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. RetR.
    Jul 4, 2006
    0
    Amazing.
  2. DJBreslin
    Jul 4, 2006
    9
    I enjoyed it a lot. You play almost the entire episode with Alyx, which I considered refreshing. She
  3. Paul
    Jul 4, 2006
    7
    [Minor Spoilers]
    Good addition to story? Yes, even though it was basically a movie version of Doom 3. Sure they introduced a new enemy, but it was almost exactly like the Command Zombie in Doom 3, fighting it even felt the same. The "Hospital" level seemed almost completely ripped out of Doom even.
    Better Graphics? Yes, slightly. Not once did I notice the "hard" edges around    [Minor Spoilers]
    Good addition to story? Yes, even though it was basically a movie version of Doom 3. Sure they introduced a new enemy, but it was almost exactly like the Command Zombie in Doom 3, fighting it even felt the same. The "Hospital" level seemed almost completely ripped out of Doom even.

    Better Graphics? Yes, slightly. Not once did I notice the "hard" edges around charactesr that HL2 had, and I'm still using the same brand new computer as I did a few hours ago for HL2. Other graphics enhancements? Didn't notice any.

    Ally AI? Sure, a lot of it was pretty good... except that within the first 5 minutes of having Alyx as a teammate she was stuck not 3 inches below my level, trying to run _through_ a stair instead of up it. Besides that I wish I had some of the moves she does, i.e. busting down zombies by beating them with my shotgun. Largely because it takes so long to get anything but a pistol, shotgun, or gravity gun.

    Advances to plotline? Yes, actually. [lots of spoilers for this part] You have to watch for it, instead of be sucked into the shoot-shoot-shoot-turn crank-shoot part of the game. I.E. Alyx starts hitting on you (Gordon) at one point. Also there's the message being sent out, yours, Alyx's and Barney's escape routes, so on and so forth. [end spoilers]

    The problem with all this is that it was released in an Episode for too much. Half-Life 2, takes say 20 hours (I know not for us more experienced gamers, but on average if you're not just trying to rip through it). Now if you paid 40 dollars for HL2, that means it's 2 dollars per hour. Episode 1, took me under 3 hours (and I had issues with some of it), but say 5 hours. Taking that same ratio, you should only pay 10 dollars for it.
    The way they're going now, the entirety of the "Episode" will be a 60 dollar game, that lasts 9 hours. Bit of a problem.

    Ultimately I'll still buy Episode 2 for the story (I see it as starting to bloom, and answer things, although at this rate very slowly). If Episode 2 isn't overall worth it, like Episode 1 wasn't worth it, then that's where I end the HL story for myself and I'd recommend others to do as well.

    Note [and spoiler]: They actually introduced 3 new enemies, but you only get to fight 1 of them; for those who weren't paying attention. Episode 2 is where you get to fight one of them more often.    … Expand
  4. AnsonG
    Jul 3, 2006
    5
    Half-Life 2 was a huge disappointment for me. Only 2 1/2 hour i finished this game. Why the valve created this game such a time like this? The game chapter were quite few, there is no new weapon at all, and theres only one new enemy creature, which is call Zombine. Yes, i like that enemy. The gameplay is your typical Half-Life 2 but there were only a few exciting and nervewracking momentsHalf-Life 2 was a huge disappointment for me. Only 2 1/2 hour i finished this game. Why the valve created this game such a time like this? The game chapter were quite few, there is no new weapon at all, and theres only one new enemy creature, which is call Zombine. Yes, i like that enemy. The gameplay is your typical Half-Life 2 but there were only a few exciting and nervewracking moments to be found. Anyway Episode One is worth a rental.… Expand
  5. mwagner
    Jul 3, 2006
    9
    Finally got a chance to finish this game and I'm stunned at how much fun it was. The underground parking garage levels were absolutely amazing...And the NPC AI has improved significantly. I loved all the puzzles in the game, EXCEPT the antlion holes having to be covered over by cars. That got old quick.

    Overall, an amazing game. Can't wait for episode 2!
  6. FerdinandM
    Jul 3, 2006
    0
    I can't even get the game to run for more than 10 min. without it hanging/audio loop. My system is new and meets all hardware requirements. I can play other non-valve games with no problem. I've contacted Valve support and their response is extremely slow and they don't offer any solutions. Many other users on steams
  7. MG
    Jul 2, 2006
    10
    The best expansion pack I have ever played for any game. With most packs, you get a lously game with nothing new, just a few more places to run around. But with EP1, you get your new maps, but it's jam-packed with enough story and excitement to make it it's own game. And for the babies complaining about it being too short: Great things take time to make. For example, a giantThe best expansion pack I have ever played for any game. With most packs, you get a lously game with nothing new, just a few more places to run around. But with EP1, you get your new maps, but it's jam-packed with enough story and excitement to make it it's own game. And for the babies complaining about it being too short: Great things take time to make. For example, a giant redwood tree takes 200 years or so to be elevated to it's giant stage. Not everything in the world has to be fsat and rushed out of a factory. Great things take time, and are worthwhile in the end.… Expand
  8. M.M.
    Jul 2, 2006
    10
    Best game ever!
  9. ZachC,
    Jul 1, 2006
    9
    I thought it was a exellent continuation of the Halflife saga. Although it was really short it had exellent lighting and the grafics. I also liked the commentary add in, the surprises (like the airship crashing in the cididel in the very begining) , how you had to use ur brain to solve the varies tasks, and to combat the varies enemies that u faced. I didn't like how we had to use aI thought it was a exellent continuation of the Halflife saga. Although it was really short it had exellent lighting and the grafics. I also liked the commentary add in, the surprises (like the airship crashing in the cididel in the very begining) , how you had to use ur brain to solve the varies tasks, and to combat the varies enemies that u faced. I didn't like how we had to use a flashlight most of the begining and that we had to rely on Alyx for protection so many times. I think that u should also give us guns earlier because the gravitygun is kinda useless because i ended up having to fall back several times and having to turn on my flashlight like in dark places so Alyx could fire and protect me. But the AI system is very creative and the addin of Alyx jokes is hillarious, but sometimes gets pretty annoying. Plus the game would be more interesting if u added in a voice for Gordon Freeman like other games have done in the past like Duke Nukem for instance. But overall I thought it provided a great storyline and I can't wait for the next one to come out.… Expand
  10. Davrosddd
    Jul 1, 2006
    3
    Nothing new, quickly completed, spoiled by Alyx (sp?) constantly chattering away (seems to be just a ploy for easy filler), poor value. The 'puzzles' are pretty weak - one 'stacking boxes' thing and one 'turn the lights out with monsters' thing.

    Episode 2 will need some *good* reviews from the public before I hand over another 20 bucks to Valve / Steam / whoever.
  11. RobB
    Jul 1, 2006
    10
    Awesome game. the graphics are just as good as the lastone, but the expansion to the story is why i really wanted to play it. The ending was very good, and I can't wait for Ep2 to come out. The fact that it is short doesn't really matter to me, because of the fact that it is an expansion to HL2, not a stand alone game.
  12. AllanConstable
    Jun 30, 2006
    5
    I loved half life 2 it was a good length and the only disappointment was the ending which left me quite bewildered (having completed EP1 i can now sleep easy:) ). Considering the shortness of this new game and the closed in feel of the levels i think the price tag was a bit too high and development time too long perhaps to tease that bit extra cash from the eager public. There was nothingI loved half life 2 it was a good length and the only disappointment was the ending which left me quite bewildered (having completed EP1 i can now sleep easy:) ). Considering the shortness of this new game and the closed in feel of the levels i think the price tag was a bit too high and development time too long perhaps to tease that bit extra cash from the eager public. There was nothing like the wonderfully long canals in HL2 the path was extreamly rigid in this title. Some of the visuals were breathtaking but there was no chance to explore at all. As many have said far to linear. The next episdode is looking far more promising as teasers are showing woodland. Please valve let us take a stroll this time. Just to see whats there.… Expand
  13. LawrenceS
    Jun 30, 2006
    7
    Very short but very nice. They did improve the engine added effects and tweaked and expanded the npc interaction. But those things are not visible enough for most players i guess. IMHO new weapons and mobs would not have greatly improved the gameplay. I praise valve for sticking to the storyline and not making just another addon like some ppl think it is.
  14. PYROFLAME
    Jun 30, 2006
    10
    Valve did it again! A expantion pack to HL2 was released and it IS GOOD!!! The graphix use the most out of your video card. You will enjoy the gameplay from the beginning to end. If you truly like gaming, this is the perfact game. The only problem is that the game is too short, but what else do u expect from a game thats $20.
    P.S. YES the AI of the enemies are good, you WILL get a challenge.
  15. EubieButt
    Jun 30, 2006
    8
    Just funushed Ep 1, so here's my im[pression while it's still fresh: gameplay wise, it's excellent, especially the final sequence in Nova Prospekt. Very tight, very well paced, and the dose of humor was a welcome addition. All that said, I have two major problems, the first being that as tight as the gameplay is, the programming is not; load times were egregious and theJust funushed Ep 1, so here's my im[pression while it's still fresh: gameplay wise, it's excellent, especially the final sequence in Nova Prospekt. Very tight, very well paced, and the dose of humor was a welcome addition. All that said, I have two major problems, the first being that as tight as the gameplay is, the programming is not; load times were egregious and the graphics made my computer chug at levels Half Life 2 never did. Second, obviously, is that it's much too short for a twenty dollar price tag. Ten dollars, fine, fifteen maybe, but at twenty bucks I'm shelling out five dollars an hour for gameplay, a ratio no reasonable gamer should accept.
    I also wasn't crazy about the ending, it works dramatically, but it's not nearly the level of payoff I was expecting. Was The Agent's VA off sick or something?    … Expand
  16. VanL.
    Jun 29, 2006
    10
    Awsome game with amazing gameplay and as always, wonderful graphics. Other people comment about how short the game was, well if they had a life and a brain they would realize that they were paying for a EXPANSION not a whole series.
  17. GeneT.
    Jun 29, 2006
    3
    Its just same as b4 only new is co-op with alyx till the whole game finish,sad nothing improves.
  18. ErikA.
    Jun 29, 2006
    9
    Very great gameplay, with the right mixture of scary and exciting gameplay.
  19. PeteS.
    Jun 28, 2006
    9
    I think Episode 1 was a smooth transition from the orginal game itself. There was plenty of action and building of the story line to keep me entertained and wanting more. I'm looking forward to the release of Episode 2.
  20. LivingDog
    Jun 27, 2006
    0
    If anyone tells you that HL2 was "awesome" then they don't know HL. HL was the best game ever - all three versions. Fans wanted more - and nothing was delivered. The plot was incredibly thin - run here shoot things and repeat.

    So what are the fans raving about? The engine. That's it. Ok, the engine is the (current) best. But technology aside, there is no story, there is no    If anyone tells you that HL2 was "awesome" then they don't know HL. HL was the best game ever - all three versions. Fans wanted more - and nothing was delivered. The plot was incredibly thin - run here shoot things and repeat.

    So what are the fans raving about? The engine. That's it. Ok, the engine is the (current) best. But technology aside, there is no story, there is no drama, there are no puzzles... it's empty. And this does not make a game.

    I've played some pretty cheap, low budget games that were MUCH more fun than HL2. E.g. Duke Nuke'em - cheap 2D graphics, but a game I still haven't forgotten about.

    HL2: EP1 aka "the rip-off" continues.

    -LD
    ______________________________________
    my faith: http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/jbc33/    … Expand
  21. SteveP.
    Jun 26, 2006
    0
    I really wanted to come here and say good things about EP1 but, as has been mentioned all ready, it's way to short and there isn't even anything new to look at. If you want, download HL Lost Coast and play it twice. It's essentially the same.
  22. z0mbieJesus
    Jun 26, 2006
    10
    this game is just awesome.
    as i got it over steam, only cost me £12.80 (conversion rates r0xors)
    its well worth the money, and hardcore hl fans shouldnt be so annoyed just because its about 6 hours long, just over £2 an hour, cheaper than some adult phone lines. and well worth it
  23. RichardC.
    Jun 26, 2006
    10
    This was superb. I was on the edge of my seat wondering if I was going to make it out alive. I knew I needed to be cunning and fast. When will the next episode begin? You are to good at this to let it end there, there has to be another one.
  24. Jay
    Jun 25, 2006
    9
    I liked it, it was one of the hardest games I have played, I got though it in a little under 3 hours. Same type of ending as Half-Life 2....come on, give Gorden a break now and then, you guys are gonna throw him in knee deep next episode, so give him a break for once.
  25. T.S.
    Jun 24, 2006
    1
    very unhappy with the game. very small / short, nothing is accomplished in episode 1 a waste of 20 bucks in my opinion. No improvements to game play, weapons, or image quality. For having used scenes from hl2 (i.e. the reactor) and having the engine already this expansion was pretty sad, especially for the time they have had to do it.
  26. iananderson
    Jun 24, 2006
    9
    Absolutely fantastic. Carries on the Half Life story supberbly. At first wasnt sure how episodic gaming will go, but if this 1st episode is anything to go by then bring on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th...well you get the idea! Good ending aswell, makes you want to know what happens next to Gordon and Alyx, can't wait.
  27. [Anonymous]
    Jun 24, 2006
    10
    Half Life 2 was a masterpiece of game design, there is absolutely no question about that. The source engine, even two years later, is still one of the best game engines available. And havoc physics is unbelievable. In Episode One, they added a new facial animation engine and a new lighting engine, which made the game even more amazing. And the amount of detail that was put into the Half Life 2 was a masterpiece of game design, there is absolutely no question about that. The source engine, even two years later, is still one of the best game engines available. And havoc physics is unbelievable. In Episode One, they added a new facial animation engine and a new lighting engine, which made the game even more amazing. And the amount of detail that was put into the different maps was amazing! While it is true that there was not very much room for you to go on your own path through the game (for example, as there was with Far Cry), that's what goes with the territory when you make an episodic game. Overall, valve made another masterpiece.… Expand
  28. IraC.
    Jun 24, 2006
    9
    Good action throughout. Some easy parts and some not so easy. I'm definitely ready for Episode Two now. Hurry up, guys!
  29. JimK.
    Jun 23, 2006
    6
    Great graphics, good AI, let down by short story and were still been treated like Alice, that is kept to the yellow brick road so we don
  30. RachaelAllen
    Jun 22, 2006
    0
    Where are all these 10"s coming from? I can only guess they are a bunch of preteens or hired fanboys, cuz this game sucks! Extremely linear, cover the antlion holes with cars ad nauseum, if there is a valve to turn you are going to be attacked b4 you can finish, EVERY level is a "logic" puzzle, and youre stuck w/ the gravity gun for half the game. too short finished on difficult in<2hrs.
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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.
    Read full review
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