Estranged: Act I

 PC
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 47
  3. Negative: 5 out of 47

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  1. JimCorbett
    Jan 18, 2014
    6
    Estranged is a free mod based on the source SDK. Thus, you'll be seeing tons of the same assets from the Half-Life series in the game even though they aren't supposed to be considered in the same universe. The game is being released in 3 separate acts and this is just the first act. The graphics are average as are the physics (this is a source game after all). The most interesting part ofEstranged is a free mod based on the source SDK. Thus, you'll be seeing tons of the same assets from the Half-Life series in the game even though they aren't supposed to be considered in the same universe. The game is being released in 3 separate acts and this is just the first act. The graphics are average as are the physics (this is a source game after all). The most interesting part of the game is the world and the promising story. The world delivers, you'll be venturing through interesting places throughout the short 1-2 hour game. The story doesn't deliver, however. The bare bones story elements that were present in the game made no sense and for some reason there are zombies in the game but I had no idea why. I'm so tired of zombie games so that was really disappointing. The voice acting and soundtrack are average and so is the gameplay. It's not really a horror game; more of an exploration game with some combat. With the inclusion of fighting some zombies, you'll get into a decent gun fight with some people who I have no idea who they are and why they are shooting at you. Overall, it's well worth a look since it's free on Steam, just don't expect anything great from it.… Expand
  2. I_Am_Turok
    Apr 30, 2014
    6
    A good solid 6 is achieved for being free, and one hopes the next Act explains a bit more. But as a standalone game, it doesn't so much fail in one place, it just doesn't excel in any place too. The HL2 engine still does coasts good (like Esther), but like that Mod, there's a lot of very linear walking. It may look like a big map, but you can only go one way, always. Strategically placedA good solid 6 is achieved for being free, and one hopes the next Act explains a bit more. But as a standalone game, it doesn't so much fail in one place, it just doesn't excel in any place too. The HL2 engine still does coasts good (like Esther), but like that Mod, there's a lot of very linear walking. It may look like a big map, but you can only go one way, always. Strategically placed blocking fences, boxes and cars abound. There's no story at all in Act I, no idea why your character started there or why as a player you should continue. And internal textures are basic and dull - all I can say is, the HL2 world is full of water works and sewers. The sounds are good still, but gunfights are definitely falling behind the times. It's an enjoyable 2 hours if you like to return to the HL2 world from time to time, as hopefully the next Act(s) will be. But if HL2 holds no nostalgia for you, this mod probably won't improve your opinion of it being dated and needing a major update.… Expand
  3. sft
    Oct 9, 2014
    9
    Kudos to Alan Edwardes for producing a great little mod that’s both polished and enjoyable. The source engine has been used well to create a good-looking game that ran without a glitch except for one problem with an achievement which I managed to fix but was a little annoying. The voice acting is pretty good. The mix of simple problem solving and combat is just right, giving the game aKudos to Alan Edwardes for producing a great little mod that’s both polished and enjoyable. The source engine has been used well to create a good-looking game that ran without a glitch except for one problem with an achievement which I managed to fix but was a little annoying. The voice acting is pretty good. The mix of simple problem solving and combat is just right, giving the game a nice balanced feel. Overall this is a fun way to spend a few hours and it’s free, so what more could you want?… Expand
  4. MisterShmi
    Mar 17, 2014
    8
    It doesn't really explain a whole lot (but this is Act 1 and I'm assuming there will be more) but this game is essentially a mod for the Source engine (which is what Half Life 2 is built on) that is basically what amounts to a short survival/horror game. I was most impressed by the sound design. It really showcases the power of excellent sound in a game, because there were moments when theIt doesn't really explain a whole lot (but this is Act 1 and I'm assuming there will be more) but this game is essentially a mod for the Source engine (which is what Half Life 2 is built on) that is basically what amounts to a short survival/horror game. I was most impressed by the sound design. It really showcases the power of excellent sound in a game, because there were moments when the music would play and have me freaked out.

    For being free, you can't go wrong spending an evening playing through this game.    … Expand
  5. Valik
    Jan 18, 2014
    5
    Interesting game, and DEFINITELY worth a play through for its price (free on steam), but the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies here. The story "feels" like it wants to be interesting, but never really delivers, with an "ending" that seems to fall just short of being a "cliff hanger". Graphics wise, it's the Half Life 2 Engine, and is dated at this point. Everything, and I doInteresting game, and DEFINITELY worth a play through for its price (free on steam), but the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies here. The story "feels" like it wants to be interesting, but never really delivers, with an "ending" that seems to fall just short of being a "cliff hanger". Graphics wise, it's the Half Life 2 Engine, and is dated at this point. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING from textures to puzzles, is pulled directly from HL2. To the point I was even wondering if they were eluding to a rival company to even Black Mesa and Aperature, that exists in the same Universe. Just their mistake includes Zombies... because we obviously do not get enough zombies... whose strange sporadic movements becoming a missed thing when you get to the sniper humans soldier antagonists. Seriously, these guys react instantly, and don't, to the point it becomes annoying. Especially after it seemed headshots don't count on them...

    If your looking just to pass a couple hours, you can't beat the price, but don't expect to be wowed. All in all, you have to give the guys props for accomplishing a game build, it is free after all, and it does show promise.    … Expand
  6. Schmidy
    Jan 19, 2014
    7
    From my brief play through so far, I've been very impressed with the story, puzzles and gun fights. I look forward to seeing the Acts that are still to come.
  7. Locoloco143
    Jan 21, 2014
    7
    This short mod using the source engine is a great game. The story is fairly simple, but engaging, and I believe it will grow with the acts to come. The gun play is solid and the puzzles are challenging but not impossible.It is a free game so I do not see a reason giving it a try. I am very excited to see what the following acts have in store.
  8. LemmeC
    Mar 14, 2020
    6
    Because it is free I can somewhat appreciate it. Good thing they didn't charge money for this.
  9. GYOME
    Mar 11, 2014
    8
    An very fun adventure which is free-to-play and this is only the first Act meaning there will be more. I played the game and found it very fun, a new story, new settings, etc.

    The game is based on the Source Engine which according to some people it is getting old now but I say it still has potential. Anyway the game has a nice story with some cool moments and it is not a long game    An very fun adventure which is free-to-play and this is only the first Act meaning there will be more. I played the game and found it very fun, a new story, new settings, etc.

    The game is based on the Source Engine which according to some people it is getting old now but I say it still has potential.

    Anyway the game has a nice story with some cool moments and it is not a long game but the ending is sweet and will make you want Act 2    … Expand
  10. ThePCGamer101
    Jun 24, 2015
    6
    Estranged: Act I is a Half-Life 2 mod game that I have been following for quite some time, and when it was finally released onto Steam I was really happy to play it.

    Although I was happy that this game was a free well-staged game, I do have some issues with it. First before looking at the negatives, let's go through the positives. The good thing about this game is that the story is well    Estranged: Act I is a Half-Life 2 mod game that I have been following for quite some time, and when it was finally released onto Steam I was really happy to play it.

    Although I was happy that this game was a free well-staged game, I do have some issues with it. First before looking at the negatives, let's go through the positives. The good thing about this game is that the story is well written and it has a very good atmosphere to it, sometimes creepy and sometimes scary. The voice acting is very good, although not recorded in a professional sound studio, I have to say that the voice acting was really well done. Many people who have played Half-Life 2 or any Source game would feel right at home with this game's graphics as it works on the Source engine.

    Now to the negatives, I have encountered some glitches and bugs in the game where I had to reload to the nearest checkpoint which can be a bit annoying for some, at one stage, a bunch of enemies should have come out shooting me but nothing happened, just the dramatic fighting music and nothing else. Also, a problem I had with the game is the ending, the ending finishes abruptly with no explanation as to what happened or what is going to happen! I understand that Estranged: Act II is/was in the works and it will continue from where Estranged: Act I finished, but in my opinion, the ending was cheap and it felt rushed. What I wished the developer would/could of done was like the guys over at Telltale Games do with their games, once an episode ends, they show you a glimpse of what is going to happen in the next episode. And when Act II decides to show up, I hope the developer does a "Previously on Estranged" segment, reminding us players what has happened so far...

    Overall, the game is a nice free game to play, however, if this was a paid game, I would of not recommended it at all!    … Expand
  11. stop9091
    Oct 1, 2016
    4
    I've downloaded this game because it had a lot, generally positive review.

    I think it's a very "thin" game, and I don't recommend it. The problem is that it feels more like a technical exercise than a game. It fails as an action game, as the fighting itself is very limited; there is no strategy or variety. It also fails as an expressive medium, as there is no real story; only a    I've downloaded this game because it had a lot, generally positive review.

    I think it's a very "thin" game, and I don't recommend it.

    The problem is that it feels more like a technical exercise than a game.
    It fails as an action game, as the fighting itself is very limited; there is no strategy or variety.
    It also fails as an expressive medium, as there is no real story; only a very generic and derivative plot (corporation X caused a zombie outbreak and it's covering it up). The characters are paper-thin and purely functional; the locations are quite interesting, but again, there is no depth; the puzzles are [very often] of the type "stack the boxes" or "push the lever and disable the electricity".

    The game has a very distinct Half life 2 feeling. It's not about the engine though; it's about the game as a whole: it feels very much 2004; even the name is a reference to it. People who enjoy retrogaming may like it, but by today's standards, it would have been much more effective to make a shorter but deeper game, than a longer and shallower one.

    Based on the website informations, the creators seem more technically than artistically minded - I think they're not going into an interesting direction with the Act 2, which I'll likely not play.    … Expand
  12. npc_barney
    Oct 17, 2016
    10
    It's one of the best Half-Life 2 mods ever made, without doubt. It's also a great game on it's own. When I was first downloading it, I wasn't expecting a lot, I thought it was just an ordinary Half-Life 2 mod, but hell, it was lot better than I expected.

    9/10
  13. ConsoleArgonaut
    Dec 3, 2017
    6
    A small story driven survival game based on Half Life 2.
    If you've played Half Life, or Half Life 2, you know what to expect.
    And to be honest, I can't really tell you more about this game. I spent about 4 hours with it, and had fun while playing it. It's free, so check it out if you have any time to spare. Rating: Gameplay: 4/5 - Typical Half Life 2 Gameplay Level Design: 3/5 -    A small story driven survival game based on Half Life 2.
    If you've played Half Life, or Half Life 2, you know what to expect.
    And to be honest, I can't really tell you more about this game.
    I spent about 4 hours with it, and had fun while playing it.
    It's free, so check it out if you have any time to spare.

    Rating:
    Gameplay: 4/5 - Typical Half Life 2 Gameplay
    Level Design: 3/5 - Good for a Half Life 2 Mod
    Soundtrack: 3/5 - Helped underline the atmosphere
    Story: 2/5 - Nothing special and too many loose ends
    Graphics: 3/5 - Typical Half Life 2 look
    Length: 2/5 - Very short
    Replay Value: 4/5 - Challenges, secrets and speed running potential
    Enjoyment: 3/5 - Had fun with it

    Overall rating: 24/40 => 6/10    … Expand
  14. NightGeisha
    Apr 3, 2019
    6
    "Estranged: Act I" is a story driven short game that uses the Half-Life 2 game engine as a base.
    Basically, it's about a game mod, totally independent and free from the original story, but oh boy what a nostalgic vibes when I see it.

    Is a nice and free experience, I totally support the developers work, enjoy it is an awesome game experience.
  15. apokalipto
    Aug 19, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.

Critic Reviews

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Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 5, 2014
    50
    It’s not a particularly good horror, but if you’re not fed up with zombies, you can download the first episode for free and spend a reasonably enjoyable evening with it. [03/2014, p.75]