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. Pase
    Oct 14, 2006
    5
    Too short!
  2. MarcoS.
    Oct 13, 2006
    10
    Short but perfect: something new!
  3. AaronW.
    Oct 13, 2006
    9
    Magnificent. Was what Half-Life 2 should have been throughout, though Alex's drooling over Gordon getting tiresome.
  4. DaveT.
    Oct 13, 2006
    9
    If you love Half Life 2, you'll love the sequel(s). Can't wait for the XBOX 360 version in HIGH DEFINITION!
  5. 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.
  6. MichaelD.
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    It's very good.
  7. A
    Oct 6, 2006
    9
    Great game! But its so short...
  8. 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.
  9. NathanF.
    Oct 5, 2006
    5
    Poor game, I don't understand why Steam keep ripping people off with these small games... they uses the same engine as HL2 so it should be free... it was fun to find out what happened but I wouldn't buy it.
  10. ToneGIO
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Can't wait for the next installment.
  11. AnonymousMC
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Very good expansion.
  12. DavidG.
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Absolutely good expansion.. but the shortness was bad.. but still I give it a 10.
  13. Greg
    Oct 4, 2006
    7
    The game seemed, in terms of quality, to fall short in comparison to the original HL2 release. There were a few areas in the game where it felt things were just thrown together; or just fell short to the level of experience we've come to know and love. Still a cool game.
  14. KillerDM
    Oct 1, 2006
    6
    To scripted. To much help along the way take away from the suspense.
  15. StephenKellett
    Sep 30, 2006
    8
    I found this game had too much of the same thing as in the main game, and gameplay was quite stingily short for the money. On the otherhand, a great game.
  16. 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.
  17. TheodorW.
    Sep 29, 2006
    10
    Excellent Game - just need a co-op.
  18. BrianM.
    Sep 29, 2006
    10
    A great sequel to a great game! Well done Valve, and I look forward to Chapter Two. Perhaps make Ch. 2 a bit longer, like about 10 more hours worth of gameplay. That'd be perfect!
  19. DrannonB.
    Sep 27, 2006
    10
    This game was killer. Absolutly loved it!
  20. DanieleD.
    Sep 27, 2006
    9
    An excellent job, the HDR is used very good.
  21. FrancescoM.
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    The best game I've ever bought.
  22. MacS.
    Sep 23, 2006
    9
    Great continuation, picks up right where the last one left off. New enemies and leaving wanting more.
  23. 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
  24. mxmx
    Sep 19, 2006
    10
    Half-Life 2 Episode One is a must have game.
  25. SergeyP.
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    Excellent game! Had played with plesure. Waiting for more.
  26. JasonS.
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    Awesome game. Very Fun with amazing graphics and sound effects.
  27. HarryT.
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    A deeply immersing and addictive game, that features a solid story and amazing graphics. A must have for any gamer's collection.
  28. AdamD.
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    Awesome!
  29. YoannF.
    Sep 5, 2006
    6
    Great and beautifull, but... too short! I achieved it in two afternoons ... i was expecting weeks of gaming :-( That is a great deception to me ..... When i buyed it (19.9
  30. JamesZ.
    Sep 4, 2006
    10
    Considering what this is: an expansion pack for Half Life 2, this is one of the greatest addons ever. The story is interesting, but allmost TOO fast paced. To compare it to prior Half Life add ons, this was superior (Length of play-wise) to Blue Shift, but not as long as Opposing Force. It's an excellent story with alot of "Jump Factor" Alyx's npc may just be the greatest NPC Considering what this is: an expansion pack for Half Life 2, this is one of the greatest addons ever. The story is interesting, but allmost TOO fast paced. To compare it to prior Half Life add ons, this was superior (Length of play-wise) to Blue Shift, but not as long as Opposing Force. It's an excellent story with alot of "Jump Factor" Alyx's npc may just be the greatest NPC EVer in the history of FPS games. She's the first NPC I've ever seen that can handle herself as well as the "hero" himself (It helps that she seems to be invulnerable, and knows when to duck Snipers.) Now on to the business stuff: (hey, I love the game, but I am a lawyer.) As a Gamer I ALWAYS want more gameplay, but I am satisfied with this length for the money. (But just a Note: Any more cash would require more gameplay / time.)… 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 »