Half-Life Episode 2 (Contains spoilers!)

[curman]

**MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS IN THIS MINI-REVIEW!***

Well, I just beat it. Took me half a day, but I finished Episode 2 finally. It's not a shocker that I finished it within that period, it's that I'm blown away by Episode 2. This is far better than Episode 1, even Half-Life 2 itself! Everything was beautiful to look at, fun to play, and like anything-- had it's cons.

Pros:

-Harder enemies. It was actually difficult this time, I died a few times at the harder parts. Strider attacks, hunters, zombies.

-BLOOD! Finally they added blood, and lots of it. There is waterfalls of blood when you shoot someone now.

-The scenery was great, it looks beautiful on Source Engine. Caves, forest, mountains, particals. All looked absolutely stunning.

-There is a new car to drive, it's awesome.

-Achievements, I'm glad they put in achievements for it's more than just beating the game, there are additional bonuses.

Cons:

-I have no idea what is going on. I played Half-Life 1, and Episode 1. Still, I didn't know where we were going to, what the hell is White Mountain? Who is the new doctor guy who appeared from nowhere? Why are we launching a rocket? The plot seemed very skippy over alot of details.

-Hunters are such bullshit to kill.

-All somewhat predictable. By that I mean nothing ever comes simple. You get in an elevator, and you know it's going to break or crash. It's easy to predict what outcome will happen.

BELOW ARE SCREENSHOTS THAT CONTAIN SPOILERS, DO NOT VIEW UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE, OR BEATEN THE GAME AND ALREADY KNOW. (All resized, if you want a larger version just ask.)

[-HP-]

ah ah...

Man, can't wait!

[Sentura]

yeah there's even an achievement if you can smuggle the gnome into the rocket.

i thought ep 2 as a whole very entertaining, more so than portal (though i really liked the last parts of portal). took me about 6 hours to complete aswell, but that's what you can expect from episodic content. the story is really well told, more so than ep1 anyhow. i really loved the scenery and especially *spoiler?* the mountain houses down the snake path */spoiler*.

without going int more detail, i am very satisfied with this purchase, and really looking forward to ep3 (which will probably take another year and a half). also, with some of the references to aperture science, i could see ep3 converging with a sequel for portal.

[Rick_D]

good thing I have retarded resolution or I wouldn't be able to see your massive image

[curman]

Sorry? I run at max. resolution and graphics in Half-Life 2. I didn't consider resizing for a bunch of fellow gamers

[-HP-]

I believe he meant the huge resolution image you posted on you'r thread, 1600x is a huge image to post on forums...

[Grinwhrl]

not really, if you want to show detail. Get a bigger screen

[D3ads]

One screen that big isn't a problem, it's when there's masses of them posted...

Anyway, I wont bother with this yet, going to wait untill all three episodes are done and then buy them as a trilogy.

[BaRRaKID]

I read at Interlopers that the German version of the game is censured

You don't see any blood when you shot the combine and the bodies disappear right after you kill them...

[e-freak]

I don't have any censoring but on the other hand I've not bought my obox the "normal way"...

That's said enough on that topic - I've just finished it and it is pure awesome! The ending is so tragical and the new g-man revealings o_O

[NormySan]

I think it was great, definitely much better than ep1. Havn't tried portals yet. think i may do that now

[-HP-]

Just keep the spoilers the fuck outta this thread, plz!!

[dux]

Just finished it, took about 5 / 6 hours solid play. Sad ending.

[curman]

Added some screenshots, pros and cons. Add yours too =)

[-HP-]

ah... shit.. erm, could you edit the thread name to, like "spoiler warning", or somethin'?! pretty, pretty please?