Games like Half-Life on Steam Deck
4 of the 5 modern alternatives to Half-Life (1998) are rated Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck. 2 of them are free, and the cheapest paid option is Black Mesa at € 19,99. 2 are made by independent developers.
The Steam Deck runs most of the PC catalogue, but not all of it equally well. Only alternatives that Valve rates Verified (works out of the box) or Playable (works, with a tweak or two) are listed here. The ratings come from Valve, not from our own testing, and change as games are patched.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Entropy: Zero 2 Indie
FreeA free standalone mod of near-official quality that puts you on the Combine side of the story.
Entropy: Zero 2 runs on PC, Linux. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Half-Life 2
FreeThe sequel, permanently free since its twentieth anniversary, complete with both episodes.
Half-Life 2 runs on PC, Linux. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Selaco Indie
€ 24,99An acclaimed indie FPS with dense, reactive levels built on GZDoom.
Selaco is also an alternative to 2 other classics
Selaco runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Black Mesa
€ 19,99A stunning fan-made remake rebuilt in the Source engine.
Black Mesa runs on PC, Linux. Not available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Not on Steam Deck
These alternatives to Half-Life are listed on the main page, but are not rated Verified or Playable on the Steam Deck:
All 5 games like Half-Life