Metareview - Half-Life 2: Episode One
With the advent of Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace and other digital download services, developers now have multiple avenues for extending our favorite franchises beyond the core games. Many of our readers have commented favorably on the industry's shift toward episodic content, as it provides inexpensive and more frequent opportunities to engage your game of choice. However, in a world of blogs, podcasts, and easily digestible content, thin isn't always in. Gamers still expect a lot of bang for their gaming buck.
So what does $20 get you for Half-Life 2: Episode 1? Valve had a tough act to follow in the bestselling HL2, with considerably less time than the six years they used to produce what many consider the best shooter of all time. As a result, you'll see a great deal of familiar territory in Episode One, but with some new gameplay twists in the aftermath of City 17. The critics weigh in:
EuroGamer (90/100) enjoyed this "fat-free" installment: "Set across five contrasting chapters, it's a wonderfully balanced affair that rarely dwells on one element too long. The focus on action and combat is sensibly weighted, there are no vehicle sections at all, no time-wasting exploration required, and a more satisfyingly logical approach to puzzles. All round, the gameplay feels tighter and more refined."
GameSpot (87/100) appreciated Alyx's brains and brawn: "There's a wonderful new team dynamic at work in Episode One, thanks to the fact that Alyx battles alongside you throughout most of the episode. It's refreshing to have a companion by your side...and she's often the difference between victory and defeat in many encounters, as she'll cover your back while you're busy trying to sort out the puzzle."
IGN (85/100) was looking for more of HL2's "wow" factor: "There's a long list of neat things that HL2 did, and Episode One doesn't feel as fresh as a result, since it largely reuses previous content, and it doesn't advance the story as much as a four-hour experience should."
