Customer Reviews

Half-Life 2: Episode One

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I can't understand all of the criticism regarding the game's length vs. price, and its originality. Yes, HL: Episode One is a short game (4-7 hours, depending on how you play, whether you cheat, etc), but it costs less than half the price of a new game (even less than that on Amazon right now). This is a better game, both technologically and in terms of fun, than most full-priced games that are coming out. Why this obsession with game length? I'd rather have a terrific 6 hour game than a dull and tedious 15 hour game!

The GOOD: Graphics are even better than in HL2, they now use HDR lighting effects which look pretty cool. The gameplay is also more refined, with more creative logic puzzles, and better enemy AI. Your sidekick, Alyx, is one of the few computer companions that you actually care about, and she's smart and resilient (ie: doesn't walk into pillars all the time). The story is great fun, too.

The BAD: A couple of the puzzles can get annoying, such as the Antlion sections of level 3. The use of darkness and flashlight is atmospheric at first, but makes it feel like Doom 3 at times, and I don't mean that in a good way. And yes, it'd be great if the game were longer, but that's more a testament to the quality of the experience than a shortcoming!

The UGLY: Those Zombines... ugh.

Bottome Line: If you like HL2, this is a no-brainer. If you like a thinking man's shooter, this is for you as well. Recommended!

When Half-Life 2 came out in 2004, the ending left many of its fans scratching their heads. The game ended leaving some pretty big questions unanswered. Instead of waiting for another six years for the answers, Valve software has gone the way of episodic content. By releasing three much shorter "episodes" in six month intervals, they are able to get the game out quicker.

Half-Life 2: Episode One starts out with a disappointing explanation of how Gordon and Alyx survive the ending of Half-Life 2. While the explanation does appear make some sense, it feels like a big cop-out and could have definitely been done better. The good news is that the story get a lot better from there. The game quickly has you infiltrating the citadel once again to try to stop a reactor overload and you eventually attempt to escape from City 17.

Unfortunately both the citadel and City 17 were fully explored in Half-Life 2. All of the areas that you visit in Episode One seem very familiar. In fact, you will probably experience de-ja vu a few times before the game is over, which will take most gamers between four to six hours.

The levels are not the only thing that has remained the same this time around. Your arsenal of weapons remains completely unchanged. The selection of weapons is impressive and they worked great for the last game, but it would have been nice to see at least one or two new weapons. It is also worth noting that there are no vehicle sequences in the game, which is a shame.

The enemies in the game are the same as well except for one new addition, a combine zombie. These "zombines" take a lot of punishment and like to pull out grenades and rush after you. This tactic makes them extremely deadly and usually makes the first enemies you go after in a crowd.

With pretty much the same enemies and weapons from Half-Life 2, it is no surprise that the gameplay remains mostly the same. However, there are a few additions here and there that do a little to help keep the game fresh. For instance, it is now possible to plug up ant lion burrows to stop them from coming up out of the ground. Puzzles are back in the game, but unfortunately a lot of them boil down to finding switches to open locked doors, which is a shame as the last game relied heavily on physics based puzzles. They also tend to reuse the same puzzles over and over again, which can get pretty stale as you are trying to find the 4th fuse box to power a locked door.

The great voice acting and animation is still there. The characters seem more believable and show more complex emotion then ever before. Alyx, who is with you for most of the game, has great dialogue. She also does a pretty good job of taking care of herself when you are busy solving puzzles, so it does not feel like a babysitting job.

The graphics in the game are pretty much unchanged from Half-Life 2. It looks like most of the textures and objects in the game are reused art from Half-Life 2. With reused art and locations, the game pretty much looks exactly the same as it did two years ago. The only difference is that Valve has added its new High dynamic range rendering (HDR) lighting system into the game (if your video hardware supports it). The main purpose of HDR is to allow bright things to be very bright and dark things to be very dark while still being able to see detail in both. While HDR can look amazing, it tends to be over used in the game and looks downright silly on some objects. For instance, characters will glow unrealistically when you shine your flashlight on them. Still, the two year old source engine still looks pretty good today and runs pretty well on older hardware.

So you ask, "With all the gameplay and graphics the same, why should I buy Episode One"? First, while the gameplay is mostly the same, that gameplay is still extremely good. Half-Life 2 was way beyond many of the mediocre action games out then, and it still holds up very well today. Second, Episode One does a great job in continuing the story. There are a lot of awesome scripted sequences that move the story along. While you don't learn a whole lot more, and it ends with a cliffhanger ending, it sets up what looks to be a very interesting Episode Two. So if you don't mind the short length, no new multiplayer content, and think $20 is fair for more of the great Half-Life 2 gameplay and storyline (though not as epic or original), then go ahead and pick this one up. That being said, if you were one of the few who did not enjoy Half-Life 2, this game will do nothing to change your mind.

Half-Life 2: Episode I (aka Aftermath) continues where Half-Life 2 left off in every aspect, extending the technology, story, and gameplay. Valve has yet to disappoint with their star franchise, and this is no exception.

The story in Aftermath takes a much more direct approach than Half-Life 2, preferring to have the events and Alyx give the plot clicks, rather than letting the environment tell the weight of the story. Aftermath also takes a hint from ABC's popular series Lost, showing you bits and pieces of story, revealing information and answering questions while opening new ones.

The episode starts off by showing you the Citadel, with a dark cloud looming over it and debris falling from the sky. As in Half-Life 2, there's a sense that you are looking at the inevitable end of the chapter, just waiting to explode. You instantly meet up with Alyx and DOG as they scatter the remains of City 17 looking for our orange-suited super hero, and soon hook up with Dr. Kleiner and Eli Vance via radio communications, and they have bad news: the Citadel is going to explode and you have to get out as soon as possible. For the rest of the episode, Alyx guides you on your way out of the city any way she can.

The gameplay in Aftermath is traditional Half-Life, switching styles and introducing new ones flawlessly. From the simple, yet complex puzzles, to the building-to-building urban fighting, the pieces that Half-Life 2 initially set up return once more. Added into the mix are new challenges, such as fighting in pitch dark with limited ammo and your trusty flashlight, forced to use Alyx as your main weapon. The finishing touches are the unique and challenging boss battles, which substitute the quantity Half-Life 2 often used for quality.

As for the graphics and sound, both are done to the highest quality that is to be expected from Valve. HDR lighting (not Lost Coast intense), detailed environments, and improved models are all included. Additionally, the commentary system (once again unlike Lost Coast) works to perfection, giving game details without screwing anything up, although the occasionally makes you invincible or freezes your enemies (most likely on purpose), but often works without a hitch. Episode I also includes the 20 minute HDR test level "Lost Coast" and HL2: Deathmatch.

The experience will run most people about 3-4 and a half hours, but increases in difficulty, the ability to replay the game in its entirety in one sitting, and the commentary tracks will give some replayability. For those looking for a brilliant first person shooter experience in a drought of sorts, Episode I delivers a cheap, unique experience with a decent multiplayer experience.

They really did more with this episode than just add a couple of new shooter maps to get through. The graphics are great but the character realism, facial expressions & body language have definately improved. The game play is also terrific. I won't give a blow by blow detailed account of the game (that's for magazine articles and it's lame coming from a customer satisfaction review blob) but this game continues RIGHT off from where the previous one ended. Your almost constant companion is Alyx & she is much more helpful, expressive and entertaining in "Episode One" than she was in the previous game; right down to the corny sense of humour, voice over work & animation realism. They did a great job on her character developement, both in CGI & writing to bring empathy to a computer character. I gotta wonder, where can you find a >real< gal like her?....do they make em like that? The price is right as well for the game, especially since it can stand alone according to the box. The game even gives a link that is graphic card specific if your system needs a graphics update to make the game play smoothly.....kinda nice & helpful verses having your computer crash in the middle of play. My only two complaints are that the copy protection efforts by STEAM can be irratating with the "Steam" account being required and all. (though it is WAY better than having some company invented copy protection program invade & make a home in your hard drive like some program companies do and then you can't get the alien program out and it gives up your private info and then you have to format your HD and it ticks you off to no end) ....and the other is that the game is pretty short but then it was only 16 bucks for a NEW release from Amazon so still not a bad deal. A good buy all and all.

This is the first (hence, episode one) game in a half-life 2 (HL2) sequel serial. The game environment is essential HL2 with sharper graphics - which was actually a great improvement. The game play is different as the puzzles are more challenging and less "cookie-cutter" than HL2. Also, the game is played in tandem. You, of course, play as Gordon Freedman, scientist turned gun-weilding devastator (aren't they all like that though?), and the other main character is the beautifully rendered Alex. Alex's AI is pretty decent and, when I played through the game, she didn't do anything unexpected. I really have to hand it to the guys at Valve they really know how to cater to video game nerds: attractive, AI, female companion that flirts with you in one scene and is blasting zombies in the next. Overall the voice acting was stellar.

What makes the game great, however, is it's rich storyline and immersive enviroment. The best way to describe this game is to compare it to a violent, well-written comic book that you just do not want to end. I really liked the game and I think that Valve implemented the new serial model extremely well. Hopefully, one day they will be able to offer subscriptions and put out small episodes like this every few months.

Registry code will only work with one Steam account. Don't expect a used copy to work on a stranger's computer.

Half Life 2 was astonishing in terms of graphics, gameplay, and overall ingenuity. It mix of fighting and puzzles made it a game with no equal. Episode One delivers more of the same. You'll fight through some familiar looking places, and see more of the city. You'll continue to fight the carbine and mess around with the gravity gun. Episode One continues flawlessly where HL2 left off. I bet youre wondering why I only gave the game 3 stars if this game is so great. Well, to be honest with you....

I took me all of 2 hours to beat this game

The game is good, but by all means way too short. According to Steam, it takes the average person 3 hours to beat the game, the majority of those people play on medium difficulty. This is not enough content for a game. I would have been much happier if they boxed up episodes one, two, and three (2 and 3 have yet to be released) and put it into one good expansion instead of 3 short teasers. Basically this is valve's idea of makign you pay 60 bucks over the course of 3 short expansions rather than your traditional 20-50 dollars for a larger expansion.

Heres the break down

Whats Good
-Highly Intellegent A.I.s
-Beautifully designed areas
-Challenging
-More of what you would expect of the Half Life series

Whats Bad
>>>>>>INCREDIBLY SHORT GAMEPLAY<<<<<
-No new weapons
-Requires internet acess to play


I preorded this game and did not find out about its lack of longevity until I experienced it first hand, but you don't have to make that same mistake. Its an enjoyable game, but it just is just too short

First off, it is an unbelievabley awe inspiring game. The graphics are incredible and the detail is great. But you are once again forced to move quickly and not able to stop and smell the roses (so to speak). Meaning, you are running for your life most of the time.

The beginning is great as you try and destroy the core, with Alyx in toe and not leading, I figured this might be a bonus, it turned into an aggravation.

There are no new weapons and yes the gravity gun is neat, but it is not fun at all, and sometimes is aggravating and complicated to use.

Now comes the aggravating part. You end up trying to escape the city and ride a train that crashes and then end up trying to get to the surface while trying to fight in the dark. This is the MOST ANNOYING AND RETARDED PART OF THE GAME! If I wanted a game fighting in the dark I would have kept that Doom 3 crap. This is annoying of a whole new level. The combine guards that are zombies spawn grenades which really start to take damage and a flashlight that was never fixed...(we can teleport but not invent a longer battery for a flashlight), Alyx's comments on the flashlight only make me want to punch someone at Valve for that.

Couple all of that with the fact of Alyx constantly getting in the way, and at some points it pushes you out of the way so she can hit her marks. It is quite frustrating.

The controls are very touchy and you have to be at a certain spot or you will fall in, or get stuck or electricuted. I literally had to walk away from the game as it was frustrating.

Alyx seems at times to be a hinderance and an annoyance and makes the game very troublesome and aggravating.

Now, add the fact that this game ends a bit prematurely and at 20 bucks I felt cheated.

Valve is on the right track, but seemed to have missed the ball after Half Life 2 was such a success.

1) Why they put a good deal of the game in the dark is beyond me! It was a serious mistake and valve should fire whoever thought of that.

2) Alyx is fun and at times annoying and sometimes gets in your way.

3) The AI was developed by someone with a 3rd grade IQ. They get in your way worse than the clowns that made Call of Duty.

4) I know 20 bucks is kind of cheap, but 4 hours of play time is not cool.

I will end up buying part 2 because there is nothing else out there. But seriously, when do the creators take more time to see if customers like their product before they box it up and ship it out? When do they care more about the name and product more than putting big dollar's in their pocket.

The money is there, and you will get it Valve, just give us a better product for our buck.

This is a great game. Giving this game one star because your steam doesnt work for you is a bit harsh. How can you review a game without having played it?? Anyway, my steam works fine and I have never had any problems with it.

I though the game was fantastic and very engaging. The graphics were perfect, and so was the gameplay. All six hours it took to complete the game are filled with great battles or cool puzzle solving. Never a dull moment here!

It is definaltely worth the price tag!

I exspected a good game and I got a good game. What ruined the moment is that the game ended way too soon and the Steam setup which is like a spyware on my pc. I did not like the fact I had to wait several hours to do the episode one download when I already went to the store and bought the game itself.
I know steam is paranoid about theft, but this system of theirs is idiotic.
Still a good game despite the obvious flaws.