Halflife Episode 2 takes note of perceived follies of previous iterations. From the get go, it introduces a fresh environment, introduces new enemies, new characters and propels the story all with larger levels and a noticeable visual upgrade.
Gone are the redundant City17 environments to be replaced by green hues of sparse countryside, a much needed pallet swap lacking in Episode 1.
While much like Half-life 2, Episode 1 served as an extended chase sequence, it was a far more bare bones affair with a resolution that simply ended with a predictable escape. No real high or low, it simply ended.
Episode 2 makes a far more conscious effort to push the story with a central focus on main cast previously non existent in Episode 1. Unlike the unnaturally optimistic Alyx Vance of the previous episode here she is handled more tactfully. Likewise previous characters return with a far more connected sense of both relationship and relevance to the story itself.
A very welcome new addition is Dr. Magnusson. A survivor of Black Mesa he serves as a direct contrast to the rest of cast, a cantankerous black-cloud who's quips, if handled by a lesser developer would be irritating,. Here, he ends up being one of the most endearing characters in the franchise.
Vortigons, previously relegated to prop dressing now display individual personality, act as companion AI and play a seemingly prominent role in the story itself, this was hinted at in Halflife 2 and later in Episode 1 but here they are put to the forefront.
The Gman character absent from Episode 1 (barring an introduction sequence) also makes a return. And what a return... It's both unexpected, unsettling but strangely gratifying to here his raspy voice again. As opposed to some distant figure in the background, here, the story more directly implicates him. Instead of diminishing mystery, it simply adds curiosity that was previously waning thanks to an unsatisfying Halflife 2 ending and a complete absence from Episode 1.
The story as a hole is more melodramatic, it lacks the subdued subtlety of Halflife 2, but at the same time, it's exactly the jolt the franchise needed. The ending as well, though a cliff-hanger as with the others - is far more effective staying with the player after the credits role.
Valve's typical creativity becomes immediately apparent within the opening sections. Environmental grubs that will award the player health for stepping on them, barnacles hanging on mass ready to suck up both player and enemy alike and ant loins eager to punch to suicidal watery grave thanks to a simplstic insect brain. Everything here is familiar, but with tweaks and new additions lacking in Episode 1.
Combat itself is automatically improved by the introduction of a new enemy - the Hunter. Mechanically, it acts as a cross between a melee ramming Ant-Loin Queen and a Combine Soldier. It's fast, aggressive and immediately demanding the players attention in a way the Combine soldiers never did. Combine solider encounters themselves seem to have been improved as well with more meticulous scripting.
Aside from a new enemy, a new weapon introduced - Magnusson balls! On paper these are merely exploding sticky bombs. But used in conjunction with vehicle, gravity gun and traditional firearm against Striders rushing to attack a base coupled with Hunters harassing the player, the simple concept becomes entwined with external situations to morph the final section of the game into a bizarre yet brillaint game of basketball unlike anything seen in an FPS before or since.
Episode 2 adds more than content, it examines the franchises weaknesses and rectifies them, refining and adding accordingly. A quiet confidence permeates the game. Episode 1 was great, but flawed. Episode 2 is nigh on FPS perfection.
The great irony is Valve ultimately failed at episodic content, Teletales being the real successor in the field. We can take solace that this wasn't due to critical or commercial failure, but rather Valves dogmatic adherence to quality, dooming them from the start.
