This review contains spoilers
Half-Life 2 Episode 1 is pretty much just more Half-Life 2, so I won't have as much to say about it than other games I've been reviewing recently. It was a solid time, though, and I'm kinda glad it was on the short side.
Half-Life 2 Episode 1 takes place right after Half-Life 2 ended. Gordon and Alyx are saved by some form of mysterious miracle; you see a bunch of purple Vortigaunts appear as well as the G-Man, then next thing you know you wake up covered in rubble and debris. In Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, the duo focus on getting back into the Citadel to contain the huge energy core. When they try to escape via Combine train, an accident happens that makes the train crash. Once he saves Alyx and continues on, this starts Chapter 3, which sees them going through a very dark subway area to reach City 17. In Chapter 4, they leave the subway and make their way through City 17 (which is a very big place honestly), which then leads into Chapter 5 where Gordon, Alyx, and Barney work together to escort the remaining Resistance troops to a train that the group plans on escaping in. Chapter 5 ends with the Citadel making a massive explosion as you drive on the train and you get caught up in a mysterious blue light...roll credits. The way I describe it makes the story seem very boring, but it is still pretty engaging. I liked that there were some entertaining character moments here, they had good opportunities to talk and show their personality a little more. Alyx is present with you throughout almost the entire game with only a few sections where she isn't there, so naturally she gets a spotlight. Dr. Kleiner has a big speech that plays all throughout City 17 during Chapter 4 and you get to see more of how much of a socially awkward silly guy he is. Barney's as much of a wisecrack as ever. D0G is a cute little robot that almost seems sentient, though unfortunately Alyx had to leave him behind in Chapter 1 and he isn't seen again even at the end of the game. Overall, I don't think the story of Half-Life 2 Episode One is all that special, but it serves as a good companion piece to Half-Life 2 despite being so short. I would prefer if it didn't get yet another sequel bait ending, but I suppose that's par for the course with this series. I'm curious to see if they do that yet again with Episode Two when I get to it considering how many people have been clamoring for Half-Life 3.
Gameplay wise, Episode One is exactly the same as Half-Life 2. Hey, no need to reinvent the wheel, I'm completely fine with that. However, this game does still manage to stand out through a few ways. For one, the way the game is structured feels more contained, with little room for exploration and a whole bunch of scripted sequences. The Chapters generally feel more streamlined and linear, but in my opinion this is actually pretty nice since it makes for a brisk game flow. The fact that I barely had to use guides here in comparison to my Half-Life and Half-Life 2 playthroughs should go to show how straightforward Episode One is in comparison. The game does introduce you to one new enemy type - the Zombine, as Alyx jokingly calls it - which is a nice little touch to give it some more individuality.
I think this game is pretty alright overall, but doesn't add or improve on enough for me to rank it any higher than Half-Life 2. Gets a solid 4 stars from me.
Half-Life 2 Episode 1 takes place right after Half-Life 2 ended. Gordon and Alyx are saved by some form of mysterious miracle; you see a bunch of purple Vortigaunts appear as well as the G-Man, then next thing you know you wake up covered in rubble and debris. In Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, the duo focus on getting back into the Citadel to contain the huge energy core. When they try to escape via Combine train, an accident happens that makes the train crash. Once he saves Alyx and continues on, this starts Chapter 3, which sees them going through a very dark subway area to reach City 17. In Chapter 4, they leave the subway and make their way through City 17 (which is a very big place honestly), which then leads into Chapter 5 where Gordon, Alyx, and Barney work together to escort the remaining Resistance troops to a train that the group plans on escaping in. Chapter 5 ends with the Citadel making a massive explosion as you drive on the train and you get caught up in a mysterious blue light...roll credits. The way I describe it makes the story seem very boring, but it is still pretty engaging. I liked that there were some entertaining character moments here, they had good opportunities to talk and show their personality a little more. Alyx is present with you throughout almost the entire game with only a few sections where she isn't there, so naturally she gets a spotlight. Dr. Kleiner has a big speech that plays all throughout City 17 during Chapter 4 and you get to see more of how much of a socially awkward silly guy he is. Barney's as much of a wisecrack as ever. D0G is a cute little robot that almost seems sentient, though unfortunately Alyx had to leave him behind in Chapter 1 and he isn't seen again even at the end of the game. Overall, I don't think the story of Half-Life 2 Episode One is all that special, but it serves as a good companion piece to Half-Life 2 despite being so short. I would prefer if it didn't get yet another sequel bait ending, but I suppose that's par for the course with this series. I'm curious to see if they do that yet again with Episode Two when I get to it considering how many people have been clamoring for Half-Life 3.
Gameplay wise, Episode One is exactly the same as Half-Life 2. Hey, no need to reinvent the wheel, I'm completely fine with that. However, this game does still manage to stand out through a few ways. For one, the way the game is structured feels more contained, with little room for exploration and a whole bunch of scripted sequences. The Chapters generally feel more streamlined and linear, but in my opinion this is actually pretty nice since it makes for a brisk game flow. The fact that I barely had to use guides here in comparison to my Half-Life and Half-Life 2 playthroughs should go to show how straightforward Episode One is in comparison. The game does introduce you to one new enemy type - the Zombine, as Alyx jokingly calls it - which is a nice little touch to give it some more individuality.
I think this game is pretty alright overall, but doesn't add or improve on enough for me to rank it any higher than Half-Life 2. Gets a solid 4 stars from me.