Half-Life 2 is often held up as the greatest living example of PC gaming. Its near-perfect pacing, fantastically realised game world and characters believable enough to step straight out of the screen are all part of one truly spectacular magnum opus, that's fully deserving of the tag 'best of breed'.
It follows then that Episode One, the first entry into the trilogy of HL2 episodic expansions is one of the most important PC releases of the year. But just how do you top the gargantuan success of Half-Life 2? Rather wisely, Valve isn't trying to top it at all; rather it's trying to extend the HL2 experience to make it seem as if you'd never ever walked away from your keyboard.
If Half-Life 2 was the feature film, we suppose you could call Episode One the first entry in the follow-up TV series. It's claimed to be roughly six hours in length - although we managed to clear it in a single four hour session - and as well as drip feeding some tantalising and mysterious plot points, Episode One perfectly sets up the remaining two episodes to conclude the epic Half-Life 2 saga.
From the off, Valve has decided to push its spectacular character animation systems right into your face in Episode One, by placing the beautiful and quick-witted Alyx Vance at your side. We're happy to report that having Alyx as a near-permanent sidekick works incredibly well; actually we don't quite know how we managed without her in the comparatively solitary adventures of the original game.
The already stunning facial animation system has been improved even further to bring warmth and emotion to Episode One the like of which you'll have scarcely seen before. The facial expressions are so precise and the animation so convincing, that you can actually feel real and permanent attachment to these characters and their relationships. For example after being discovered by her hulking robot Dog, you can genuinely feel the emotion and excitement in Alyx's warm hug during their greeting. The presentation in Episode One is quite simply - and we don't use the word lightly - breathtaking.
Alyx's interaction with the game world is equally stunning. Following you around the humming Citadel corridors and dingy zombie-infested car parks, Alyx's incredible positional awareness makes her feel like a real and highly valued companion who always has your back. She'll point out pursuing soldiers, congratulate you on a well-aimed shot and even try to scare you by making spooky zombie noises. Put quite simply, Alyx has real soul and is one of the most believable NPCs we've ever fought alongside.
But never mind the jaw-dropping presentation of Episode One, we're happy to report that the gameplay is also still top-notch and the pacing as pitch perfect as ever. We could easily splurge a thousand words apiece on talking each of our favourite Episode One set-pieces, but we'll do our very best to keep the best ones secret.
[SPOILER ALERT - ED]
One stand-out moment that immediately comes to mind in Episode One is your trip to the Citadel core, which is arguably one of the most gorgeous scenes every brought to life in a game. Episode One's fancy new HDR lighting - previously shown off in the tech demo Lost Coast - makes for some really amazing visuals, and later on in the episode some very clever gameplay scenarios as well.
Another chapter of Episode One has you trawling through a dark and spooky underground car park, where along with the usual zombie hoards you'll discover a whole new breed; the Zombine. This is one of the most fun parts of Episode One - although it's really hard to choose one part over another - which has you using your flashlight to help point out massed beasties for Alyx to kill. Again Alyx's breathtaking environmental awareness makes these co-operative sections a real joy to play; in a lot of ways she's even better than a real-life buddy who would probably end up bunny-hopping their way to victory.
Another brilliant example of Alyx co-op is a bit later in the episode when she climbs up to an open window and mans a laser-pointered sniper rifle. Alyx will then cover your back by picking off any zombies foolish enough to walk into her crosshairs, and at points you'll have to madly pull planks from windows in order to get her rifle-powered support. There are many, many more standout moments and set-pieces we could gush about, but to keep spoilers to a minimum we will forcibly restrain ourselves.
[SPOILER ALERT OVER - ED]
One of the original game's biggest successes was its hugely varied gameplay and Episode One again stays true to form. You'll never be doing one thing too long to get bored: one moment you'll be fighting off zombies in the dark, the next you'll be solving a physics puzzle or battling a Strider on the surface. There's rarely - if any - repetition and the constantly changing nature of the challenges, really adds to the freshness and overall appeal of this new chapter.
Which brings us swiftly to one of the few complaints we can muster; Episode One isn't Half-Life 3, it's the next four hours of Half-Life 2. You shouldn't go in expecting a whole new arsenal of weapons or some spectacular new abilities, because you're not going to get them. The story is amazing and the gameplay absolutely fantastic, but some players who have cleared the original multiple times might find themselves experiencing a little deja vu.
We're also a little concerned - and maybe this a completely moot point - about the level of production values Valve are going to have to put into the later Episodes. Without spoiling things unduly, it certainly looks like the next two are set to see all hell break loose, and we feel that without the introduction of a few new characters to the cast - and at the very least more than the current four repeated civilian models - Episodes Two and Three might not be able to achieve the epic feel and believable atmosphere Valve are going for. Still that's one for them to worry about and we're sure they'll live up to the challenge as they always have.
Yet there are still moments in Episode One that we'd consider amongst the very best we've ever experienced in any game. The gameplay is on a par with - and at times better than - Half-Life 2 and the production is absolutely unsurpassed. As the first part of a trilogy Episode One is four to six amazing new hours of Half-Life 2 and that's really all you need to know.
But we'll add this as afterthought, if the next episodes are anywhere near as spectacular, the three combined could be even more earth-shattering than the original game was two years ago. High praise indeed, but this new episodic approach fully warrants it.
The only downside is we'll have to wait a whole six odd months for Episode Two now. Damn.
It's not Half-Life 3, but it is the next four to six amazing hours of Half-Life 2. The gameplay and set-pieces are just as amazing as in the original game, with some amongst the best gaming moments we've ever had.
Uppers
Amazing, engaging characterisation which make for truly emotional scenes Gameplay is still as brilliant as the original game, with pacing again spot-on More of the tense, cliff-hanging plot from Half-Life 2 Improved animation system and HDR lighting make this one of the most visually spectacular games ever
Downers
Erm we're struggling here, Episode Two isn't released until Christmas?
Struggling for downers?!! What about the fact it is FOUR TO FIVE HOURS OF GAMEPLAY FOR £20!!!!!!! That's a bloody downer for me and will be for a lot of people! Certainly brings in money faster for Valve who must be seeing the writing on the wall with regard PC gaming and is getting the money while the going is good!
If u only get 5-6 hours of game play i can do that in a day as i am sure many others can, it aint really worth the money.All so not 1 of the trailers has floted my boat, so it may be a long time before i get this through steam.But hey everyone has there own prefs on games.
I pre-ordered HL2 episode1 through game for £17 and it was advertised for £19 on steam... played it completed it in a couple of easy sessions. Nice weekend back at HL2. I love HL2 and have recently re-purchased the GOTY edition as my old steam account went t*ts up. Despite thoroughly enjoying epi1 i have to say that there is not enough change in what you are doing. For the next two valve needs to put in more change a la blue shift expansion for HL... nice explosion though.
This said though I think it is important that the next two episodes do something new, or it will get a bit tired.
For starters it looks like gameplay is moving out into countryside areas. Which should bring in some new gameplay scenarios rather than the urban theme.
If you add all the costings for HL2 together (all of the episodes and buying the thing in the first place) this could be a very costly game. I'm sure these 4 hours of gameplay are very good, but it's still the same game. I feel a little let down that there's no mention of new weapons or new suit features. Valve are the greatest storytellers of this generation through this medium though, of that I have no doubt.
Quite simply the best 4 hours of gaming I've had in recent years, and at the bargain price of £20. (Tomb Raider Legend anyone? Xbox 360, £49.99, 5 1/2 hours of gameplay..)
The game looks like its about to finish on a high, then every thing goes blue, alyx says gordon a car flys around and thats it, i was quite dissapointed. The rest of the game rocks though, new weapons and enimes would be nice
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Amazing, engaging characterisation which make for truly emotional scenes
