History Heartwarming / HalfLife2

* In a meta sense, how thoughtful was it for the former lead writer of Valve, Marc Laidlaw, to provide some form of closure for the ''Half-Life'' franchise when it became quite clear that the company wasn't going to continue forward with the series? After ten years since the release of ''Episode 2'' back in 2007, Laidlaw provided the fans who've waited all this time a blog post in August 2017 of how the story would have ended had ''Episode 3'' actually been released.
** Doubles as a potential SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome seeing as, with the hoard of unused assets and concept art from years past and finally a synopsis for Episode 3 sparking renewed interest, and all in the wake of a near fully-formed FanRemake [[VideoGame/BlackMesa of the original game]], ''fans have everything they need to potentially do what Valve won't'' '''''and make Episode 3 themselves.'''''
* '' The'' '''''overwhelmingly positive''''' ''reception to the announcement of'' ''Half-Life: Alyx''. This in spite of the fact that it was a VR-exclusive title and the first ''Half-Life'' game announced in ''12 years.'' Valve has hinted that the response to ''HL:A'' will determine if they make any future ''Half-Life'' games. Based on the feedback to just the announcement alone, it seems as gamers worldwide '''''still''''' want more ''Half-Life''.

** Doubles as a potential SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome seeing as, with the hoard of unused assets and concept art from years past and finally a synopsis for Episode 3 sparking renewed interest, and all in the wake of a near fully-formed FanRemake [[VideoGame/BlackMesa of the original game]], fans have everything they need to potentially do what Valve won't and make Episode 3 themselves.
* The ''overwhelmingly positive'' reception to the announcement of ''Half-Life: Alyx''. This in spite of the fact that it was a VR-exclusive title and the first ''Half-Life'' game announced in ''12 years.'' Valve has hinted that the response to ''HL:A'' will determine if they make any future ''Half-Life'' games. Based on the feedback to just the announcement alone, it seems as gamers worldwide ''still'' want more ''Half-Life''.

** After Doctor Kleiner's teleporter fails to get Gordon to Black Mesa East, forcing him to start his journey on foot, Barney rushes outside just in time to toss Gordon [[WeaponOfChoice his old crowbar]].

** After Doctor Kleiner's teleporter fails to get Freeman to Black Mesa East, Barney tosses Gordon a crowbar.

* The ''overwhelmingly positive'' reception to the announcement of Half Life: Alyx. This in spite of the fact that it was a VR-exclusive title and the first Half Life game announced in ''12 years.'' Valve has hinted that the response to HL:A will determine if they make any future Half Life games. Based on the feedback to just the announcement alone, it seems as if gamers still want more Half Life.

** Doubles as a potential CrowningMomentOfAwesome seeing as, with the hoard of unused assets and concept art from years past and finally a synopsis for Episode 3 sparking renewed interest, and all in the wake of a near fully-formed FanRemake [[VideoGame/BlackMesa of the original game]], fans have everything they need to potentially do what Valve won't and make Episode 3 themselves.

** Doubles as a potential CrowningMomentOfAwesome seeing as, with the hoard of unused assets and concept art from years past and finally a synopsis for Episode 3 sparking renewed interest, fans have everything they need to potentially do what Valve won't and make Episode 3 themselves.

** Let's be honest - virtually every single interaction with Alyx is an exercise in Heartwarming. She's just that nice.
* The fact that humanity is still fighting, even after twenty years.
* At the very end of the Ravenholm Mines, there is a minecart trap that includes a spinning blade, which you use to kill the remaining zombies before escape. If we think about this, Father Grigori managed to swim through the Ravenholm mines, climb over fences that Gordon can't climb over, and fight the infinite horde of headcrabs, all twice just to help any rebels that come by and to tend to his flock. He could have left, seeing how close he was, but he didn't. Also counts as Awesome.
* The original credits theme for Half Life popping up in Half Life 2's credits can be pretty heartwarming for someone who finished both games.

* When Barney tosses you your crowbar. The Earth may be overrun with Combine forces, humanity might be enslaved and stripped of all free will right down to the ability to procreate, but the second that crowbar is in your hands again, you know you've got a fighting chance.