The best games in one orange box
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: The Edge
"HL2" has a strong aspect to add to the console market: the use of physics. The game is primarily focused around the gravity gun, which resembles a nail gun with claws and can pick up pretty much anything from debris to large saw blades and fire it violently at foes. The gravity gun is not a novelty in the game but is integral and used in many puzzles to get to high platforms or unlock doors.
"HL2 Episode 1" picks up immediately where "HL2" left off. There is another increase in graphics, which is particularly easy to observe in facial expressions on characters. While "Episode 1" is not as much fun to play, the storyline involving the character Alyx provides the saving grace element to this chapter of "Half-Life 2."
"Episode 2" has the most graphical polish and provides a very engaging gameplay and story. Although the episode is short, the action doesn't let up. While there are not really any new weapons, one new one is featured at the end.
The characters feature some of the best facial animations in any of the games and are truly stunning to see. Alyx's character continues to be developed, keeping the gameplay engaging. Her AI (artificial intelligence) is improved and actually helps in fights instead of getting in the way. The vehicle missions are also fun, featuring a sweet muscle car.
"HL2" and both episodes make a fantastic playable experience that will take approximately 20 to 30 hours to complete.
"Portal" is a truly unique experience. The gameplay is a traditional puzzle type but with extreme twists. The plot loosely ties in with the "Half-Life 2" universe with the gamer placed in the shoes of a test subject at Aperture Science Laboratories. Wielding only a gun that fires two colored portals that directly link to each other when fired, the gamer must accomplish certain goals while taking inertia into consideration.
The narrator is a high-pitched annoying voice that constantly heckles the player, which adds great comedy with such lines as "Quit now and cake will be served immediately."
"HL2 Episode 1" picks up immediately where "HL2" left off. There is another increase in graphics, which is particularly easy to observe in facial expressions on characters. While "Episode 1" is not as much fun to play, the storyline involving the character Alyx provides the saving grace element to this chapter of "Half-Life 2."
"Episode 2" has the most graphical polish and provides a very engaging gameplay and story. Although the episode is short, the action doesn't let up. While there are not really any new weapons, one new one is featured at the end.
The characters feature some of the best facial animations in any of the games and are truly stunning to see. Alyx's character continues to be developed, keeping the gameplay engaging. Her AI (artificial intelligence) is improved and actually helps in fights instead of getting in the way. The vehicle missions are also fun, featuring a sweet muscle car.
"HL2" and both episodes make a fantastic playable experience that will take approximately 20 to 30 hours to complete.
"Portal" is a truly unique experience. The gameplay is a traditional puzzle type but with extreme twists. The plot loosely ties in with the "Half-Life 2" universe with the gamer placed in the shoes of a test subject at Aperture Science Laboratories. Wielding only a gun that fires two colored portals that directly link to each other when fired, the gamer must accomplish certain goals while taking inertia into consideration.
The narrator is a high-pitched annoying voice that constantly heckles the player, which adds great comedy with such lines as "Quit now and cake will be served immediately."
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