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. ds
    Dec 6, 2009
    10
    Half-Life, Half-Life 2...quite possibly the best FPS games ever created. Episode One, is just more of the same fantastic game. Plus the added bonus of playing along side Alyx with superb AI. And added bad humor :p
  2. Diego1390
    Dec 15, 2012
    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
  3. JimS.
    Aug 20, 2006
    9
    Over quickly but a great ride. I'll take 8-10 hrs of fun for $16 (B.J. 's Wholesale Club) anyday. Hope Episode 2 comes soon.
  4. ChrisC.
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    Absolutely amazing. The line between game and movie is blurred even further with this new installment of Half Life 2.
  5. MalcolmS.
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    Exciting game, yes it's a bit short, but thinking of it as one of three episodes it's very good. 9/10.
  6. MarcusD.
    Oct 18, 2006
    10
    Despite some possible system freezes, this game absolutely rocked. I will play it again and again. Hopefully an update will be available soon.
  7. temps
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I never understood the relatively low scores on reviews provided by the public for the Half-Life 2 "episodes." Honestly, I thought they were delightfully fun, incorporated the same kinds of enjoyable gameplay elements as HL2, and had a pleasurable-yet-brief single-player experience that added more Half-Life fun to the universe. I look back on Episode One in particular with fond memories,I never understood the relatively low scores on reviews provided by the public for the Half-Life 2 "episodes." Honestly, I thought they were delightfully fun, incorporated the same kinds of enjoyable gameplay elements as HL2, and had a pleasurable-yet-brief single-player experience that added more Half-Life fun to the universe. I look back on Episode One in particular with fond memories, but to each his own. Regardless, I definitely give this addition to the Half-Life saga my approval. Give it a try - it may be short compared to HL2, but it's not too short compared to a lot of FPS games these days, and it has a heck of a lot more interesting atmosphere and story to it than trashy modern FPS games do.… Expand
  8. Sid
    Feb 10, 2011
    10
    Half life 2 episode one, is the first of three episodes in the ongoing adventures of the silent but deadly scientist from Black Mesa, Gordon Freeman.It starts off right where it left off, with the citadel exploding and the mysterious G-Man pausing time and putting you and alyx in stasis.

    I''ve read many other reviews, and this is what i don't get - so many people are saying that it's    Half life 2 episode one, is the first of three episodes in the ongoing adventures of the silent but deadly scientist from Black Mesa, Gordon Freeman.It starts off right where it left off, with the citadel exploding and the mysterious G-Man pausing time and putting you and alyx in stasis.

    I''ve read many other reviews, and this is what i don't get - so many people are saying that it's "Just half life 2 all over again!"What?! While i do agree that you don't go to any new locations that you haven't visited before, but I personally prefer this episode to the original one.Don't get me wrong - Half life 2 was amazing, but it was very fast paced according to me.Think about it - One moment you're in te zombie infested Ravenholm, and another moment you're fighting against a stryder.While it was great fun, but it felt a little substanceless.In Episode one, you actually feel like Alyx has an emotional connection with you, and that the two of you will get out of any mess when you're a team.The amount of emotinal connection is what makes this such a great game.I don't think that a FPS has ever made me feel a connection with a NPC.    … Expand
  9. Mr7Goat
    Mar 26, 2011
    10
    First Half-life game I got. A very good game! A variety of characters, enemies, weapons, and environments to come across in this game. The story line is amazing, you play as Gordon Freeman who was in the original Half - life( which was amazing too) and was in Half life episode two, and half life 2. This game has a horror,action, and drama like game-play style. I recommend this game toFirst Half-life game I got. A very good game! A variety of characters, enemies, weapons, and environments to come across in this game. The story line is amazing, you play as Gordon Freeman who was in the original Half - life( which was amazing too) and was in Half life episode two, and half life 2. This game has a horror,action, and drama like game-play style. I recommend this game to anyone who wants a good cheap game to play for hours.… Expand
  10. Matseb2611
    Dec 6, 2011
    10
    I admit, HL2: Episode One's biggest flaw is that it's too short, but that doesn't matter. A short game can still be great, providing those 4 hours or so are a blast, and with Episode One that's the case. It wasn't really supposed to be another full game, as Half Life 2, it was only meant to be a small add-on, to show the aftermath events, since the ending of HL2 was way too ambiguous.I admit, HL2: Episode One's biggest flaw is that it's too short, but that doesn't matter. A short game can still be great, providing those 4 hours or so are a blast, and with Episode One that's the case. It wasn't really supposed to be another full game, as Half Life 2, it was only meant to be a small add-on, to show the aftermath events, since the ending of HL2 was way too ambiguous. Episode One takes place over 5 chapters, over a variety of locations. I felt the first two chapters were a bit flat, since you only pretty much used the Gravity gun and picked around the dull ruins, but the next 3 chapters were really great and intense in their own way. Although for the most part Ep 1 doesn't add anything new to what we've already seen in HL2, there is one major gameplay element that it has managed to exploit really well that HL2 only briefly brushed upon, and that is teamwork. As you play throughout the chapters, Alyx is pretty much always with you, helping out, with some parts you not being able to do by yourself. And this is done in such a way that you don't just feel like it's a mindless npc providing covering fire, but actually that you and her are trying to survive and escape the post-apocalyptic city by yourselves. Ep 1 is also designed in so much detail that you can play an entire game without ever having to use a gun weapon. One of the in-game achievements challenges the player to do just that, and I would highly suggest for everyone who enjoyed Ep1 to try that on one of the playthroughs, because it really is fun. Episode 1 manages to continue the story from HL2 well and at the same time opens up more of the plot for the next installment.… Expand
  11. Boris
    Sep 10, 2012
    10
    Even better than HL². If it were possible to give 11, I would do it. This episode has numerous distinct parts, each has its own atmosphere and feeling. Yet everything has been done flawlessly, and you play from the start to the end without realizing it.
  12. snowshreder
    Jul 5, 2011
    10
    Episode One what can i say, when i first herd of the title i knew it was going to be a long time before Half-Life 3 Arrived and here were are 2011 still waiting, Anyway this is a great game though i think episode 2 was better. Other thoughts, the story continues for Dr. Gordon Freeman and its of Epic Proportions.
  13. 53bload53
    Oct 9, 2011
    10
    Half life episode 1 its like the two first, fantastic, funny, and one of the best games ever, its a bit more short, but it doesn't matter, its just perfect
  14. Kirase
    Jan 1, 2012
    10
    The overall package of this addon could have been bigger but still it is Valve quality from beginning to end. No experiments, nothing too fancy, valve just kept on telling their story further and delivered more of what has already proven as very good.
  15. Etr0pis
    Jun 18, 2012
    10
    Valve has done it again. The game is a continuation of half-life 2 and takes place after the final event of half-life 2. Though it does end with a cliff-hanger, it still is very interesting.
  16. MasteRR
    May 3, 2013
    10
    If you've seen and played Half-Life 2(like I guess) you already know the deal.

    Episode One is the first in a series of episodes following Half-Life 2. The plot is set where the original ended, right after Citadel's explosion, where the player must re-stabilize Citadel's Core to prevent it from destruction. You're once again fighting your way out of the city, and saving rebels and    If you've seen and played Half-Life 2(like I guess) you already know the deal.

    Episode One is the first in a series of episodes following Half-Life 2.

    The plot is set where the original ended, right after Citadel's explosion, where the player must re-stabilize Citadel's Core to prevent it from destruction.

    You're once again fighting your way out of the city, and saving rebels and people pinned down in the city.

    For an sequel, Episode One has some flaws, like it doesn't feature new stuff like characters, and weapons, but it continues the story with the same professionalism as the previous game did.

    However, Episode One comes with an updated engine, with advanced shaders, and even more improved AI.

    I can't say many other things, since is a relatively short sequel.

    Like the sequel and original game, the episode has a great value and deserves to be played.    … Expand
  17. AstiX
    Sep 20, 2017
    10
    Short and memorable. Great character development for Alyx and her AI is so good that it's a blast having her fight beside you and crack bad jokes.

    HALF-LIFE 3 WHEN?
  18. Enile
    Jun 3, 2017
    10
    Episode 1! Good start. It's short, but it has intense gameplay, combat, soundtrack, and graphics. It's cool, and its worth the price. You enjoyed it? Then go and play Epiosde 2. Saga continue!
  19. Marick
    Jan 1, 2015
    10
    Half Life 2 Episode One is the first episode of the series type game Half Life 2, published and developed by Valve Corporation. The game action is immediately after the events of Half-Life 2 and runs in the city City 17. The game begins immediately after the reactor explosion that occurred in the previous game. You know that Alyx was saved by some Vorguants but you (Gordon Freeman) is leftHalf Life 2 Episode One is the first episode of the series type game Half Life 2, published and developed by Valve Corporation. The game action is immediately after the events of Half-Life 2 and runs in the city City 17. The game begins immediately after the reactor explosion that occurred in the previous game. You know that Alyx was saved by some Vorguants but you (Gordon Freeman) is left in the remains of the Citadel. Gordon is soon rescued by Alyx. Anyway the game is very short, yet is one that brings a lot to the previous game.… Expand
  20. npc_barney
    Oct 18, 2016
    10
    An amazing sequel to the best game ever made. While, it was little short and didn't added too much to the table, but it's still great. Most memorable thing about this game is the Alyx Vance's enhanced A.I. It was fantastic.
  21. XV_
    Aug 8, 2018
    9
    Played it on a PS3. Episode One is a very good follow up of an amazing game, it maintains its core gameplay and expands it to a more complex level, the only thing is that is that is very short (like two hours or so) but if you're like me and you're playing this on 2018 you have a little more HL2 waiting for you. My favorite part and maybe in the whole series is when you're stuck in thePlayed it on a PS3. Episode One is a very good follow up of an amazing game, it maintains its core gameplay and expands it to a more complex level, the only thing is that is that is very short (like two hours or so) but if you're like me and you're playing this on 2018 you have a little more HL2 waiting for you. My favorite part and maybe in the whole series is when you're stuck in the dark and the thing goes like full survival horror, just sublime.… Expand
  22. UncleEd
    Nov 30, 2017
    8
    I liked it more than Half-Life 2. It felt more focused, without any tedious and unnecessary gameplay moments. I also found the graphics considerably better. The negative side is the game is even more linear, stuffed with scripted scenes. At the end, I think this is a more polished game than the original, although pretty short.

    PS: Alyx is hot
  23. EvanE.
    Oct 12, 2006
    10
    I don't know why people are downvoting this, but I love the small bits of great taste of game. I'd rather get small decadent bites rather than eating the best cake in the world in one setting, you know what I mean? Great graphics, great gaming, great acting, Valve has done it again.
  24. N.R.S.
    Aug 10, 2006
    9
    Quite a good little journey. The whole thing made me almost feel like I was in an interactive movie. Great pace and frequency of the scripted scenes. Keep up the good work.
  25. BriceG.
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    Surpsingly very good.Obviously on the short side, but with the next 2 installments coming out within a year I think this just might work. The game is nonstop action and great character interactions. Some amazing animation work and voice acting really push this game beyond Half-Life 2. Once put together with Episodes 2 and 3 I think this could easily pass Half-Life 2.
  26. SamD.
    Jun 10, 2006
    10
    A little shorter than I would have liked, but Valve made up for it with an extremely polished game. Can't wait for Episode 2 :)
  27. Overrwatcher
    Sep 3, 2011
    8
    It's a lot shorter and less inspired than Half-Life 2, but the new stuff including extremely dark rooms, pushing cars into pits, and running around taking cover from a strider trying to gun you down. Worth the $7 if you're a Half-Life fan.
  28. FFStudios
    Jun 6, 2012
    8
    After the masterpiece that was Half life 2, Valve seemed under a lot of pressure to make Episode 1 live up to its predecessors. Overall, I found episode 1 to be an excellent, if a bit of a flawed entry, in the series. The story remains although NPC's have a tendency to spout plot points that are already quite obvious even to the daftest of players. Nevertheless, despite a lack ofAfter the masterpiece that was Half life 2, Valve seemed under a lot of pressure to make Episode 1 live up to its predecessors. Overall, I found episode 1 to be an excellent, if a bit of a flawed entry, in the series. The story remains although NPC's have a tendency to spout plot points that are already quite obvious even to the daftest of players. Nevertheless, despite a lack of innovation, Episode 1 is still a worthy follow up to the timeless classic.… Expand
  29. DavidG.
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Absolutely good expansion.. but the shortness was bad.. but still I give it a 10.
  30. NicolasR.
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    Brilliant game- don't worry about its length. It's definitly short but sweet!
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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

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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.
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