1998 was a much simpler time in the world of gaming, especially that of the FPS. Back then, gamers were more than happy with wave after wave of foes that were obliged to throw themselves in front of their sights, and the idea of a worthwhile narrative wasn’t considered all that essential. Games like Unreal, Quake II, and Turok were among the most popular FPS titles around, and action was very much the focus. Until the arrival of a landmark title from Sierra, a title that would change the face of the FPS forever.

November 19 saw the release of Half-Life, the first game from new developer, Valve. Half-Life was, on the face of it, a simple FPS, but once players actually got hold of it, they found a game unlike any they’d played before.

For one, it had an actual story, one that wasn’t consigned to the manual or a couple of load screens. Instead, the story of Half-Life actually unfolded in front of the player, with character interactions, set pieces, and dramatic changes in tone. Let’s not forget that long train ride into work, either. Although slow, this was packed with so much flavor and lore-content, by the time you stepped off the train to be greeted by Barney the security guard, you had the perfect idea of what type of research facility Black Mesa was. This was no ordinary job, to say the least.

Half-Life had its shortcomings, such as the fairly poor Xen levels, yet it quickly became one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made. It’s one of the most influential games ever developed. Oh, and it sold well, too. Very well.