Suskie's Half-Life 2: Episode Two review

I liked the caves, the whole ecosystem they set up with barnacles eating the antlions and shit (plus the hilarious moments when antlions drowned) was cool and it had some cool action parts like when the King chases you. a bit long though, yeah. the worst part of the game is still the second half of Freeman Pontifex to me.

another place that's been shelled by headcrabs! but this time without the atmosphere! awesome!

in other words, I like your review because I pretty much agree.

The caves were pretty good, though definitely not the highlight of the game. The main problem here is once again the length. Luckily I got Episode 1 for free and Orange Box for something like $25 because I would feel robbed if I spent full price on the two games.

Also I'm hating the cliffhanger ending and the fact that Episode 3 still doesn't have a release date. I'm guessing Valve is creating another compilation probably with Portal 2 and a new multiplayer game.

EDIT: I love how my avatar is changing with every post.

Are we the only three HL fans here?

I didn't make a big deal about the sub-Ravenholm segment of Freeman Pontifex because it was only, what, fifteen minutes long? And it was never boring or tedious or anything. It just felt unnecessary. My issue with that part was placement. You finally get to the surface and sneak a peek at the Combine forces you'll be fighting, and then you get this obligatory zombie-blasting sequence.

Sportsman: Were either of the games full price, though? I got both of them through Orange Box, and so I'm very satisfied, but I was pretty certain Valve was selling them individually for around twenty bucks or so. They're not meant to be full-length games, just episodes, as they're named. I was perfectly happy with Episode Two's length considering that.

Can we all at least agree that the second half is amazing?

I got Episode 1 for free when Circuit City had a buy 1 get 1 free sale about two years ago and got Orange Box at Best Buy for $25 the day after black Friday. Good deals, especially since they were going for $30 (or was it $40) and $50 respectfully when I made the purchases Orange Box is a great value and I don't feel ripped off or anything. I just wish the games were both about three levels longer, though I won't complain about what I have.

Am I the only person that didn't enjoy the second half? I always found steering with keyboard felt wrong; it's like Gordon can't drive without jerking the steering wheel to turn or slamming on the gas with all his might. Part of me (the cynical part) thinks that some of these driving sequences and large scale battles (specifically the final battle in episode 2) are trying to capture a similar formula from Halo. I don't think this is very effective, but I am clearly in the minority.

Half-Life copying Halo? Please. That statement reminds me of a friend of mine, who hates Pulp Fiction because he considers it a pale imitation of The Boondock Saints.

Pulp Fiction and Boondock Saints? What has he been smoking?

As for H2, I've been slightly dissapointed in the entire HL2 series. Don't get me wrong, I love the games, but it lacks the heavy atmosphere of HL1 (Xen aside).

Best part of the entire HL2 series? Ravenhome.