In this review, we escape the Citadel in the PC/Steam game Half-Life 2: Episode One. We find out how well this FPS expansion plays.
This game was released in 2006 and is the third release in the Half-Life 2 series. This game was also the subject of our third first impression video ever.
We have some experience with this franchise already. Fires, we played Half-Life and found it to be OK. We then skipped ahead a little and played Half-Life 2. That game wound up being great for us. Finally, we played Half-Life 2: Lost Coast. While what was there was good, it wound up being quite short for us, so it was just a solid game in our books. So, it only makes sense that we continue our adventure in this franchise with the first episode.
Having set off a chain reaction at Citadel, mysterious images start appearing for both you and Alyx. After that, you wake up being unburied by the robot D0g. Alyx is overjoyed to have found you again. She then leads you to a console to tell Eli Vance and Isaac Kleiner the good news. Unfortunately, the relief is short-lived as they inform her that she should have left City 17 already. The core at Citadel is about to explode. Since they are still in the city, the only option at that point is a direct intervention to slow the chain reaction. No one likes the situation, but they go ahead with the plan anyway.
You start with just the gravity gun. A lot of your initial action will simply involve the gravity gun, though Alyx provides backup support. You will eventually find other weapons amidst the rubble, though there really is nothing new in the compliment of weapons you eventually get. In fact, you are actually one weapon short as the heart weapon does not make a return this time around.
Like the first game, you replenish health with health packs and battery packs. You also activate consoles on the wall to replenish either health or armour or both.
There is, of course, a new compliment of puzzles. A lot of those puzzles involve the gravity gun. One interesting puzzle is the push to block antlion holes with cars for instance. You not only have antlion’s, but also various combine forces to deal with. There are a couple of new enemies including the face crab infected combine soldier. Beware of them pulling out grenades.
In addition to this are various traps which tend to be a bit more brutal than before. In some instances, you generally require foreknowledge of the area, so you’ll probably find yourself dying a few times.
One thing about this game is that if you are a fan of the series, you’ll probably already be interested in what this expansion has to offer. A lot of it is basically more of the gameplay you saw in the original Half-Life 2 game. You get a few new features as well, though nothing new in terms of weapons.
My complaint is the fact that the game is generally a bit more difficult. It’s difficulty is made in such a way that if you haven’t played the first game, this game could be a bit overwhelmingly difficult. So, as such, it does depend on the player having experienced the first game at the very least.
Another problem that other people have brought up before is the episode’s length. While I agree it is a bit on the short side, it’s not overly so. It’s definitely shorter than the original release, that I will certainly concede. It’s not a huge issue, but it is an issue for me as well.
Otherwise, there isn’t really much to complain about on this front. The length is a small issue, but the difficulty is a bit of a bigger issue for me. It doesn’t do a whole lot to separate itself from the previous game, though that’s, again, another minor issue. Still, it’s got good gameplay value and it won’t disappoint players who already enjoy the series that much. A solid play.
Graphically, this game does bump things up with a few new ambient features. This largely revolves around lighting, though the textures are also nicely expanded on too. Animation sequences have a bit more going on for it as well. So, a great effort all around in my books on this front.
Audio is pretty decent. The sound effects are nicely done. There are splashes of music here and there, though the music only provides a little added fill more than anything else. Voice acting is well done, though. So, I would say the game did a good job on that front.
Overall, if you are wanting more Half-Life 2, this expansion certainly fills that void. It is a bit on the short side and the difficulty can be frustrating at times. It also could have done more to differentiate itself from the previous game, though. Graphics are great and the audio is pretty decent. So, an overall solid game.
Overall
Furthest point in game: Beat the game on the default difficulty.
General gameplay: 20/25
Replay value: 7/10
Graphics: 8/10
Audio: 3/5
Overall rating: 76%
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
