"Good start to a fresh episodic development experience"

I was skeptical about an episodic addition to Valves masterpiece shooter at first, paying no attention to the hype. Merely smiling and thinking, il give it a go when it arrives. After my positive view on the Steam platform I was looking forward to pre-loading the tile. Steam is a good packaging platform, and to be fair have never had trouble with it. Unfortunately I could not pay in USD because I only have a Solo card. I waited for a DVD release instead.

Installation was a breeze, Steam and HL2:Episode 1 worked fast and efficiently, registering and installing the product. I cant understand some peoples hostile views on Steam, I personally don't think they know what they are talking about. Its a good idea, but only if you have the Internet, its not fair to assume everyone has the Internet and I feel Valve should address this. So what about the game?

First off. This game is shot, really short. Around 4-6 hours short. This is because of the episodic development formula. Three episodes are planned, and its unfair to assume the first would be radically different from HL2. After all, a story has a beginning, a middle and an end. This episode bridges the end of HL2 and launches the player on a new journey. Considering each game will cost around 20 USD/15 GBP, this makes the game accessible and inexpensive to the majority of gamers.

The episodic development cycle will also allow them to improve game play by adding new features with each new installment.

Graphically Episode 1 is astonishing, High Dynamic range effects, new textures, A revamped facial expression system, and plenty of new shaders set the games atmosphere with expert precision. The game plays identically to HL2 but presents new challenges and methods of completing them using NPCs and old weapons in new ways.

The game also sounds fantastic, with deep rich sounds complimenting the on-screen and off-screen action further immersing the player in the Cyberpunk world of Half Life.

Character development is greatly focused upon especially the relationship between Dog and Alyx. Enemies arrive in unexpected places and because of the new environments they are presented in, they pose new challenges.

The narrative wont disappoint either, favorite characters are back and in new situations, everything builds up into another cliffhanger, setting up Episode 2.

To me some of Episode 1 felt like a series of mini-games. Because of the variety of tasks and features in the relatively short period of time, sometimes it jars leading you into a new feature too forcefully. However Episode 1 was never dull, and continued to entertain and present new game play experiences from start to finish. Some old tasks and experiences from HL1 are present also, giving the Half Life fan new fun ways to solve old puzzles.

The game even ships with HL1 and 2 on line multiplayer packs allowing you to take the fight on line in a series of multiplayer games including the classic death match.

This is one of the most astounding gaming experiences ever devised, although not as accomplished as Half Life 2, Episodes fills a much needed desire to re-visit City 17 and ultimately to escape it. The fun and speculation of what may happen in Episode 2 also enhances the community experience the game presents. This game will not disappoint, or at least will impress on some level or another. A fantastic start to yet another epic adventure.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/05/06