Players:1
Price: $19.95
Platform(s): 360, PC, PS3 (coming soon)
Developer: Valve
Publisher: Valve
ESRB: Mature
Website:Ep2
Rating:

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 is a direct continuation of Episode 1. Playing as Gordon Freeman, the player is fully immersed in the landscape around City 17. After the events of Episode 1, the city is now a crater in the ground with a large portal twisting in the air high above. Saved from the train wreckage by your constant companion Alyx, it’s time to take the data stolen from the Citadel to those who can analyze the information and use it against the Combine. So begins probably the best section in all of the Half-Life 2 storyline.

Episode 2 takes the best parts of both the original game and Episode 1, condenses them down, and blasts you into the world. The pacing of the new episode is much more varied and interesting, one of my chief complaints with the original game. If you remember Episode 1, the entire 3-4 hours was spent running – which makes sense as the city was on the verge of massive destruction. The biggest change is that Alyx does not remain at your side as a nearly unstoppable tank of uber hotness. You’ll split from her at times, and there’s a great portion where you finally get to enter combat alongside Vortigaunts. The intense battle at the mines might just be the most harrowing and exciting set pieces ever devised in an FPS. The enemies come at you in droves, and attack relentlessly. If you have the wherewithal to examine the moment, take in the amazing defense coordination your colleagues have during the section. That alone is mindblowing, and makes the friendly AI seen in Halo 3 look like a complete joke.

Your immersion in the world of the game is helped by Valve’s careful attention to character details. Alyx continues to become a funny and reliable companion on the mission as she quips about your amazing deeds, and let’s not forget she coined the term “Zombine.” It’s been a few years since this whole story started up, and still Valve impresses with incredible lip-synching and voice acting. The Vortigaunts this time around are especially wonderful to interact with, and the redesigned character models feel like a part of the world. At one point one accompanies you through some mines, and his color commentary is absolutely hilarious. But it’s not all fun and games; there are moments – including one at the very beginning – where your heart goes out to a compatriot in dire need of help.

You had to know driving would make its return, and unfortunately it does so in a way quite similar to Half-Life 2. The driving controls in the game are just atrocious; it’s nearly impossible to maneuver the car you end up in. This is a shame, because just like in the original game the levels where you drive are really well designed. And it says a lot about Valve’s ability to create the physical world that it can make up for such lackluster controls.

Thankfully the on-foot gameplay is just as solid as you remember. This is the ultimate FPS game, and while you have no new weapons (no portal gun…yet), one major improvement was made that will have you wishing it could be rolled back into Episode 1. Your flashlight power is no longer tied into the Auxiliary power of the suit. You can sprint and have the flashlight on without worrying about the power depleting in 4 seconds. This would have been nice in the ridiculously long section of pitch black in the previous episode. Everything else operates as it has for years, because there’s no reason to mess with perfection.

While linear in story from the previous games, Episode 2 does offer up some new challenges to players. Rather than just more gunship battles, or a rehash of the spectacular Strider fight at the museum, there is a completely original – and wide open – encounter at the end of the game. You’ll have to experience it to know what I mean, but it was a pleasant change to a formula that can get tiring after 20 hours of playing HL2. This penultimate final battle is absolutely breathtaking. And that’s not even mentioning the intimidating Combine Hunters, which will have you crapping your pants as you try to bring one down.



For an older engine, the visuals in Half-Life 2: Episode 2 are amazing. Characters are beautiful to look at, and I don’t just mean Alyx. What Valve has done with Source is quite an accomplishment when they can achieve Episode 2 years after the inception of the engine. Along with that is the soundtrack, which I feel is often underrated. The pulse pounding score during the mine sequence draws you to the edge of your seat as you spin to take on 6 enemies surrounding you. It adds that extra polish that can mean the difference between rote button pressing and invigorating gaming.

Clocking in at around 5 hours, Episode 2 is slightly longer than Episode 1. It is an amazing experience, and considering you get 4 other great titles in The Orange Box there is no reason you should put off experiencing Half-Life 2 any longer. Episode 2 is a masterful work of art that further cements Valve as the kings of game design. My chief complaint is that the game so wonderfully incorporates the storytelling of Episode 1 into gameplay like HL2’s that new questions are raised, intrigues begin, and the credits will leave you aching to find out what happens next. It’s a good complaint to have about any game.