The Best Games Built Using Source Engine

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that these three games are nothing short of extraordinary. Each one has left an indelible mark on the industry and on me personally.

As a dedicated gamer, when I hear the name Valve, my mind instantly conjures up Steam, the colossal PC gaming platform that dominates the planet. Naturally, the masterpieces they’ve crafted, like Half-Life 2, quickly follow. Unfortunately, it seems like game development isn’t a priority for them these days, but their impact on the industry remains significant in other ways.

Back in 2004, Valve unleashed a powerful 3D game engine they called “Source“. At first, it was primarily linked to Valve’s own games, but as time went on, other developers started picking it up too. The beauty of Source lay in its accessibility and flexibility, giving developers plenty of room to express their creativity and craft some truly outstanding games. A veritable cornucopia of games have been born from this engine, including both small-scale fan projects and big-league AAA titles, under the subsequent evolution of Source 2 as well.

10 Apex Legends

A Great Free-To-Play Battle Royale

Apex Legends, which is available for free, belongs to the genre of first-person Battle Royale games and shares the same universe as the critically acclaimed Titanfall 2 by Respawn Entertainment. This game stands out among Electronic Arts’ recent releases and has consistently ranked among the top multiplayer shooters since its debut in 2019. Its unique selling points include exhilarating, swift gunplay, engaging character development, and a challenging skill curve. Overall, it’s an exceptional Battle Royale title.

Which begs the question: Why the low ranking? The answer is that there are tons of Source games, so coming in at 10th isn’t all that low. However, for players not interested in Battle Royale games or who aren’t die-hard fans of Respawn, the fact is, there’s not that much reason to look up Apex Legends. It’s an excellent game, but it’s also a live-service free-to-play Battle Royale, warts and all.

9 DOTA 2

One Of The World’s Biggest MOBAs

Since the early 2010s, numerous Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games have emerged, yet only two have proven their longevity: League of Legends and Valve’s creation, DOTA 2. Whether one is superior to the other is largely a matter of personal preference and ongoing discussion. DOTA 2 has maintained its dominance within its specific genre due to Valve’s commitment to updating and revamping the game consistently.

Even a decade since its debut, DOTA 2 continues to be one of the top-tier live-service games, boasting a massive player community numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Major eSports tournaments continue to revolve around it, showcasing its enduring popularity. The reason for its lower ranking might be due to the fact that it falls under the MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) genre. Those who are enthusiasts of this type of game find it exceptional, while others may wonder at its continuous popularity.

8 Team Fortress 2

The Grandfather Of Modern Hero Shooters

Team Fortress 2, a game with a long-standing history, though its fame may have waned compared to its past glory, continues to maintain an incredibly dedicated fanbase who go above and beyond to keep it thriving. At its zenith, it stood among the top hero shooters, consistently receiving seasonal updates that breathed freshness into the gameplay experience.

Regrettably, the golden age of the game is largely over, and prolonged periods without new content and frequent hacking issues have diminished its charm. Nevertheless, its exceptional gameplay remains a beacon, making it one of the best-balanced hero shooters ever created and one of the rare games offering an enjoyable healer class. Nowadays, playing Team Fortress 2 evokes a sense of nostalgia for an era before live-service games, when competitive shooters were less complex and arguably more entertaining.

7 Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

A Choice-Driven Cult Classic

The source is often connected to first-person games, but Vampire: The Masquerade proves its adaptability. Known as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (quite a tongue twister), this role-playing game was developed by one of the lead creators from the original Fallout series.

Back in the day, I was deeply engrossed in a game that had some incredible minds behind it – these folks eventually formed Obsidian Entertainment and brought us gems like Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds. Talk about an impressive resume! This game was rich with intriguing characters and offered the kind of immersive, choice-driven role-playing experience that RPG enthusiasts would expect from the creators of such legendary games.

6 The Stanley Parable

Demolishes The Fourth Wall

Discussing the brilliance of The Stanley Parable and what sets it apart can be tricky without ruining its unique appeal. Initially, it might seem like just another walking simulator, but trust me, it’s an exceptional indie first-person adventure game that stands out among the best ever created in this genre.

This game offers an extraordinary, thought-provoking, and unconventional gaming experience that sets it apart from most games out there. The game explores themes like player autonomy, the very nature of playing a game, and challenges our preconceived notions about what a game should be. Though it might sound a bit highbrow, the game’s quirky humor keeps things entertaining (except when it’s purposefully dull). The Stanley Parable, while receiving a moderate response, is not for everyone since some players may find its meta approach off-putting, while others are captivated by it.

5 Left 4 Dead 2

Brilliant Co-Op Zombie Fun

Left 4 Dead 2 is a game that most gaming PC owners would find in their Steam collection. A first-person shooter focused on zombies, it remains one of the top cooperative games on PC, and chances are it will continue to be on this list for a considerable period.

Many games have attempted to mimic the cooperative structure of Left 4 Dead 2, yet only a handful have been successful. The game’s characters are legendary, its settings remain etched in our memories, and its zombie types have served as the blueprint for most other games featuring zombies. While some may contend that Left 4 Dead 2 should hold a more prominent position, others argue that the zombie genre has grown tiresome, and not all gamers have friends to play alongside. Left 4 Dead 2 is an enjoyable experience when played with friends, but less so when playing alone.

4 Counter-Strike Series

The Competitive Shooter

Originally, what is now known as Counter-Strike began as a modification for the game Half-Life. Valve Corporation was so captivated by its potential that they hired the creators and purchased the rights to it, transforming Counter-Strike into one of the most popular multiplayer gaming franchises globally. The initial versions relied on Half-Life’s GoldSrc engine, but it didn’t take long for the series to be migrated to Source. The upcoming release, Counter-Strike 2, will utilize the enhanced Source 2 engine.

To those unfamiliar with it, Counter-Strike may seem like it hasn’t evolved much through the years. Yet, there’s a bit of truth to that. The classic matchup between Terrorists and Counter-Terrrorists is still just as exhilarating now as it was two decades ago. However, the game has been continually improved, turning it into the powerhouse of eSports we know today. With the competitive first-person shooter market becoming increasingly saturated, Counter-Strike stands out as the genre’s most authentic embodiment.

3 Portal & Portal 2

Defy Expectations

At first glance, the Portal series might appear straightforward: use a portal gun to create portals, then solve environmental puzzles by manipulating these portals. The game doesn’t involve combat, and the only antagonist, GLaDOS, is one of the most memorable female villains in gaming. But how did such a seemingly basic formula earn its place as a gaming legend?

The answer lies in the game’s writing. For a start, both games are funny — like hilarious. Comedy is a hard thing to pull off in games, but Valve nailed it. Even more impressively, the games stay funny and the jokes will make players laugh not just on their first playthrough, but each subsequent playthrough as well. On top of that, both games tell compelling stories backed up by impressive environmental storytelling, animations, and top-tier voice acting. Not only are the Portal games some of the best puzzlers ever made, but their writing makes them appeal to gamers usually uninterested in the genre.

2 Titanfall 2

Give Us Titanfall 3 Already

The engine is primarily linked to Valve games, but one of its standout titles is actually an EA game produced by Respawn Entertainment – namely, Titanfall 2. This first-person shooter has been warmly received in recent years and fans are eagerly awaiting a follow-up. The reason for the delay in releasing a sequel is still unclear, though it’s possible that Respawn’s continuous focus on updating Apex Legends might be a contributing factor.

In terms of first-person shooter games, Titanfall 2 stands out as a remarkable gem. Its gunplay feels seamless and features advanced movements like wall running, dashing, and elevated jumps. The player even gets to call in a towering mech, which can be piloted on the spot for epic mech-versus-mech battles. To top it off, the game boasts some of the finest level designs and challenging boss fights that conclude each level. Underlying this action is an engaging science fiction narrative that resonates deeply. Until Respawn unveils a sequel, there’s little more to add – Titanfall 2 is among the best first-person shooter games ever crafted, and deserves greater recognition.

1 Hal-Life 2

Needs No Introduction

Discussing games that warrant follow-ups, it’s hardly unexpected that Half-Life 2 stands out as a front-runner. Not only is it one of the best games developed on Source, but it’s also among the finest first-person shooter (FPS) games ever produced. The Lost Coast demo was nothing less than groundbreaking, paving the way for a new era in PC gaming, while Half-Life 2 itself provided an unmatched gameplay experience that has yet to be surpassed.

Initially launching, Half-Life 2 was an exceptionally bold game, boasting visually stunning graphics, intricately designed worlds, and gameplay that kept players hooked. Regrettably, the release of Half-Life 2: Episode 2 ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger that has left fans in suspense for over a decade. It remains unclear if we’ll ever see an Episode 3 or a sequel to Half-Life 2, and Valve has shown little interest in satisfying fan demands. Realistically, one might wonder how a studio can possibly surpass the success of one of the greatest games ever made?

2024-09-01 16:34