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'Call of Duty 3' Review
by Samo

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First things first ... if you haven't played through Half Life 2 yet, then forget about getting this game. I dont care if its only $30 or so, you still wont be getting even half as much out if it unless you have played through the original Half Life 2. Go do it, because Episode 1 is more of the same gameplay, plus a continuation of the dramatic ending from the last game. So in saying that, Im going to assume that the only people who are going to read any further are the people who actually finished Half Life 2, so I'm not going to hold back on any plot spoilers from the last game.

Seriously now, dont read any further if you haven't finished Half Life 2, just go buy it and play it and I'll see you back here in a few days, got it

Good.

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There's a couple of things which are obvious to anyone who has seen any of the screenshots or promo pictures from Episode 1. Gordon Freeman is back, Alyx didnt die, and this game picks up directly where the last game ended. And I do mean literally, right at the matrix style freeze frame explosion at the top of the citadel in city 17. For some unknown reason, Alyx and Gordon are both saved by a bunch of vortigaunts that look like they learnt chanting skills from Abe from Abes Odyssey. Turns out that the impending explosion would wipe out most of the survivors who are trying to escape, so its up to Alyx and Gordon to go back into the citadel and try to buy everyone some time. Or something like that. Although the fundamental plot keeps the game moving, Episode 1 tends to create a whole bunch of new questions for all the answers it gives, making the overall story just out of our grasp. Check out this site for what I believe is the most accurate and well researched ideas about the whole Half Life saga.

Right from the get go, everything about the game feels completely familiar. The fact that the weapons you have are exactly the same, and a lot of the levels are very familiar (you are still in City 17 after all), makes you feel right at home, especially if it's been awhile since you played Half Life 2. The graphics are also still impressive, updated to take advantage of the source engines new HDR capabilities. While these new effects are subtle (as long as your graphics card supports it), they keep the game looking schmick. There were many scenes that had me impressed, from the very beginning where you would look skyward and see swirling red clouds around the top of the citadel, so the underground tunnels with knee deep water and some truly amazing light/shadow effects.

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More so than its predecessor, I found moments in Episode 1 to be actually quite scary. There is one section in particular where you are underground and waiting for a lift to arrive. It is pitch black, and you are able to throw flares around to light up certain sections. As you are waiting, you are attacked by the usual head crabs and zombies, as well as the new enemies such as zombie combine soldiers (that have a very headless bomber man from Serious Sam tactic about them). It is a very full on section, and as the flares start to go out and everything goes darker, all you can see is Alyx lighting up as she keeps shooting, and a constant stream of zombies walking towards you. Eventually the battery on my torch went dead, and I was left in pitch darkness, shooting blindly. That was a truly heart pounding experience, one I cant remember having in Half Life 2.

Truly though, the only real change to the core gameplay is the fact that this time, you are not alone. Alyx is your constant companion throughout the episode, holding her own against the enemies and following or leading you through the various levels. It makes a surprising change to the gameplay, as you tend to incorporate Alyx into your strategies, even though you cant control her. It also makes the game more interesting, as youre no longer the lonely soldier exploring the levels on your own, its more like you and Alyx are a team. The constant talking and flirting from Alyx really make her relationship with Gordon more intriguing too, even though you never say a word the entire game.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Episode 1 is the amount of humour in the game as well. For a plot that is actually quite serious, there are a lot of laugh out loud moments, mostly provided by Alyx, but special mention has to go to Dr Kleiner and his speech over the city PA system, suggesting that now is the perfect time to procreate in order to continue our species.

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Ive heard a lot of people complain about the longevity of this game, considering it only takes 4 to 6 hours to finish. Well what do you expect for something this cheap Theres something to be said for the amount of polish that goes into a game like this as well, as every section of every level you reach seems like there is an insane amount of detail that went into creating it. Any longer and the whole game could have started to drag on a bit too much.

Which leads me to my only real criticism of the game its not quite as epic as Half Life 2. If you read my review, I said that one of the most impressive things I found was how cinematic that game was, how there were scripted moments of brilliance. There is a lot less of that here in Episode 1, and depending on which you prefer more plot or more gameplay will depend on whether you enjoy this less or more than Half Life 2.

Final Verdict

An excellent continuation of the Half Life 2 story, it's bang for your buck and a great experience while it lasts.

Pros
Continues the story of Half Life 2, graphics are still impressive, familuar levels, subtle humour, having Alyx around makes the game more interesting, it's cheap.
Cons
Not very long, some of the levels are TOO familuar, not quite as cinematic as Half Life 2, have to wait until November for Episode 2