The discussions surrounding Half-Life 2 RTX highlight mixed feelings about the improvements made with Ray Tracing technology. Many fans feel that the enhanced visual elements, while technically advanced, detract from the original's mood and aesthetic, which they believe excelled in atmosphere. Critics argue that the RTX 'On' graphics often presents a generic visual style, losing the darker and scarier ambiance intended in certain areas, such as Ravenholm. There are also questions about hardware requirements for running RTX effectively, and some users express a preference for the clarity and sharpness of older games. Feedback on operational compatibility with different GPU types is still pending despite player interest in staying updated with Linux support.