Editing Half-Life: Decay

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Half-Life: Decay
| image = Half-Life Decay title.jpg
| caption = 
| developer = [[Gearbox Software]]
| publisher = [[Sierra On-Line]]
| designer = [[Randy Pitchford]]<ref name="credits">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:33217~T3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129065341/http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:33217~T3|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 29, 2012|title=''Half-Life'' Credits|publisher=[[Allgame]]|access-date=October 23, 2008}}</ref>
| writer = {{plainlist|
*Matthew Armstrong
*Brian Hess
*Randy Pitchford}}
| series = ''[[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]]''
| engine = [[GoldSrc]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 14, 2001|EU|November 30, 2001}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]
}}

'''''Half-Life: Decay''''' is a [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]-only [[expansion pack]] for [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s [[first-person shooter]] ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life]]''. Developed by [[Gearbox Software]] and published by [[Sierra On-Line]], ''Decay'' was released as part of the [[PlayStation 2]] version of ''Half-Life'' in 2001. It is the third expansion pack for ''Half-Life'', and like its predecessors, ''Decay'' returns to the setting and timeline of the original story, albeit portraying the story from the viewpoint of a different set of [[protagonist]]s: two scientists working in the [[Black Mesa Research Facility]]. ''Decay'' is a [[Cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer game]], designed to be played by two people working together to pass through the game's [[Level (video games)|levels]].

''Decay'' was not a critical success, but was received with some positivity by video game journalists. Many reviewers felt the game was best when played with other players, but that its more puzzle-oriented gameplay somewhat detracted from the overall experience. A number of reviews stated that the game simply felt like little more than an extra add-on for the PlayStation 2 version of ''Half-Life''.

== Gameplay ==
{{see also|Half-Life (video game)#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of Half-Life}}
[[File:Half-Life- Decay fighting Vortigaunts.jpg|thumb|left|''Decay'' is played in a [[Split screen (computer graphics)|split screen]] mode, as seen here.]]

As is the case with the other games in the [[Half-Life (series)|''Half-Life'' series]], ''Decay'' is a [[first-person shooter]]. Like the original title it is based on, ''Decay'' requires players to engage in combat with hostile [[non-player character]]s and complete various puzzle solving tasks to advance through the game. However, ''Decay'' differs from ''Half-Life'' and its first two expansion packs, ''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force|Opposing Force]]'' and ''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift|Blue Shift]]'', in that it is designed for [[Cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer gameplay]]. This requires players to work together to progress through the game's levels and complete puzzles as they arise in-game. Although intended to be played by two people in [[Split screen (computer graphics)|split screen]] mode, ''Decay'' can still be played by a single player.<ref name="GameSpot"/> In this case, the player can only control one character at a time, and can switch between the two characters quickly. When not in use, a character has sufficient [[Game artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] to defend themselves, but otherwise does not move from where they have been left by the player.<ref name="GameSpy"/>

In ''Half-Life'', players usually fight alone and only occasionally encounter friendly non-player characters who assist them, such as security guards and scientists. While ''Decay'' still features levels where this is the case, significant sections in ''Decay'' are dedicated to working with friendly non-player characters, usually escorting them to various objectives and protecting them in firefights.<ref name="GameSpot"/> An array of enemy characters from ''Half-Life'' populate the game, including alien lifeforms such as [[headcrab]]s and [[Vortigaunt]]s, as well as human soldiers sent in to contain the alien threat. The players have access to a limited selection of ''Half-Life''{{'}}s weaponry to assist them in the game.<ref name="GameSpot"/>

The game is unique in the context of the ''Half-Life'' series in that it is the only game divided into separate missions, each with a specific objective to pursue, instead of consisting of a single unbroken narrative. How players perform in each mission is ranked at the conclusion of the level as a grade from "A" to "F". This score is based on each player's accuracy with weapons, the number of kills they acquired and the amount of damage they sustained during the course of the mission. Should players successfully complete the game's nine missions with "A" grades on every level, they are given access to a bonus cooperative mission, in which they can play as a pair of Vortigaunts, as well as the ability to play through the PlayStation 2 version of the original ''Half-Life'' as a Vortigaunt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2812076&mode=all|title=''Half-Life'' Q&A|website=[[GameSpot]]|date=September 13, 2001|access-date=October 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721234606/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2812076&mode=all|archive-date=July 21, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

== Synopsis ==
[[File:Colette Green and Gina Cross (Half-Life).jpg|thumb|Colette Green (left) and Gina Cross in ''Decay''; the models used in the game had a significantly higher level of detail than in previous ''[[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]]'' titles.]]

=== Characters and setting ===
''Decay'' is set in the same location and timeframe as ''Half-Life''. ''Half-Life'' takes place at a laboratory called the [[Black Mesa Research Facility]], situated in a remote desert in [[New Mexico]]. In ''Half-Life'', the player takes on the role of [[Gordon Freeman]], a scientist involved in an accident that opens an [[multiverse|inter-dimensional portal]] to the borderworld of [[Xen (Half-Life)|Xen]], allowing the alien creatures of Xen to attack the facility. The player guides Freeman in an attempt to escape the facility and close the portal, ultimately traveling to Xen to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ep1.half-life2.com/story.php |title=''Half-Life'': The Story so Far |access-date=March 24, 2008 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725080723/http://ep1.half-life2.com/story.php |archive-date=July 25, 2008 }}</ref> 

Like the previous expansions, ''Decay'' shows the story of ''Half-Life'' from the perspective of a different set of [[protagonist]]s. In ''Decay'', players assume the roles of Colette Green and Gina Cross, two doctors who work in the same labs as Freeman, analyzing anomalous materials and specimens retrieved from Xen in prior [[teleportation]] experiments. After the experiment that causes the alien invasion takes place, Green and Cross must work with two ranking members of the science team, Dr. Richard Keller and [[Dr. Rosenberg]], to contain and stabilize the deteriorating situation in Black Mesa.<ref name="Decay General">{{cite web|url=http://decay.half-lifecreations.com/?content=article&action=view&sub=general|title=About Decay|publisher=Half-Life Creations|work=Half-Life: Decay PC Port|access-date=September 26, 2008}}</ref>

=== Plot ===
''Decay'' begins with Gina Cross and Colette Green arriving at the Anomalous Materials Labs at Black Mesa and reporting to Dr. Keller, who is readying the day's analysis of an unknown specimen. Despite the objections of Dr. Rosenberg to pushing the analysis equipment beyond its design capacities, Cross and Green are assigned to assist setting up the experiment for Gordon Freeman.<ref>{{cite video game | title = Half-Life: Decay | developer = [[Gearbox Software]] | date = 2001| platform = [[PlayStation 2]]| level = Dual Access|  quote='''Rosenberg''': I've been talking with Harold, he seems to be under the impression you're planning on running the anti-mass spectrometer at greater than 90 percent. You realise there is a reason for the safety buffer. / '''Richard Keller''': I understand your concern doctor, but the administrator was quite clear. / '''Rosenberg''': The administrator is a bureaucrat, not a scientist! I did not design this equipment to be run at such high intensity! / '''Richard Keller''': This is not your decision! Now if you want to stay and monitor the experiment, so be it, otherwise you can go back to your little labs by the trainyard.}}</ref> When Freeman inserts the specimen into the scanning beam, however, it triggers a "resonance cascade", causing massive damage to the facility and teleporting alien creatures into the base. Keller and Rosenberg agree that Black Mesa cannot deal with the situation on its own, and so decide to call for military assistance.<ref>{{cite video game | title = Half-Life: Decay | developer = [[Gearbox Software]] | date = 2001| platform = [[PlayStation 2]]| level = Dual Access|  quote='''Rosenberg''': Well, we've got to get everyone out of here! Reach the surface, call for help, something! / '''Richard Keller''': No! We've got the deal with the problem! We can't expect anyone else to understand the importance of resetting those dampening fields. Without those in place the dimensional gash could tear so wide it may never be repaired. / '''Rosenberg''': Its too dangerous! If we fail, who will warn everyone else? We can have soldiers here in two hours to secure the facility and bring everyone to safety. Our concern must be for the people of Black Mesa. / '''Richard Keller''': Perhaps you're right. Dr. Cross and Dr. Green may have survived, if so they can help us.}}</ref> Cross and Green escort Rosenberg to the surface, where he sends a distress signal to the military. However, the military are ordered not only to contain the situation, but to silence the base by killing its employees. Rosenberg elects to stay behind to meet with the military on arrival and Cross and Green return to Keller.

Once reunited with Keller, Cross and Green work to seal the dimensional tear to stop the invasion. The military arrive and try to remove all personnel as well as the alien force. After resetting key equipment to prevent a second dimensional rift, the two are tasked with preparing a satellite for launch. The satellite, which is launched by Freeman in ''Half-Life'', is used in tandem with ground-based equipment to significantly weaken the effects of the resonance cascade.<ref>{{cite video game | title = Half-Life: Decay | developer = [[Gearbox Software]] | date = 2001| platform = [[PlayStation 2]]| level = Domestic Violence | quote='''Richard Keller''': The dimensional rift between here and the alien world must be sealed! We'll need to have a satellite in orbit in order to orchestrate a resonance reversal. The signal room for the satellite is nearby. Unfortunately the delivery rocket cannot launch without the all-clear codes. Now, any security guard in this dorm complex should have the codes we need. Go through the dorms and find a security guard, I'll take the tram around to the north side where we can pick you up.}}</ref> Keller tasks Cross and Green with activating this set of prototype equipment, a displacement beacon, which through the satellite may be able to seal the dimensional rift. However, after activating the beacon, both characters are caught up in a "harmonic reflux", a distortion caused by the rift. Despite this, Cross and Green are able to return safely and Keller congratulates them on their success.<ref>{{cite video game | title = Half-Life: Decay | developer = [[Gearbox Software]] | date = 2001| platform = [[PlayStation 2]]| level = Rift|  quote='''Richard Keller''': Gina? Colette? You'll be alright. You were caught for a moment in a harmonic reflux. Its one the swirling eddies in the space between two displacement event currents, although I can't imagine who was creating the other current. But it doesn't matter now! Rest my friends, we did it!}}</ref>

An unlockable bonus level, ''Xen Attacks'', provides background information that explains how the orange crystals used by the rift-sealing machine in ''Half-Life: Decay'' are acquired and used by the Nihilanth during the final boss battle in ''Half-Life''. In the level, two player-controlled vortigaunts battle through Marines and Black Ops in the underground Black Mesa complex to find the orange crystals in the back of a military van. After the crystals are recovered, the screen fades to black and the mission is declared a success; it is presumed that the Nihilanth warps the vortigaunts back to Xen and installs the crystals in his cave.

==Development==
A cooperative ''Half-Life'' game was first alluded to by publisher [[Sierra On-Line]] in November 2000 with the announcement of a [[PlayStation 2]] version of ''Half-Life''. At the time, however, it was unclear how a cooperative version of ''Half-Life'' would be implemented; the developers, [[Gearbox Software]], were still experimenting with finding the most balanced number of players to build a cooperative game around.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087979p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831202204/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087979p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2011|title=Sierra Delivers ''Half-Life'' to PlayStation 2|website=[[IGN]]|date=November 17, 2000}}</ref> By [[History of E3#2001|E3 2001]], the game had acquired the title ''Decay'', named after the scientific concept of [[exponential decay]] for consistency with the scientific names used by previous ''Half-Life'' titles. While the E3 convention only provided a demonstration of the main ''Half-Life'' PlayStation 2 game, further details were released relating to ''Decay''{{'}}s premise and story, as well as confirming that the cooperative mode was to be designed for two players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2761914&mode=all |title=E3 2001 Hands-on ''Half-Life'' |website=[[GameSpot]] |first=Joe |last=Fielder |date=May 18, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619020420/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2761914&mode=all |archive-date=June 19, 2009 }}</ref> The game's use of new model sets were also showcased. These new models were updated versions of Gearbox's High Definition pack for ''[[Half-Life: Blue Shift|Blue Shift]]'', featuring higher numbers of [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygons]] and [[Computer animation|animation]] features such as facial expressions.<ref name="graphics">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/135/135631p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831203222/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/135/135631p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2011|title=''Half-Life'' Preview|website=[[IGN]]|date=September 19, 2001|access-date=October 23, 2008}}</ref> The enhanced models were around twice as detailed as those in the High Definition pack, which itself was of a much higher quality than the original models in ''Half-Life''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2811529&mode=all&page=1|title=''Half-Life'' Updated preview|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Amer|last=Ajami|date=September 11, 2001|access-date=October 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103031204/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2811529&mode=all&page=1|archive-date=January 3, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Media updates through the months following E3 showed various screenshots and the trailer to the game.<ref name="graphics"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.insider.ign.com/teasers/302/302245.html |title=''Half-Life'' Hi-Res Trailer (PS2) |work=Insider |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=August 11, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004433/http://uk.insider.ign.com/teasers/302/302245.html |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> On August 18, 2001, Sierra announced that ''Decay'' was nearly complete, and would be submitted to PlayStation 2 manufacturer [[Sony]] for verification within days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2805397&mode=all|title=''Half-Life: Decay'' nears completion|website=[[GameSpot]]|first=Shahed|last=Ahmed|date=August 18, 2001|access-date=October 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717173526/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2805397&mode=all|archive-date=July 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The entire ''Half-Life'' for PlayStation 2 package achieved [[Software release life cycle#Release|gold status]] on October 30, 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2820992&mode=all |title=''Half-Life'' PS2 goes gold |first=Shahed |last=Ahmed |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 30, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928055941/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2820992 |archive-date=September 28, 2006 }}</ref> and the game was released on November 14, 2001, in North America,<ref name="gspotuk">{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=November 7, 2001 |title=''Half-Life'' PS2 ships next week |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2822828&mode=all |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717195431/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/news.html?sid=2822828&mode=all |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> and in Europe on November 30.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Half-Life'' |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/half-life/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Half-Life'' |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/playstation-2-ps2/00004257-half-life.htm |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]}}</ref>

In October 2005, work was begun by a group of Ukrainian developers to [[Porting|port]] ''Decay'' over to [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], as a [[Mod (computer gaming)|modification]] for both the old [[World Opponent Network]] and current [[Steam (service)|Steam]] versions of ''Half-Life''. The port relied on the discovery of a method that allowed ''Decay''{{'}}s PS2 game files to be converted to Windows version of the game.<ref name="Decay General"/> The port went into the [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta development stage]] in December 2007 and was released publicly on September 23, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://decay.half-lifecreations.com/?content=news&sub=archive|title=''Half-Life: Decay'' - It's released!|publisher=Half-Life Creations|access-date=September 26, 2008|date=September 23, 2008}}</ref> The port was received well by the journalists in the industry; [[GameSpy]] site [[Planet Half-Life]] noted that it was a shame that an official PC version of ''Decay'' never emerged,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=153971 |title=''Half-Life: Decay'' Released |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |work=[[Planet Half-Life]] |first=John |last=Phillips |date=September 24, 2008 |access-date=October 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926161301/http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/fullstory.php?id=153971 |archive-date=September 26, 2008 }}</ref> while British journalist Alec Meer stated that it was "fantastic to have this short but sweet lost ''Half-Life'' episode on PC at last, and it even has something the PS2 version didn't—online play".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/09/28/half-life-the-lost-chapter/|title=''Half-Life'': The Lost Chapter|first=Alec|last=Meer|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=September 28, 2008|access-date=October 24, 2008}}</ref>

==Reception==
''Decay'' received a weak but overall positive reception from the video games industry's critics. Writing for ''[[GameSpot]]'', Doug Radcliffe argued that ''Decay'' was "impressive", praising the design of puzzles required players to work together, as well as the way in which the ranking system discouraged players from competing against each other.<ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=''Half-Life'' for PlayStation 2 Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |first=Doug |last=Radcliffe |date=October 15, 2001 |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620011347/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/action/halflife/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archive-date=June 20, 2009 }}</ref> ''GameSpy'''s David Hodgson was more reserved in his views of the game; although describing it as "great fun", he noted that it could become "tedious, with one member waiting for minutes at a time, while the other scratches their head, then completes an objective". In addition, Hodgson felt that the more puzzle-orientated nature of ''Decay'' left the action elements "a little muted compared to Gordon's single player quest".<ref name="GameSpy">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halflifeps2/index.shtm |title=Reviews: ''Half-Life'' (PS2) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |first=David |last=Hodgson |access-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709015543/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halflifeps2/index.shtm |archive-date=July 9, 2008 }}</ref> [[Allgame]] described ''Decay'' as an "added bonus" for the PlayStation 2 version of ''Half-Life'', but noted that as the game was designed for two players, it significantly suffered when a single player attempts to play it by switching between two characters,<ref name="allgame">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:33217~T1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130042024/http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:33217~T1|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 30, 2012|title=''Half-Life'' Review|publisher=[[Allgame]]|access-date=October 24, 2008}}</ref> a point that both ''GameSpy'' and ''GameSpot'' agreed on.<ref name="GameSpot"/><ref name="GameSpy"/> In his review for ''[[IGN]]'', critic Doug Perry felt that ''Decay'' was "neat in its own limited way", but that it was more of a distraction from the main game, more "a complementary cup of vegetable soup than a piping hot main dish of New York steak".<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165631p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311055459/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165631p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2010|title=''Half-Life'' Review|website=[[IGN]]|first=Doug|last=Perry|date=November 16, 2001|access-date=October 24, 2008}}</ref> While ''[[The Electric Playground]]'' reviewer Steve Smith stated that the control scheme for the PlayStation 2 version of ''Half-Life'' "is about the best we have seen on the PS2 or any console", he concluded that although ''Decay'' was a "nice add-on", it was "no reason to buy this port".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elecplay.com/reviews/view/?article=7478&full=1 |title=Review: ''Half-Life'' |work=[[The Electric Playground]] |first=Steve |last=Smith |access-date=October 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003012624/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews/view/?article=7478&full=1 |archive-date=October 3, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Half-Life}}
{{Valve}}
{{Gearbox Software}}{{Wikiquote}}{{Portal bar|Video games}}
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[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Video games about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Half-Life (series) games|Decay]]
[[Category:Video games set in laboratories]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2-only games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video game expansion packs]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Video games set in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Video games about zombies]]
[[Category:Gearbox Software games]]