Valve once envisioned us expanding our adventures through the canals of City 17 far more than what the final version permits.
A new analytical video by CMDR RileySV, a YouTuber passionate about Half-Life 2, explores the 2003 beta, unveiling the mystery of “The elusive City 17 river.” In the final version, this river can be glimpsed in certain areas, yet players never traverse it.
Initially, it was planned to play a more significant role leading up to the game’s climax.
In the finalized Half-Life 2, one of the closest encounters with this hidden river occurs early on in the waterways and again in chapter 10. Previous versions showcased a more prominent focus on the city’s waterways. A beta file called “streetwars/proto_c17map” illustrates a large cityscape largely untextured where the river splits the map, with various waterways running beneath the streets. Notably, this section was formerly known as “Street Wars”—the preliminary title for what would evolve into the “Anticitizen One” chapter centered on the Uprising against the Combine.
In the finished product, there is a scene where Gordon and Alyx battle their way through City 17, trying to reach Barney. Here, players encounter a collapsed bridge, subsequently falling into a canal before navigating a brief underground segment that leads to a factory, ultimately returning to the streets.
In stark contrast, the beta’s narrative would have had players plunge straight into the canal, navigate a much more complex underground area filled with foes, and emerge at another bridge crossing the river. There, players would have fought against a Hydra before resuming the same path seen in the final game.
According to the early build, the Uprising could have extended far longer, featuring an exciting E3 Strider demo battle before players conquer additional streets of City 17 leading to a park adjacent to a waterway. Here, it was intended for players to descend into the canals, racing through untextured maps populated by scout cars, suggesting encounters along the way before finally arriving at the Citadel’s base. This section would have visually expanded the player’s encounter with the Citadel significantly.
Even in its unfinished format, it is evident this experience could have offered a remarkable reveal when players turned a corner.
Ultimately, while several concepts from this earlier build remain part of the game, they were integrated into different sections, particularly seen through player mods or by clipping through environments. The adjustments to the canal chapter have sparked mixed reactions among fans, though the resulting gameplay still offers a captivating adventure.
This video from CMDR RileySV offers a fascinating glimpse into Half-Life 2’s history, especially for those who enjoy exploring forgotten details of classic games.
