To offset the relative brevity of the campaign, Episode One comes with a few bonuses. The best is a commentary mode, with icons scattered throughout the levels that, when activated, let the player into the minds of the game’s creators through audio recordings. They are incredibly engrossing and I once I started listening I wanted to play the whole game over again to hear them all. I only wish there was an option to be invincible during the entire mode, rather than just when commentary is playing.
You also get Half Life Deathmatch: Source, a Steam-compatible port of the original Half-Life’s multiplayer with prettier water effects. Those who did not play this back in the day will probably have little interest, but for fans it offers madcap, nostalgic fun. It’s also worth noting that Episode One does not require any installation of Half-Life 2 to play, so it’s the cheapest way to get Half-Life 2: Deathmatch if that’s all that you want.
Episode One does everything right while the trip lasts. It starts with the citadel scenario that Half-Life 2 should have climaxed with. When it’s time for the zombies to have the spotlight, they don’t hog it too long. Throughout the game, it only pits you against the three boss types once. The levels are intriguing, especially a blood-stained, dilapidated hospital filled to the brim with both the undead and the mutated. Finally, the story makes you care and is filled with humor and details. My biggest complaint is that there are newer and bigger questions now, and the fact that I have to wait so long for Episode Two.
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