Deathmatch Classic

amazing and still holds up well

Great game

why do i have this

Half-Life 3

no one playing :(

very fun if you actually find players to play with. It's quake, on goldsrc(hl) engine.

classic

Fun

Its just Quake with a little Half-Life deathmatch.

fun game but i have no friends to play with

🎯 Rating: 7.6/10

📜 Overview
Deathmatch Classic is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve and released in 2001. The game is a re-imagining of the classic Quake deathmatch, using the Half-Life engine. It offers fast-paced, competitive deathmatch gameplay where players fight to be the last one standing. The game features a variety of weapons and maps, all designed to provide a competitive, skill-based experience. Although Deathmatch Classic was never as popular as Counter-Strike or Team Fortress Classic, it remains a nostalgic title for those who appreciate old-school, arena-style shooters.

🌟 Pros
✅ Fast-Paced Action – True to its roots, Deathmatch Classic offers frantic, fast-paced combat that rewards quick reflexes and precise aim.
✅ Classic Shooter Feel – The game brings back the classic arena-shooter experience that Quake fans will appreciate, with plenty of weapons and power-ups scattered throughout the maps.
✅ Simple and Addictive – The mechanics are straightforward, making it easy for new players to jump in, but hard to master, offering a level of competitive depth for those who invest time.
✅ Nostalgic Appeal – For fans of older shooters, Deathmatch Classic delivers a nostalgic experience that recalls the heyday of PC gaming in the late 90s and early 2000s.

⚠️ Cons
❌ Limited Content – The game lacks the content and game modes of modern multiplayer shooters. Its map pool and weapon variety are relatively basic compared to newer titles.
❌ Outdated Graphics – The graphics, while improved with the Source engine, are still relatively dated and may not appeal to players accustomed to more modern visuals.
❌ Small Player Base – The game's community has dwindled over the years, making it difficult to find active servers, especially on official servers.
❌ Minimal Updates – Since its release, Deathmatch Classic has not seen significant updates or new content, leaving it stagnant compared to the evolution of other Valve games.

💬 Player Sentiment
Positive Reviews: Players who enjoy fast, old-school multiplayer shooters appreciate the directness and intensity of Deathmatch Classic. The simplicity and fun of the game are its main selling points.

Negative Reviews: Common criticisms focus on the outdated visuals, limited content, and reduced player base, which make it less appealing for modern gamers.

🎯 Target Audience

Fans of classic arena shooters who enjoy fast-paced combat.
Players nostalgic for the golden age of PC multiplayer shooters.
Gamers looking for a simple, no-frills competitive experience without the complexity of modern titles.
🏆 Rating Breakdown
🎮 Gameplay: 8/10
🎨 Graphics & Art Style: 6/10
🔄 Replayability: 7/10
⚙️ Mechanics & Balance: 7.5/10
👥 Community & Support: 6/10
Overall Experience: 7.6/10

🎯 Final Verdict
Deathmatch Classic offers a no-nonsense, action-packed deathmatch experience that harkens back to the early days of multiplayer gaming. It excels in fast-paced combat and simplicity, making it enjoyable for those looking for an old-school shooter. However, its outdated graphics, limited content, and declining player base mean it’s primarily for those who enjoy retro multiplayer games. While it holds a special place in gaming history, it may not appeal to players who prefer modern, feature-rich shooters.

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graphics great
gameplay ok
lack of knowing if what you're doing is actually doing damage

this song is so fire Man puts me in the mood to play cod mobile 📱👍 👽👽👽👽👽👽

I love the game but sadly i saw it has 2 players playing right now.. i wish Valve made this game for free

You're not going to find many players online with this game, which is unfortunate. Only get this game if you know a group of players that play.

Edit: Half Life Deathmatch Source is fairly active as of February 2025 so I would play that version instead.

Though it is just an off-brand Quake and obscure Valve title, Deathmatch Classic is addictive and basic as can be. Start each match with weak weapons, run around the map to find better weapons, and kill your opponents with said weapons.

No UAVs online, no care packages, no level prestige, and not a single microtransaction in sight. Just every man for himself living (and dying repeatedly) in the moment.

Deathmatch Classic

Woah this game is just like fortnite

Plays like Quake but with a Half-life aesthetic. I can see where the fun value is at, but unless you have a bunch of retro-appreciating friends, finding an active public server is quite difficult.

Quake + Half-Life

Join the DMC discord. Let's breathe some new life into this Gold Source classic.

https://discord.gg/d4urB9xt

Also, you can download the cancelled CTF gamemode here.

https://www.moddb.com/games/deathmatch-classic/downloads/threewave-ctf

Deathmatch: Classic - A Nostalgic Trip Back to the Arena

Rating: 8/10

Deathmatch: Classic, affectionately known as DMC, is Valve's homage to the fast-paced arena shooters of the late 90s, most notably Quake. Released in 2001, it remains a cult favorite for fans of twitch-based gameplay and retro multiplayer experiences. For those seeking a blast of nostalgia, DMC delivers, but it may not appeal to a broader modern audience without the benefit of rose-tinted glasses.

Gameplay:

At its core, Deathmatch: Classic is a pure arena shooter. Players are dropped into intricately designed maps and left to scramble for weapons, armor, and health packs while trying to rack up frags. The gameplay is relentlessly fast, demanding precision, spatial awareness, and lightning reflexes. Rocket jumping, strafing, and map control are crucial for success, much like the Quake games it emulates.

However, the simplicity that makes DMC accessible also limits its appeal. There are no objectives beyond fragging, and the lack of any progression system or unlocks makes the experience feel dated by modern standards. This may be a selling point for purists, but newer players may find it challenging to engage with the game long-term.

Visuals and Sound:

The visuals are a charming throwback to the early 3D era, with blocky environments and minimalist textures. While they won't win any beauty contests today, the art style is clean and functional, ensuring that visibility and gameplay remain the focus. The sound design is similarly barebones but effective, with satisfying weapon effects and iconic arena shooter sound cues.

Community and Longevity:

One of the main challenges with DMC today is finding an active community. The game lacks the consistent player base of more modern titles, making it difficult to find populated servers at times. However, dedicated fans and private servers still keep the spirit alive, and the game supports bots for offline play.

Verdict:

Deathmatch: Classic is a love letter to a bygone era of competitive gaming. For veterans of the genre, it's a delightful throwback that captures the essence of Quake-style deathmatches. For newcomers, it can feel like a museum piece—a fascinating glimpse into the past but lacking the depth and polish of contemporary shooters.

If you're a fan of retro games or want to experience the roots of multiplayer FPS gameplay, Deathmatch: Classic is worth a shot, especially given its low price. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve and a challenge finding active matches. For those willing to embrace its simplicity, it’s a nostalgic gem that reminds us why arena shooters were once king.

It's really fun, and from the few times I've gotten to play with real people, they are friendly. Valve should make this free so DmC can get a true resurgence, and the arena shooter genre gets revived.

It has no soul.

erm what the sigma is this?

I checked SteamDB and literally 0 players are playing right now, which is a shame because this game is fun. Do not buy this standalone but if you happen to get it in a bundle or whatever and there are players online then it's worth playing.

Good, recommended and good game, good multiplayer and weapons, aka quake but half life

This is worth it, everything is great, an all time classic, get it if you don't already have it

This game sux

In this world, the only way out of trouble, is with a deathmatch, classic

. thts wy

Good to play when bored, I don't really know what else to say.

Nice.

Fast paced, but dead servers
6/10

Honestly, I was surprised to find anyone still playing this. There were always like 2 or 3 people but still we had a blast!

An alright classic arena shooter, runs on deck, didn't experience much of it, not my taste and theres so many other similar options, even just in the valve pack it came in.

Honestly it seems like such an awesome game but there was literally no one online when I tested so I kind of just jumped around and tested the guns.

No reccomendation because you basically can't play it as intended.

Good free-for-all shooter in the Half life world.

Mainly explored the maps and they're kinda small, but each one had something unique, like some secrets, could even interact with the environment in one of them to trap other players. The maps also looked good aesthetically, and movement felt good. As I went to explore the maps, I also saw there was just one person chilling in a server, and as I was done exploring on my own, the servers were empty, however, I decided to chill in one for a few minutes, and fortunately the person saw me and joined as well! So shoutout to CableReady for playing with me and having a chat. Was rather bittersweet, it was awesome to see there's still activity in the game, but also sad because said activity is low.

i enjoy playing dead games

A good game despite the fact it is very inactive. 10/10.

I PAYED FOR THE GAME ? why no scores ? i SPENT OVER $100.00 ? ON ALL OF THE HALF LIFE, DOTH GAMES ? I'VE PLAYED OVER I HOUR AND A HALF ? WHAT"S UP? NO DISCORD ? i GIVE YOU TONS OF GBS. PI. Thank You, pie.

quake + half life = deathmatch classic

It's such a shame this game is dead, so much wasted potential... This game takes the best from the both worlds of Quake and Half-Life and could be remembered as much as those games, if it had a small, dedicated player base.

I Don't Have Enough Time to Play Chase The Other HL Character with Multiple Peoples.

(homelander staring at cinema screen gif)

This is literally Quake meets Half-Life. I love it.

very good, simplistic deathmatch! the HL25 update made it even better

would be good if they added playstation classic character clank from the hit game secret agent clank. i think this would greatly inprove player count.
10/10 my favourite game of all time
its like you have 10 seconds mixed with dota 2