Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Half-Life 2: Episode Two begins immediately where the previous installment left off. Again as scientist turned-hero Gordon Freeman, you’re placed outside the realms of the obsolete City 17 with your companion Alyx Vance. The Combine Army has continued its assault of recontrolling Earth, and before long Alyx and Gordon find themselves in an ambush. When Vance is left critically wounded you’re tasked with not only saving her but taking her to The White Forest before the Combine Army reaches the rebel base.
As one of the five games in The Orange Box – Valve’s latest gaming package – Episode Two is arguably one of the most anticipated games of the year. Fans will be delighted to know that this stunning chapter of a wonderful franchise doesn’t disappoint. While the game does utilise many familiar elements of the Half-Life series like physics puzzles, weapons and enemies, the spectacular set pieces and scripted moments, ensure that Episode Two is a fresh and compelling experience.
One of the great strengths of Half-Life has been the variety of the level design and Episode Two sees players traveling from a multitude of locations outside of City 17. The underground caves at the beginning of the game are particularly notable for their intensity and claustrophobia and form a perfect contrast to the games epic scale finale in the White Forest. The latter does not offer the level of freedom for players as it may have been hyped, but the Forest is a refreshing change from the cramped metal corridors that fans of Half-Life have come to know. It is to the credit of Valves ability in design that they have crafted the exterior levels, like the White Forest and dirt tracks, in such a linear fashion without the game world ever feeling contrived or artificial.
Perhaps I was too distracted by the Source-powered visuals, which are still stunning despite the engine being several years old now. The engine has been enhanced for improved lighting and physics. As soon as you see the glow of a Vortigaunt, explore the White Forest in the new Dodge car, or watch a Strider blowing a house to smithereens, you’ll realise much the game has improved since Episode One. Yet unlike many other shooters these visuals are again a major contribution to the game’s narrative. The animations on the NPC’s are again very lifelike and add to the emotion, believability and to some degree, your attachment to the characters. The only sacrifice is slightly increased system requirements. I felt this from not meeting the proper requirements. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the game even more and had greater appreciation for the finale if I had the proper hardware to run the game.
One of the major differences that many have noted is that Alyx Vance not as prominent as she was in Episode One. The time you do spend with her is again invaluable for her assistance in combat as well as the game’s emotional front. Likewise the Vortigaunt, though not overly different from Vance, is a fairly amusing companion. His spiritual speech's and electrical strike attacks prove to be thoroughly entertaining. The real surprise however is the introduction of Dr. Magnusson, who is a nasty, cynical and quite hilarious contrast to Alyx and co. His appearances towards the end of the game should mean that he will feature more prominently in Episode Three when it is released.
On the flip side there are two new enemies introduced as well. The first is the acid Antlion Worker, which can spit toxic acid, attack with their legs and fly at the player. Found at the beginning of the game, this fierce little bugger really accentuated the depth of the combat for me. When faced against this critter I found it necessary to always duck behind cover to avoid its spray and to have to regulate to a range weapon to try and hit it. Yet it’s smart enough to fly when taking fire. This makes for a surprisingly intense firefight of timing, precision as well as selection in terms of weaponry. Quite impressive. The more hyped and touted opponent though is the Hunter. Often accompanying Striders or working in packs of three, this galloping beast uses a launcher to fire explosive darts in rapid motion, causing terrible splash damage. One of the most shocking scripted sequences, its first appearance, is particularly terrifying in demonstrating how devastating it is to unsuspecting opponent (or player as I found out myself). I saw it as a very challenging opponent, and always difficult to take down.
Perhaps the only disappointment of the episode is that it again answers so little while raising so much. It is frustrating and strangely engaging the way the game not only hints at what will be in the third installment but how it also ties itself to Portal (another game in The Orange Box)! This is perhaps an unfair criticism of the Episode Two’s story. It is the second chapter in a trilogy, and therefore must leave questions to be resolved in the third entry. The ending of the game is a powerful example of the emotion of the game and remains one of the saddest and most shocking I have seen in several years now…While a pure Half-Life game there is enough new content in Episode Two to make it a compelling experience. It is a key component to The Orange Box and I for one cannot wait to see how it all ends…
