Games Like Black Mesa

Named Game of the Year by over 50 publications, Valve's debut title blends action and adventure with award-winning technology to create a frighteningly realistic world where players must think to survive. Also includes an exciting multiplayer mode that allows you to play against friends and enemies around the world.

Why similar: Classic 23.3% ★, FPS 19.2%, Aliens 13.3%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Shooter 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: It’s the original campaign Black Mesa reimagines, with the same research-facility disaster, enemy mix, and story beats in their classic form.

Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.

Why similar: FPS 24.9%, Classic 22.1% ★, Sci-fi 9.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Aliens 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: Valve’s direct sequel keeps the same narrative-forward FPS design and atmospheric sci-fi worldbuilding while expanding the physics-driven combat.

Return to the Black Mesa Research Facility as one of the military specialists assigned to eliminate Gordon Freeman. Experience an entirely new episode of single player action. Meet fierce alien opponents, and experiment with new weaponry. Named 'Game of the Year' by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.

Why similar: FPS 41.4%, Classic 20% ★, Aliens 8.8%, Sci-fi 7.5%, Shooter 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: This expansion revisits the Black Mesa incident from a new perspective, making it the closest thing to another campaign in the same setting.

Made by Gearbox Software and originally released in 2001 as an add-on to Half-Life, Blue Shift is a return to the Black Mesa Research Facility in which you play as Barney Calhoun, the security guard sidekick who helped Gordon out of so many sticky situations.

Why similar: FPS 33.2%, Classic 17.5% ★, Aliens 11.1%, Sci-fi 9.4%, Shooter 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: Like Black Mesa, it offers a focused single-player run through the aftermath of the facility disaster with classic Half-Life pacing.

Half-Life: Alyx is Valve’s VR return to the Half-Life series. It’s the story of an impossible fight against a vicious alien race known as the Combine, set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity’s only chance for survival.

Why similar: FPS 18.1%, Aliens 14.4%, Zombies 12.6%, Sci-fi 9.6%, Shooter 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: If VR is an option, it’s the modern gold standard for Half-Life-style immersion, tension, and environmental storytelling.

TE120 is a short single player experience set in the Half-Life Universe featuring a gravity defying weapon that allows you to jump buildings and sustain large falls. The story takes place at a mysterious date & location. Where are you? Why have you been sent?

Why similar: Mod 20.2% ★, FPS 17%, Zombies 16.5%, Shooter 10.7%, First-Person 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: Short but excellent, it channels Half-Life’s experimental-lab feel and first-person environmental design almost perfectly.

Embark on a gripping journey in INDUSTRIA, an atmospheric FPS set in Cold War-era East Berlin. Unravel the secrets of a mysterious parallel dimension while searching for a missing colleague. Explore a haunting reality where the truth awaits. Discover the dark past that lies beyond.

Why similar: FPS 29.4%, Sci-fi 15.9%, Shooter 11.5%, First-Person 8.9%, Story Rich 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This compact story-driven FPS wears its Half-Life inspiration openly, especially in its moody science-fiction setting and linear exploration.

Prospekt begins in the Nova Prospekt prison in the Half-Life universe. Gordon Freeman is slowly being overrun by soldiers in the prison, however unknown to him, his Vortigaunt allies manage to find some help from a forgotten hero.

Why similar: FPS 28.5%, Mod 28.1% ★, Sci-fi 12.3%, Shooter 9.1%, Action 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is a direct Half-Life-universe shooter that mimics Black Mesa and HL2’s linear progression, weapons, and setting.

A first-person fight to the death in the depths of space!

Why similar: FPS 22.8%, Sci-fi 16.3%, Classic 13.8% ★, Horror 8.1%, First-Person 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: This remake offers a similar mix of retro FPS roots and modern presentation inside a dense sci-fi disaster scenario.

BioShock is a shooter unlike any other, loaded with unique weapons and tactics. Complete with an arsenal of revolvers, shotguns, and grenade launchers, players will be forced to genetically modify their DNA to become an even deadlier weapon.

Why similar: FPS 27.9%, Classic 13.7% ★, Great Soundtrack 7.8%, Story Rich 7.6%, First-Person 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its first-person storytelling, immersive world-building, and atmospheric descent into a science-gone-wrong setting echo Black Mesa’s appeal.

A Sci-fi FPS set on the mysterious planet ADACA. - Use your GRAVITY-MANIPULATING arm to HURL objects at your foes or even RIP weapons directly from their hands! - EXPLORE and manipulate the environment in this EERIE and HOSTILE world!

Why similar: FPS 34.2%, Sci-fi 14.5%, Shooter 12.6%, Horror 9.8%, Atmospheric 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its grounded sci-fi gunplay, physics-tool interactions, and mystery-heavy campaign feel strongly indebted to Half-Life 2 and Black Mesa.

FIGHT THE PAST TO SAVE THE FUTURE. STOP THE SINGULARITY. Learn the truth behind a massive cover-up of the catastrophic SINGULARITY, an event that fractured time and threatens the world as we know it. Armed with powerful, advanced weaponry and the experimental Time Manipulation Device, fight enemies from the past, the present, and...

Why similar: FPS 38.4%, Sci-fi 15%, Shooter 8.1%, Horror 6.3%, Action 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Like Black Mesa, it mixes a secretive research setting, sci-fi experimentation gone wrong, and straightforward story-led shooting.

The classic first person shooter from Crytek is back with the action-packed gameplay, sandbox world, and thrilling epic battles you loved the first time around – now with remastered graphics optimized for a new generation of hardware.

Why similar: FPS 29.4%, Aliens 19%, Sci-fi 13.8%, Shooter 13.5%, Action 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It combines a serious sci-fi campaign, strong gun feel, and set-piece-driven progression in a way that should click with Black Mesa fans.

Selaco is a brand new original shooter inspired by classics, featuring thrilling action set pieces, destructibility, smart enemies and a fleshed out story taking place within an immersive game world.

Why similar: FPS 33.4%, Sci-fi 15.6%, Shooter 14.8%, First-Person 11.5%, Story Rich 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: Although faster and more combat-heavy, it captures the handcrafted level design and immersive single-player flow that classic Half-Life fans love.

As part of the elite Rhino Squad, you must spearhead Earth’s military invasion of a hostile alien homeworld. But, in this desperate war for humanity’s survival against an unrelenting enemy, you may discover that the only way to defeat them...is to become one of them.

Why similar: FPS 31.2%, Classic 19.4% ★, Sci-fi 10.4%, Shooter 9%, Action 5%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Black Mesa’s single-player sci-fi shooter focus, moving through military-industrial environments with cinematic set pieces and classic gunplay.

In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted.

Why similar: FPS 21.2%, Sci-fi 18%, Aliens 14.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.1%, First-Person 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: If you want a more systemic take on the same isolated science facility overrun by the unknown fantasy, Prey is a standout.

A demonic invasion has overwhelmed the Union Aerospace Corporation's Mars research facility. As one of only a few survivors, you must fight your way to hell and back against a horde of demons in this award-winning horror/action FPS and reimagining of the original DOOM.

Why similar: FPS 26.9%, Classic 22.1% ★, Horror 8%, Sci-fi 7.7%, Shooter 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This is a slower, darker corridor FPS built around combat and atmosphere inside a demonic tech facility, much like Black Mesa’s horror-leaning sections.

Respawn Entertainment gives you the most advanced titan technology in its new, single player campaign & multiplayer experience. Combine & conquer with new titans & pilots, deadlier weapons, & customization and progression systems that help you and your titan flow as one unstoppable killing force.

Why similar: FPS 39.9%, Sci-fi 15.8%, Shooter 15%, Multiplayer 9.6%, First-Person 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its campaign delivers the same kind of polished, story-rich sci-fi FPS ride with memorable mechanics and relentless pacing.

You are humanity’s last hope to stop the Strogg, a hostile alien race waging war against Earth. Play this military sci-fi FPS, now upgraded for modern platforms with improved visuals, new campaign content, online multiplayer/co-op, and more.

Why similar: Classic 31.7% ★, FPS 26.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.9%, Sci-fi 7.5%, Shooter 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: This older campaign shooter shares Black Mesa’s classic first-person sensibilities, sci-fi arsenal, and straightforward level-by-level progression.

The Master Chief’s iconic journey includes six games, built for PC and collected in a single integrated experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or meeting Spartan 117 for the first time, The Master Chief Collection is the definitive Halo gaming experience.

Why similar: Classic 23% ★, FPS 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 15.5%, Aliens 9.8%, Sci-fi 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: The campaigns offer classic single-player sci-fi FPS action, memorable enemy encounters, and the same era-defining sense of adventure.

Developed by the award-winning id Software, Quake® is the ground-breaking, original dark fantasy first-person shooter that inspires today’s retro-style FPS games. With Quake (Enhanced), experience the authentic, updated, and visually enhanced version of the original.

Why similar: Classic 35.3% ★, FPS 26.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.6%, Shooter 7.2%, First-Person 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: It lacks Black Mesa’s story emphasis, yet its fast classic FPS foundation is important context for the style Black Mesa modernizes.

In 2013 the world was devastated by an apocalyptic event, annihilating almost all mankind and turning the Earth's surface into a poisonous wasteland. A handful of survivors took refuge in the depths of the Moscow underground, and human civilization entered a new Dark Age. The year is 2033.

Why similar: FPS 32.2%, Classic 9.7% ★, Shooter 9.7%, Horror 9.1%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its linear, atmospheric first-person storytelling and oppressive sci-fi tone make it a natural pick if you liked Black Mesa’s immersion.

System Shock® 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a genre defining experience that established innovative game-play mechanics that are a staple of the FPS and RPG genre today. Survive the wretched corridors of the Von Braun. Your training has prepared you for this.

Why similar: FPS 27.8%, Sci-fi 15.4%, Shooter 10.1%, Multiplayer 9.2%, Horror 9%

Why You'll Like It: It leans more into RPG and horror elements, but its abandoned-space-station mystery and audio-log storytelling scratch a similar sci-fi itch.

Wolfenstein®: The New Order reignites the series that created the first-person shooter genre. Wolfenstein offers a deep game narrative packed with action, adventure and first-person combat.

Why similar: FPS 40.8%, Shooter 11.5%, First-Person 8%, Sci-fi 7.6%, Great Soundtrack 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its narrative-driven FPS structure and polished combat make it a good fit if you mainly want another strong linear campaign.

Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.

Why similar: Classic 26.7% ★, Sci-fi 22.2%, First-Person 18.8%, FPS 12.9%, Story Rich 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It trades gunfights for puzzles, but its first-person pacing, Aperture Science vibe, and Valve-style world-building resonate strongly with Half-Life fans.

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign, rebuilt from the ground up.

Why similar: FPS 33.5%, Aliens 13.6%, Sci-fi 12.4%, Shooter 10%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%

Now includes all three premium DLC packs (Unto the Evil, Hell Followed, and Bloodfall), maps, modes, and weapons, as well as all feature updates including Arcade Mode, Photo Mode, and the latest Update 6.66, which brings further multiplayer improvements as well as revamps multiplayer progression.

Why similar: FPS 25.8%, Great Soundtrack 15.9%, Classic 13% ★, Shooter 8.6%, Sci-fi 6.4%

Fast multiplayer action set in the Half-Life 2 universe! HL2's physics adds a new dimension to deathmatch play. Play straight deathmatch or try Combine vs. Resistance teamplay. Toss a toilet at your friend today!

Why similar: FPS 40.5%, Action 14.8%, Shooter 10.7%, Multiplayer 10.6%, Sci-fi 9.2%

Half-Life Deathmatch: Source is a recreation of the first multiplayer game set in the Half-Life universe. Features all the classic weapons and most-played maps, now running on the Source engine.

Why similar: FPS 32.4%, Classic 21.9% ★, Sci-fi 10.2%, Action 9.9%, Shooter 9.5%

The sci-fi survival-horror classic returns, completely rebuilt to offer an even more immersive experience — including visual, audio, and gameplay improvements — while staying faithful to the original game’s thrilling vision.

Why similar: Sci-fi 23%, Aliens 19.9%, Horror 17.3%, Shooter 14.9%, Atmospheric 7.9%

Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter is a visually upgraded and fully Steam supported remake version of the original high-adrenaline single-play and 16-player co-operative arcade-action FPS which was Gamespot's Game of the Year 2001 and which scored overall of 87% on Metacritic!

Why similar: FPS 37.9%, Classic 19.6% ★, Shooter 8.6%, Aliens 8.2%, Action 6.2%

Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends.

Why similar: FPS 26.9%, Classic 21.2% ★, Great Soundtrack 15.8%, Shooter 10.4%, First-Person 6.9%

Experience the critically acclaimed and award-winning Portal™ reimagined with full ray tracing and DLSS 4 in this free DLC for Portal owners. Start thinking with portals, with RTX on.

Why similar: Mod 29.5% ★, Sci-fi 22.3%, First-Person 16.4%, Action 11.9%, Story Rich 9.3%

Just another mission, or so you thought… until aliens from another dimension start invading Earth before a scientist with a crowbar hospitalizes you after wiping out your entire squad. Just when you thought you were finished, a man with a briefcase offers you the chance for another beginning.

Why similar: FPS 41%, Shooter 19.2%, First-Person 16.3%, Atmospheric 11.1%, Action 8.2%

Serious Sam 4 reignites the classic FPS series in a high-powered prequel loaded with an explosive arsenal, intergalactic carnage, and perfectly timed one-liners.

Why similar: FPS 30.2%, Classic 16.2% ★, Great Soundtrack 12.6%, Shooter 10.8%, Gore 7.4%

Wolfenstein®: The Old Blood™ is a standalone prequel to the critically acclaimed first-person action-adventure shooter, Wolfenstein®: The New Order. This adventure spans eight chapters and features the hallmarks of MachineGames – thrilling action, immersive story, and intense FPS combat.

Why similar: FPS 32.5%, Zombies 14%, Shooter 11.3%, First-Person 7.2%, Action 6.6%

Serious Sam is a high-adrenaline arcade-action shooter heavily focused on frantic action. In a world where cyberpunk meets fantasy-fiction and advanced technology is mixed with black magic and psycho-powers, Sam travels through four beautiful worlds, confronting countless foes on his way to Mental's base.

Why similar: Classic 34.7% ★, FPS 31.2%, Shooter 9.5%, Action 7.4%, First-Person 5.1%

Developed by id Software, and originally released in 1993 and 1994, the definitive, newly enhanced versions of DOOM + DOOM II are available as a combined product.

Why similar: Classic 36.9% ★, FPS 25.6%, Great Soundtrack 13.3%, Shooter 5.7%, Sci-fi 5.1%

Dive into the zombie apocalypse with Zombie Panic! Source: a cooperative, survival-horror first-person-shooter. A fast-paced standalone modification.

Why similar: Zombies 26.9%, Mod 20.8% ★, FPS 16.7%, Multiplayer 8.2%, Horror 7.4%

Hell’s armies have invaded Earth. Become the Slayer in an epic single-player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity. The only thing they fear... is you.

Why similar: FPS 27.1%, Great Soundtrack 23%, Shooter 9.3%, First-Person 7.2%, Sci-fi 6.6%

Re-discover what made System Shock the first of it's kind, a ground breaking immersive sim that would inspire a generation of games to come....

Why similar: Classic 35.1% ★, FPS 17.2%, Sci-fi 11.8%, Great Soundtrack 8.1%, Horror 6.6%

With its extensive Tour of Duty campaign, a near-limitless number of skirmish modes, updates and new content for Counter-Strike's award-winning multiplayer game play, plus over 12 bonus single player missions, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is a tremendous offering of single and multiplayer content.

Why similar: FPS 37.5%, Classic 22.4% ★, Shooter 13.4%, Action 10.3%, Multiplayer 7%

One of the most critically-acclaimed games in history, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is back, remastered in true high-definition, featuring improved textures, physically based rendering, high-dynamic range lighting and much more.

Why similar: FPS 40.3%, Shooter 14.4%, Classic 10.5% ★, Multiplayer 9.2%, First-Person 8.4%

Experience the original F.E.A.R. along with F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate.

Why similar: FPS 32.8%, Classic 23.9% ★, Horror 11.4%, Shooter 6.6%, Action 4.8%

Serious Sam is a high-adrenaline single-play and 16-player co-operative arcade-action FPS and Gamespot's Game of the Year 2001!

Why similar: Classic 35.7% ★, FPS 28.3%, Shooter 6.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Action 5.9%

Relive the legendary single-player campaign from the classic first-person shooter, Crysis 2, optimized for today's hardware in Crysis 2 Remastered.

Why similar: FPS 32.2%, Aliens 22.6%, Shooter 15.2%, First-Person 10%, Sci-fi 9.8%

From Valve (the creators of Counter-Strike, Half-Life and more) comes Left 4 Dead, a co-op action horror game for the PC and Xbox 360 that casts up to four players in an epic struggle for survival against swarming zombie hordes and terrifying mutant monsters.

Why similar: Zombies 36.1%, FPS 26.1%, Shooter 8.8%, Multiplayer 8.4%, Horror 6.6%

Play the enhanced version of the original game released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997. Years have passed since you stopped Hell’s invasion of Earth. Quarantined for humanity’s safety, the UAC research facilities on Mars were abandoned and forgotten...until now.

Why similar: Classic 33.7% ★, FPS 24.9%, Shooter 7.3%, Sci-fi 6.3%, Action 5.9%

A futuristic action game that challenges your agility as well as your aim, Ricochet features one-on-one and team matches played in a variety of futuristic battle arenas.

Why similar: Classic 26.5% ★, FPS 24.9%, Action 21.5%, Multiplayer 6.7%, Sci-fi 6.7%

You & your friends are the deadliest killers in the galaxy – the US Colonial Marines. It’s up to you to not just survive, but wipe out the Xeno infestation.

Why similar: FPS 28.4%, Aliens 24.4%, Sci-fi 11.8%, Shooter 9.1%, Action 7.3%

Hidden Deep is an atmospheric sci-fi action game heavily inspired by Aliens, The Thing, and Half-Life. Explore, climb, swim, scan, blast and shoot your way through dangerous missions in a huge sub oceanic mining and research facility. Fear the horrors that lurk below…

Why similar: Aliens 32.6%, Shooter 20%, Sci-fi 16.9%, Horror 11.1%, Multiplayer 9.1%

Become the ultimate badass in Trepang2: A gory, action-packed FPS set in the near future. Unleash all hell on your enemies, dodge bullets and leave a trail of destruction in this hardcore and frenetic shooter.

Why similar: FPS 29.1%, Shooter 15.2%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%, Horror 9.6%, First-Person 9.2%

BONEWORKS is an Experimental Physics VR Adventure. Use found physics weapons, tools, and objects to fight across dangerous playscapes and mysterious architecture.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 26.5%, FPS 18.5%, Shooter 14.8%, First-Person 10%, Sci-fi 7.2%

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

Why similar: Sci-fi 21.9%, Horror 15.8%, First-Person 14.1%, Story Rich 11.9%, Atmospheric 11.5%

World War II rages and nations fall. The Nazis are twisting science and the occult into an army capable of annihilating the Allies once and for all. As US Army Ranger William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, pierce the black heart of the Third Reich and stop them...or die trying.

Why similar: Classic 34.3% ★, FPS 26.4%, Shooter 6.1%, Zombies 5%, Action 4.7%

BioShock is a shooter unlike any you've ever played, loaded with weapons and tactics never seen. You'll have a complete arsenal at your disposal from simple revolvers to grenade launchers and chemical throwers, but you'll also be forced to genetically modify your DNA to create an even more deadly weapon: you.

Why similar: FPS 31%, Classic 16.3% ★, Story Rich 7.2%, Atmospheric 6.9%, Sci-fi 6.9%

Aliens Versus Predator Classic 2000 features the Colonial Marine, Alien and Predator Campaigns and the frenetic single-player Skirmish mode from the original title: Alien Versus Predator Gold Edition, which was released to massive acclaim in 2000.

Why similar: Classic 29.7% ★, FPS 21.9%, Aliens 14.3%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Shooter 5.6%

Enjoy fast-paced multiplayer gaming with Deathmatch Classic (a.k.a. DMC). Valve's tribute to the work of id software, DMC invites players to grab their rocket launchers and put their reflexes to the test in a collection of futuristic settings.

Why similar: Classic 29.6% ★, FPS 25.3%, Action 21.6%, Shooter 8.1%, Multiplayer 5.5%