What Even Is This?

Black Mesa-22-Lambda Core

Right, just gonna forgo the intro, because I honestly don't know what else to say but that it's more Black Mesa lol

So, jumping right into things, here we are at what is both the last earthbound chapter and the last completed chapter of the game,

Lambda Core

First off, I just want to say the music for this elevator ride down into the Lambda Complex is really good and you should listen to it:

But anyway. I think the biggest thing about "Lambda Core" is the tangible sense of finality about it. This is where Gordon was told to come all the way back in "We've Got Hostiles," and now he's finally here. At the tip of the Lambda Reactor awaits what's left of the Lambda Team, those who know how to put a stop to this whole catastrophe. The end is seemingly in sight, almost within reach.

I think this is where Gordon's mood shifts dramatically, too. All this time he's been so determined to live, but I think, as he climbs the reactor, he decides he's ready to die. After all that he's been through, all that he's seen, he's not scared, not anymore. As things have spiraled farther and farther out of control, into chaos, all that fear has slipped away into a quiet exhaust. He's ready to be done.

Not to say he wants to die. He's just ready to. Prepared to. He began the Resonance Cascade, and he's going to do whatever it takes to end it. He's ready to make a sacrifice to stop the violence. Ready to be the sacrifice to stop the violence, if that's what's necessary.

As for the actual gameplay of the Lambda Complex, the first thing we run into is

More assassins! Except this time, there's five instead of three, and you're in a freaking maze of shipping containers. I mean, look at this place!