"Half Life 2 Episode 1: It's just that"

After what seemed like ages since the G-man last banished you to some random dimension/hole at the end of Half-Life 2, I'm sure some people truly wondered if Gordon wondered if he really was the "one free man". Nevertheless, Valve has delivered finally in its next-step "sequel" to the stellar Half-Life 2. I must admit that I was looking forward to this game more than my next paycheck but so I was rather hyped up about the return of the HL gang. That being said, I'll try not to be biased.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics in HL2 E1 look pretty much exactly like they did in HL2. Then again, being compared to the graphical dream that was HL2, Episode 1 definitely has a solid hold in the graphics department. Sure, it may not boast the same kind of power to turn your graphics card into a pool of silicon like upcoming eye-busters like Crysis but there's nothing bad to be said about the fluid movements, solid frame-rate and great effects of Episode I. That being said, I was kinda hoping for a little boost, being the sequel and all but all and all, it looks great. There is one caveat to this assessment though and that is...no I won't spoil it but let's just say you'll be spending some quality time with the dark and lots of it.

Gameplay: 7/10

Those of you who have played HL2 (which I'm sure includes all of you reading this review), will have deja vu when they play Episode 1. The game plays a LOT like HL2 but with a heavier emphasis on the city war flavor of combat. You'll run into all your favorite baddies here: striders, manhaks, city scanners, head crabs/zombies and the usual rainbow of combine soldiers. There is a rather amusing twist on one of these enemies and no, I'm not spoiling the surprise but be prepared for a good laugh. Anyway, the enemies of the game are kinda run-of-the-mill and they attack you in much the same way as before. The firefights are standard, the tactics: familiar and the overall presentation has HL2 written all over it. I guess the biggest disappointment of all was the lack of new, innovative enemies to wage war against. After a few chapters, you'll really be thinking "okay, that's great but how about something NEW?" Seriously, almost every enemy is recycled from the previous games. A big let down there. In addition, and this may be a spoiler to some, there were no additional weapons. I understand that this is still just an "episodic" update to the HL series but would it have killed Valve to throw in some fresh backside kicking tools? On that note, you get the weapons at a rather slow pace which makes fighting in the first few levels rather repetitive if not downright boring. On a final note of disappointment, the scenery was lacking in variety. While it complimented the storyline well, the constant city-battling and close-cornered fighting in wreckage got old fast. Don't expect any broad, open fights with amusing or unique ends like in the first chapters of HL2 (especially the glorious Highway 17 level). But okay, enough slandering the game. It delivers solid FPS fighting with some unusual situations with an assortment of weapons. Newcomers to the HL series; stop depriving yourself and pick up a copy of this game to see for yourself. Long time fans, prepare for more deja vu than if you were in the Matrix when the Architect was doing a full rewrite. [Gasps for air and searches for a glass of water]

Sound: 8/10

What can I say? The sound is great and it captures everything about the previous HL's that made them great. You've got the traditional sound effects that are rich, colorful and varied. You've got the eerily silent hallways and dark passages that gave the game its spooky appeal and you've got the adrenalin-pumping tunes for memorable fire-fights. It's all there and...it's all HL2. While the music is different for certain situations, there's not much in terms of variety. Then again, the BGM suits the moods well when present and doesn't feel out of place like some games. The sound effects are...well...Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. They're pretty much copied directly from the HL2 engine with no upgrade evident. Again, on the other side, the sound effects were great in HL2 begging me to remind you: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Story:

I'm not going to rate the story because this isn't an RPG and for FPS's, the story really shouldn't get in the way of wreaking havoc with monstrous weapons. On that note, though, the story of HL2 Episode I picks up right where HL2 left off and I mean RIGHT where it left off. The continuity of the game is perfect though it does leave me with a number of questions. Without delving too much into the actually plot, you play Freeman again (thank you deity of FPS's!) who is once again equipped with hazard suit and crowbar. The story follows something on the lines of a secret communication the combine are trying to make with "their benefactors". Again, I'm not giving anything away but rest assured that the story is just as intriguing and imaginative as before. You'll love it.

Replay Value: 5/10

This really isn't HL2 Episode I's strong point. The game is short, yes we all know that but it really is. It ends before you can even refill your iced tea from the fridge downstairs. Even though we were all fair warned, it's still a major disappointment when the game does end which brings us to the "how much replayability is there in this game?" Well, I'm being nice with the 5 because really, there's none. If you played through on hard mode, you're finished. If you want to boot it up to take a look at the great graphics and get into a firefight again, that's great but don't expect to be drawn in like a magnet to spend hour after hour playing it.

Overall: 8/10

After all the disappointment, we must remember that HL2 Episode I is just that: an episode. The game progresses nicely while not tearing the hardcore fans too roughly from their familiar, 2:00am duals with CPs. You've got everything that made HL great with a promising future. It does have a bit of a Metriod Prime feel in the "you loose all your weapons...crap!" thing but all in all, HL2 Episode I provides a solid FPS experience that's cheap, beautiful and intense...all in an appealing package with a lambda stamped on it. I give this game an 8 / 10. You should definitely drop the $19.95 and pick this guy up.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/06