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. nemix3d
    Sep 10, 2023
    10
    Despite some possible system freezes, this game absolutely rocked. I will play it again and again. Hopefully an update will be available soon.
  2. Richard_dias
    Aug 14, 2023
    8
    They kinda dropped the ball with this one as far as I'm concerned (compared to HL2 and HL2:EP2 it is not as good), but still a pretty good game. Besides that, you need to play it before you go to Episode Two, which is one of the best games ever made.
  3. mawwex
    Jul 19, 2023
    9
    Really good but has the same style and architecture so it gets kind of boring, some of the bossfights feel drawn out and it doesn't have that same story-building that draws you forward automatically in other VALVe titles and the other Half-Life 2 parts.
  4. armadonpower
    Jun 11, 2023
    10
    Episode One's intense action, seamless storytelling, and improved AI make it a worthy continuation of the Half-Life 2 saga.
  5. Magical_Viktor
    Apr 30, 2023
    8
    Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»Существуют просто Зло и Большое Зло, а за ними обоими в тени прячется Очень Большое Зло. Очень Большое Зло, Геральт, это такое, которого ты и представить себе не можешь, даже если думаешь, будто уже ничто не в состоянии тебя удивить. И знаешь, Геральт, порой бывает так, что Очень Большое Зло схватит тебя за горло и скажет: «Выбирай, братец, либо я, либо то, которое чуточку поменьше»
  6. Mastereed
    Mar 31, 2023
    9
    THE BEGINNING OF THE END

    BEFORE WE BEGIN: Half-Life 2: Episode One is a continuation of the story after the ending of the base game, deepening the rivalry between Gordon Freeman and his allies against the Combine forces. Episode One was developed by Valve Softwares in 2006 and is their first game to take advantage of the power of HDR technology, previously tested with Half-Life 2: Lost    THE BEGINNING OF THE END

    BEFORE WE BEGIN:
    Half-Life 2: Episode One is a continuation of the story after the ending of the base game, deepening the rivalry between Gordon Freeman and his allies against the Combine forces. Episode One was developed by Valve Softwares in 2006 and is their first game to take advantage of the power of HDR technology, previously tested with Half-Life 2: Lost Coast.

    ODD VISIONS:
    The game, being a continuation of a cliffhanger, begins abruptly, seeing Gordon Freeman and Alyx escaping from the Combine tower due to the events seen in Half-Life 2. The player starts off with only the energy manipulator, which soon transforms into its electric version. Being a stand-alone game, the beginning is built to be playable even by those who had not played the first one, offering the typical Valve learning curve.

    RUN FREEMAN RUN!:
    The gameplay of the first episode of Half-Life 2 is divided into two focal points. The first is the level design, i.e., everything including the puzzles and the approach to the game map, which is extremely superior to the first title. The introduction of several new mechanics brought a breath of fresh air that the first title needed. The second point, on the other hand, is the lack of new weaponry, which certainly brings boredom to anyone who played the first title and was already a limitation of Half-Life 2 compared to the first one. New enemies have also been added with this chapter, leading to new uncomfortable situations and consequently different approaches to combat. Finally, the plot turns out to be simply a continuation of the combat against the Combine forces, not leading to particularly interesting intrigue and ending with another cliffhanger that will introduce the second episode.

    RED SKY AT NIGHT, SHEPHERD'S DELIGHT:
    Aesthetically, apart from the addition of HDR, and thus improved in-game lighting and shadows, the graphics and models turn out to be identical to those of the first chapter.

    “WE’LL SEE ABOUT THAT”:
    As with the graphics, the audio part turns out to be the same as Half-Life 2, with the addition of several new original OSTs.

    BUT WHY 9?

    PROS:
    The pros of this title are numerous. The level design has been enhanced and improved a lot compared to the first title, but most importantly it has been thickened so as not to create boring void zones, which were present in the first title. In addition, there are numerous interactions and surprises in the puzzles that are very surprising. In addition, the game areas are, at least personally, much more interesting than those in the first one, even adding more frightening and anxiety-provoking areas based entirely on the use of the flashlight being completely immersed in darkness.

    CONS:
    The cons, on the other hand, besides the lack of new weapons, lies in some extremely boring game situations, such as the train part, where the player is required to go from point A to point B more than five times. Also, there are too many situations where the player is required to stand still to listen to dialogues, making those phases much more boring and lowering the tension and atmosphere.

    RATING
    Gameplay: 10+
    Music: 8
    Story: 9
    Level Desing: 10+
    _    … Expand
  7. threeoftendie
    Feb 5, 2023
    9
    Это одна из первых игр моего детства. И, несмотря на возраст и недостатки, о которых я сейчас узнаю от других, она не кажется мне плохой
  8. DonldTrump_45Th
    Jan 26, 2023
    8
    Hello, this is a default review because i'm forced to use 75 characters. I'll edit this review in the future talking about the game, don't worry ;)

    My final rate is: 8
  9. Targaryen006
    Jan 21, 2023
    9
    Good Things(+)
    -main Story
    -gameplay

    İt Could Be Better

    Bad things(-)
    -play time

    on record:4h
  10. bakpak
    Dec 18, 2022
    8
    It still good since its half-life, but its not as interesting. Only 1 new enemy and you don't approach differently to other enemies but the dark gimmick is quiet fun.
  11. hileger
    Dec 3, 2022
    8
    это шедевр стрельба муа засасываю просто в десны гордона по физике ....
  12. Soullex
    Nov 29, 2022
    8
    Döneminde ilk çıktığı zaman oynamadığım için. Sonradan oynayınca, ikinci oyundaki mekaniklerin üstüne bir şeyler koymamış olmaları beni üzdü. Sonuçta bu bir ara oyun, demi?
  13. Hyperfailure
    Nov 27, 2022
    8
    (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
    ┻━┻ ︵ ヽ(°□°ヽ)

    ┻━┻ ︵ ＼( °□° )／ ︵ ┻━┻

    ┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)

    (ﾉಥ益ಥ）ﾉ ┻━┻

    ┬──┬ ¯_(ツ)

    ┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻

    ┻━┻ ︵ ¯(ツ)/¯ ︵ ┻━┻

    (╯°Д°）╯︵ /(.□ . )

    ʕノ•ᴥ•ʔノ ︵ ┻━┻
  14. Chemiker
    Sep 4, 2022
    10
    Без 5 секунд как посмертно награжденные герои и спасители земли от оккупации Альянса, реанимированы и готовы к следующему бою!
  15. Trollfacebuddy
    Jul 31, 2022
    10
    It starts with one thing I don't know why
    It doesn't even matter how hard you try
    Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme To explain in due time All I know Time is a valuable thing Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings Watch it count down to the end of the day The clock ticks life away It's so unreal Didn't look out below Watch the time go right out the window Tryin' to    It starts with one thing I don't know why
    It doesn't even matter how hard you try
    Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
    To explain in due time

    All I know
    Time is a valuable thing
    Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
    Watch it count down to the end of the day
    The clock ticks life away

    It's so unreal
    Didn't look out below
    Watch the time go right out the window
    Tryin' to hold on, did-didn't even know
    I wasted it all just to watch you go

    I kept everything inside and even though I tried
    It all fell apart
    What it meant to me will eventually
    Be a memory of a time when I tried so hard

    I tried so hard and got so far
    But in the end it doesn't even matter
    I had to fall to lose it all
    But in the end it doesn't even matter

    One thing, I don't know why
    It doesn't even matter how hard you try
    Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme
    To remind myself how I tried so hard

    In spite of the way you were mockin' me
    Acting like I was part of your property
    Remembering all the times you fought with me
    I'm surprised it got so far

    Things aren't the way they were before
    You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
    Not that you knew me back then
    But it all comes back to me in the end

    You kept everything inside and even though I tried
    It all fell apart
    What it meant to me will eventually
    Be a memory of a time when I tried so hard

    I tried so hard and got so far
    But in the end it doesn't even matter
    I had to fall to lose it all
    But in the end it doesn't even matter I've put my trust in you Pushed as far as I can go For all this There's only one thing you should know I've put my trust in you Pushed as far as I can go For all this There's only one thing you should know I tried so hard and got so far But in the end it doesn't even matter I had to fall to lose it all But in the end it doesn't even matter    … Expand
  16. KapralDominik
    Jul 20, 2022
    9
    Прямое продолжение, вышедшее в виде отдельной игры, хотя тянет максимум на небольшое дополнение. Все также держит темп оригинала, добавляя схваток с новыми противниками, челленжами (одна пуля) и представляя новый взгляд на измененный Сити-17, через который нам и предстоит совершать последний забег. Итого: 9.Прямое продолжение, вышедшее в виде отдельной игры, хотя тянет максимум на небольшое дополнение. Все также держит темп оригинала, добавляя схваток с новыми противниками, челленжами (одна пуля) и представляя новый взгляд на измененный Сити-17, через который нам и предстоит совершать последний забег. Итого: 9.
  17. Tomle1202
    Jun 1, 2022
    8
    Episode One's biggest problem is its short length, but that same downside is the reason for a more focused game with better pacing than the original.
  18. mariavkj
    Apr 19, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pika, e gostei d+ que a Alyx tá por perto a maior parte do tempo, só foi meio curto… Expand
  19. jelikey
    Mar 19, 2022
    8
    A short little story, but I explained allegedly happened after the explosion of City 17. Back to the Same, ie same graphics, same characters and same gameplay. This does not prevent is good because if it's the same this never bored
  20. yangfanhong
    Feb 9, 2022
    8
    It is kind of dlc of that time? Anyway it is a great game, though the name EPISODE ONE is a little weird.
  21. JJ2FAS4U
    Dec 28, 2021
    9
    For Xbox 360
    Atmosphere: 9
    Enjoyment: 9
    Gameplay: 9
    Graphics: 8
    Music: 8
    Story: 9
    Total: 8.67
  22. petrkozak13
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    Not as good as the original Half-Life 2 but still an awesome game. Must-play for every Half-Life fan.
  23. PublicNuisance
    Nov 25, 2021
    8
    Half-Life 2: Episode One is kind of the black sheep of the Half-Life 2 games. It is a good game in it’s own right but it lacks the innovation of Half-Life 2 and it lacks the story of Episode 2 which is by far the best story arc of the whole series in my eyes. So we are left with a good game that is sadly forgotten in the mix by many because it is the middle child. All of the same greatHalf-Life 2: Episode One is kind of the black sheep of the Half-Life 2 games. It is a good game in it’s own right but it lacks the innovation of Half-Life 2 and it lacks the story of Episode 2 which is by far the best story arc of the whole series in my eyes. So we are left with a good game that is sadly forgotten in the mix by many because it is the middle child. All of the same great game play is back in Episode One. The story in itself is good and enjoyable. City 17 is now a war zone and the game revolves around trying to escape it. The graphics are just as good as Half-Life 2, no better but no worse. The game doesn’t have any of the driving sections of the original. There is however a great level taking place in a hospital which was almost as creepy as Ravenholm.

    I played Episode One on Linux. It never crashed on me. There are once again some AI issues. This time what happened to me was on a mission where I have to lead civilians to a departing train some of them got stuck in a wall corner and wouldn’t proceed making me have to reload a previous save. Outside of the AI issue I noticed no other bugs. There were 4 AA settings; 6 AF settings; a V-Sync toggle; 9 other graphics options and an FOV slider that went from 75-90. You could change the difficulty level at any time as well as manually save at any time. Performance was fantastic which wasn’t surprising given the game’s age.

    Graphics Engine: Source
    Graphics API: OpenGL
    Disk Space Used: 1.05GB (not counting HL2 base game)

    Graphics Settings: All Highest; 8x AA; 16x AF; blur off; V-Sync on; multi core rendering on; HDR full; 90 FOV; 1920x1080

    GPU Usage: 16-52 %
    VRAM Usage: 1022-1398 MB
    CPU Usage: 5-20 %
    RAM Usage: 2.7-3.3 GB
    Frame Rate: 137-144 FPS

    Overall I can’t say too many negative things about Episode One. It does it’s job well which is to further the Half-Life story. It doesn’t innovate but it also doesn’t make anything worse. I finished the game on the hardest difficulty in 3 hours and 48 minutes.

    My Score: 8.5/10

    My System:

    AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | 16GB DDR4-3000 CL15 | MSI RX 580 8GB Gaming X | Mesa 21.2.5 | Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500GB | Manjaro 21.2.0 | Mate 1.26.0 | Kernel 5.15.2-2-MANJARO | AOC G2460P 1920*1080 @ 144hz    … Expand
  24. Broyn
    Nov 18, 2021
    8
    I can say about the episode that it is very interesting, there are not enough changes, the gameplay has become much more dynamic and the whole game will be accompanied by Alix, who will help us in battle and comment on everything that happens. The main disadvantage is that the first episode is very short. Also appeared, a new type of zombie Zombine,he can get a grenade and run to you toI can say about the episode that it is very interesting, there are not enough changes, the gameplay has become much more dynamic and the whole game will be accompanied by Alix, who will help us in battle and comment on everything that happens. The main disadvantage is that the first episode is very short. Also appeared, a new type of zombie Zombine,he can get a grenade and run to you to blow you up. Although the game turned out to be short, it turned out to be very interesting for one thing. I recommend you go!… Expand
  25. HyptoGamer
    Oct 8, 2021
    9
    Episode One is a great ride for Half-Life fans but its short length definitely turned down some people at the time. It has some of the most iconic and memorable character moments with Alyx and the adventure feels more gruesome and intense compared to the original title. There's a sort of urgency throughout the game that pushes you to continue through some of the scariest places inEpisode One is a great ride for Half-Life fans but its short length definitely turned down some people at the time. It has some of the most iconic and memorable character moments with Alyx and the adventure feels more gruesome and intense compared to the original title. There's a sort of urgency throughout the game that pushes you to continue through some of the scariest places in Half-Life's dark world and Valve's brilliant art and level design really show themselves during this chapter. Alyx's AI had a great jump making her a real companion during the game and seeing a corrupting City 17 really gives me shivers everytime that i go through it. There are still moments of challenge when the game puts you through some disturbing and unnerving moments making this chapter still a memorable piece from Half-Life's cryptic world.… Expand
  26. bruhman54
    Aug 2, 2021
    8
    It was good. Pretty much just Half Life 2 but a bit more. It was a bit short but Episode 2 makes up for it. Play it. The AI also improved well and Alyx is a great character to lighten up the mood.
  27. notidentified3
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game. It's very entertaining. Although I didn't like the elevator part, where there was zombies. it was a bit difficult. I had to give it a few tries. Another thing, is that it was short. In conclusion, I think it's worth it.… Expand
  28. EatmeApart881
    Jul 20, 2021
    9
    The first episode of Half-Life 2 is more great Half-Life 2 and still tremendously enjoyable. But it's rather short. I finished it in five to six hours in my first playthrough and three to four hours in the next ones. That might be my only issue with this episode, other than that it continues the story flawlessly.
  29. Schmchr
    Jul 16, 2021
    9
    A great sequel to its predecessor, Half-Life 2, but it couldn't beat it, it's a great game and I recommend it for anyone to play.
  30. Torment3837
    Jul 12, 2021
    9
    The first episode of Valve's episodic nature to continue the story certainly was a brilliant piece of first-person shooting but it lacked the true diversity and innovation that Half-Life 2 brought with itself. Episode 1 had some very high moments in particular the hos3and the core and also some meh ones but in general the levels were executed perfectly. The best feature that this gameThe first episode of Valve's episodic nature to continue the story certainly was a brilliant piece of first-person shooting but it lacked the true diversity and innovation that Half-Life 2 brought with itself. Episode 1 had some very high moments in particular the hos3and the core and also some meh ones but in general the levels were executed perfectly. The best feature that this game added to the franchise was Developer Commentary; hearing all these fascinating behind the scenes stories was so refreshing.
    Episode 1 did improve some of the flaws from the base game such as the poor ally AI or interacting with the antlions and etc. In general Episode one feels and plays like a lesser experience but the writing and art direction simply makes up for it; the atmosphere of each Half-Life 2 title just gets better and better and Episode 1 is no exception.    … Expand
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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 »