Half-Life 2: Episode One

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,622 out of 3112
  2. Mixed: 334 out of 3112
  3. Negative: 156 out of 3112
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  1. The_D4RknesS
    Jul 21, 2023
    1
    What a **** DLC! It's full of puzzles and still has a horrible setting, it's totally the division offered by half life 2004
  2. kndr
    May 15, 2021
    4
    Really short and not as good as hl2. Mostly about escorting npc's to certain locations.
  3. Foam
    Oct 20, 2014
    4
    Being a huge Half Life fan, I finally caved & bought Episode 1 on sale in October 2014. I just finished it. I have to say it sucked. The hardest difficulty was barely a challenge, and it was so short it felt like cut unfinished HL2 content.

    The whole "Half Life 2: Episode X" system has in my opinion failed miserably. I'm going to play Episode 2 next, but I don't expect much better.    Being a huge Half Life fan, I finally caved & bought Episode 1 on sale in October 2014. I just finished it. I have to say it sucked. The hardest difficulty was barely a challenge, and it was so short it felt like cut unfinished HL2 content.

    The whole "Half Life 2: Episode X" system has in my opinion failed miserably. I'm going to play Episode 2 next, but I don't expect much better.

    Extremely linear path, boring puzzles. I also highly disagree with the art direction of HL2. It just feels so rusty & industrial 24/7. I missed half life 1's scientific & top secret feel.    … Expand
  4. deekybill
    Dec 22, 2013
    1
    Looking back on it, the original Half-Life was the best of the bunch, but later HL games and the spin-offs do have redeeming qualities, though not as much as HL1. That said, I cannot bear HL2:EP1. Why? Because it is nothing but a copy and paste follow- up. Weapons? Copy and paste! AI? Copy and paste! Enemies? Copy and paste! Gameplay? Copy and paste! Character animation and design?Looking back on it, the original Half-Life was the best of the bunch, but later HL games and the spin-offs do have redeeming qualities, though not as much as HL1. That said, I cannot bear HL2:EP1. Why? Because it is nothing but a copy and paste follow- up. Weapons? Copy and paste! AI? Copy and paste! Enemies? Copy and paste! Gameplay? Copy and paste! Character animation and design? Freakin' copy n' paste, son! Also, the character of Gordon Freeman is just as one-dimensional as you can get, and if it was for immersion reasons, it dramatically backfired because he has a distinctive appearance, an established backstory, and MOST PEOPLE AREN'T FREAKING PHYSICISTS! He could have been a sewage worker at Black Mesa and the story wouldn't have changed a lot! Look, I think the HL series is great, but i cannot tolerate this awful, confusing mess of a game. In fact, even watching the Citadel explode as you merrily escape on a train isn't satisfying! It makes absolutely ineffective use of what is one of my most despised movie and game cliches: The hero escaping the millisecond before an explosion, because that is just STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPID!!!… Expand
  5. Focksbot
    Jul 17, 2013
    4
    I enjoyed Half-Life 2 despite its flaws. Episode One has precious little of what makes HL2 worthwhile namely, surprises, big setpieces and skilfully constructed levels that funnel you along a path without you realising it. Instead, we have a heavy reliance on infinite enemies streaming out of spawn points, escort missions where the escortees get stuck, and my least favourite featureI enjoyed Half-Life 2 despite its flaws. Episode One has precious little of what makes HL2 worthwhile namely, surprises, big setpieces and skilfully constructed levels that funnel you along a path without you realising it. Instead, we have a heavy reliance on infinite enemies streaming out of spawn points, escort missions where the escortees get stuck, and my least favourite feature arbitrary changes in the rules and physics to force you to do everything in one particular way. So one moment the gravity gun works on vehicles, the next it doesn't, because this particular vehicle absolutely *has* to be defeated with rockets. In a ridiculous boss fight against yet another strider (which forces, once more, you to hang around a particular spot for infinite rockets) there's no consistency at all in what you can hide behind and what you can't. The designers just threw in some arbitrary panels that look much the same as other panels but can shield you for a limited time. How limited? It varies from panel to panel.

    Apart from Alex, allies are absolutely useless again. "Defend us, Gordon!" they shout, pathetically, as yet another squad of enemies is magically teleported in to an area I just cleared. How about you get out of the way so I can do that? Or, OK, just stand there and die while obstructing my view.    … Expand
  6. sinadoom
    Sep 29, 2011
    3
    Running through this only firing 1 bullet isn't too bad considering how easy Half-Life is in general, but is helped even more by the extremely short length. Nothing new or exciting here in terms of level design. The game itself doesn't do much to further advance HL2. Be warned though: 1 bullet means pistol not shotgun. Running through the game twice without firing a gun still doesn't makeRunning through this only firing 1 bullet isn't too bad considering how easy Half-Life is in general, but is helped even more by the extremely short length. Nothing new or exciting here in terms of level design. The game itself doesn't do much to further advance HL2. Be warned though: 1 bullet means pistol not shotgun. Running through the game twice without firing a gun still doesn't make the gameplay any more exciting. There's really nothing creditble about this game.… Expand
  7. Epi-1Sucked
    Dec 30, 2009
    0
    I'm sorry; but Valve really failed on this one. It's the worst of the series by quite a long way. It's unintuitive; it has nothing new going for it.
  8. HelpU
    Jul 19, 2009
    3
    Lets start off with the original advertising campaign: "Half-Life 2: Adventures of Gorden Freeman and the Crappy Unnecessary Character" You think that there will be an exciting new storyline extension, enemies, and puzzles. Think again. With an amazing 2 new enemies, a hard to follow story line, and ridiculously easy puzzles, its pretty evident, if you bought our garbage with Half-Life 2 Lets start off with the original advertising campaign: "Half-Life 2: Adventures of Gorden Freeman and the Crappy Unnecessary Character" You think that there will be an exciting new storyline extension, enemies, and puzzles. Think again. With an amazing 2 new enemies, a hard to follow story line, and ridiculously easy puzzles, its pretty evident, if you bought our garbage with Half-Life 2 your sure to buy this garbage too. You think that Alex was annoying before, that was only the tip of the iceberg. Now you have to spend an entire game with this damsel in distress. With this game we hope to emulate the feeling of actual relationship in the Half Life environment. We did as good as a game developer could in making you feel uncomfortable in all situations and you actually have to ask yourself how much more lame and corny can it get? I'm sure that what real Half Life fans are after is.... no not anything that important.... Graphics and sound. Ha Ha you thought game play and level design, how naive. With the level design, we pretty much knew that all you will do is look at the landscape. So now its like your not actually playing a game you are walking in a park with minimal issues that arise. When all these good things combine ( ha ha, its a lame joke, our game is full of them) you get the masterpiece only truly understood by people that can't leave the house.… Expand
  9. unhappychild
    Apr 19, 2009
    0
    As of right now, I've discovered this is probably the most painfully glitchy game I've ever encountered in my life. Worse than trying to run Final Fantasy VII on Vista. I haven't even been able to play the game due to the fact that it crashes every time I open it. This, before I even get to the main menu. Very dissapointed and wildly upset at the waste of good money. As of right now, I've discovered this is probably the most painfully glitchy game I've ever encountered in my life. Worse than trying to run Final Fantasy VII on Vista. I haven't even been able to play the game due to the fact that it crashes every time I open it. This, before I even get to the main menu. Very dissapointed and wildly upset at the waste of good money. Thanks, Valve. No help as of yet, which apparently, I should have expected. Don't get ripped off, friends. The frigging hours of troubleshooting you spend probably wouldn't be worth it anyway.… Expand
  10. SkeatSkeat
    Sep 28, 2008
    4
    Well I wasn't impressed. It was too short. Glad I have the orange box because I would have been pretty upset. I did like the fact that you really have to think towards the end and it wasn't just a straight though shooter. BUT thats about all. Well Graphics were great.
  11. Doesnotmatter
    Jul 17, 2008
    2
    This was probably the most boring game I have ever played in my life. Repetitive game play to the maximum, boring random lines by (also blocking) NPCs. Missing sounds for some reason since some update. I give it a 2 for the only interesting part in the game and we know which one that is. It bought it in 2006 and finished today 2008 with cheating because I simply wanted to get it over with.
  12. RexN.
    Jan 31, 2008
    3
    Too many repeatitive tasks and infinite monsters from same type. It's just a boring duplicate of HalfLife2, which is way more fun to play than this.
  13. Jason
    Jan 24, 2008
    4
    First off, the game is short...Real short...i beat it in 5.7 hrs. To have to play through what seemed a weak expansion of HL2 is a vast disappointment...The enemies are the same, as are the weapons....And having Alyx follow you around with Dog is a constant annoyance, She doesn't shut up and neither does anyone else you run into...It all just feels the same. Its not worth the First off, the game is short...Real short...i beat it in 5.7 hrs. To have to play through what seemed a weak expansion of HL2 is a vast disappointment...The enemies are the same, as are the weapons....And having Alyx follow you around with Dog is a constant annoyance, She doesn't shut up and neither does anyone else you run into...It all just feels the same. Its not worth the money...i will not buy Episode 2...as i understand it to is only about 5hrs long...woo...Please give us something with a decent amount of substance Valve...Not a bunch of episodes that are supposed to resemble a full game.… Expand
  14. TimM.
    Nov 24, 2007
    2
    The first four chapters are dire, the last is excellent. Unfortuneately you have to trudge through the first four to get there. Like the original HL2 there is too much story and not enough gameplay. Too much going from A to B and not enough action.
  15. CarlF.
    Nov 10, 2007
    3
    Boring level design dragged down further by NPCs that seem to be designed to either block your way or expose themselves to enemy fire. I also expected more of the storyline, but unfortunately this is just a filler episode.
  16. ShodenB.
    Oct 20, 2007
    3
    I've been waiting for the first and second episodes of HL2 but it was a very big disappointment.. Graphics: Same graphics that has been used in HL2 which is very old compare to the new next-gen games. (GoW, GRAW 1 - 2, Darkness, Call of Duty 4, ...etc) Gameplay: Pretty same as the old HL2.. no improvement at all. I got really bored after playing it for around 3 hours trying to see I've been waiting for the first and second episodes of HL2 but it was a very big disappointment.. Graphics: Same graphics that has been used in HL2 which is very old compare to the new next-gen games. (GoW, GRAW 1 - 2, Darkness, Call of Duty 4, ...etc) Gameplay: Pretty same as the old HL2.. no improvement at all. I got really bored after playing it for around 3 hours trying to see how long it'll be the same old game. Throughing balls in the first mission kinda sucks and repeating it sucks more. In the second mission it's all "dark" and very minimal ammo has been giving. Also, the same NPCs already been reused again. Sound: Reused sound from the previous HL2. Nothing new about it. Last comment. Episode one is really disappointment in my opinion hence they didn't add anything except new areas. (same old environments)… Expand
  17. JasonD.
    Oct 11, 2007
    3
    This game I am sure is great if it worked. I am a huge fan of the half life saga and it is a shame that Valve is not creating an update that will fix the bug that is plaguing many of its users. I am currently playing Episode 2... but I wish I could play them in sequence as they were meant to be played.
  18. SimeonM.
    Oct 4, 2007
    4
    I've just played through this game, so here are my fresh impressions. Positive: - a lot of new puzzles and ideas - some new enemies - I kind of liked the zombie chapter for finally giving some real use to the flashlight. Negative - No strong atmosphere/immersion, at least for me. HL2 was way better in that respect - Story can be summed up in about three sentences - Music doesn't I've just played through this game, so here are my fresh impressions. Positive: - a lot of new puzzles and ideas - some new enemies - I kind of liked the zombie chapter for finally giving some real use to the flashlight. Negative - No strong atmosphere/immersion, at least for me. HL2 was way better in that respect - Story can be summed up in about three sentences - Music doesn't do anything to create an atmosphere either, and is just used to underline dramatic scenes. That was a problem in HL2 as well. - Alyx praises you for every lame and obvious solution you come up with - Important areas with gates feel confining. If you're worried the player will miss something important, just use a cutscene! What's the use in "don't take control from the player" if you then confine him to a small room and want him to look at a specific thing?… Expand
  19. SteveWhitehead
    Jul 23, 2007
    3
    ridiculously short, thats all i can really say, the reason its got any score other than 0 is because half life 2's game play and graphics, £20 for maybe two hours entertainment? and only a handfull of concentrated battle moments? aint worth the money, download it illegally if you can-what else do they expect with such a short script? at least games like opposing force had someridiculously short, thats all i can really say, the reason its got any score other than 0 is because half life 2's game play and graphics, £20 for maybe two hours entertainment? and only a handfull of concentrated battle moments? aint worth the money, download it illegally if you can-what else do they expect with such a short script? at least games like opposing force had some substance to it, lets hope episode 2 has more to offer with the release delays so far.erm the reviewers of this comment-well dont include this part but you should really include everything people have to say about any game except abusive language, it gives game developers food for thought, and by screening every comment you seem a little like the 'overseers' from this game yourselves. thanks for your time, i hope they pay you well.… Expand
  20. CliveS.
    Jul 7, 2007
    1
    Only gave it a 1. Sorry Valve, just WAY to short. Finished in under 2Hrs. Not worth it when one can download mods for HL2 that last DAYS and are free!! Bought ALL the HL1 series & HL2 but HL2 EP1 is the last. NOT value for money.
  21. FranciscoMartinez
    Apr 5, 2007
    1
    Beware : crashes your computer every five minutes of play !!!

    How would you rate a Mercedes that goes dead after every 5 miles on the freeway, it takes another 5 minutes to start it again, just to see its engine die after another 5 miles. Think if a computer on an airplane goes off every five minutes on your next flight, will you board such an airplane ever again ? Well, this is just    Beware : crashes your computer every five minutes of play !!!

    How would you rate a Mercedes that goes dead after every 5 miles on the freeway, it takes another 5 minutes to start it again, just to see its engine die after another 5 miles.
    Think if a computer on an airplane goes off every five minutes on your next flight, will you board such an airplane ever again ?
    Well, this is just what happens with Episode 1 and Valve's much hyped Source engine. No matter how beautiful is that Mercedes, or how touted is that Airbus 340, you don't want to buy such a piece of crap. Whereas this not true for a Mercedes or an Airbus plane, it's exactly what happens with this game.
    See for yourself at :
    http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500297
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_engine#Common_issues    … Expand
  22. ScottC.
    Dec 31, 2006
    2
    Dispite the game's action, the game had 3 major issues. #1. No story. There is no primary "villian". #2. You get the bare minimum of whats available. 1 strider. 1 aircraft. Crossbow with no targets to use it on. Revolver with no additional ammo, etc. #3. 5 hours of game play, and you have to actually pay for the game. Its not a free addon.
  23. LukeB.
    Sep 30, 2006
    1
    Seriously seriously lacking. Dragged through familier landscapes (the long boring walk through the ruined citidel anyone?) with nothing really new to please. What happened to all the new weapons and baddies that were the meat of expansion sets? This is more like a free download created by a fan than an offical pack. Totally not worth the money.
  24. KW
    Sep 20, 2006
    1
    Yeah, the game would be great If I could ever get to it. I have installed the game, and spent the last 8+ Hours getting all of these stupid steam updates, and now the Half-life 2 episode 1 update.. What is this, 500mb update? I wanted to play this game 8 hours ago!!!! My estimated download time left is 12 hours, and Im on a T1... These designers should keep in mind that maybe peopleYeah, the game would be great If I could ever get to it. I have installed the game, and spent the last 8+ Hours getting all of these stupid steam updates, and now the Half-life 2 episode 1 update.. What is this, 500mb update? I wanted to play this game 8 hours ago!!!! My estimated download time left is 12 hours, and Im on a T1... These designers should keep in mind that maybe people aren't looking to play online, and therefore do not need all these extremely massive downloads...

    They need to make a way around this steam piece of crap!    … Expand
  25. HaywoodJablowme
    Sep 1, 2006
    0
    Well I was gonna buy it, but not after reading the reviews. 2-5hrs of gameplay isn't even worth $5 to me. For $20 I could eat a steak dinner and get shit-faced, and it would last longer than this EP based on the reviews. Oh well, I'll wait... in the meantime, I'm going to go fire up that grill and put some beer on ice! Cheers :-)
  26. JonH.
    Aug 9, 2006
    3
    Half - Life 2: Episode One is ok but paying the cost of a full price game is a rip off! It's is very small and takes next to no time to finish it, fun as it maybe i think the makers are being gready cutting a game into epiodes. Just bring out the full game and i we be glad to pay full price! if you put all the little episodes together to make it the same size as Half Life 2 it will Half - Life 2: Episode One is ok but paying the cost of a full price game is a rip off! It's is very small and takes next to no time to finish it, fun as it maybe i think the makers are being gready cutting a game into epiodes. Just bring out the full game and i we be glad to pay full price! if you put all the little episodes together to make it the same size as Half Life 2 it will end up costing about $100.00, sort it out valve its not fair!… Expand
  27. MarkO.
    Jul 13, 2006
    4
    How can anyone give this more than 4 or 5. Great physics and visuals don't disguise that a very short evening of gameplay for £20 is a rip-off. Very linear again. There is nowhere to wander or discover off the story path and this makes the city and the game feel dead and lifeless. Like Half Life 2 it never manages to make you feel that there is a real moving, breathing world How can anyone give this more than 4 or 5. Great physics and visuals don't disguise that a very short evening of gameplay for £20 is a rip-off. Very linear again. There is nowhere to wander or discover off the story path and this makes the city and the game feel dead and lifeless. Like Half Life 2 it never manages to make you feel that there is a real moving, breathing world (think Far Cry) out there behind the locked doors and dead end streets and corridors. I think true innovative and imaginative gaming is being swallowed up by technical innovation and the Great Big Steam - Money Making Machine.… Expand
  28. TSeckerson
    Jul 7, 2006
    3
    I'm sure it would be a very good game if you could get it to load. I have had it for 3 days know, spending hours on it tring to get it to load. All I keep getting is an error saying, "hl2.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." I'm ready to try and return it today!
  29. RetR.
    Jul 4, 2006
    0
    Amazing.
  30. FerdinandM
    Jul 3, 2006
    0
    I can't even get the game to run for more than 10 min. without it hanging/audio loop. My system is new and meets all hardware requirements. I can play other non-valve games with no problem. I've contacted Valve support and their response is extremely slow and they don't offer any solutions. Many other users on steams
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2006
1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
82
#82 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. Eurogamer
    90
    Just like the original Half-Life 2, Episode One keeps the player entertained almost the entire time through perfect pacing and by being inventive, surprising and getting the basics absolutely right. It's a wonderful advert for the excitement that true episodic content can generate when approached the right way.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    87
    Episode One is a memorable romp through the Half-Life universe, with gameplay that's even more satisfying than that of "Half-Life 2." The only downside is that, due to its episodic nature, it's over far too soon.
    Read full review
  3. IGN
    85
    A brief, stylistically claustrophobic experience whose polish and personality manage to keep things moving.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »