Digital Foundry’s YouTube channel recently released an extensive video that delves into the visual comparisons between the original 2004 release of Half-Life 2 and its upcoming remaster, Half-Life 2 RTX. This remaster, crafted by the skilled modders at Orbifold Studios, is set to introduce breathtaking visual enhancements such as improved lighting, fresh assets, ray tracing, and the integration of DLSS 4 technology. Owners of the original Half-Life 2 on Steam will be able to enjoy this remaster at no additional cost, though an official release date has yet to be announced.

Starting March 18, fans can get a taste of the remaster with a free demo, which will feature two of the game's most memorable settings: the eerie, abandoned city of Ravenholm and the imposing Nova Prospekt prison. Prior to this, a new trailer highlighted the remaster’s advanced ray tracing and DLSS 4 capabilities, promising smoother gameplay with enhanced frame rates.

The video from Digital Foundry runs for an impressive 75 minutes, offering a deep dive into gameplay footage from both Ravenholm and Nova Prospekt. It meticulously contrasts the visuals of the remastered version with the original, showcasing the significant strides made by Orbifold Studios in terms of visual fidelity.

Orbifold Studios is meticulously enhancing Half-Life 2 RTX with high-resolution textures, sophisticated lighting, ray tracing, and DLSS 4 support. While Digital Foundry’s experts were overwhelmingly positive about the visual overhaul, they did mention some areas where frame rates might dip. Nevertheless, the overall transformation is considered remarkable, reinvigorating the classic game for both new and returning players.