Half Life 2 Episode 1 is a great addition to the Half Life series.
Gameplay-
The gameplay of HL2Ep1 remains the exact same as Half Life 2. This is an excellent thing because Half Life 2 has such amazing gameplay. The new puzzles are fun and engaging. There are very small things added to add to the experience. The enemies seem smarter to begin with. In Half Life 2 the AI was very advanced but in Ep1 the enemies seem to work together much much more. This is a good thing because they aren't extremely hard to take down but it makes you have to work a little more to get your kills. Another cool thing is for part of the game your Gravity Gun becomes ultra powerfull. I wont give away any more. Overall the gameplay of Ep1 is amazing and fun, just like Half Life 2.
Overall: 10/10
Story/Characters-
The story of Ep1 takes place mostly in the Ruined Citadel. The story is rather short which is a letdown compared to the Original Half Life 2 story which seemed endless. Throughout the game you will have your Heroine partner Alyx Vance to aid you in whatever needs aiding:P. She is just as loveable as ever, as is her Robot named D0g. Ep1 is filled with new characters and creatures. I wont give away anything else. the story of Ep1 is great but short and the characters are just as amazing.
Overall: 9.0/10
Graphics/Sound-
The music and sound in Ep1 is top notch. being in the broken Citadel you will hear buzzing and ambience of a world in Chaos. The voice acting is still just as good as it always has been which is excellent. The graphics are texturally better but the environments lack the feel of half Life 2. The run down cities and rural areas found throughout Half Life 2 have been replaced with black and Gray walls which seem boring and plain. Though I didnt expect the Citadel to look like Disneyland it wouldve been nice to spice up the environments just a little. Besides this everything else is great.
Overall:8.5/10
Replayabilty/Multiplayer-
Half Life 2:Episode 1 is a game you will be coming back to when you are in a mood to submerse yourself into an amazing game. There is no Multiplayer but in a game like this it is not needed. I played through Ep1 3 times the first week fiding new things and places.
Overall game:
Ep1 makes your half life experience even more full. It adds much more to the story and the gameplay is as good as ever. I reccomend this to anybody who has Half Life 2.
9.0/10