Half-Life 2: Episode One
Tags: alternate reality, sci-fi

Plot synopsis:
=== Setting ===
The original Half-Life takes place at a remote laboratory called the Black Mesa Research Facility. The player takes on the role of Gordon Freeman, a scientist involved in an accident that opens an inter-dimensional portal to the world of Xen and floods the facility with hostile alien creatures. After the player guides him in an attempt to escape the facility and close the portal, the game ends with a mysterious figure who offers Freeman employment. The protagonist is subsequently put into stasis by this mysterious character known as the G-Man.
Half-Life 2 picks up the story, in which the G-Man takes Freeman out of stasis and inserts him on a train en route to City 17 an indeterminate number of years after the events of the first game, with Earth now enslaved by the transhuman forces of the Combine. The player guides Gordon to aid in humanity's struggle against the Combine and its human representative, Dr. Wallace Breen. He oversees the occupation from his base of operations in the Citadel, a monolithic building at the heart of City 17. Fighting alongside Gordon is an underground resistance led by former colleague Dr. Eli Vance, as well other allies including Dr. Vance's daughter Alyx Vance and the enigmatic Vortigaunts, an alien species. Half-Life 2 ends with a climactic battle atop the Citadel that inflicts critical damage to its dark fusion reactor. When it seems as if Alyx and Gordon are to be engulfed by the explosion, the G-Man appears once more. After giving a cryptic speech, he extracts Gordon from danger and places him in stasis once again.
=== Plot ===
After the explosion of the Citadel reactor from which Gordon was extracted by the G-Man and where Alyx Vance was left behind, time suddenly freezes. Several Vortigaunts appear and rescue Alyx from the blast. After she is rescued, the Vortigaunts appear before the G-Man and stand between him and Gordon. They teleport Gordon away from the scene, much to the G-Man's displeasure.
D0g retrieves Gordon out from under some junk outside the Citadel, and Gordon reunites with Alyx, who is relieved to see him. Alyx contacts Eli Vance and Isaac Kleiner, who have escaped the city, and is informed the Citadel's core is at risk of exploding at any moment. Kleiner states the explosion could be large enough to level the whole of City 17, and the only way for them to survive is to re-enter the Citadel and slow the core's progression toward meltdown. Eli reluctantly agrees when he sees no other option.
Alyx and Gordon re-enter the now-decaying Citadel to try to stabilize the core; Gordon is successful in re-engaging the reactor's containment field, which delays the explosion. Alyx discovers the Combine are deliberately accelerating the destruction of the Citadel to send a "transmission packet" to the Combine's homeworld. She downloads a copy of the message, which causes the Combine to prioritize them as targets. Alyx also downloads a transmission from Dr. Judith Mossman, in which she mentions a "project" she has located, before she is cut off by a Combine attack. Afterwards, Alyx and Gordon board a train to escape the Citadel.
The train derails en route, forcing the duo to proceed on foot. As they fight through the disorganized Combine forces and rampant alien infestations, Kleiner appears on the screens Breen once used to pass out propaganda, and gives out useful updates to the evacuating citizens about the latest turn of events as well as reiterating the Citadel's imminent collapse. Alyx and Gordon eventually meet up with Barney Calhoun and a group of other survivors who are preparing to move on a train station to escape City 17. Alyx and Gordon provide cover for the passengers as they board.
To keep the survivors safe, Alyx and Gordon opt to take a different train. They manage to escape just as the reactor begins to detonate; the energy sends out the Combine's message. Several pods containing Combine Advisors are ejected from the Citadel as it detonates. The resulting shockwave catches the train, derailing it.

Review: For the hardcore fans of the series, it's a must!!!.
First off, the main thing you notice when playing this game is it's length.
In about three hours, its done and the only thing to do then is to wait for episode 2, but, of course, it's a trilogy so when it's all put together, it'll make one big game.
The game is pretty dark and it still keeps the Half-Life blood pumping through its veins.
It augments the atmosphere with excellent special effects and sound and some of the games aspects have been tweaked.
The difficulty can be a bit mediocre, but can get difficult in dark rooms with zombies swarming from all sides.
These games open a whole new portal for the series AND gamers alike.
The G-Man doesn't play as much of a part as in previous games, in fact, he really just plays a cameo, but he would just get in the way of this exhilarating game.
For 30 euro, its a bit steep for such short game, but at the same time, its money well spent.
You can get it through STEAM but you can only play it on that PC, whereas I got the CD.
The decision is entirely up to you: get one of the best games for Half-Life or keep playing Half-Life 2 over and over again.
Three hours is enough to keep you amused for as long as you like!.
The first excellent PC episode.
PC Game: Half-Life 2 Episode One.Genre: Sci-Fi First-Person Shooter.Developer: Valve Software.Publisher: Valve Software.Release Date: 01.06.06.Engine: Source.Protagonist: Dr. Gordon Freeman.Settings: City 17 and its outskirts, somewhere in Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania or Ukraine).The episode takes place immediately after the end of Half-Life 2, in and around the war-torn setting of City 17.
Episode One continues to follow scientist Gordon Freeman and his companion Alyx Vance as they deal with the events of HL2 and humanity's continuing struggle against the Combine.The series of following events in HL2, Episode One starts out after the explosion of the Citadel's dark fusion reactor from which Gordon was extracted by the G-Man and Alyx Vance was left behind.
As time stops, several Vortigaunts appear and rescue Alyx from the blast.
The G-Man is then seen walking toward Gordon Freeman.
As he opens his mouth to speak, he is distracted by blue lights and is separated from Gordon by another group of Vortigaunts - much to his displeasure.
More Vortigaunts then surround and teleport Gordon.Gordon wakes up outside the Citadel, buried under a pile of rubble.
Dog removes these rocks, and Gordon is reunited with Alyx.
Alyx contacts Eli Vance and Isaac Kleiner, who have managed to escape the city, and is informed that the Citadel's core is at risk of exploding at any moment.
Kleiner states that the explosion could be large enough to level the whole of City 17, and that the only way for them to survive would be to re-enter the Citadel and slow the core's progression toward meltdown.
Eli reluctantly agrees when he sees no other option.
Alyx and Gordon re-enter the Citadel to try to stabilize the core.As a direct continuation of HL2, no significant changes to the gameplay were undertaken.
As in HL and HL2 players make their way through a linear series of levels, encountering various different enemies and allies.
The gameplay is broken up between combat orientated challenges and puzzles; these include physics-based puzzles.
Episode One also integrates tutorial like tasks into the story itself as in the previous games in order to familiarize the player to any new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to re-program rollermines, without breaking immersion.
Like HL2, the gravity gun continues to play a crucial function throughout the game, granting the player extensive use of physics in combat and puzzle-solving.Enemies such as Stalkers and areas of the Citadel glimpsed at the end of HL2 are encountered and explored by the player.
Other new additions include the Zombine, Combine pods and Hunters; the latter two introduced as set-up for Episode Two are only briefly interacted with.
While new creatures were added, there were no additions to the game's current weapon arsenal.While no entirely new locales were introduced for Episode One, large alterations were made to the appearance of both City 17 and the Citadel from the end of HL2 to reflect the changing shape of the world and to serve as a story reminder to the player how their actions have affected the greater whole.
The Citadel has degenerated from the cold, alien and imposing fortress of the previous game to an extremely unstable state, providing a visual cue to remind the player of the catastrophic damage they inflicted, to allow for new gameplay elements that accentuate the new dangers that come with the Citadel's imminent collapse and to serve a thematic purpose in highlighting the weakening of the Combine's dominance.
Likewise, City 17 has been altered to reflect the aftermath of the resistance's open rebellion, with vast swathes of destroyed buildings and the introduction of foes previously kept outside its confines in HL2 in order to further emphasise the scale of the uprising.Commentary mode, a new feature tested in Half-Life Lost Coast, added to Episodes allowing for more replayability, I completed HL2 & HL2EP1 3 times each.
Both Episode’s replays – with commentary on.
Various Valve’s employees give monologues about juicy details of development process.
Hugely entertaining.Original score by Kelly Bailey consists of 10 tracks in .mp3 format.Critical and public response to Episode One was broadly positive, with some reviewers praising the game for having more intricate, well-paced gameplay than the acclaimed HL2.
The game's interactivity, particularly in the shape of the character of Alyx and her reactions to the player's actions and the events of the game, has also received praise.
PC Gamer magazine gave an 85% in the US edition, summarizing that "...while this inaugural episode may not be the essential FPS that HL2 is, I can't imagine any shooter fan who'd want to miss it".
The game received 90% in the UK edition, which directed particular praise on the balance between puzzle orientated and action orientated challenges throughout the game.
Edge gave the game 8/10, praising the "deftness" with which the game was able to direct the player's eyes, and the strength of Alyx as a companion; concluding that "...in an interactive genre bound to the traditions of the pop-up gun and invisible hero, it simply doesn't get more sophisticated than this".
Episode One earned an overall score of 87% on review collection websites Metacritic and Game Rankings.
My rates (compared to 2006’s level, of course):Gameplay: 9.5/10.Graphics: 10/10.Sound: 9.5/10.Score (OST): 8/10.Story: 9/10.Controls & Interface: 9.5/10.OVERALL: 9.5/10.If you like this game I also recommend: Half-Life, Half-Life Uplink, Half-Life Opposing Force, Half-Life Blue Shift, Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Lost Coast, Half-Life 2 Episode Two, Portal, Half-Life 2 Episode Three, F.E.A.R., F.E.A.R. Extraction Point, Doom 3, SiN, SiN Episodes, Call Of Duty, Call Of Duty United Offensive..
Amazing Quality VS Short Gameplay.
I think this game has the same quality like "Half-Life 2": It has the same fantastic characters, the intense atmosphere, the amazing sound effects etc.
What I even like better is the fact, that Alyx Vance is beside you.
She adds stronger feelings in the proper situations (for example panic).The largest disappointment is clearly the short gameplay with only five chapters, but you have to expect this when it's called an "episode".
I'm a Half-Life fan, but also a hobby reviewer, so I can't just rate "Episode One" as high as the original Half-Life games...9/10.
Couldn't have been better!.
It starts off with showing Vourtigants saving Alyx and stealing you from the Gman.
It then continues with Alyx and Gordon going through the Citadel and City 17 fighting the remains of the Combine trying to get out of the city.What I first noticed with this game is that the characters are a little bit more playful and lively than in the other games.
This was quite fun to watch.
The graphics are only slightly better than in Half-Life 2 but kinda noticeable.
There are no new weapons but you still have your crowbar.
There's only one new enemy which is a Combine zombie (zombine) which frankly are quite scary some times.
Some of the sequences in this game are really psychological.
Such as the one in complete darkness when all you have for light is your flashlight.
Scary stuff.A very good addition to the saga...
can't wait for episode 2!.
An excellent addition to the franchise.
Half Life 2: Episode 1 is the first of 3 expansion packs to the Half Life 2 game, although you don't need Half Life 2 to play it.The game kicks off right where Half Life 2 dramatically left off, with a time warp freezing Gordon and Alyx right as the Citadel core was about to explode.
Intervention comes in the form of the Vortegund and our heroes are teleported to safety, with Gordon being pulled out of the clutches of the mysterious G Man.There's no time to relax however, as the core is still on its way towards a meltdown.
A meltdown that will result in the complete destruction of City 17.
With no time to flee to safety, Gordon and Alyx must enter the Citadel and avert the meltdown, and then join the exodus of City 17.I wont go any further into the details of it, but suffice to say, its a wild ride from start to finish as you battle through the Cidatel, the underground and the ruins of City 17.
Alyx is with you as your parter throughout almost the entire game, and her AI is improved considerably.
There are often times when your ammo is low that you rely on her to pull your fat out of the fire.A little disappointing is the fact that there's no new weapons to try out, and only 1 new enemy, a Combine Soldier who's been zombified by a head crab (Zombines as Alyx calls them) The game is also quite short.
I managed to complete it on the same day I purchased it.
But given the low price tag, id say its well worth the price.The game started on a cliffhanger and I don't think its surprising to hear that it ends on one too.
I personally cant wait for Episode 2!.
An amazing expansion of the Half-Life 2 story.
I've read some people criticizing Steam on places like Amazon - and giving the game poor reviews simply because of that - and in fact Steam hindered my enjoyment of the first game because it took so long to install and slowed down my computer...but if you can look past Steam and judge these games for what they are, they're amazing!
Originally planned to be an expansion pack called "Aftermath" (I actually preferred that title), the video game makers at Valve decided to pull a George Lucas and release continual expansion-pack-like standalone games (that is, you don't need Half-Life 2 to install this add-on - it's an add-on in story only).The Valve engine is upgraded a bit with better texturing, lighting and so on.
The graphics in Half-Life 2 were amazing, but now it's even better - Dog's motion in the beginning is eerily realistic, as are the facial expressions of characters in the game (one of the downsides of the realism of HL2 was its poor facial expressions for characters; this game is fully textured and, for example, when Alyx smiles you can actually see her gradually move her lips - it's almost creepy!).The game takes place right after the events of the last game and has Gordon and Alyx trying to escape the city before the core explodes.The first few levels are a nice twist because you have to complete them in pitch dark with a flashlight and a gravity gun.
One thing I enjoyed about this game however was that Alyx stays by you most of the time unlike in the second game when she would suddenly disappear for silly reasons.
It's more like a partnership and as such there is actually a good amount of character development in this game - making it a truly surreal experience for any video game; I felt like the characters were real people, and even the dialogue isn't that bad most of the time (although Barney is somewhat cheesy).The beginning is great, and the only mistake is that they start you off with the blue-powered ultra gravity gun and then downsize you to the regular gravity gun afterwards.
It feels anti-climactic.
I understand why they did this, but I would have preferred they just left it out at the beginning because once you are running around zapping people into the air, to suddenly be stuck with nothing is a bit sudden and disappointing.The middle goes on a bit too long and the level in the hospital gets old pretty fast.
Other than that the rest of the game is basically superb and just as good as the last game, only shorter.
There are a lot of "cut-scenes" where not much is happening - but I actually found them entertaining and made me feel more submersed into the game itself.The ending is fantastic and leaves you really wanting more.I can't wait for the next installment and I'm really, really glad Valve decided to release these in segments rather than having to wait, as they said, twelve years for Half-Life 3.If you enjoyed HL2, you'll love this - just be forewarned it only takes about five hours to complete...but what would you expect for $15?
I think the price is worth the first level alone..
Even though it has its problems, its a really good sequel..
Half Life 2 I thought did not live up to my expectations.
But the adventure was so addicting that I had to replay it again.
So I started replaying all the Half Life Main Games again and I have yet again completed Episode 1 of Half Life 2.
This is the 8th game (Including Expansions Opposing Force, Blue Shift and Playstation 2's Half Life Decay and the Demo Lost Coast but not including Half Life Uplink) in the entire series.
So far from what I have been playing, this is the best in the Half Life 2 series.The game continues where the last one left off.
Gorden is awakened from the rubble as Alyx and Dog find him.
The core of the Citadel is about to collapse and explode City 17.
Gorden and Alyx with the ideas from Dr. Kleiner try to get the core to stay as steady as it can with a Direct Intervention.
After that, you must escape on a train with the help of Barney from the last game.The game may have the same problems like in Half Life 2.
Problems like stupid NPCS who block you constantly.
But this game is a huge improvement over the last game.
Alyx is still a great character and her development is stronger than the last one.
Drama is also amazing in this game and really effects the player.
Although short, the games pacing is great as the story progresses smoothly.Half Life 2 Episode 1 is a really good game.
It continues Half Life 2's story with amazing pace.
Next Thing To Review Is Half Life 2 Episode 2.78/100 B.
As usual Valve set the standard.
As I have said in the past, valve are a truly talented team, but with over 100 people working on the game I would expect the game to be good or even fantastic which it truly is.
The thing I noticed the most was the change to Barney.
His face looks so much more lifelike and the facial expressions add to his character.
There is a more cheekier side to Alyx emerging in this episode and I found some weapons had more detail.
One cant help but notice the new HDR Technology.
For instance if you enter a brightly lit room from the dark, it will quickly go from bright to normal as your eyes adjust.
The ending (again) leaves you guessing but I suppose that,s to be expected and I was quite surprised to see very little of The G-man except that at the start he seemed to be in a predicament with the Vortigons.
More will be revealed no doubt.
I took away a point for the sheer shortness of the game.
This is getting beyond a joke.
I played a half hour a night so it would last longer and I still managed to finish it in two weeks.
I think this is very unfair.
Especially since I live in Australia and had to pay $48.00.
whatever happened to the days when you would start a game in January and finish in June?
I,m going to complain to Valve and I suggest all that read this do as well.
If we don't, they will assume short is good and keep making them that way.
Ratcat.
(australia)