Half Life 2 Episode One takes off right where Half Life 2 ends. When you start it up though, you’ll notice a bunch of visual differences.  Textures are sharper, colors are more defined and Alyx’s facial expressions are even more pronounced.  I won’t go into the plot details for those that haven’t played through Half Life 2, but the pacing is definitely different and it is WAY short.  I mean like 3 hours and that includes a mission where you have to retrace your steps three times.  The pacing also isn’t quite as strong, meaning there are quite a few “catch your breath” type moments which simply did not occur during HL2.  No new weapons are introduced and only one new enemy pops up.  It truly feels like a minor expansion pack and is (thus far) the weakest part of the Orange Box I’ve played.  (I have not played EP 2 or Team Fortress extensively yet). 

That’s not to say it’s bad at all.  It’s wonderful to be able to finish HL2 and jump right into Episode one to keep the story driving along.  I guess the standard has been set so high that it’s disappointing that it simply maintains the excellence of the series rather than building on it.  The story is still riveting and I’m really developing an affinity for Alyx.  Her character is being fleshed out both physically and emotionally and I can only hope she becomes more of a focal point as the series develops.  Unfortunately, Freeman is a complete mute, so it is very nice to have a likeable supporting character.  I’ll be diving into Episode 2 soon, so stay tuned.

7/10 (Very short and lots of backtracking toward the end of the episode.)

Mahalo,

Duke