You find yourself outside a building and you seemed to have swapped your scientist status for a shotgun and “Sergeant” tag.
Explore the building, if you dare, and ignore the strange visions. Chasing the ghost scientist might not always bring dividends though.
An old friend brings your nightmare to a close.
Basic Details
- Title: The Haunted Lab
- File Name: hl1-sp-the-haunted-lab.7z
- Original File Name: hauntedlab.zip
- Size : 979Kb
- Author: Michael Hindman
- Date Released: 06 February 2000
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Installation Instructions
- Copy the HauntedLab folder into your Half-Life folder.
- Restart or start Steam.
- The Haunted Lab should now be listed in your Library tab.
If you require more help, please visit the Help page.
Screenshots
Click on the thumbnails below to open a 1024 pixel wide image.
WARNING: The screenshots contain spoilers.
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Meta Review Data
Statistics based on 2 comment(s) with meta review data.
Installed:
Using Gauge: Users
Manually: 2 Users
Time Taken:
Average: 0 Hours, 8 Mins
Shortest: 0 Hours, 7 Mins by Dmitry
Longest: 0 Hours, 8 Mins by monster_urby
Total Time Played: 0 Hours, 15 Mins
Using Gauge: Users
Manually: 2 Users
Time Taken:
Average: 0 Hours, 8 Mins
Shortest: 0 Hours, 7 Mins by Dmitry
Longest: 0 Hours, 8 Mins by monster_urby
Total Time Played: 0 Hours, 15 Mins
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very nice map I beat not very creepy but good map
Funny, I think it’s very creepy but not very good in mapping. In fact, it’s donde for show their creppy and very creative models.
totally agreed with ezequielhl comment but just to see the models it’s worth to check it out
Yup, made me jump a couple of times. Shades of Hexen 1?
I’ll make a redux version of this when I’ll be done with Tormented.That was an interesting map with a good concept !
not much of a game/no game play/weird zombies/some creeper mapping and textures.
Cool MOD!!
Horror scenario: Take an axe, go into the house with skeletons and heads with small legs if you are a fan of this kind of game.
This 4-map mod is pretty short and apparently only built to show off the models. I have to admit I nearly deleted this from my database because the connection to the HL universe is almost non-existent – besides the fact it uses models and textures from it.
I am going with the idea it was a dream but I have no doubt I’ll get some flak for it.
Back to the actual mod.
The new models are kind cool, especially the zombie but none really excited me as didn’t the maps. I have only used the MAYBE recommendation image because it’s something new. Unless you really want to play most things, you should probably avoid it.
Welcome, everyone, to Michael Hindman’s mods. He made 4 mods that I know of, all of them involve nifty models set against blocky architecture.
In this one you’re a police officer with your rookie tagalong investigating a suspect building in the middle of nowhere. It was a dark and stormy night. Along with the mutant experiments you will face fast flickering lights that will make your eyes squint. Seizure-prone players are advised NOT to play this mod.
There are new monster models as well as weapon models: We get to use some strange weapons this time around, though being just model replacements you don’t really get new weapons per se, but it looks good anyway. I know not everyone is going to enjoy these kinds of mods, but I personally like mods with a new look despite there not being much content inside. It keeps the HL modding universe new and refreshing. But that’s just my opinion. Besides, not everyone can do coding.
This is Michael’s shortest mod, the other ones tend to have 10 or more maps (and are a bit more interesting), with new and different model jobs that you can gawk at. I think PP has all of them: they are ‘medieval world’, “gateway’, and “gateway 2: shadows of death’. I’m sure they can keep you entertained as well if you liked Michael’s modeling skills here. Though I’m at a loss to say, the mapping doesn’t get much better from here on out…
Highly annoying map pack with some of the most worst lighting, and lightning, effects you’ll ever come across.
Didn’t like this too much even though I appreciate the idea with the player being stuck playing through one of his nightmares.
The level design isn’t terrible, definitely not good but below average. The only enemies you’ll come across are custom modeled zombies and headcrabs; these are quite good and fairly disturbing up close as you’ll have to rely on the axe a bit near the beginning.
The bad thing about this though is that it isn’t very fun to play; as said the lighting effects are excruciatingly annoying due to the fact that it flickers on and off, all the time. It’s obviously meant to mimic a lightning storm but it certainly doesn’t look like it and it’ll just hurt your eyes during the playthrough.
Unless you’re desperate for something to pass time, play it — otherwise stay away from it.
I think he did decent job outdoors (mapping), but indoors areas are too boring.
Extra points for those zombie/headcrab models, lol.
Overall not much to say really because there is no story, puzzles or anything.
If flashing lights give you a headache AVOID this like the plague! As I’ve said before I’m not a mapper or modder but even Rogat and When the Army came to the Office looked better than this. Looking at the release date it appears to be the authors attempt to copy ” They Hunger (part 1)” which came out the year before, HE FAILED!
I can appreciate the author was using his own custom version of zombies and headcrabs, but they just looked ridiculous. it’s difficult to think of any redeeming features apart from making the rats from Half Life into an actual hazard. I have a relatively pokey machine, but unless I was fooled by the flashing lights, it stuttered in a few places.
This is only for those who are determined to finish the 100.
I’m straggling for words; I hated every thing about this mod. It was annoying, pointless, childish, uninteresting and plain stupid.
The zombie models were almost impossible to kill and appeared very immature in concept and design, the light level was far too low, the mapping was very basic and boxy, the gameplay was limited, boring, unimaginative and kids stuff.
can’t find a good word to say about it, other then Avoid It, which is two words.
You know, you are right. I really must be getting soft in my old age. I’ll probably change my recommendation tomorrow.
One day, Gordon found himself a police officer on a mission. He was to check a suspicious house, where, apparently, shots have been fired.
This work is in the Horror genre. Darkness, rain, lightning, and abominable flickering light.
The weapon models are changed, there’s a police uniform instead of HEV suit.
In the house, we fight some remodeled monsters.
Then we go through some rectangular rooms and corridors, filled with these monsters, and, what’s worst, abominable flickering light. With such design and lighting, the map is not entertaining.
In the yard it is possible to fall out of the map, and in the corridors there’s a door which will close if the player touches it. Then you can go past it only with noclip.
Conclusion – this Horror map is horrible. Unfortunately, in the bad meaning of this word. Play it only it you want to have a look at the new models.
Man, mel said it: I hated nearly everything about this mod. Flashing lights, bad architecture, poor gameplay, just daft choices all around. It gets one star for the comic relief of Michael taking “headcrab” too literally.
The good news is that the author’s modeling and mapping talents did get better in his future releases. As it stands this is a barely playable, thoroughly unenjoyable set of maps.
As u awake u realize it was only a dream?, or was it??, CLASSIC for a little nightmare u play here!, I really enjoyed the models and those scientists head headcrab were just great, I really enjoyed this one altough it was shorty but goldie!
I don’t quite understand the harsh ratings for this mod. The playability of it was pretty poor, but like someone said earlier it was something new.
I will agree that the flickering lights, the lightning and the headcrab/zombie models were annoying, but it’s not your usual Half-Life mod and gives you something different. The custom weapon models were nicely made and the general atmosphere was really well made (including the flickering lights) and so why I gave it a “Maybe?” instead of something lower.
If you play mods for the game play then avoid this one, otherwise it’s worth a try. It has potential.
There isn’t much to say about this mod. To me, it seemed very mediocre at best. I believe that the author spent too much time concentrated on creating new models than actually creating something that people might want to play. I know the author said in the readme that he created the levels to show off the custom models but I think that by creating a sub standard mod the author is not showing the true potential of his work.
The biggest highlight of this mod is the custom content. The author has replaced the zombie and headcrab models with some of his own design as well as replacing a few of the weapon models too.
But at it’s heart, this mod is just a series of smallish box rooms connected by corridors with a scattering of zombies and headcrabs throughout. The author tries to incorporate a horror theme with the very dark areas and flashing lights but it only serves to irritate than to scare. For me, the best part was the ending cut-scene, which I think says something to those who have played this.
If you are interested in seeing some custom models then you might want to give this one a try. However, if you don’t, then I wouldn’t bother with this one.
I agree with everyone else that this is more to show off some models than gameplay but I still think it is kind of fun.
Hey all,
I seriously recommend giving this mod…well…map a go. It is very unique in style. The theme for it is well done and a few of the effects in the map are well done. For instance at the beginning you can witness a ghost vanish threw a wall. Doe! Well thats all the spoilers I shall release for today…mayb.
If you wish to see what this mod/map is all about then you may view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a6ZR3xV8x4
A spooky mod it wants to be. Hmm.. Okay as I saw the very first screen it seemed to be nice but I was disappointed real quick.
The reason are: there’s no story behind it, nor anything plausible about design, gameplay etc.
It’s just running through the maps, kill anything annoying and watch the end sequence.. very poor!
Pro’s:
-Some new weapon, models (headcrab!), textures etc.
-At first good, creepy atmosphere
-Good lighting – maybe, a touch too dark sometimes
Con’s:
-No story
-Very short
-Odd design and architecture
-Balancing, way too easy (even with less ammo cause you’ve got an axe)
-Disappointing, obvious end
Result: If you want creepy stuff play “Afraid of Monsters”, or look at your 15 year old sister’s teeth 😉
You know how some bad movies are just so cheesy that they are worth a look just to see how cheesy they are? Well, the same can be said of this Half-Life level, The Haunted Lab by Michael Hindman.
Similar to Michael’s other Half-Life efforts, The Gateway and Medieval World, The Haunted Lab features new weapons and monsters, but no new code. This means that the new weapons and monsters are simply replacements for Half-Life’s existing stuff.
The (relative) highlights of this level are the models. The zombie has been transformed into a skeleton with random body parts sticking out of its torso, and the baby headcrab is now a rat. The new headcrab is truly a classic sight that must be experienced first hand (warning: you’re more likely than not to crack up laughing when you first see it jump at you).
The weapon models are new as well. The shotgun has a decent new model, and the crowbar has been replaced with a hatchet. But the masterpiece is the dreaded ‘skull launcher,’ which debuts here and makes its long-awaited return in Medieval World. Too funny.
Level design is the absolute low point of The Haunted Lab. The levels are poor architecturally, and the overall design can just make you cringe. But on the bright side, you can barely see all the bad architecture, because every single area has annoying flashing lights that really make you want to rush through this short level set before you get a migraine headache. This, of course, drives the framerates right into the ground even though there is not all that much visible on-screen.
The Haunted Lab consists of 4 levels, and you’ll probably finish it in just about 5 minutes, even if you stop to marvel at the ‘sights.’ In all fairness, Michael said he made this episode mostly to show off his models, but the flashing and pulsing lights make it hard to see much of anything. You can see how his design and modeling skills have improved in Medieval World, since that was released after this episode. But this is a must-have for any Half-Life single player fan for its comical value alone.
Notes
This review is republished here by permission and was originally published Thursday, 9th November, 2000 by Unquenque.
This review was originally posted on the Ten Four Website, which is now offline. Permission has been granted to republish the full review and more details can be found on the About page.
I like the zombie model but it’s not scary tbh. The level is very short making me give this map another deduction. What I hate the most is the lighting. Sure it is very dark but the case is flashing lights and lightning. It hurts my eyes and I hope no one is suffering seizures from the map’s lighting.
This mod is scary, if you see it that way. Now if you turn your fears off and the volume, of course it’s not scary because you don’t want to be scary. If you really want to be scary in this mod, just feel what he want to project you and you will see. Imagine the creatures to be real is one of the example. If the lightning is flashing is because a demon is manipulating them and he’s going to bite you, you sick peasent ha ha ha. It’s very scary, even more that you can imagine. Remember fear always depends on your perception, not only from the content.
Manually
Hard
7 Minutes
I was reminded of this “classic” today when a very similar looking mod was uploaded to ModDB by the name of They Invade. It turns out that They Invade is literally just this same mod with four new maps that are literally unplayable.
Anyway, onto the original here. It’s… pretty bad. I remember the zombie models and human head crabs were always goofy as Hell for me. I never really found it scary, though the level design impressed me back in the day. I can’t say that it does now. Every single light is flickering, there are numerous clipping issues and you can even see a nulled face right at the start of the second map.
I also now understand that the maps are supposed to be a dream and the zoom in on the dead barney on the couch at the end is supposed to represent you waking up. That completely passed me by back in 1999 and I figured it was just another random spooky image right before the end. Duh-doi.
Manually
Medium
8 Minutes