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Half Life 2: Episode One Review - PC

The notion of episodic content has caused a stir within the gaming community, with gamers unable to quite decide between the benefits and shortcomings of the idea. Episodic content basically means that rather than a long drawn out game, with entirely new sequels built upon a new graphics / game engine each time, a smaller slice of gaming is presented more frequently. Further episodes are built upon the same engine, just with a progression in the storyline, and possibly new items such as weapons, levels, bad guys, and the like. Ritual Entertainment had its first taste of episodic content with the release of Sin: Emergence, the first of a series of short adventures in the world of Sin. Valve recently entered the foray with the first sequel to its acclaimed Half-Life 2, namely Half-Life 2: Episode 1.

Gameplay

Episode 1 picks up where Half-Life 2 left: players assume the role of oddly talented M.I.T. scientist Gordon Freeman and continue to crusade against the omnipresent force of the Combine in an attempt to liberate earth from its stranglehold. Without giving too much away for those who haven't yet played Half-Life 2 but still want to (all of 3 of you), you deal with the repercussions of your ride through the final stages of Half-Life 2.

Episode One contains virtually the same style of gameplay seen in Half-Life 2. New elements bring some freshness to the formula, the most notable of them being the role of your partner Alyx Vance. Unlike Half-Life 2, Alyx plays a far greater role in Episode One, assisting Gordon in taking on zombies and Antlions, as well as offering various services nessecary to proceed. For example, the electrified roller mines seen in the Citadel are given a reprogramming thanks to Alyx's handy EMP tool. This allows Gordon to use them against the enemy. Alyx's dialogue is also a lot more lifelike and entertaining. She comments on your performance with the gravity gun, as well as giving out a nice "Yeah, light 'em on fire!" when you set an enemy alight. Alyx also brings forth a range of melee attacks which, according to Valve, are carried out when the situation deems it. So if she and an enemy are in the correct position for an attack, she'll carry it out. Pretty sweet.

Weapon wise, all the guns from Half-Life 2 return, except for the rather enjoyable bugbait. The gravity gun is given some extra capabilities, but apart from that, it's standard fare. Is it a point to bemoan? Yes and no really. While the lack of any new weapons does seem rather boring, the continuation of what was set in Half-Life 2 is not marred by this release.

So just what is new exactly? The zombine! Think head-crab Combine soldiers. Forget about those slow boring zombies though; these ones are quick and they don't hesitate to pull out a grenade or two either. Using your gravity gun, you are ... (continued next page)