Now Playing: Half-Life 2 (& Episodes)

Half-Life 2 is a first person shooter originally released in 2004. It was the much anticipated sequel to the highly regarded Half-Life and despite a series of lengthy delays, it certainly did not disappoint upon its eventual release. Set roughly twenty years after the end of the first game, we rejoin our protagonist Gordon Freeman as he arrives in a world conquered by a multidimensional empire known as the Combine.

Revisiting the game recently, I was pleased to see that HL2 remains one of the best single player FPS available. The opening is nearly perfect and a fantastic example of ‘show don’t tell’ storytelling. It’s also a great example of how an engaging, interactive narrative can be presented without the need for heavy handed exposition or intrusive cut-scenes.

Without any condescending hand-holding and with very little dialogue (in fact Gordon, as in the first game, is entirely silent throughout) HL2 rapidly sets the scene. ‘Pick up that can’ - a short, simple line, but one that tells you everything you need to know about the sort of world Earth has become in your absence (whilst also serving as part of a clever controls tutorial).

 

The pacing is near perfect throughout the entire game. HL2 constantly feeds the player new weapon types, new enemy types, new environments and new challenges to face from start to finish. Just as you become familiar with one thing, the game throws something new at you, keeping you on your toes, whether it be a new enemy, or a creative new way to use an existing tool, or even entirely new gameplay mechanics – such as the antlion control or the squad command.

Graphically, HL2 still holds up well today, with a solid physics system and some nice character animations. I felt that the music was a slightly weaker area of the title, but VA is great. Enemy AI is pretty solid, although nothing special.

In terms of environments HL2 features a great deal of variety and some excellent design. Levels range from large, open areas to small, claustrophobic tunnels. The game moves seamlessly from one area to the next (aside from the irritatingly frequent loading) and the game even contains a couple of extremely enjoyable vehicle sections.

The game unfolds its story pretty much perfectly, and despite the minimal interaction and dialogue you quickly come to care about the situation and the characters you encounter as you progress. There are a lot of great scenes from beginning to end, some large and action packed, others smaller character moments. And no section ever grows too tedious as the game is always introducing new elements into the mix.

So is it perfect? Well, no. There are minor issues here and there. Some areas are less interesting than others, and the final stretch and ‘boss’ situation is a little anticlimactic in how it plays out. But overall, Half-Life 2 is a fantastic game, one of the best of its genre. It’s tightly paced, brilliantly designed, exciting and engaging to play.

9/10

Which brings us nicely to the two sequel Episodes.

Episode 1 is the slightly weaker of the two. The opening retreads similar ground to the ending of the core game, followed by an extended underground area which grows a little tedious. However, it does then feature a fantastic fight through an old hospital which was probably my favourite moment out of both episodes. The ending is a little weak, but it sets the scene nicely for Episode 2.

6/10

Episode 2 is certainly an improvement, featuring a range of new environments and new enemy types. Leaving City 17 behind, Episode 2 take place in a more rural setting, with the return of vehicle sections and more large, open areas. It also advances the overall story more, ending on a cliffhanger which, to this day, still remains unresolved. Some levels are a little long (such as the mines/antlion tunnels) and no section was quite as exciting as the hospital battle of Episode 1, but overall, this episode is a longer and more varied addition to the core game.

7/10