This is something I've wondered for quite a while since Episode 2 was released.

Obviously the Vorts in Ep 2 are quite different than the Vorts from Half-Life 2. They look significantly different, they are noticeably more bad ass, and their voice has changed as well. (Louis Gossett, Jr. for the HL2 vorts and Tony Todd for the Ep 2 vorts)

All of these changes lead me to conclude that the Vortigaunts in Episode 2 are younger, healthier, fit members of the species. Their skin and musculature are toned and lean, their dialogue is faster, cleaner, and higher in decible (slightly) than their previous versions, and I think the fact that they just simply go out of their way to kick some ass leads some evidence to the theory, although admittedly Valve didn't really show them engaging in much combat in HL2.

Somewhat to counter my own argument, while the Vorts Gordon encounters out in the wild could be said to be younger, it stands to reason that the Vorts he runs into at White Forest, which feature the same shiny new skin and sleak look, would be older, and thus more involved in working on the Scientific pursuits of the resistance than their younger counterparts.

I really don't know what to think. Are the Vortigaunts in Episode 2 simply a re-skinning of the classic Vort with Tony Todd voice acting because Gossett Jr wasn't available, or did Valve intentionally do this to show off a youthful version of the species?

I think someone needs to write a letter to Mark Laidlaw.

I would imagine that the Vortigaunt condition as a whole would have improved after becoming freed in the first Half-Life.  Perhaps the independence allowed them to resume practicing old Vort traditions of some kind (i like to pretend they play some kind of energy ball soccer).  Perhaps they are just better nourished?

anyway, in episode 2 it sounded like they were looking for something.  i can't remember exactly what they said, but it seemed like they were either looking for more of their kind, or some sort of leader.  am i misinterpreting?

The Vorts in Ep2 are noticably more badass and look a lot more shiney, sleak and defined. But i think thats down to engine updates more than them being younger. I'd also say the the reason for their more offensive and confident personalities is down to Gordon Freeman. By the time of Ep2 the combine in City 17 have had one major beating all dealt by a single man, the one Freeman who the Vorts seem to hold in very high esteem, almost like a deity or prophet? I mean afterall we're seeing the Resistance in full open war with the Combine now and thats got to boost the morale of everyone, Vorts included, when Gordon drops by to say hello and resupply before smashing more Combine skulls with his crowbar.

I'd say the changes we see in the Vorts during Ep2 are story driven and Valve re-skinned these guys to benefit from the update to the Source engine. Probably because they realised since for a large part of the game you are in their company its better they look good than be the uglier and less appealing older models from HL2.

But for sure if anything can be learnt about Vorts in Ep2 its that they can kick some serious arse with their green energy beams.

The updated Vort textures were added to the PS3 and 360 version of the original HL2 and Ep1. The PC version has yet to get the graphical update for HL2 and Ep1.

"The updated Vort textures were added to the PS3 and 360 version of the original HL2 and Ep1. The PC version has yet to get the graphical update for HL2 and Ep1.
"

"I would imagine that the Vortigaunt condition as a whole would have improved after becoming freed in the first Half-Life.  Perhaps the independence allowed them to resume practicing old Vort traditions of some kind (i like to pretend they play some kind of energy ball soccer).  Perhaps they are just better nourished?

anyway, in episode 2 it sounded like they were looking for something.  i can't remember exactly what they said, but it seemed like they were either looking for more of their kind, or some sort of leader.  am i misinterpreting?
"

"The updated Vort textures were added to the PS3 and 360 version of the original HL2 and Ep1. The PC version has yet to get the graphical update for HL2 and Ep1.
"

"Errorsol said:

"The updated Vort textures were added to the PS3 and 360 version of the original HL2 and Ep1. The PC version has yet to get the graphical update for HL2 and Ep1.
"

We have mods, so its already available really. And specifically we have FakeFactory's cinematic mod :D!
"

FakeFactory's mod is very hit or miss in that its such an awesome mod you believe its official until you see the bugs and remember its just fanmade. It has issues with computers running less than 3GB ram and 32bit OS's so be warned and expect crashes if you don't meet those requirements :P

I'm on a 3 year old system with an 8 month old vid card but it can run Crysis as max detail settings (non directx-10) very smoothly, and I've got 4 gigs of ram, but I'm running XP 32 so I probably won't bother with it until I build my new system or decide to find a copy of XP 64...sigh

Whatever the reason, I hope the Episode Two vorts are here to stay. They're badass beyond words.