I wanted to love this, I really did, but some of the controls are buggy and it just wasn't much fun.
In terms of the visual overhaul, I give the team big props. The textures are very nicely done and even despite the low poly models, they've managed to bring it upto date. The atmosphere is there too, from the moment you begin the game.
As appealing as this visual enhancement is, it doesn't disguise the fact that this game is very dated. The animation is very basic and the gameplay just doesn't feel engaging. Perhaps we've been spoiled by modern games and have become too demanding. Some of the frustrations of the original game, that we once overlooked, are now much more apparent. Little quirks like crawling through a small window pane in a door don't make much sense and I also find it very strange how Gordon basically runs up and down ladders.
But the worst aspect of this game and the point that lost me is the jumping controls. Gordon's jump is pathetic. It's as though he's not even trying. Even a running jump will get you nowhere. Worse still, many of the essential platforms and escape routes require you to perform a high jump. This is achieved by crouching, then pressing jump. It doesn't sound that bad as I write it here, but in practice, this is a keyboard-punching-teeth-gritting pain in the rectum! It doesn't always work as it's meant to and you will often find you get stuck to the objects/platforms you're trying to jump onto and they impede your jump. In the end, you'll probably resort to button mashing and finally succeed through chance. This is made worse when you're being attacked by enemies and can't get away.
As much as I wanted to see this game through, to enjoy the immersive atmosphere and gripping storyline again, I was just not enjoying the experience and found myself getting more frustrated the more I played.
However, one really cannot complain when this game is being offered for free and I suggest you at least give it a chance before dismissing it. Perhaps I'm just growing impatient in my old age. Nonetheless, I hope the modders will continue working on overhauling games as they have a lot of talent for it. I'd love to see a revamped version of Portal one day, for example.