If there’s one thing that the developer commentary on the HALF-LIFE games has taught me, almost every design is meticulously crafted and planned at Valve Corporation. HALF-LIFE 2: EPISODE TWO is no exception. It is a complimentary follow up to HALF-LIFE 2: EPISODE ONE, bringing back the familiar mechanics, gameplay, and atmosphere you’d expect from the HALF-LIFE 2 universe. And yet, it is the yang to EPISODE ONE‘s yin. Whereas the first episode was a throw back to the first game’s emphasis on smart puzzles, EPISODE TWO leans heavier towards the FPS aspects of the series.
Still being part of the HALF-LIFE 2 universe, EPISODE TWO retains the same mechanics and engine of the previous two entries, even if they are a few new enemies and items added into the mix.
Not that this is a bad thing. While any further sequels using the same exact gameplay would be beating a dead horse, EPISODE TWO manages to squeeze the last good drops out of HALF-LIFE 2‘s potential as an action game.
While the action can be fast paced, relentless, and adrenaline fueled, it never lose its sense of wits. As before, you can’t win by mindlessly pulling the trigger. It’s a mixture of picking the right weapon for the right moment, staying on your feet so you aren’t a sitting duck, and even setting up the occasional turret or trap.
The best example that comes to mind is the resistance outpost in Victory Mine. It’s a maddening game of defense as you set up turrets and mines all over the entrances, while listening to the rapid beating of the sensors telling you that the antlions are about to come. It’s a nonstop slaughter fest against insect bugs making their way through the dark. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the team was watching ALIENS the night before they developed this section.
Rather than being a simple shooting gallery from start to finish, EPISODE TWO manages to test every non-puzzle skill you’ve picked up from the games thus far. From a big shoot out against the Combine in a small abandoned town to ducking under wreckage and fighting off zombies while machine gun fire whizzes above you to running INDIANA JONES style away from a radioactive Antlion Guardian, this game has it all. There isn’t a single dull point and shoot moment to be found in the game. And while I won’t completely give it away, the last battle in the game tests all of your fighting abilities at once, while introducing an entirely new and creative concept to the battlefield.
And while EPISODE ONE takes place in enclosed, intimate surroundings, EPISODE TWO opens up to the great outdoors. There are plenty of driving sections and even supply rewards for those willing to explore the offbeat paths. That doesn’t mean that it’s an open world game, but it feels much more expansive than previous entries, despite remaining linear. Even indoor sections, such as the mines, feel large and complex.
If there’s one big stumble for EPISODE TWO‘s gameplay, it’s at the Resistance’s base. Not because of the action. As I’ve said before, the last battle is a blast and is one of the highlights for both this episode and the entire franchise. It’s the moments leading up to the finale where the game drops the ball.
There’s nothing wrong with the gameplay taking a breather for some story, but story was never HALF-LIFE‘s strong suit. And while it’s nice to see some familiar faces once you reach the base, the character interactions feel like an excuse for the game to cram in as much exposition as possible. It’s not that they’re badly written or without their merits. It’s just that things get tedious when you’re stuck in a room listening to explanations and what you really you want to do is get back to raising some hell.
As far as the story goes, it’s like every other HALF-LIFE game. Memorable but nothing noteworthy. Once again, Alyx Vance is both a valuable sidekick and the person who adds some heart to the game, even if the romance is so obvious this time around that Alyx practically soaks her pants whenever she sees Gordon.
However, as wonderful as it is to see old friends return and Gordon and Alyx’s relationship blossoming, G-Man completely steals the show. It feels as if David Lynch takes over the story when the G-Man appears and in true Lynch fashion, there’s a lot of plot twists and more questions than there are answers.
This is why it’s hard for me to recommend EPISODE TWO. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a fantastic game and I love the surreal mysteries and plot twists.
However, it ends on perhaps the biggest (and darkest) cliffhanger in video game history. It’s like a wonderful T.V show that creates a huge set up for the next season, only to be abruptly canceled. I won’t spoil the ending, other than to say that after playing EPISODE TWO, wondering what will happen next is going to drive you crazy for years to come.
And as far as a HALF-LIFE 2 EPISODE THREE or even HALF-LIFE 3 in the near future? It’s already been well over seven-and-a-half-years since EPISODE TWO was released, so I’m not holding my breath anytime soon. Every E3 has people spreading wild rumors of Dr. Freeman’s return, all of which get put to rest with a resounding “hell no!” from Valve Corporation.
Still, if TWIN PEAKS and THE X-FILES can return well after a decade, maybe Gabe and company will be inspired to answer all of our burning questions with a new HALF-LIFE soon.
RELEASE DATE: October 10th, 2007
PUBLISHER: Valve Corporation,
DEVELOPER: Valve Corporation
ESRB: M (Mature)
July 30, 2015 By Andrew Hudson