A solid follow up to Episode 1 and Half Life 2.
Episode 2 picks up right after episode 1. Gordon and Alyx have taken the train into white forest, in search of Alyx's father. The train wrecks and Gordon and Alyx are stuck in the middle of white forest. Together they must find a way to A:yx's father while battleing Antlions, zombies, and the Combine. The story is very good and well told and will keep you going til the end.
The gameplay hasn't chnaged at all from the past Half Life 2 games. You still have the same array of weapons, and you still solve puzzles and shoot things. This isn't a bad thing, but I wish they tried to implament a few new things into the formula. Things are pretty much left untouched.
Graphically the game looks good, but it is starting to show its age. Everything looks exactly the same, and it might be time for Valve to make a new engine.
Sound has been a big part of the Half Life games, and it is as good as ever in Half Life 2 episode 2. The voice acting is solid, and the sounds of the environment and weapons firing sound great.
If I have one problem with Half Life 2 episode 2, it is the first half of the game. Hwne I heard about the setting, I expected big battles in a forest like terrain. BUt the first half of the game takes place in a bunch of caves and you really don't get the big battle until the very end of the game in an epic battle with the Striders.
Overall, Episode 2 is a great addition to the Half Life series. If you are a fan of Half Life, then you need to pick this up. I just hope that we don't have to wait much longer for Episode 3.