RTX vs. Original: Half-Life 2 Comparison

Digital Foundry's YouTube channel has unveiled an extensive hour-long video that delves into a side-by-side comparison of the iconic Half-Life 2 from 2004 and the visually enhanced Half-Life 2 RTX. This remaster, crafted by the adept modders at Orbifold Studios, is set to revolutionize the game with stunning visual upgrades. Expect to see enhanced lighting, brand new assets, the integration of ray tracing, and the cutting-edge DLSS 4 technology. Excitingly, this remaster will be available at no extra cost to those who own the original Half-Life 2 on Steam, though an exact release date is yet to be announced.

Mark your calendars for March 18, as a free demo of Half-Life 2 RTX will be released, inviting players to immerse themselves in two of the game's most memorable settings: the hauntingly abandoned city of Ravenholm and the ominous Nova Prospekt prison. A recent trailer has already given fans a glimpse of the game's advanced ray tracing and DLSS 4 features, promising a significant boost in FPS performance.

The comprehensive 75-minute video from Digital Foundry meticulously showcases gameplay from both Ravenholm and Nova Prospekt, offering viewers a detailed look at the remaster's visuals. The experts at Digital Foundry have drawn comparisons to the original game, emphasizing the remarkable visual leaps achieved by Orbifold Studios.

Orbifold Studios is pouring their expertise into Half-Life 2 RTX, focusing on high-resolution textures, sophisticated lighting, ray tracing, and the implementation of DLSS 4. While Digital Foundry's analysis praised the impressive results, they pointed out occasional dips in frame rates in specific areas. However, the overall transformation is nothing short of breathtaking, injecting fresh vitality into this legendary title.