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Half-Life 2: Episode One Review June 05, 2006 |
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Summary: The first expansion to Half-Life 2 is available, and puts us back behind the Crowbar. Does it deliver? Read on, Macduff!
 Overview | Page:: ( 1 / 4 ) |
Naturally, the game is also shorter than the full Half-Life 2. Even with a few reloads, we were still hovering around the 5 hour mark in terms of gameplay. This is about on par, dollar for dollar, with Half-Life 2 itself, but Half-Life 2 also came with CS: Source. Episode One doesn’t include any multiplayer goodies.
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In fact, the majority of the new content is limited to the levels. There are only two new baddies and no new weapons to play with. There may be some new terrain, but most of it is similar stylistically to the eastern European theme we saw before, so it’s difficult to be sure how much “new” there is. The onus on whether or not it’s worth your $20, then, is on the gameplay.
Episode One obviously plays quite similarly to Half-Life 2. It is more claustrophobic however, and without the outdoor and vehicle levels it has as much in common with the original Half-Life as with the sequel. As a result the pace is somewhat faster than Half-Life 2 and there are a few more puzzles and tricks. The most noteworthy of the gameplay tricks is guiding Alyx’s aim with your flashlight. At one prolonged point in the game, you will find yourself in a dark, underground area and under constant assault by zombies. You have a flashlight, Alyx has limitless reserves of ammunition – the solution is obvious. The idea works, but the length of the sequence is somewhat prohibitive, and much like The Return of the King, you find yourself wishing the creators had the restraint to end it sooner.
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The expansion is shorter than the full game, but much more moderate – it suffers neither the poorly received sequences of Half-Life 2, nor does it have especially brilliant levels. While Half-Life 2 had high points like the bridge sequence, there’s really no such moment that stands out in Episode One – for better or worse. There is a steadier, more regular flow of action that reaches occasional peaks and can be quite intense, but more for difficulty reasons than any feeling of wonder. Episode One has nothing to rival the first fight against a Gunship or Strider, though both are present.
| Continued | Page:: ( 2 / 4 ) |
The plot takes its first major twist since the initial Black Mesa incident. Without revealing too much, we get another small hint about the G-man, as well as a new perspective on the Vortigons. Of less interest is the tale of Alyx, who somehow manages to continue being quite believably human, without actually catching our attention. Perhaps that will change in Episode Two, as Alyx and Dog go on their own adventure.
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Another point of difference between Episode One and the main game is the far smaller appearances by the supporting cast. None of the doctors make major appearances, and even Barney’s time is quite limited. Some characters seem to be set up for future events, others just offer bit parts before disappearing.
The continuing excellence of the Source engine is evident with Episode One. Despite the year between releases, Episode One looks as top-flight as any game out there, with no real weaknesses. The addition of high dynamic range lighting adds surprisingly to the gameplay experience, and it is to the credit of Valve’s level designers that they used it in subtle ways, rather than beating the player over the head with a trick. At times, at high settings, under the right circumstances, and in the correct place, the image was almost photo realistic. These were brief flashes if supreme believability, often of a ruin with part of a sky in the background and the sun peaking in, but that is one of the most impressive feats a game engine can manage. Otherwise, the game looked very much like Half-Life 2, to no one’s surprise.
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We noticed some odd sound stutters that weren’t there in the original release, sounds that would repeat themselves – especially if a weapon was equipped or fired for the first time. These were relatively rare and given the lack of verification of the complaint, it may very well have something to do with the soundcard swap in the review machine during the weekend of the review. It may be the new Sound Blaster X-Fi drivers, or a conflict between the new drivers and remnants of the old Hercules card.
| Ballistics Report | Page:: ( 3 / 4 ) |
Pros
Graphics
The Source engine and Half-Life 2 remain as impressive as ever.
Sound
Other than the slight stutter bug, we have no complaints and plenty of praise. Some effects from the original game remain, at times bringing up feelings of nostalgia, at others seeming somewhat dated – but excellence in sound is a continuing Half-Life trademark.
Plot
It’s subtle and you’ll get out of it only as much as you want, it takes effort to get the whole story with details, but it’s worth it. If you’re not inclined to do so, you’ll get by on the gist, which provides a good setting for a game full of action.
Gameplay
As much Half-Life as Half-Life 2, Episode One offers more intense action in environments that are rather claustrophobic, plus some new puzzles. The gameplay is more focused as well, with fewer down points, but also fewer great sequences.
Cons
Length
$20 isn’t much, but it’s somewhat more than what is fair. There is enough level and story content to justify it, but the shortage of new enemies and dearth of weapons is somewhat disappointing, especially since Valve’s designs are always something to look forward to.
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| Final Verdict | Page:: ( 4 / 4 ) |