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So what does $20 get you that the old free version couldn't? Well, it's hard to tell what value was actually added here. This release does include deathmatch multiplayer now. However, as noted, single player still does not include any of the Xen chapters. It's also allegedly on a newer version of the Source Engine, but the extent of what this means is anybody's guess right now.
What do you actually get then?
Black Mesa is a re-envisioning of Valve Software's seminal classic Half-Life. Gordon Freeman and his unforgettable journey through the Black Mesa Research Facility have been lovingly re-created to capture the full spirit of the original game, without 1998’s graphical limitations. This is Half-Life the way it was meant to be played!
Expect tremendously detailed environments, old-school tough-as-nails combat, and a gripping story with memorable characters. The all-new soundtrack, voice acting, choreography and dialogue create a more expansive and immersive experience than ever before. Nostalgia has never felt so fresh!
Features:
- Over 10 Hours of single player gameplay, up to the Lambda Core chapter
- Deathmatch and team deathmatch multiplayer
- 6 Stunningly recreated multiplayer maps from Half-Life 1
- Dedicated servers
- The Source Engine, pushed to its limits!
- An incredible, full-length soundtrack
- Fantastic new choreographed scenes and all new voice acting
Expect tremendously detailed environments, old-school tough-as-nails combat, and a gripping story with memorable characters. The all-new soundtrack, voice acting, choreography and dialogue create a more expansive and immersive experience than ever before. Nostalgia has never felt so fresh!
Features:
- Over 10 Hours of single player gameplay, up to the Lambda Core chapter
- Deathmatch and team deathmatch multiplayer
- 6 Stunningly recreated multiplayer maps from Half-Life 1
- Dedicated servers
- The Source Engine, pushed to its limits!
- An incredible, full-length soundtrack
- Fantastic new choreographed scenes and all new voice acting
Unfortunately, the $20 price is enough to dissuade many people that were interested in this, especially after it was falsely promoted as free during its Greenlight campaign. That also probably means that the number of people playing online multiplayer will suffer.
If there truly is an updated free version still coming, they should have released it at the same time as the paid version. Give people the option to support you and give you money if they so desire, while still keeping true to your promise of a free release. However, that talk about a free release was from late 2013, so those plans may have also changed. If you feel like spending $20, you can buy Black Mesa from Steam Early Access.
The decision to charge for the game was made a long time ago, having the game on Steam as a retail product gives them more access to the game engine, now they can get the game into the condition they want it to be in and receive some money for their hard work.
I don't know if you read it, but the Early Access notes state this.
“The conclusion of the single player campaign, with the addition of the Xen chapters
Final polish on the Earth-based chapters of the single player campaign
More multiplayer maps
More multiplayer gameplay modes”
Xen will be added, what's already there will be updated and the multiplayer mode will grow.
I have to assume Valve support this, if they wanted they could shut this down right?
That kind of makes this an official HD remake instead of a mod.