In 2025, Half-Life 2 emerged as the most-played retro game, while fans awaited news on the long-anticipated Half-Life 3. According to data from HowLongToBeat, the beloved title from 2004 topped the list, reflecting players' nostalgia for the classic series.
2025 Retro Game Rankings
Half-Life 2 led the year-end rankings for retro games, defined by HowLongToBeat as titles at least 20 years old. The original Half-Life from 1998 also secured a spot, finishing sixth. Despite the lack of new releases in the series, these games maintain robust engagement among players.
Nostalgia and Community Engagement
The absence of any Half-Life 3 announcement has driven fans back to explore earlier entries. Other franchises also experienced renewed interest, with Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII drawing players to their predecessors. The data underscores a broader trend of revisiting established favorites amid the ongoing wait for new sequels.
