Welcome!

I've compiled a list of Half-Life add-ons that fix up and improve the game in small but meaningful ways. Links and credits included! I've tested them all myself and ensured that they work together. If an add-on doesn't work with another add-on, it will be made clear on the list.

All add-ons here come from either ModDB or GameBanana. By no means am I trying to take credit for these modders' work. I'm simply attempting to put their work more out there so that others can enjoy it too :)

Below is a key for the title header graphics used for each add-on.

Mods are (usually) either large heavily modified base campaigns such as Half-Life: Randomizer and Half-Life: MMod, or new original campaigns like Half-Life: Field Intensity or U.S.S. Darkstar, etc.

Add-ons do things like swap models, textures, sounds, etc. as either a fix, small feature, or cosmetic change. The appeal is that by combining many of these add-ons, you can fix many minute problems with Half-Life! This guide only compiles add-ons that stick to the vanilla game closely.

1. Navigate to your Half-Life Steam directory. This can be easily done by just right-clicking Half-Life in your Steam Library and selecting Manage > Browse Local Files (pictured).

The path should be

2. You will need to create a new folder called valve_addon in your Half-Life directory.

The .zips add-ons come in will likely already be organized in their own valve_addon. Within it, you’ll find folders such as “maps”, or “sound”. I’ll call these content directories.

3. Extract the content directories from the .zip's valve_addon folder to your valve_addon folder.

If an add-on contains a content directory that you already have in your valve_addon folder, don't worry. The zipped folder's contents should merge into your own folder when unzipped
(I use WinRAR, but I believe it is a standard feature of unzipping programs).

If you're confused by my explanation, don't worry. I'm sure you’ll understand what to do once you start doing it. It's a pretty simple process and many add-ons include readme files that tell you how to install the given add-on.

Each entry on the list will tell you what mods conflict, relevant to the given add-on.

Link[github.com]

Fixes many small engine problems, like custom menu music playing over gameplay and company logo MOVs, music not continuing across loading screens, etc. It also makes the 25th Anniversary Edition's grenade throwing physics and object physics global across all official and modded singleplayer GoldSrc games.

This mod is essential for some add-ons later on this list. It will be made clear when that's the case.

Note: If you installed this once before (from one of my other guides or just on your own), you don't need to install it again. One install affects all GoldSrc games.

Link[gamebanana.com]
Ports the Sierra start-up video from the WON (1998) version of the game. It plays before the Valve intro.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Alters the layout of the main menu to even more closely resemble the WON menu. I personally recommend installing the version with the grey/orange menu color scheme. The original pea-green look doesn't really fit Half-Life, in my opinion.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Restores the menu music from the PlayStation 2 version of Half-Life.

Note: Requires HLFixes to work correctly. Otherwise the song will play in gameplay and over the intro videos.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
As an alternative to the add-on above. This is as perfect of a WON menu port as you can get.

I've included both this add-on and the ones above as options. I prefer the blend of Steam and WON that the previous WON menu add-on offers and I'm not a big fan of this one's loading screen restoration, but for absolute purists, this one's for you.

Note: Includes the PlayStation 2 menu music already. Requires HLFixes for the music to work properly.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces the first map of the Hazard Course with the PS2 version, created by Gearbox. It adds a little bit more exposition to the Hazard Course, and modifies the starting room where you get the H.E.V. suit.

The only downside is that Gearbox added invisible walls above the railings in some areas, preventing you from jumping down into the sewer tunnel area, so you're comparatively less free, but it's not a significant loss.

Note: The scientist dialogue may be a bit broken sometimes. This could just be something to do with how I installed it, but just in case I thought I'd mention it. It doesn't ruin the map or anything. If you do have this issue, try not running up to the scientist who is supposed to greet Gordon until after he says "Very interesting!"

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Restores unused animations for Gina Cross' hologram where she would point and motion towards certain objects. There is also a version that includes the PS2 intro level.

Note: Conflicts with custom models for Gina Cross (See "Consistency with Expansion Packs" section.) You can apply the animations to said custom model if you know how. There is an official version that doesn't conflict with the PS2 Hazard Course Intro map.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Ports the rest of the Further Data content that was not brought over in the 25th Anniversary update. Includes two player models (Cannibal and Ken Birdwell), two maps (team9, thehill), and many sprays.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Ports Gearbox's PlayStation 2 exclusive deathmatch maps to the Steam release. There are a total of ten additional maps.

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces the oddly-textured, gloveless H.E.V. Suit world model with a refined version created by ShartyBarty and uploaded by Dr. Sourcecode.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Fixes many small issues and mistakes within Half-Life's maps, like texture z-fighting, textures being out of line, etc. The fixed maps are pictured (If you don't know the difference in the above images, just know there were errors there before).

* MMod overhauls the enemy and item placements in Unforeseen Consequences, Residue Processing, Questionable Ethics, and Lambda Core. If you want to install this to MMod, only install the maps not a part of these chapters. However there will eventually be an update to MMod that overhauls the rest of the chapters too. So I don't really recommend adding this one to MMod.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Syncs the shotgun pump sound with the viewmodel animation.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Fixes a broken animation with the H.E.C.U. where they walk up, and put one last bullet in whatever they've just killed (including Gordon Freeman.)

Note: Will not work with add-ons that replace the H.E.C.U. grunt model (See "Consistency with Expansion Packs" section). There is a download that lets you put the fix for the animation on custom models, as long as you are able to decompile and recompile models. But if you're going to use custom models, it's probably not worth the effort, since the animation is pretty rare to witness in normal gameplay.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Fixes mistakes in the H.E.C.U. models. Their models were made early in development, and are therefore a bit more janky than the other models.

Note: Also includes the Victory Dance Fix mod.

Note: Will not work with add-ons that replace the H.E.C.U. grunt model (See "Consistency with Expansion Packs" section).

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Fixes numerous mistakes in the scientist and Barney models.

Note: Conflicts with any mod on this list that involves the scientist, Barney, or H.E.C.U. models/textures.

---

Link
Implements HD models for models that previously didn't have HD equivalents and improves existing HD models.

Special installation: completely replace the existing "valve_hd" folder in your Half-Life Steam directory with the Extended HD Pack valve_hd folder. If you want to keep the original models just in case you change your mind, just back them up somewhere on your computer and replace the modded valve_hd with the official one.

---

Link
Replaces the vanilla H.E.C.U. models with the Opposing Force models.

Note: Conflictss with the Human Grunt Victory Dance Fix add-on and the H.E.C.U. UV and Shape Fixes add-on!
Link[gamebanana.com]
Goes with the add-on above it. Replaces the vanilla H.E.C.U. voices with the equivalent Opposing Force voices.

Special installation: In order to use this with the PS2 Hazard Course Intro add-on, you have to take the HGRUNT lines from this mod's sentences.txt and paste them over the HGRUNT lines in the PS2 Hazard Course's sentences.txt, combining the two.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Changes Gina Cross' H.E.V. suit color to the beige that it is in Half-Life: Decay. This works with the PS2 Hazard Course Intro port, as seen in the picture.

---

Link
In Blue Shift, Barney does not get his vest and helmet until after he gets through the door. This mod adds that retcon into Half-Life.

---

(Image sourced from the GameBanana page)
Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces the brush-made toolbox at the start of Blast Pit with the model from Opposing Force.

Note: Map uses Vanilla Map Fixes as a base.

I know many would rather keep their game close to its original form and vision, but for those looking for some parity between Half-Life and its sequel, here's some add-ons that do just that.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Adds the sprinting system (without stamina) and the H.E.V. suit zoom function from Half-Life 2 to Half-Life 1.

Special installation: put game.cfg in valve instead of valve_addon. The game.cfg in there is blank anyway (or was for me).

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Adds Eli Vance, Isaac Kleiner, and Barney Calhoun models that more closely resemble their Half-Life 2 appearances.

Note: Conflicts with Vanilla Map Fixes and Tram Ride Barney Consistency Fix since they modify the same maps. You'll have to choose between them and this.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces the Headcrab bite sound with the sound from Half-Life 2.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces zombie sounds with modified Half-Life 2 zombie sounds.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces Barnacle sounds with their Half-Life 2 counter-parts.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Replaces Vortigaunt speech lines with their Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, and Black Mesa sounds.

---

(Image from GameBanana page.)
Link[gamebanana.com]
Removes the two side eyes from the Vortigaunts' faces, which are not present in Half-Life 2.

Link[gamebanana.com]
Implements an unused (and rather gory) scientist texture for the mortally injured scientist in Blast Pit.

Note: Maps use Vanilla Map Fixes as a base.

---

(Images sourced from the GameBanana page)
Link[gamebanana.com]
Implements another unused texture, this time for the injured security guards in Power Up and Surface Tension, and gives them a proper reaction to the player shooting them.

Note: Maps use Vanilla Map Fixes as a base.

---

Link[gamebanana.com]
Adds geiger counter sounds to the Gluon Gun blasting SFX.

Hopefully you found some add-ons from this list that you like! This guide took forever to make and I greatly appreciate the support and attention.

Shout-outs to Intriguing Tiles, rottenmind, Aperture Mesa, morfinob, Dmitriy-Bars, Dienor, Ezequiel-TM, ShartyBarty, Dr. Sourcecode, marigi64, Barnaby, explorer1911, ColossusSteppes, /TheWolf, monster_urby, ChalkyMalky, HL1 X, 12311111, BrussTrigger, blsha (trvps), Unknow, ChalkyMalky, SleepyNotDead, Tunnel, Ambient.Impact, adrianshephard6170, BenedictKapustin42, and nonsense_me for making these great add-ons. Please go show them support on GameBanana or ModDB!

Additional shoutouts to WYDStepcat for suggesting HLFixes to be added, and Gunship Mk. II for creating Half-Life: MMod.

If you have any questions or add-ons you think should be on here, feel free to ask / tell me in the comments. I probably won't get back immediately, but I will get back soon-ish.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3340315744
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3340336934