Half-Life 2: Inhuman Mod for Windows

Original story mod for HL2

Half-Life 2: Inhuman Mod is a demo version developed by ComfortJones for the action game Half-Life 2: Episode Two. This custom content introduces a new story set in the same universe, focusing on a replacement hero for Gordon Freeman. Driven by the withering struggle against the Combine, the remaining rebel faction has found its new savior.

With reworked game mechanics—weapons, enemies, and the environment—Half-Life 2: Inhuman Mod offers good fanmade content that falls in line with the rest of the HL2 lore. For more custom content, other mods are Half-Life 2: Episode 2 MMod or Half-Life 2: Overcharged.

Same world, different hero

As with the original Half-Life series, Half-Life 2: Inhuman Mod introduces its protagonist through the characters around it. Mysterious and with no dialogue, the Inhuman protagonist feels familiar yet new. Design-wise, it looks generic but can be better fleshed out with some voice acting—something the mod currently lacks. One visual change to note, however, is the full revamp of the user interface.

It also adds minor changes to the weapons. Handguns receive suppressors and rifles have an alternate fire that works as a melee tool. More importantly, it occurs in an entirely new part of the Half-Life 2 world. It features a set of custom maps for its levels, retaining the Half-Life feel through its dark and detailed texture packs—feeling like a separate part of the same fight against the Combine.

Story-wise, the maps fit nicely. However, the custom single-player campaign is not yet complete, leaving players hanging without a conclusion. The AI still needs some work in terms of wayfinding, although the developers have added cool mechanics such as getting shaken by surprise attacks, and incentivizing smarter gameplay instead of the traditional forward-rushing approach. This works better if you consider the enemies having reworked attack mechanics.

A promising HL2 add-on

As a demo version, it’s not surprising to find Half-Life 2: Inhuman Mod incomplete. The levels that are released are polished well, with textures and enemies where needed. However, as an overall campaign, it cuts off halfway, without a proper cliffhanger or ending. On the other hand, there are a couple of reworks that make it feel like a spinoff instead of just another fanmade mod.