HL2: Episode 1

poptya · 06-01-2006, 05:21 PM

Am I the only one that has played it? It was released today and I just beat it a couple mins ago. If anyone is wondering, it's a short expansion on HL2 where you have to escape the Citadel with Alyx. It was a sick game, and much harder than HL2 IMO, although much shorter. The AI is insane, and the graphics have been stepped up due to HDR and slightly revised character models (better graphics, nothing changed about them though). I died WAY too many times to say I did great, mainly by blowing myself up ^_^.

Oh, there is also a preview of Episode 2 in case anyone missed it (I did at first). After the credits roll, dont hit Esc at the valve logo.

If you alreaqdy did and are at the title screen, hit new game and scroll all the way to the right. Click on Coming Up and hit load. Dont' hit Esc, let the Valve logo go away on it's own for a preview.

--------SPOILERS BELOW------------------------SPOILERS BELOW------------

The ending was definately interesting, learning that there were like 20 combine advisors IN the citadel, and that there is more than one citadel. Having to play the first half or so without a crowbar was actually wierd. I kept going to switch to my crowbar and it wasnt there :'(

Hardest part I think was that dark basement room while you are waiting for the elevator. I died like 5 times mainly because I would run out of ammo. And the antlion holes annoyed me.

Definately a 9/10, and it would have been a 10/10 if it was longer. I think I liked it better than HL2 itself actually =D.

According to something I read, there will be 2 or 3 more episodes before the end of 2007, after all the episodes are done they will start work on HL3. :)

DarkLink2135 · 06-01-2006, 11:17 PM

How much does it cost?

poptya · 06-01-2006, 11:26 PM

well it was $17 for the pre-orderers (like me) but I think the normal price is $19.99. Not sure though, but it's worth the money if you ask me...

DarkLink2135 · 06-02-2006, 09:45 AM

Hmmm...any estimates as to average game time? I'm not paying $20 for a 2-hour long game.

Uncle Dirt · 06-02-2006, 10:37 AM

I heard the game takes an avaerage of 8-9 hours if you don't use any cheats and play it on normal difficulty. Anyone who finished this game in less than 3 hours has definitely used codes and cheats.

The game is on sale for $20.00. I hear it's pretty damn good. Persoanlly, I would just hold off for all three episodes then buy the whole pack.

skeeder · 06-02-2006, 10:41 AM

I'm "getting" it. I hear its okay. It really depends, alot of people liked HL2, alot hated the ending.

DarkLink2135 · 06-02-2006, 10:47 AM

Thanks Dirt, it's definitely worth the $$$ then. I don't know if I'll get it now, might wait for the 3-pack like you suggested. Anymore now-adays its amazing if a full game actually reaches 8-9 hours of gameplay, much less an expansion pack.

Uncle Dirt · 06-02-2006, 12:47 PM

I haven't played it, but I was reading user reviews on Steam forums and the mature members there said it was pretty kickass and some of the levels are really hard.

**jfkfhhfj** · 06-02-2006, 02:02 PM

Dirt, the game took me only 3 hours to beat and i didnt cheat.

The expansion is REALLY short, but the gamepaly is amazing..

The Levels are insane especially with the zombies,

Gonna replay it on hard difficulty with commentary on

poptya · 06-02-2006, 02:48 PM

I did it on normal difficulty without cheats (except once i got wedged between 2 rocks and had to use noclip to free myself) and beat it in like 5 hours. The second time through I did it with commentary.

**jfkfhhfj** · 06-02-2006, 03:24 PM

Going through the second tiem with commentary is fun

alexgsummer · 06-02-2006, 04:20 PM

havent beat it yet, but little over halfway through. I love it, as I did the original and HalfLife 2. You can't beat the gameplay/story behind HalfLife. They also re-did some sounds in Ep1. The guns sound more realistic to me.

Blazin Trav · 06-02-2006, 05:11 PM

Sorry I'd rather not pay $20 for 8 hours of gameplay.

DarkLink2135 · 06-02-2006, 05:22 PM

Trav, most $50 games only give you that much gameplay. For $20, that's excellent.

alexgsummer · 06-02-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Link2135

Trav, most $50 games only give you that much gameplay. For $20, that's excellent.

I agree, esp for the quality of game we're talking about.

edit: I almost feel like I owe Valve more money anyway for Half Life 2.

Rob! · 06-03-2006, 03:06 PM

I just picked it up today, I couldn't hold out anymore despite me trying oh so hard to save money haha.

It's quite a bit harder right off the bat already, but in a good way. It's so much fun.

I'm not sure if I like Alyx tagging along yet, it's kind of weird. At first, you just followed her around, now she tails behind you sometimes getting in your way. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I also had to turn all the graphics down a notch from HL2, but it still looks awesome. Framerates are crap when a lot is going on

evileks · 06-03-2006, 04:11 PM

This game was absolutely amazing. I <3 HDR with AA. I'd say I spent about 7-9 hours on it; I spend time looking at pretty things though. I'd say it's worth the money.

Anyone else notice how kick-ass the music was?

alexgsummer · 06-03-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evileks

This game was absolutely amazing. I <3 HDR with AA. I'd say I spent about 7-9 hours on it; I spend time looking at pretty things though. I'd say it's worth the money.

Anyone else notice how kick-ass the music was?

LOL YESSS! I even found my self banging my head at some points.

skeeder · 06-03-2006, 11:23 PM

I really hated the parts where if your flashlight dies, you kinda share its fate..

evileks · 06-04-2006, 12:10 AM

Yeah, but it's tied to your AUX so you can monitor it's power. I don't remember it flickering in the original HL2 though.