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. Termin8ter
    Jan 11, 2018
    7
    Episode One was a lot like Half Life 2. Some sections of fun or investment, but even more sections of frustration or boredom, or both. This game didn't do it for me. Episode Two makes this game look like the Old Boy remake. Average.
  2. Syl3nc3
    Nov 5, 2016
    7
    It's a good game, but it's short and nowhere near the huge greatness of the 2004 original. While the level design is still superb, its shortcomings are where it took what was great from its predecessor and failed to revive them.
  3. Broyax
    Mar 26, 2017
    7
    Le jeu principal souffrait de longueurs, ce qui n'est à l'évidence pas le cas de cet épisode certes court mais très dense. La jouabilité un peu "vieux jeu" pour ne pas dire "vieille école" demeure encore assez efficace tandis que la technique est assurément des plus présentables. Un ajout digne d'intérêt bien orchestré à Half-Life 2.
  4. DreamEaglr
    Apr 8, 2020
    7
    Практически никаких изменений относительно оригинала. Просто двухчасовая беготня по унылым локациям.

    Взаимодействия с Аликс прикольные, но не более.
  5. Goorman1996
    Jun 23, 2022
    7
    A good one another HL chapter, but, as for me, against the backdrop of other HL chapters — the most faded one.
  6. Nekellor_Met
    Aug 1, 2020
    6
    Проходилось с удовольствием, хотя и ничего вспомнить почти не смогу из игры в отличии от следующего эпизода.
  7. BenzoSt
    Jul 12, 2022
    7
    (I played this game with MMod.) A continuation of the excellent Half-Life 2 story with a few new levels. The levels are well constructed but feel very much like those in the main Half-Life 2 game. The star of the show is your sidekick Alyx, who is a superb AI partner with a genuinely likable personality. Unfortunately, the grievances I had with vanilla Half-Life 2 remain, which include too(I played this game with MMod.) A continuation of the excellent Half-Life 2 story with a few new levels. The levels are well constructed but feel very much like those in the main Half-Life 2 game. The star of the show is your sidekick Alyx, who is a superb AI partner with a genuinely likable personality. Unfortunately, the grievances I had with vanilla Half-Life 2 remain, which include too many checkpoints (which makes dying inconsequential) and the fact that explosive stuff is disproportionately dangerous.… Expand
  8. vova22379
    Jun 10, 2023
    5
    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  9. tufekciero
    Mar 12, 2021
    6
    BRONZ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  10. Kuzya_Zeleniy
    Apr 18, 2022
    7
    This game is truly incredible for its time and I fully respect the fans of this game. But I was bored. In this episode finished more puzzles and nothing more. But I liked the finale.
  11. yggril
    Jan 26, 2023
    5
    This is the game you'd expect if you asked a much less talented team to imitate the original. It feels more like a collection of extra maps for HL2 than a real Valve game. There's none of the original's creativity. No new mechanics, weapons, or enemies. No interesting new puzzles.

    The challenge also feels less organic and more gimmicky. The original kept ambushes to a minimum. Here    This is the game you'd expect if you asked a much less talented team to imitate the original. It feels more like a collection of extra maps for HL2 than a real Valve game. There's none of the original's creativity. No new mechanics, weapons, or enemies. No interesting new puzzles.

    The challenge also feels less organic and more gimmicky. The original kept ambushes to a minimum. Here there's a horde of enemies waiting silently for you around every other corner. The original rewarded you for finding creative approaches. Here you just have to brute force fight your way through every encounter. The original gave you scenarios that Gordon was well suited for. Here there's a whole section that's pitch black, where the challenge comes exclusively from the deficiencies of Gordon's flashlight.

    Basically, the developers substituted trolling and spam for creative and organic challenge. It's not too hard or too easy compared to the original, but it'll leave you saying "oh come on" with some regularity.    … Expand
  12. Pewiss
    Jul 11, 2023
    7
    I just don't see myself replaying this in the future unless it's for a Half-Life marathon or something. Still good though and I'm excited to hop into episode 2.
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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
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