The Highs And Lows Of Valve
Few studios have shaped gaming history like Valve. Their name evokes groundbreaking innovation, unforgettable characters, and moments that redefined how we play. Yet even a company celebrated for excellence has stumbled. Here, we’ll explore both sides of their legacy—ten titles remembered for missed potential and ten celebrated for their lasting impact. Before we get to the legends from the developer, let’s first go through what many will agree are some of their biggest missteps.
HALF LIFE 2 Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
1. Counter-Strike Online 2
Co-developed by Nexon and Valve, Counter-Strike Online 2 was shut down in 2018 after failing to attract enough players. Constant updates couldn’t save it. South Korea and China were the main markets, but both eventually abandoned it.
Counter-Strike: Online 2 Is Back! - 2021 - How do Download and Play by ESCalation
2. Ricochet
Critics used words like “uninspired” and “shallow” on this game, with IGN rating it just 5.5/10. It failed to attract players, with servers becoming nearly empty only months after release. Despite its failure, Ricochet still has a cult following that jokes about a sequel.
Ricochet Gameplay (PC HD) [1080p60FPS] by Throneful
3. The Lab
The Lab was essentially a collection of VR minigames, not a full game, and this left players disappointed. Valve never expanded it beyond its 2016 launch, treating it more as a tech demo than a lasting title. It was given away for free on Steam.
A REAL BOW AND ARROW! | The Lab #1 (HTC Vive Virtual Reality) by jacksepticeye
4. Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
Reviews of this game were mediocre, with GameSpot giving it a 6.8/10, far below Counter-Strike standards. Its single-player campaign was criticized for terrible AI and repetitive missions. Ironically, it still sells copies because it’s bundled in Counter-Strike packs.
5. Alien Swarm (2010)
Even though the game was free, it received almost no long-term updates, leaving it half-baked. The player base collapsed within months as other co-op shooters like Left 4 Dead 2 thrived. However, it was praised for its impressive Source engine graphics at launch.
Alien Swarm (2010) Gameplay | 4k/60fps/PC by RQGp - Random Quality Gameplays
6. Deathmatch Classic
Launching in 2001 as a Quake-style shooter, Deathmatch Classic felt outdated the moment it dropped. Valve released it as a “tribute” to id Software’s Quake, but most players saw no need for it. The game’s servers were abandoned quickly.
Deathmatch Classic Gameplay (PC HD) [1080p60FPS] by Throneful
7. Day Of Defeat (Original)
While popular briefly, it was overshadowed completely by Counter-Strike’s massive success. Its official retail release in 2003 came too late, and the community quickly lost interest. Also, it was praised for its realism, but it lacked Counter-Strike’s fast-paced fun.
Day of Defeat - Gameplay - No Commentary - #1 by Skazo
8. Artifact
Artifact launched in 2018 and immediately faced backlash for being pay-to-play on top of microtransactions. PC Gamer called it “a failure of design and monetization,” and it experienced a drop from 60,000 players to under 1,500 in a month.
Artifact Gameplay - Full Match Played by Valve (4K) by IGN
9. Day Of Defeat: Source
This game began life as a Half-Life mod. It was criticized for offering very little improvement over the original, despite running on the new Source engine. Also, having fewer maps at launch compared to the original angered long-time fans.
Day of Defeat Source (2021) - Gameplay (PC HD) [1080p60FPS] by Mausser
10. Half-Life: Source
Players criticized this one for its severe amount of glitches caused by Source updates. Valve bundled it with Half-Life 2, so many only played it because it came free. It was a Source engine showcase, but it failed to prove the engine’s capabilities.
Half Life Source Multiplayer 2020 Frenzy Gameplay 4K by Classic PC Games
Now, let’s go over ten games that put Valve in a good light.
1. Half-Life
By replacing cutscenes with scripted in-game events, Half-Life revolutionized the FPS genre in 1998. This game bagged more than 50 Game of the Year awards and is still studied in game design classes. Also, it spawned countless mods, including Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat.
Half-Life - Full Game Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary by Gamer Max Channel
2. Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2 showcased the Source engine’s physics capability, especially through the Gravity Gun, which turned objects into weapons. With a stellar Metacritic score of 96/100, it remains a benchmark in gaming. The enigmatic G-Man added mystery, while episodic releases ended on a cliffhanger.
HALF LIFE 2 Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (4K 60FPS) No Commentary by Shirrako
3. Portal 2
IGN gave Portal 2 a 9.5/10, calling it “one of the greatest games of all time.” It expanded on the original with a longer campaign, co-op multiplayer, and richer storytelling. Post-launch tools followed, which encouraged community creativity.
Portal 2 Full Game (No Commentary) With Extended/hidden Dialogue by BadShoesGames
4. Portal
With its portal-based mechanics and minimalist storytelling, Portal redefined puzzle games in 2007. Often called one of the best short games ever made, it holds a Metacritic score of 90/100. This game’s “the cake is a lie” phrase became one of the internet’s earliest viral memes.
PORTAL | Full Gameplay Walkthrough | No Commentary by giedmich
5. Counter-Strike: Source
Counter-Strike: Source rebuilt the classic in the Source engine, modernizing gameplay in 2004. Bundled with Half-Life 2, it quickly attracted a massive player base. Fans remember its ragdoll physics, where bodies turned into ragdolls upon death, and its super-famous Dust 2 map.
Counter-Strike: Source de_dust2 Gameplay 2022 by unLeashed_FPS
6. Counter-Strike
What began as a Half-Life mod became a global competitive shooter. By March 2002, it dominated 150 game centers in North America. Valve bought the rights from Minh Le and Jess Cliffe. The game launched esports careers, and the series laid the foundation for modern leagues.
Counter-Strike 1.6 (2019) - Gameplay PC HD by Throneful
7. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Released in 2012, CS:GO grew into one of the world’s largest esports giants. Its in-game skin economy created a billion-dollar trading market, with some items selling for over $100,000. Peaking at over 1.5 million players on Steam in 2023, it went free-to-play in 2018.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2021) - Gameplay (PC UHD) [4K60FPS] by Throneful
8. Team Fortress 2
This game launched in 2007 as part of The Orange Box and became a free-to-play success in 2011. One of Valve’s longest-running live service games, it’s still updated after more than a decade. Its cartoonish art style was inspired by 20th-century commercial illustrations.
Team Fortress 2 Engineer Gameplay by MrSaxto
9. Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead set the standard for co-op survival shooters in 2008. The game had a dynamic AI Director that adjusted difficulty on the fly, and its tank enemy was inspired by comic book hulks. Thanks to its frantic four-player action, it became a LAN favorite.
LEFT 4 DEAD - Full Game Expert Walkthrough Longplay Gameplay No Commentary by Gamer Max Channel
10. Left 4 Dead 2
With new campaigns and melee combat, Left 4 Dead 2 expanded the original and sold over 12 million copies. Censorship hit the Australian release, but global fans embraced it. In 2020, community developers revived the game with “The Last Stand” update.
Left 4 Dead 2 - FULL GAME Expert Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary by Gamer Max Channel
