Episode 1 is good, but it feels more like a tech demo for what would come next in Episode 2. A lot of samey areas, a lot of interactions with Alyx which might have been missing in the base game, more of the same. Personally it just feels like it's lacking something compared to what came after.
Mostly everything I said in my Half-Life 2 review stands. This is a great continuation of Half-Life 2. However, it certainly feels like a small episode in terms of how the story is progressed. Although, it still goes in a very interesting direction.
One thing I love about this game, however, is the character of Alyx. I won't say she was bad in the original Half-Life 2, but she did feel a bit bland. Here, she is given so much more life and personality that it's incredibly hard to dislike her. She is great!
Don't expect a complete upgrade like how it was from Half-Life 1 to 2. This is simply more Half-Life 2 with some new ideas thrown in. Overall, a really great time.
One thing I love about this game, however, is the character of Alyx. I won't say she was bad in the original Half-Life 2, but she did feel a bit bland. Here, she is given so much more life and personality that it's incredibly hard to dislike her. She is great!
Don't expect a complete upgrade like how it was from Half-Life 1 to 2. This is simply more Half-Life 2 with some new ideas thrown in. Overall, a really great time.
Jogasso
Beat this one a while ago. It's ok. Not very long, a bit weird at times, and a step down from the granduer of HL2. Certainly not bad, though.
It just makes me sad because this series will never be finished.