Minutes after the Resonance Cascade, Gordon reaches the office complex, where several scientists are barricaded into their rooms, hiding from the rampant aliens appearing inside the complex.

He then hears rumors from these scientists that the military have arrived to rescue the people trapped in the facility.

As Gordon Freeman’s efforts to reach the surface to get help in the aftermath of the Resonance Cascade just begin, more problems get in his way.

The building starts falling apart in his face, and mysterious alien creatures materialize from thin air. Gordon is given his trademark crowbar, and more weapons and hazards entail.

Arriving at the Anomalous Materials Laboratory, his usual place of work, Gordon dons his HEV Suit and checks his locker, as per routine. Beginning his journey to the test chamber, he goes past the cafeteria, where two more grumpy scientists are sitting. Noticing the microwave on the right, Gordon spots a chance for a practical joke.

8:47am is the start of Half-Life. We don’t know the year or month, but with “a topside temperature of 93 degrees” it’s likely to be summer.

The tram ride introudces the player to the extensive world they are about to explore. As the CombineOverwiki says the “intricate workings of the Black Mesa Research Facility revealing themselves as being fragile, and more often than not, broken.”, shows that even secret bases don’t always work as planned.

The voice and screen text add just enough information to ensure you know what’s going on but without distracting you from looking around.

The ride finally ends with the tram stopping and your being let out by a security guard…“Morning Doctor Freeman, looks like you are running late”.

The Training Facility at Black Mesa houses the Hazard Course to help users of the HEV Suit hone their skills at jumping, crouching, and combinations of both – everything you’re going to need to worm your way out of a facility that’s crashing down at your heels as aliens appear in flashes of green light all around.