Advances on the epic struggle against the Combine
Most of the episode is sheer explosive fun, but it gets off to a slow start and that is primarily where it was at its weakest. If having to reclaim your weapons once again wasn't enough, you have spend a good portion navigating through caves shooting one bug after another. Alternatively, I don't want to de-credit the new enemy - the acid ant-lion - whose mobility and projectile acid makes it an interesting new enemy, although sometimes annoying depending on the limits of the environment.
Despite the slow beginning, the game rolls forward as fast as a roller coaster as Episode 1 managed to be, but with more excitement with the inclusion of a second new enemy - the hunter. The hunter is tough, aggressive and packed with fire power - serving to be an all-around better challenge than the usual combine grunts.
As you progress though one portion of the game, you are given a certain level of freedom to navigate around a large open area to search out ulterior areas to either face new enemies or gather up more supplies as you drive around the game's muscle car.
What follows is an epic battle at the White Mountain base and a dark conclusion that I will not reveal.
Verdict: 9/10