Gamer Limit Review: Half Life 2: Episode 1

Gamer Limit writes: "Half Life 2, like the original Half Life that preceded it, did a lot to change the face of gaming as we know it. It made things like ragdoll physics absolutely mandatory for any game that deemed itself "cutting edge". It was arguably the first major release for the Steam content delivery service, which overcame several hurdles to become the success story it is today. Half Life 2 set new standards in how you tell a story through a game, and now Valve hopes to change things up in the gaming world once again, by releasing episodic add-ons to what some believe to be the best game of this decade.

Half Life: Episode 1 begins exactly where Half Life 2 ended, Alyx Vance is mysteriously rescued by Vortigaunts, and Gordon Freeman is even more mysteriously delivered from the clutches of the ever elusive G-Man. The protagonists find themselves outside the Citadel building of City 17; a structure which is in it's death throes. All of these story elements are revealed to the character from the perspective of Gordon. It is this type of story telling that the Half Life series has popularized, and it continues to work well; Valve has become a master of their art over the years, providing increasingly stunning set pieces and scripted elements that still feel spontaneous, even on repeated play-throughs."

[syvergy]

I liked it, but it just felt like more of the same.

[SL1M DADDY]

HL2 that is. When they released the Episodic content though, it all started to feel dated. In the end, it is all a good combination of story telling and mechanics but they need to start looking into a HL3 and drop the episodic content IMHO.

[PainisCupcake]

After EP3 comes out Valve are gonna ask the fans what they want, full games or episodic. Think I know which lol

[DeadlyFire]

I want full games. Maybe an expansion pack or two after game is launch that would be okay. I think 3 episodes is a little bit of a stretch. I think they should of only made like 2 episodes with the content spread among them. 3rd one makes a bit of a stretch to get out there.

[Fullish]

haha, nice and behind.
But props anyway.

[Cloud-1409]

Never really got into that series.

[PainisCupcake]

This game came out nearly 3 years ago ffs!!! Not that the game wasn't superb is usual :)

[chaserooniman]

I have yet to play through Half Life 2. After reading this and watching my brother play it...the game is quickly moving up my play list.

[nchizimbi]

I longed to play Half-Life 2 when it released in 2004, but my PC and internet connection were short on requirements. Fortunately, I played it a year later when it released on the original Xbox…the game was a great experience, but the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more.

When THE ORANGE BOX came out with the two episodes but one, I decided to wait playing this amazing package of games until Episode 3 releases. This holding-off is to spare the excitement building which Episode 2 would leave me waiting for the third.

I bought THE ORANGE BOX in November 2008 because of the $20 price tag...the game box is still in its wrapping waiting for Episode 3 to release.

Though I think this episodic route is a viable alternative solution to providing games on short timely basis, in the time it’s taken Valve to produce the trilogy of episodes is proving no different than providing full games in the same time-frame. Valve might just as well have done the trilogy episodes as a full game and called it Half-Life 3.

[PainisCupcake]

Its taken Valve 18 months to make both the short 6 hour Episodes so far, also it's now been 17 months since Episode 2 was released and there has been absolutely no information from Valve on Episode 3, so I completely disagree that the episodic route is a viable alternative solution! Yes they make cheaper and shorter games but the third part, making the games faster, they are failing at.

If your waiting for Episode 3 to release to play the Orange Box you'll be waiting until the end of the year or early 2010 at least.

[nchizimbi]

What I was trying to say in my comment is that though Valve thinks episodic production is a solution, it's proving to be a failure on their part. But I do believe it's a solution that could still work depending on the practices of a game company and their projects. But as far episodic production goes, I'm not a supporter of it.

When Episode 3 releases and Valve asks gamers which mode of production is preferable, a majority will vote for FULL GAME development against EPISODIC.

And yes, you make a good point about my wait for Episode 3 going into 2010...I can see this happening since Valve hasn't given any concrete information about the state of the third installment other than "IT'S IN DEVELOPMENT." Valve has also been known for skipping release dates on its products.

[Dimly]

This game is incredible!