Best Half-Life Characters

Summary

Father Grigori embodies isolated terror in Ravenholm, a town overrun by horrors.

Dr. Wallace Breen, a lowly cog in Combine occupation, represents corporate villainy.

Gordon Freeman, a scientist turned hero, navigates overcoming an alien invasion.

Ever since it first launched for PC on November 19, 1998, the Half-Life franchise has crafted a unique, highly compelling science fiction universe that has gone on to influence an entire generation of gamers. Set in a grounded, hard-sci-fi world that was influenced by films like The Mist and the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Half-Life has also cultivated an even more fascinating catalog of characters to populate the universe, representing the dedication to incredible world-building that has defined Valve’s games for decades.

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Ranging from mysterious government agents looking to further their own insidious goals to charming scientists and the franchise’s stoic, quiet lead in Gordon Freeman, the Half-Life universe is teeming with remarkable characters and iconic figures who have become some of the industry’s most recognizable heroes and villains. Valve’s sharp, impeccable writing and penchant for dialogue has helped shape these characters for years, and though the number of games in the series is small, it has helped make every minute spent with them feel more rewarding.

These characters have been ranked based on their personality, character arc, and overall contribution to the Half-Life series.

Father Grigori

We Don’t Go To Ravenholm

First Appearance: Half-Life 2

After Gordon is separated from Alyx Vance in her father Eli’s lab in Half-Life 2, he finds himself wandering into the creeping horror of Ravenholm, a resistance stronghold that was abandoned after the Combine invaded. For much of Ravenholm, any sense of humanity is gone, as it is filled with headcrabs and zombies, but once the player reaches the eccentric Father Grigori, his presence helps to solidify the isolated terror that the town has become known for. His booming voice echoes throughout Ravenholm as Gordon tries to survive, as he only appears physically from afar until the level’s harrowing climax. His unhinged laughter and operatic dialogue are simply fantastic, as Father Girgori represents the last vestige of humanity in a town overrun by the horrors from beyond. What truly makes Grigori so fascinating is how he plays his part, representing the displacement of humanity by the Combine occupation, and then fades into obscurity. His fate remains a mystery, which makes this fascinating character even more compelling by the time the player escapes Ravenholm.
7

Dr. Wallace Breen

A Nefarious Man Working For A Higher Power

First Appearance: Half-Life 2

Wallace Breen first appears during the opening moments of Half-Life 2, as Gordon Freeman exits from a train onto the Combine-occupied streets of City 17, where he delivers an address to its downtrodden citizens. Initially presented as an omnipotent, seemingly powerful broker of control, Breen’s true nature comes into focus as Gordon and Alyx discover just how much of a low-level grunt he is within the wider scheme of the Combine empire. Breen’s position as Earth administrator is precisely what makes him such a fantastic villain, as the use of a job title within an alien invasion adds a sense of dark humor to the whole thing, painting him as a lowly cog in the wheel of a much larger, more powerful empire. There may not be a more appropriate representation of corporate villainy than Breen, as he weaseled his way into the good graces of the Combine after negotiating Earth’s surrender and serves as the main human antagonist of Half-Life 2.
6

Isaac Kleiner

This Is A Red Letter Day

First Appearance: Half-Life

Isaac Kleiner makes his first appearance in the original Half-Life, working at Black Mesa alongside Gordon and Eli Vance. He plays a major role in the events leading up to the Resonance Cascade, the cataclysmic event that triggers the events of the entire franchise, making him an indispensable figure in the lore of Half-Life. Isaac finds himself going from a small part of a science team to one of Gordon’s most trusted allies in the fight against the Combine.

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Isaac’s evolution from Half-Life 1 through the events of the sequel and its subsequent episodes is outstanding, as his skittish, easily frightened demeanor from the first game starts to melt away. Thanks in no small part to his friendships with Gordon, Alyx, and Barney, Isaac is able to play an even more important role during the events of Half-Life 2: Episode 2, where he assists in launching a rocket designed to disrupt a Combine portal. He is a quintessential Half-Life character, where his exterior as a meek scientist hides his true nature as a brave hero.
5

Eli Vance

The Heart Of Half-Life

First Appearance: Half-Life

If Half-Life has had any sort of message to deliver over the years, it’s that even in the darkest hour, science can lead the way to victory. And no character represents that more than Eli Vance, a brilliant scientist who was crucial during the events of the Resonance Cascade and found a new purpose in the twenty years that passed following Gordon’s absence. He isn’t just a scientist anymore; he is a father to Alyx, and Gordon’s unexpected return shows just how complex Eli is. In many ways, Eli Vance is the heart of Half-Life. This warm, caring man will stop at nothing to keep his daughter safe and free humanity from the grip of the Combine. In addition to his daughter Alyx, Eli has a strong relationship with Gordon, as he calls him ‘son’ multiple times throughout Half-Life 2 and its episodes, with the two sharing a common love of science and a need to keep family safe. As Gordon has no family of his own, his relationship with Eli is one of the most important in the franchise.
4

G-Man

The Right Man In The Wrong Place Can Make All The Difference In The World

First Appearance: Half-Life

G-Man first appeared in the original Half-Life, briefly floating in and out of scenes that the player can entirely miss, adding to his mystique and contributing to years of online discussion surrounding his true identity and motives. He has continued to torment Gordon Freeman in each Half-Life game, with his slithery voice and deceptive tones setting a haunting tone for each subsequent entry. G-Man has acted as Gordon’s arch rival ever since the original Half-Life, casting doubt upon his ultimate goal and what his intentions are for the iconic hero. It’s this mystery and suspense that has kept him in the minds of Half-Life fans for years, and with rumors of an imminent Half-Life 3 reveal swirling, the truth surrounding this legendary Valve villain may be coming sooner than fans think.
3

Judith Mossman

A Woman Torn Between Science And Honor

First Appearance: Half-Life 2

Judith Mossman first appears in Half-Life 2 when Gordon Freeman reaches Black Mesa East, Eli Vance’s lab that is situated deep in the canals. Initially presented as somewhat standoffish to everyone except Gordon, Judith’s true motives come into play as she plays her hand in delivering the abducted heroes into the hands of Wallace Breen and the Combine. But as any good character can attest to, nothing is ever that simple.

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Her decision to ally herself with Gordon and the Resistance, effectively sealing Breen’s dark fate, is one of the best moments in the franchise. She becomes an integral part of the Resistance, playing crucial roles in Half-Life 2: Episode One and Episode Two, as she is ultimately responsible for allowing Gordon and Alyx to discover the location of the long-lost Borealis and its importance to the Combine. At the end of the day, Judith Mossman is a scientist, and it’s the curious nature that comes along with this that defines her terrific arc throughout Half-Life’s story.
2

Alyx Vance

One Of The Most Charming AI Companions Of All Time

First Appearance: Half-Life 2

Gordon Freeman first meets Alyx Vance when he is being hunted by Civil Protection during the opening hours of Half-Life 2, becoming his entry point into the dystopian world of City 17 after having spent twenty years in isolation. As an AI companion, she is simply one of the best, offering gun support and information, as well as being incredibly charming and fun to listen to thanks to the spectacular performance by Merle Dandridge. Alyx’s relationship with her father Eli forms one of the franchise’s strongest bonds, as their chemistry is simply delightful to watch unfold and helps keep her grounded. Her bravery and wit shine through effortlessly, as Alyx isn’t just a passenger; she’s an active participant. Her role in Half-Life 2 and its subsequent episodes have led to some of the franchise’s most memorable moments. She is one of Valve’s most impressive creations, both technically and from a character perspective.
1

Gordon Freeman

A Man Of Few Words

First Appearance: Half-Life

Valve’s first pass at Gordon Freeman was decidedly different from the final product, as he was named Ivan the Space Biker and appeared to resemble more traditional boomer shooter heroes of the decade. Thankfully, Gordon was refined into something far more compelling, going on to become one of the industry’s most beloved and recognizable heroes of all time, ditching the wild beard and armored suit for a lab coat and his now iconic crowbar.

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It’s this everyman status that makes Gordon so much fun, as he isn’t a highly-trained special ops soldier or warrior. Instead, he’s just a scientist who got caught up in something larger than himself. As a result, he was forced to adapt to his situation or die in the process. He emerged from the darkness of the Black Mesa Incident with a lot of questions, and his journey from a simple scientist to the leader of a rebellion to save Earth has served as one of gaming’s most intoxicating stories, and ir’s one that has been left on a cliffhanger for nearly the same amount of time that passed between Half-Life and its sequel. Whatever the future holds for Gordon Freeman, it’s safe to say he will go down as one of the industry’s most incredible heroes and the greatest Half-Life character of all time.

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