journey.
While many user reviews on Steam praise Project Borealis: Prologue as a technical marvel, some label it more of a tech demo than a fully-fledged game. The prologue’s brevity and performance issues on even high-end graphics cards raise questions about its long-term viability as a complete Half-Life 3 experience. However, Project Borealis: Prologue serves as a testament to the dedication and creativity of the fan community, who are determined to keep the Half-Life universe alive and thriving. For a closer look at Project Borealis: Prologue, check out this full playthrough from the YouTube channel @Bolloxed.
