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. AdamD.
    Feb 9, 2007
    10
    Awesome!
  2. ArtemR.
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    The best game I've ever played as well as Half-Life 2. This part is rather short but I was obsessed with the game. I think that Valve is just preparing gamers for something really incredible. Just waiting for the next Episode.
  3. mrbean
    May 19, 2007
    10
    EXCELLENT!! I don't know why many people say this is a "map pack" or else,this is just incredible I love the graphics,I love the gameplay,I love sounds and musics.
  4. jonp.
    May 2, 2007
    10
    best sequel ever ,can't wait for episode 2
  5. AlexM.
    May 6, 2007
    10
    This is where the source engine comes into a world of its own. With the best facial graphics i have ever sceen in a game. For get Farcry, Leave Doom3. Get this, it may be short, but this shows, again, size does not matter.
  6. RobR.
    Jun 10, 2007
    10
    Valve couldn't of made a better follow up to the best game of all time. With an absolutely amazing graphics overhaul, not only is it gameplay-wise greater, graphically it is as well with new, brilliant HDR. Seeing the characters develop does nothing more than intensify the entire series and make you love em' all the more. The absolute ONLY downside is that, it is shorter than Valve couldn't of made a better follow up to the best game of all time. With an absolutely amazing graphics overhaul, not only is it gameplay-wise greater, graphically it is as well with new, brilliant HDR. Seeing the characters develop does nothing more than intensify the entire series and make you love em' all the more. The absolute ONLY downside is that, it is shorter than Half Life 2. But I was expecting that, as I expect it to be with all expansions. Basically, take Half Life 2, squash it up into a compact version, throw in even MORE stunning graphics, you've got Half Life 2 Episode 1. Ending is brilliant as well, epic cliffhanger.… Expand
  7. AnshuJ.
    Jun 21, 2007
    10
    Excellent sequel to Half life, Great Story and gameplay, a bit short but who cares - its Half Life!
  8. ScottH.
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    Loved the game, the engine for this game is pretty nice and the all around gameplay is about 10 hours for the average person. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I reccomend it to anyone who wants to try it.
  9. EddieI.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    This is becoming one of my favorite games to play over and over.
  10. MarshallS
    Oct 23, 2009
    10
    Episode one, in my opinion had much better game play designs than both HL2 and HL2 ep. 2.
  11. DigitalDevil
    Jun 30, 2009
    10
    Get it now!
  12. MalcolmN
    Aug 3, 2009
    10
    Good Game I think its deserves better than an 8.5 . I really like the Half-Life series and I own all of them so far.
  13. JohnW.
    Nov 12, 2006
    10
    This game is just as good as Half Life 2 - just a bit short, but it was fairly priced. I think if you are buying it for the plot of half life, it is a must as it solves and opens up new questions about all sorts of things. You also get Alyx as a sidekick and she isn't too overpowered or underpowered against enemies, and finally there has been graphical updates like HDR.
  14. DominikE.
    Nov 21, 2006
    10
    It's the best game, I've ever played!
  15. MarcoS.
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    Short but perfect: something new!
  16. AmitK.
    Oct 24, 2006
    10
    Episode One is a fantastic game. Gamers have improved the game to a much greater extent, including AI, Visual Graphics and gameplay. It deserves better.
  17. AdrianS.
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    I think this episode is very good. It has good physics and no bugs. The graphics are excellent and the playability is also very good.
  18. JonGri
    May 25, 2006
    10
    Like Half-Life and even better, Half-Life2 & Half-Life2:Lost Coast ,yes, Episode One is easily as good or better than all 3 of its' predessors! You will love Half-Life2:Episode One as much or more. VALVE HAS DONE IT AGAIN STEALING ALL THE #1 GAME OF YEAR THUNDER FROM EBGames ElderScrollsIV:OBLIVION. Half-Life2:Episode One Rocks PERIOD!
  19. MatthewB.
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    I've played many many FPS this quarter and this one is the only one worth my time. The commentary lends a vital human tone behind the scenes of valve. We get to know the process and developer mentality in the commentary mode, the rhyme and reason for most scenes in the game become apparent that way..
  20. 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.
  21. EduardoF.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    I am the first!! yupi!! I knew this game was going to be the best, cuz i ve played half life 1 and 2 andall the mods existence. Now lets wait episode 2 and 3 :D
  22. AdamM.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    Better than HL2. I really loved Half-Life and Half-Life 2, but Episode One is by far my favorite of the series. Alyx is a great "side-kick", and is very helpful... I am looking forward to more gametime with Alyx at Gordon's side throughout the next two episodes, and Half-Life 3. This game is intense; however, does get a bit too excessive with all of the enemies being fought at one Better than HL2. I really loved Half-Life and Half-Life 2, but Episode One is by far my favorite of the series. Alyx is a great "side-kick", and is very helpful... I am looking forward to more gametime with Alyx at Gordon's side throughout the next two episodes, and Half-Life 3. This game is intense; however, does get a bit too excessive with all of the enemies being fought at one time. The graphics are enhanced (HDR), which makes it incredible. This is probably my favorite game ever.… Expand
  23. BrodieS.
    Jun 10, 2006
    10
    Great game, story follows on very well from the previous. Cant wait for Episode 2.
  24. DavidS.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    This is just BEST game ever. I love it.
  25. 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 :)
  26. BretC.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    One of the best single player FPS expiriences outside of the other Half-Life Games. In fact, its too good. It was so good I could stop playing it untill I beat it in one sitting with only a couple breaks. Each part of the game segways into the next so well theres no good place to stop untill its over.
  27. RufusGartonSmith
    Jun 14, 2006
    10
    By far the most intense game I have played in a long time, a major step away from the Half-Life 2's signature "it's just around the bend" half-hour vehicle sequences. Makes fantastic use of the source engine to produce fantastic visually rewarding landscapes and cityscapes. The panic and urgency of the rather unenlightening plot is reflected in the fact that the actionBy far the most intense game I have played in a long time, a major step away from the Half-Life 2's signature "it's just around the bend" half-hour vehicle sequences. Makes fantastic use of the source engine to produce fantastic visually rewarding landscapes and cityscapes. The panic and urgency of the rather unenlightening plot is reflected in the fact that the action doesn't seem to stop. When it does, you can be sure an interesting puzzle is ahead of you... and not one involving piling bricks on a see-saw as a means of getting to a higher ledge. It is fairly expensive (you should have preordered!) for the 5-6 hours experience that it provides but you can be sure that it's replayable many times over. Listening to the commentary (which I recommend you do after you play the game through at least once) makes it very obvious how much work, editing and fine-tuning has gone into making this fantastic game. I look forward to episode 2!… Expand
  28. -AnToN
    Jun 17, 2006
    10
    Come on people 20$ is 20$, you can't expect the same amount of play time as hl2 for 20$, if you think about it by the time you have 3 episodes you would have payed 60$, and you will have about the same play time as hl2 execpt we payed 100$ for hl2, I payed the money got the game and finished it in about 2 and a half hours, i wasnt expecting anything new from this episode and i Come on people 20$ is 20$, you can't expect the same amount of play time as hl2 for 20$, if you think about it by the time you have 3 episodes you would have payed 60$, and you will have about the same play time as hl2 execpt we payed 100$ for hl2, I payed the money got the game and finished it in about 2 and a half hours, i wasnt expecting anything new from this episode and i enjoyed it alot, i WILL buy the next installment and the one after that. Just a thing to think about, would you have said the same thing about hl2 is it was in episode form? yes you would have... how many hours did it take you to play hl2, it took me about 8, so if we pretend it was in episodes, 3 episodes = less than 3 hours a episode , see what im trying to get at? Its a good game and well worth the money… Expand
  29. KileH.
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    This was great, a little short but valve gave us exactly what they said they would, YAY VALVE. heh, it was awesome...
  30. KevinM.
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    Simply amazing i cant wait for the next episode!
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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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