Half-Life 2: Episode One

Half-Life 2: Episode One is an expansion that continues the story from where it was left at the end of Half Life 2. You can encounter many of the characters from the previous game--they return with new abilities and storylines. This expansion focuses on the development of characters other than Gordon Freeman. The engine has also been improved, providing dynamic lighting effects that better model how the human eye reacts to different light sources. Gameplay additions will extend to multiplayer mode as well.

Chances are, if you're reading this, you already know what to expect of Episode One. It's essentially a few more chapters of Half Life 2, and you're yet again in the control of world famous, earth savior Gordon Freeman. It's clear that they was more experienced using the engine in Episode One, as it's put to good use during Episode One. Even the beginning, shows great moments where you among things are tossed over a great distance in a hilarious scene, all ingame.

One of the major additions to Episode One, is that Alyx is with you almost all the time. This could have been bad, as bad A.I tends to destroy such gameplay, but in Episode One this works great. Alyx shows a generally good A.I, is rarely in the way(and when she is, she'll back off) apart from one time, when she managed to knock me off a ledge. However, one bad instance just doesn't detract from the overall good A.I and there's very little to complain about. In certain areas, you'll be her eyes and use your flashlight to light up enemies as she takes them down. These parts are very tense and as your flashlight is running out of battery while the enemies are massing, it's easy to feel the sweat running. Yet, it avoid being frustrating, and most parts can be done without much trouble but still with a decent and rewarding challenge.