History TearJerker / BlackMesa

* ''Forget About Freeman'' really conveys just how poorly things are going for the HECU -- a soldier informing the rest of his comrades that the last evacuation craft has left the base, only to be killed by an unknown entity. The distant tremors of air strikes can be felt throughout the level as HECU forces try to cover their retreat, and an air raid siren can be heard as you reach the surface. Even the intense final battle that occurs when Gordon reaches the surface is tinged with melancholy, as you can see a trio of Ospreys retreating alongside a HECU vehicle convoy, only for the latter to be vaporized by an alien aircraft. As the fight goes on, more Ospreys flee while attack helicopters and jets duel with Alien Aircraft to buy time for the escapees. Combined with a later radio broadcast revealing that an evacuation of New Mexico is now in effect, and it becomes clear you aren't just watching the defeat of the HECU -- ''you're witnessing the beginning of the end for mankind''.

* In ''We've Got Hostiles'' First-time players will likely think that the HECU will be major allies in fighting against the Xen invasion and rescuing the Black Mesa personnel after the foreshadowing in ''Office Complex.'' The reveal that the [[CavalryBetrayal HECU has been sent to silence all living witnesses in the facility]] is shocking and upsetting.

* The updated graphics, better acting and animation brings to life the sheer tragedy of the Black Mesa Incident. Of special note is the NightmareFuel-laden deaths of the scientists in the elevator during ''Unforeseen Consequences''. While the same scene in the original ''Half-Life'' was filled with Narm and BlackComedy, the terrified screams and begs of the scientists inside drives home that, even if unintentionally, [[YouBastard you killed innocent people]] [[NiceJobBreakingItHero just to pass through]].[[note]]Even if you [[GoodBadBugs can save them.]][[/note]]

** Even some of the smaller scenes gets a touch of sadness to them. The security guard at the ending of ''Office Complex'' deserves a mention here. From his dialogue, he clearly wishes for Gordon to make it out, but also reminds him not to forget him or the scientists with them. Of course, [[ForegoneConclusion as we all know]], that wish would [[DoomedByCanon fall short]].

* In ''We've Got Hostiles'' First time players will likely think that the HECU will be major allies in fighting against the Xen invasion and rescuing the Black Mesa personal after the foreshadowing in ''Office Complex.'' The reveal that the [[CavalryBetrayal HECU has been sent to silence all living witnesses in the facility]] is shocking and upsetting.

** The fact that Gordon is forced to fight the HECU in self defence and kill many soldiers can be tough for some players, since at this point in the game, Gordon has been fighting against Xen aliens, not other Humans.

* ''Interloper'' reintroduces docile Vortigaunts who won't attack you on sight, and also shows you how terribly they are treated by Nihilanth and its minions; your first sighting of them on the level sees one being horrifically beaten by an Alien Grunt ''while weeping'' and they flee in terror once you introduce yourself. Later on, you bear witness to their living conditions in what appears to be the alien equivalent of a slum, and then the Controllers force them to attack you by activating their slave collars. Even if you manage to solve the situation by only killing the Controllers, so that the Vorts can step down peacefully, you still come across a dead Vort and another grieving over his fallen friend after getting killed due to the damage done by the Controllers when they arrived. Especially if you vow to [[VideoGameCaringPotential not harm the Vortigaunts anymore]], it's enough to make you go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge towards the Nihilanth and his minions.

** After an experiment goes horribly wrong that he unwillingly caused, Gordon is forced to fight dozens of horrifying alien creatures and hostile Marines, all whilst navigating dangerous environments throughout Black Mesa and witnessing his numerous colleagues and marines die horrific deaths as he tries to find a way to end the disaster.

** Despite surviving everything he goes through on Xen and Black Mesa, The G Man forces Gordon to work for him by placing him in the stasis at the end of the game.

* ''Interloper'' reintroduces docile Vortigaunts who won't attack you on sight, and also shows you how terribly they are treated by Nihilanth and its minions; your first sighting of them on the level sees one being horrifically beaten by an Alien Grunt ''while weeping'' and they flee in terror once you introduce yourself. Later on, you bear witness to their living conditions in what appears to be the alien equivalent of a slum, and then the Controllers force them to attack you by activating their slave collars. Even if you manage to solve the situation by only killing the Controllers, so that the Vorts can step down peacefully, you still come across a dead Vort and another grieving over his fallen friend after getting killed due to the damage done by the Controllers when they arrived. Especially if you vow to [[VideoGameCaringPotential not harm the Vortigaunts anymore]], it's enough to make you go on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge [[KickTheSonOfABitch towards the Nihilanth and his minions]].

** The various deaths of the Black Mesa personal can be hard to witness since Gordon can't do anything to save these innocent victims from their gruesome demises.

** The HECU also go on to designate [[BlamingtheVictim Gordon as the main target,]] blaming him for the downfall of Black Mesa when Gordon had no idea what that faithful experiment would cause.

* In ''We've Got Hostiles!'' First time players will likely think that the HECU will be major allies in fighting against the Xen invasion and rescuing the Black Mesa personal after the foreshadowing in ''Office Complex.'' The reveal that the [[CavalryBetrayal HECU has been sent to silence all living witnesses in the facility]] is shocking and upsetting.

--> '''HECU Commander:''' Squad, We got Freeman!

** The poor guy just can't catch a break.

** By the time Gordon returns to Earth twenty years later, he's forced to fight once again against the Combine and faces fresh new horrors in City 17, Ravenholm, Nova Prospekt and the Borealis.

** The various scripted deaths of the Black Mesa personal can be hard to witness since Gordon can't do anything to save these innocent victims from their gruesome demises.

* In ''We've Got Hostiles!'' First time players will likely think that the HECU will be major allies in fighting against the Xen invasion and rescuing the Black Mesa personal after the foreshadowing in ''Office Complex.'' The reveal that the [[KillAllHumans HECU has been sent to silence all living witnesses in the facility]] is shocking and upsetting.

* Everything [[IronWoobie Gordon]] goes through in the game can be considered this.

** By the time Gordon returns to Earth twenty years later, he's forced to fight once again against the Combine and faces fresh new horrors in City 17, Ravenholm and Nova Prospekt.
** The poor guy just can't catch a break.

** After an experiment goes horribly wrong that he unwillingly caused, Gordon is forced to fight dozens of horrifying alien creatures and hostile Marines, all whilst navigating dangerous environments throughout Black Mesa and witnessing his numerous colleagues die horrific deaths as he tries to find a way to end the disaster.

* Everything Gordon goes through in the game can be considered this.

** By the time Gordon returns to Earth twenty years later, he's forced to fight once again against the Combine and faces fresh new horrors in City 17 and beyond.

** By the time Gordon returns to Earth twenty years later, he's forced to fight once again against the [[VideoGameHalf-Life2 Combine and faces fresh new horrors.]]

* In ''We've Got Hostiles!'' First time players will likely think that the HECU will be major allies in fighting against the Xen invasion and rescuing the Black Mesa personal after the foreshadowing in ''Office Complex.'' The reveal that the [[KillEmAll HECU has been sent to silence all living witnesses in the facility]] is shocking and upsetting.