It's good for nostalgic value but for newcomers the bundled Opposing Force is the better choice.
Graphics: 8 (basing on the hi-def package)
Sounds: 6
Value: 5 (only because of the short single player campaign and no value added for bundling Opposing Force otherwise an 8)
Tilt: 5
Firstly, I want to get something of my chest. Blue Shift got to be one of the shortest games I have ever played, period! Seriously, I can make a short game long as I'm the type of person that needs to explore everything; that is from top to bottom, left to right and up and down. I need to blow everything up, mutilate every moving being and investigate every blade of grass before I can deem the game complete. Well considering Blue Shift has the same intensity as the previous two Half Life games and being linear (which limits my exploration) before I knew it, the game was over.
Blue Shift takes on the parallel universe from the previous two Half Life games (Half Life and Opposing Force). That said you play the unsuspected hero Barney Calhoun which happens to be a level three security guard (the highest security access level). The game takes off in that traditional Half Life format where there are no cut-scenes yet you play the introduction. This time though you can feel the tension as you darn well know that all hell will break loose as there are snippets of events occurred in Half Life that presents itself in Blue Shift (e.g. seeing Gordon Freeman riding the tram). I seriously didn't want to trigger the holocaust however when told that I need to fix an elevator that got stuck I had this ill feeling of 'here we go again' (in a good way).
The game promotes a stand alone package where the original Half Life is not required so newcomers to this universe can play this game. But there is a dark side to this as Blue Shift, even though the game play is identical to the previous two (that is linear infused with intense fire fights) it really feels like a watered down version of Half Life. This means there are absolutely no experimental weapons, limited critters and considering you have the highest security level access, not much 'underground' knowledge of the Black Mesa compound.
It would be murderous to the Half Life trilogy if the same graphical engine is used from the original Half Life back in 1998. Thankfully Blue Shift comes with 'hi-definition' software that enhances the visuals tenfold. Not only you can use this on Blue Shift but on the previous two Half Life games as well. Therefore it's worth the effort to play those games again in hi-def as it really shines with new facial features to all NPCs, detailed weaponry and creatures, stunning textures and superb water/lighting effects.
Valve also bundled Opposing Force with Blue Shift but this may hurt the older fans but the newer ones will be delighted as again Half Life is not required to be installed (as Blue Shift is the required game to be installed). So in replacement to an awfully short single player campaign, the hi-def software bundled with Opposing Force makes up for this.
Considering Blue Shift tells the story of the security guard using the same events of Half Life and Opposing Force, you cannot help but feeling nostalgic as there are some references made that will place a smile in your face. Yet the package sold is tailored to the newer fans of Half Life as Blue Shift is regarded as a standalone game to Half Life and considering it's bundled with Opposing Force these newer fans will get a taste of what Half Life is all about. Ironically though, Blue Shift isn't a true representation of the Half Life universe but only an add-on as Opposing Force can be regarded as a more superior product.
So you can say that if you are a newcomer to the series, Opposing Force should be your first choice (with the high-def added into it) yet if you are a seasoned player, Blue Shift is good for nostalgic value. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. It's your choice.