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. DavidG.
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Absolutely good expansion.. but the shortness was bad.. but still I give it a 10.
  2. NicolasR.
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    Brilliant game- don't worry about its length. It's definitly short but sweet!
  3. AnonymousMC
    Oct 4, 2006
    10
    Very good expansion.
  4. AdamS.
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    The essence of all the good things from HL2!
  5. ???
    Jun 4, 2006
    10
    Very good.
  6. ChristopherB.
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    absolutely incredible the hospital and the elevator battle in particularly good... the hospital in particular was reminicent of silent hill the scares were much more artfufully done... bravo!
  7. VitRa
    Jul 28, 2006
    10
    My Regardes to HF team. It is the most wanted game. I thought its not worth it cause i played HF2 I was wrong, wery wrong, i can say that EP 1 is even better). But to short), it all ends very fast and i felt really apset. I think we should wait even HF 3 with most live Char we have ever seen)It Can Be Freeman, but i suppose his name will be not Gordon). (You should teach him to talk, and My Regardes to HF team. It is the most wanted game. I thought its not worth it cause i played HF2 I was wrong, wery wrong, i can say that EP 1 is even better). But to short), it all ends very fast and i felt really apset. I think we should wait even HF 3 with most live Char we have ever seen)It Can Be Freeman, but i suppose his name will be not Gordon). (You should teach him to talk, and to be careful with objects i think) Waiting for Ep2 and saing bravo with my cap off.… Expand
  8. MichaelD.
    Oct 6, 2006
    10
    It's very good.
  9. KennyJ.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    Perfect game in all aspects. It is basically a continuation of HL2, with some graphical and AI improvements. Taking into consideration that HL2 was astounding, and that EP1 just gives us an improved version of what we already liked, this game is easily a 10/10.
  10. Gerard
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    It's an extension of Half-Life2 with only one mod that I could think of ( Combine rifle seems more efficient ) Very well made episodic content. Although smaller than I'd like, I have to force myself to remember its not a full game. Although it kind of sucks that this episode raises more questions than it answers, when everything is said and done, im sure we'll all wish it It's an extension of Half-Life2 with only one mod that I could think of ( Combine rifle seems more efficient ) Very well made episodic content. Although smaller than I'd like, I have to force myself to remember its not a full game. Although it kind of sucks that this episode raises more questions than it answers, when everything is said and done, im sure we'll all wish it would have stretched out for another episode or 2. The AI is very well developed, especially Alex. She's not just some tag-along, she does her fair share of work. My only 2 gripes are that they haven't introduced a new gun along the lines of an m4a1-type, but they did partly make up for it with a more 'solid' feeling Combine Assult Rifle. The recoil doesn't kick in as fast, making the gun a lot more functional. Also, I wish Valve would make 'nade-cooking' possible on the Single player HL2 like it does in HL2:DM. Some things I'd like to see from the new episode ( since I know Valve reads these metascores since they direct people to this site directly from steam ): 1)a combine m4a1 2)nade cooking in single player… Expand
  11. Luke
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    The game was great it was cool to hear those poison head crabs they always freak me out. Great game and i hope they make another instalment soon.
  12. DenisG.
    Jun 19, 2006
    10
    Well, I think Episode One is a game of "must have" type. Very good grafics (even now) , wonderful sound and brilliand work of voice-actors. Gameplay and AI - 10/10.
  13. PatB.
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    A perfect example of what episodic gaming should be. After the release of the first episode of SIN on steam, I was slightly concerned that Half Life 2: Episode 1 would not be able to showcase all the new visual upgrades, incredible storytelling, and panic-inducing gameplay I expected from the Half-Life universe. I am more than excited to say, this game has surpassed all of my hopes and A perfect example of what episodic gaming should be. After the release of the first episode of SIN on steam, I was slightly concerned that Half Life 2: Episode 1 would not be able to showcase all the new visual upgrades, incredible storytelling, and panic-inducing gameplay I expected from the Half-Life universe. I am more than excited to say, this game has surpassed all of my hopes and dreams. The Storyline is a perfect continuation from the rather enigmatic ending of Half-Life 2, and character development in games has been redefined once again. Sadly, due to its short length, not much of an appearance is made by the all-powerful G-Man, an element I was much anticipating after reading the pre-release hype. The graphic enhancements to the source engine are visually breath-taking. After playing through the game once more with the commentary enabled, I am much more impressed with the skill and art of Episode 1's creation. though I must say, the audio commentary enjoys placing heavy reliance on the term "vista." Not that I can complain, for these vistas are truly stunning. Gameplay is on-par with what should be expected from the Half-Life 2 universe. New tweaks, and npc animations, provide visual flair and definite moments of pure player shock. The first time I saw, in-game, Alyx deftly crack a zombie in the side wih her knee, pull back, and place a three-round burst into it's head-crabbed melon, I was amazed. Half-Life 2: episode 1 is well worth a buy at twenty dollars, and as far as I am concerned,it is the future of gaming.… Expand
  14. David
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    HL2 was GREAT, i think all players who played the game and are a fan wanted to spend more time with Alyx, and now you can! The graphics, storyline and AI in EP2 are FANTASTIC! I'ts certainly worth the 20$. EP1 leaves you aching for EP2 and HL3 and that's why it doesn't matter if the game only takes 4-6 h to finish it, you had so much fun playing it and wanting to know what HL2 was GREAT, i think all players who played the game and are a fan wanted to spend more time with Alyx, and now you can! The graphics, storyline and AI in EP2 are FANTASTIC! I'ts certainly worth the 20$. EP1 leaves you aching for EP2 and HL3 and that's why it doesn't matter if the game only takes 4-6 h to finish it, you had so much fun playing it and wanting to know what happens next that you can't wait for EP2 to be realeased . Ignore the people who rate this game below 7 or 8. I pitty them because obviously they have no taste and are just trying to make this game look bad. HL2:Episode One is a perfect example of how pc games should be like. It always keeps you in suspense and u never get tired of it. Great job Valve!!!!… Expand
  15. JoelS.
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    I'd have paid $100 dollars for this even if it had been half as long and had done nothing to advance the overall Half-Life storyline.
  16. JanF.(CZE)
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    This game is NICE! And when you get all episodes and Half Life 2 so its over 26 hours of play time. I think all Half life is genial idea,and whos saing NO,isnt right player! I think a name-Gordon Freeman and Alyx will be never forgot,dont you think too? :)
  17. JMan_1_2
    Jun 3, 2006
    10
    Damn, this was a good game. A bit short though. Lots of trial & error.
  18. 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.
  19. DaveM.
    Jun 4, 2006
    10
    Episode One is an amazing game for the time it lasts. It is short, though, so try and find it for $15 or less and you will feel much better about the purchase. Steam delivery is extremely convenient, though, so the extra $5 could be considered same day shipping cost! Regardless, if you enjoyed Half-Life 2, Episode One is a must play.
  20. ArmageddonPotato
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    An increidble game. With more replayability because you can play it again after you beat it with the commentary on, and you'll love it.
  21. AntalB.
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    Valve does not fail to make me remember why I started gaming in the first place. I've been playing shooters since Wolfenstein 3D (actually, since catacombs, if anyone remembers that game) and everytime I think I've seen it all, Valve makes me feel like a kid at christmas all over again.
  22. Snowwhite
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    This game is worth each of the 20 bucks I spent: a lot of supension letting you totally forget your environment ("ok I´m gonna quit the game, just let me take a look behind the next corner... and the next... and the next"), many answers to the questions left open by HL², and some new questions making me count the days to the release of episode 2.
  23. ZagorTenej
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    Excellent!!!I I rated it 10 for the gameplay, graphics, story and character development. I couldn't take points off for wanting to play Episode 2 right away. After all the episodes come out, it'll be great to play them all one after the other.
  24. Imi?N.
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    Fenomanal grafix, story and Alyx :*
  25. BenHehir
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    Corker! ...all the aspects that made HL and HL2 exceptional games plus some extra eye candy thrown in. I do agree that the episode concept is kinda new and weird but hey, it's better than waiting 6 years for the next release. Play this game, you won't regret it.
  26. Tomasz
    Jun 7, 2006
    10
    Owned ^^
  27. TimR.
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    A stunningly produced and graphically brilliant extension to Half Life 2. The episodic roll out is a frustrating as game play is a little too short, but this is a wonderful game to play and only I only wish the nest episode was here tomorrow.
  28. Andy
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    Great! Not too short if you pay attention to detail and dont rush through every map.
  29. JonC.
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    I love Half-Life 2: Episode One so much! its the best game out there in my book!
  30. ViktorioElHakim
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    As i started the game,i expected to be the same in animations,terrain and characteristics.But when i saw Alyx,Dog,The Combine soldiers and everything else i was astounded,altho it took me 2h30min+ to play the whole episode wich proves that it's not that big.Everything is much more realistic,wich proves that as half life progresses it starts to imitate
    more and more the attributes of    As i started the game,i expected to be the same in animations,terrain and characteristics.But when i saw Alyx,Dog,The Combine soldiers and everything else i was astounded,altho it took me 2h30min+ to play the whole episode wich proves that it's not that big.Everything is much more realistic,wich proves that as half life progresses it starts to imitate
    more and more the attributes of the real world.One of best effects i ever seen are looked here like the Citadel Core or the Citadel explosion.    … 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 »