Half-Life 2: Episode Two

 PC
User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 2923 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,691 out of 2923
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 2923
  3. Negative: 91 out of 2923

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BrandonJ
    Jan 21, 2010
    10
    Excellent! the drama between magnus and kliener was fun to watch. the puzzle to killing ratio was about the same as the rest, so its another masterpiece. although the crush every antlion grub achievement on steam has got to be the hardest one out there. also, someone commented on repetition of game play, well its not like a few weeks are going to change the complete game play just for Excellent! the drama between magnus and kliener was fun to watch. the puzzle to killing ratio was about the same as the rest, so its another masterpiece. although the crush every antlion grub achievement on steam has got to be the hardest one out there. also, someone commented on repetition of game play, well its not like a few weeks are going to change the complete game play just for this one game. And as a last comment i can't believe i predicted the ending withing a few minutes of playing it.… Expand
  2. NeriusM
    Apr 11, 2008
    10
    Like all HL series... Awesome!
  3. Vaddlo
    Jun 17, 2008
    10
    That's the best game I have ever played!
  4. JamesS.
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    THE BEST GAME EVER!!!! Seriously, it's kind of short, but the gameplay is excellent, the story is amazing, and the characters are incredibly believable. I know I became more attached to them than I should have, but I felt like crying when Eli was killed, that's how involving this game is.
  5. temps
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    The Half-Life series is awesome. Great soundtrack, great gameplay, good graphics (for their time), and jaw-droppingly good story. Much better than modern trashy FPS titles. Despite the fact that some of the "comedic relief" - as many call it - somewhat diminished the otherwise intriguing atmosphere of the Half-Life series, I can't help but emphasize once again that it is still much betterThe Half-Life series is awesome. Great soundtrack, great gameplay, good graphics (for their time), and jaw-droppingly good story. Much better than modern trashy FPS titles. Despite the fact that some of the "comedic relief" - as many call it - somewhat diminished the otherwise intriguing atmosphere of the Half-Life series, I can't help but emphasize once again that it is still much better than modern trashy FPS titles. The Half-Life saga is pretty amazing. Give it a try.… Expand
  6. Freqdoc
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    All I can say after finishing this game is.... WOW!!! Every single thing about it left my jaw hung open! Valve has impressed me yet again with their awesome ability to make such a great storyline, and with their limitless source engine. The ONLY problem i have with this game is that it is a little bit too short. Still, 10/10. I just wish that my jaw could have hung open just a little bit longer.
  7. gilas18
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    The 2nd episode of the HL 2 series. Amazing. The story can be putted in a movie, i felt so inside of Freeman that i got so emotions several times and the environment it simply the best. Everything improved alot from Ep.1 ofering lots of content and very good puzzles. The end was sad thought and frustrating to me. Im hopping that Valve finishes this game to see what happens to Alyx andThe 2nd episode of the HL 2 series. Amazing. The story can be putted in a movie, i felt so inside of Freeman that i got so emotions several times and the environment it simply the best. Everything improved alot from Ep.1 ofering lots of content and very good puzzles. The end was sad thought and frustrating to me. Im hopping that Valve finishes this game to see what happens to Alyx and Freeman, i wish they get married :P… Expand
  8. Kirase
    Jan 1, 2012
    10
    The overall package of this addon is pretty good, 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.
  9. Wpnfire
    Aug 6, 2012
    10
    WOW. The first thing that blows my mind is the graphics. When i first played this, I literally stopped moving and all I could do was just look at how good the graphics are. For a 2007 game, holy **** brilliantly done Valve. The gameplay in this episode is intoxicating. The difficulty is FINALLY perfected in this game, with a constant challenge throughout the entire game (or at least enoughWOW. The first thing that blows my mind is the graphics. When i first played this, I literally stopped moving and all I could do was just look at how good the graphics are. For a 2007 game, holy **** brilliantly done Valve. The gameplay in this episode is intoxicating. The difficulty is FINALLY perfected in this game, with a constant challenge throughout the entire game (or at least enough interest to keep you going), and only one section where the difficulty really spikes. And hOLY **** the music. Valve really knows where to put music in a video game, and when. The placement of the music brilliantly sets the tone for the gameplay. I don't think I have ever played a game with better music than this game. I feel like Valve physically read my mind about what I wanted there to be in Ep. 2, and they delivered. HUGE HUGE changes in this game. The gameplay is radically different, where Ep. 1 is focused mainly on combat, in Ep. 2, combat is much more spread out and it's mostly about navigating and trying to find your way. If you zoom out and look at the game layout, you'll see that it's pretty linear, but it does NOT feel that way in anyway. You're doing all sort of things, holding off attacks, investigating buildings, outrunning choppers, destroying enemy positions, and finding secret caches. The game will switch from exploration, to fierce combat, instantaneously. You will NEVER EVER know what will happen next. The length of the game is astounding, for such a level of intensity. It is easily twice as long as ep. 1, and nearly 3x as interesting. You will not want to put this game down. However, the difficulty is STILL not perfected, and some encounters may cause your health to quickly diminish. The first time I played this, there was a part that I simply could not beat because my health was just simply too low, so I had to go back several saves, which was extremely aggravating, and even then, I STILL had enormous difficulty with the fight. My second time through the game however, I had not trouble at all. Overall, this is a masterpiece video game, and is far superior to ep. 1, and quite possibly, Half-Life 2 itself.… Expand
  10. MichaelG.
    Jan 7, 2008
    10
    As awesome as ever...my only gripe is the tease where you think you're going to get to fly a chopper and then they kill off a major character! Grrrrrrrr. But great action, and I love that you get to drive a pieced-together old muscle car, and jump it across a chasm. Nice. Excellent combat as always, great physics and AI, and the plot just continues to get more interesting.
  11. ScottH.
    Oct 28, 2007
    10
    Excellent story-telling, game-making, technological achievement in entertainment.
  12. BradS.
    Oct 18, 2007
    10
    I would give it 9.5 but I'm unable to set it there. The game continues the saga wonderfully, is a little short but for those who say "it's too similar", it actually is improved: the AI, flashlight, breaking buildings, certain render features, etc. It isn't as groundbreaking as some games are soon likely to be, but it does what it's made to do very well.
  13. YuukiA.
    Oct 10, 2007
    10
    Visually stunning, the source engine continues to evolve and provides wonderful scenery and backdrops as you race to save earth with the iminant portal always looming in the background. The open areas are a real treat and makes you want to jump out and explore all the niches and crevices as u drive along. Episode 2 definately brings back the impact half life 2 originally had, lots of neat Visually stunning, the source engine continues to evolve and provides wonderful scenery and backdrops as you race to save earth with the iminant portal always looming in the background. The open areas are a real treat and makes you want to jump out and explore all the niches and crevices as u drive along. Episode 2 definately brings back the impact half life 2 originally had, lots of neat puzzles, intense fights, great AI and important progress in the wonderful story that is Half life. I'd definately play this through again, there was enough new 'stuff' to entertain the creative but intact is what Gordon Freeman is all about, blasting zombies, bugs and rising up against all odds. Episode one was good, Episode 2 will have you craving for more. Least to say, it was worth the wait. Definate two thumbs up, great job Valve.… Expand
  14. AS
    Oct 26, 2008
    10
    Episode 1 was disappointing because it added nothing new to the HL2 series. It was boring, linear and 4 hours long and really added nothing. Episode 2 however...my god...this is what I'm talking about. Episode 2 adds new outdoor environments, enemies and a cinematic story and REALLY feels like an addition to the series because it feels fresh and adds new things not seen in HL2 & Episode 1 was disappointing because it added nothing new to the HL2 series. It was boring, linear and 4 hours long and really added nothing. Episode 2 however...my god...this is what I'm talking about. Episode 2 adds new outdoor environments, enemies and a cinematic story and REALLY feels like an addition to the series because it feels fresh and adds new things not seen in HL2 & Episode 1. When we played HL2 4 years ago, we were amazed at how fresh the game was, never having played anything like it before. Episode 2 feels the same. It's great fun and you won't want to stop playing until you've finished (unlike Episode 1). Graphical improvements have also been added and the environments just look amazing. It's also twice as long as Episode 1 (about 7-8 hours). This game truly feels polished today, just like HL2 did in 2004. Episode 1 however does not which feels like the same HL2 from 2004.… Expand
  15. KorosuI.
    Mar 10, 2008
    10
    It's just the best part of the Half-Life series. Great experience, original gameplay, better dialogs and characters. I loved it all.
  16. niallM
    Oct 18, 2009
    10
    First of all I am not a valve fanboy, and outragous rating of this game thouraly angered me. The half life series has to be one of the most origanal and different ever to be created. The story line completely took me in, the visual effect leaps out at you like no other game. Valve has no been repetitive with the half life series, Valve is a gaming company that is not afraid to differ from First of all I am not a valve fanboy, and outragous rating of this game thouraly angered me. The half life series has to be one of the most origanal and different ever to be created. The story line completely took me in, the visual effect leaps out at you like no other game. Valve has no been repetitive with the half life series, Valve is a gaming company that is not afraid to differ from the happy little feel good games such as call of duty! And I'm sorry mr. Hlep U but frankly all of the games in theorange box were utterly brilliant! Portal made you think beyond the level of other puzzle games. If you want something a little different and fun then where else to look but team fortress 2, it offers a fun experiense with a feel good cartoony style, and i'm sure you already know about the outright brilliance of hl2 and it's succesers! And I'm sorry if I right now am sounding like a Valve spokesman, but the only way the orange box could have possibly made any better a deal was if they had included left 4 dead.… Expand
  17. IanS.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Incredible, it's cinematics are becoming more similar target with a TV show than an FPS, and it actually revealed a bit about the G-man for a change.
  18. ZoltanH.
    Nov 3, 2007
    10
    I liked HL2 and EP 1 but EP 2 is one of the best FPS I've ever seen...
  19. Roeyl
    May 1, 2011
    10
    This is a game as only VALVe can deliver. Buy it.
  20. Blanzer
    Dec 23, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half Life 2 is a must get game for gamers.I really like the Antlion Invasion to protect the Vort and Alyx.Really Fun.I also like the Zombine, too.Puzzles are a little frustrating, but you get them some time.I also liked the Antlion Guardian, bossfight.… Expand
  21. AmriT240892
    Jan 22, 2011
    10
    Really Half Life 2.2 is the best Half Life i've ever played . End scene was at it's best and one of the best end scenes . Story and Screenplay were awesome . Game was of complete satisfaction . Waiting for it's next installment . 'Half Life rocks and so as VALvE'.
  22. MeBad
    Jan 26, 2011
    10
    I was very disappointed after playing through episode one. My expectations were very high from Half Life 2. Episode two however was no disappointment at all. It held up to my expectations; carried the story line well, and played even better in parts than the original. There are a couple of scenarios that had me jumping out of me seat in fear-full anticipation. I hope they do more ofI was very disappointed after playing through episode one. My expectations were very high from Half Life 2. Episode two however was no disappointment at all. It held up to my expectations; carried the story line well, and played even better in parts than the original. There are a couple of scenarios that had me jumping out of me seat in fear-full anticipation. I hope they do more of the same for the final episode.… Expand
  23. Mr7Goat
    Mar 26, 2011
    10
    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 one, 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 cheapA 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 one, 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
  24. Matseb2611
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    HL2 episode 2 picks up from where episode 1 left off and introduces new sort of areas to the series. Episode 2 mostly takes places in cavern and rural areas as opposed the city. Apart from that, it doesn't offer any other new elements to the basic gameplay or the feel of the game, so most stuff is pretty much the same and holds up to a very high standard set by HL2 and HL2 ep 1. Some newHL2 episode 2 picks up from where episode 1 left off and introduces new sort of areas to the series. Episode 2 mostly takes places in cavern and rural areas as opposed the city. Apart from that, it doesn't offer any other new elements to the basic gameplay or the feel of the game, so most stuff is pretty much the same and holds up to a very high standard set by HL2 and HL2 ep 1. Some new additions are a new type of enemy, the Hunters, and also the final battle opens up an additional use for the Gravity Gun, which is pretty fun. There were some action scenes which were incredibly epic and I'd say perhaps some of the best and most intense gunfights I've ever witnessed in a video game (like the defence against antlion waves, first ever gunfight with the hunters, and the inn scene). Episode 2 is significantly longer than episode 1, but is still only about half the length of the original HL2, so should take approximately 6 hours of total playtime. The game ends on a very sharp note, pretty much a cliffhanger I'd say, and so it's highly likely the story will continue in episode 3. However episode 3 is still unheard of.… Expand
  25. snowshreder
    Jul 5, 2011
    10
    well what can i say, each episode is better than the next that's because its like a story in a book that ends leaving you waiting for the next episode to come out. this game has great mechanics, a story that keeps you on edge, Weapons that need to be used accordingly, and a story that just sucks you right in. Good job Valve you haven't made a bad game yet at least not that i can recall.
  26. GolovA
    Jun 10, 2015
    9
    Even though i played it first 7 years after its initial release, i enjoyed the game thoroughly due to its beautiful marrying of story-telling and pacing. Sounds simple, but most games (almost all) miss this masterful harmony in their gameplay. Half-Life 2: Episode 2 does not let you rest until you finish it - always on the brink, always hurried on, always on the move, and always insideEven though i played it first 7 years after its initial release, i enjoyed the game thoroughly due to its beautiful marrying of story-telling and pacing. Sounds simple, but most games (almost all) miss this masterful harmony in their gameplay. Half-Life 2: Episode 2 does not let you rest until you finish it - always on the brink, always hurried on, always on the move, and always inside the story - i as a player loved the experience.… Expand
  27. ScottReid
    Feb 3, 2012
    10
    It's utterly amazing how Valve made Half-Life 2 : Episode Two. A brilliant storyline, the best gameplay in a Half-Life game - ever. An often funny, often sad storyline that amazes me. Half-Life 2 : Episode Two is a must buy. It's a game that you will never regret buying. Fantastic voice acting work from Merle Dandridge - as always. Also brilliant performances from Hal Robins, RobertIt's utterly amazing how Valve made Half-Life 2 : Episode Two. A brilliant storyline, the best gameplay in a Half-Life game - ever. An often funny, often sad storyline that amazes me. Half-Life 2 : Episode Two is a must buy. It's a game that you will never regret buying. Fantastic voice acting work from Merle Dandridge - as always. Also brilliant performances from Hal Robins, Robert Guillaume and so many more (Including a "friend" of mine, John Patrick Lowrie, and his wife Ellen McLain) I cannot in any way fault the brilliant gameplay, voice acting, soundtrack or storyline. Honestly. You can also look forward to epic fight scenes which I absolutely love. They're a challenge, but when you finish them - you feel like Gordon Freeman. The one free man.… Expand
  28. Etr0pis
    Jun 18, 2012
    10
    Valve will never cease to amaze me... and will never cease to take my money for its amazing games. This game is the second part to Half-Life 2: Episode 1. The story is continued and the graphics are the same as the first half. definitely worth buying like always.
  29. Agoingconcern
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    Truly a masterpiece of its time. Excellent pacing. something games from all future generations can look back too. While I have enjoyed this one extremely, i still can't help but feel it lacks something. I have given it a 10, because, try as i might i can not think of what it is lacking. So, i am just guessing it is a proper ending, which will hopefully be in the next episode/game. CurseTruly a masterpiece of its time. Excellent pacing. something games from all future generations can look back too. While I have enjoyed this one extremely, i still can't help but feel it lacks something. I have given it a 10, because, try as i might i can not think of what it is lacking. So, i am just guessing it is a proper ending, which will hopefully be in the next episode/game. Curse valve and their epic cliffhanger.… Expand
  30. MasteRR
    May 3, 2013
    10
    Once again, a new episode in the Half-Life saga is here.

    The plot in the Episode Two continues right after the ending of Episode One, and features more characters and even more locations. The action is set as a desperate stab to stop the combine forces. After Citadel's explosion, there's been created a massive super portal, but not at is maximum capacity, and you must stop it from    Once again, a new episode in the Half-Life saga is here.

    The plot in the Episode Two continues right after the ending of Episode One, and features more characters and even more locations.

    The action is set as a desperate stab to stop the combine forces.

    After Citadel's explosion, there's been created a massive super portal, but not at is maximum capacity, and you must stop it from fully opening.

    In the journey you'll find new characters, both friendly and enemies, such as Acid Antlion Worker, Antlion Guardian, the hot new addition from Episode One, Zombines, Combine Hunters, and you'll have your first face-to-face(but not a duel) with the Advisors.

    Half-Life Universe is one of the richest Sci-Fi worlds ever created, and feels the closest universe after an Alien Invasion.

    Episode 2 features brand new locations, new vehicles such as the Muscle Car.

    In game play terms, well, the game still feels and plays like an Half-Life game, with many changes, such as more drama an tensioned conflicts, suspense, and a really great experience, in visual terms the things are even better as well. As the Episode One did, the new episode comes with a greatly updated engine, featuring updated High Dynamic Range Lightning( HDR Short), brand new shaders, particle effects, an physics.

    Like the previous Half-Life 2s, Episode Two contains Achievements, which are a welcome thing, for all type of players, from hard to easy, from newbies to professionals, and even more puzzles.

    Episode Two has everything needed for an sequel, by adding important and great things, and not making the game too different to it's roots, and like the previous Half-Life games, it's a must-own.    … Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2007
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
17
#17 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. IGN
    94
    Any way you look at it, Episode Two stands out, even among the Half-Life series, as something special. It may be shorter than the original, but it's a burly experience packed into roughly six hours or so that offers up all the diversity, level design, and thoughtful gameplay we've known while making sure to propel the story forward and leave us wanting more.
    Read full review
  2. Computer and Video Games
    90
    More great story blended with improved AI and better firefights. It's starting to retread old ground though.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gamer UK
    93
    Episode Two is the most sumptuous chapter of the Half-Life saga, and by a country mile. It's as if Valve's tech and art teams are trying to outdo each other: the Source engine has had a striking technical overhaul that renders textures, materials and curves uncannily well, and the artists clearly relish having a fresh palette to work with.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »