Half-Life 2: Episode One review

It seems like an eternity since most of us completed Half-Life 2, leaving us waiting veraciously for more.  What happened to Gordon and Alyx?  Just who is the G-Man and what is he up to?  So many answered questions, leaving us all hanging, expecting to wait until Half-Life 3 for these issues to be resolved.

It is thankful therefore, that the advent of their Steam distribution system has helped to persuade Valve to move away from producing major new games every half dozen years or so, and rather to make use of their existing (and ever improving Source engine) to work on episodic content, which can be released as small chunks of gameplay (typically five or six hours or so) as and when it is ready.

So, enter Half-Life 2: Episode One (formerly known as Aftermath) - The first episode of the continuing Half-Life saga which continues directly on from the events at the end of Half-Life 2.  How does it rate against its predecessor?  Four of Elite Bastards' most intrepid members - Jollemi, DarkJedi, baz8080 and Hanners - Journey back to the heart of City 17 to find out.

City 17... Weather lovely, wish you were here (Click for full-size image)