The games have emerged as amongst the greatest in their field over the past decade, boasting superb game play, high production values and enough cryptic storyline twists to give Lost a run for its money. One of the other defining factors of the series (and something that left fans walking in brain dead circles of impatience) is the way have teased the game out. Maybe they're just living up to their company name, but anyone who anticipated the release of Half-Life 2, some six or so years after the original must have some patience, resisting the urge to break into the house, rummage around for a preview CD before breaking down in a manic bout of tears as a team of burly security guards round on the hapless intruder trying in vain to lodge the disc down his pants. Half-Life 2: Episode 1 is a follow up to the inevitably successful sequel and the first in a trilogy to be released in fairly quick succession, probably so that something similar to the above situation never occurs. Unsurprisingly, it's a game which manages successfully to emulate the encapsulating standards of its forefathers whilst incorporating new elements that work just as well.

Half-Life 2 ended on a real cliff-hanger that involved an explosion and the scare as to whether you, Gordon or, indeed, Alyx, survived. We'd be here all day explaining the whole of the previous plot, so you may browse, peruse or whatever you wish, all of that information at your leisure. However, even if you have no previous experience with Half-Life you won't feel completely alienated by the plot, just a little thrust into it. Who knows? Such naivety might even work to your favour by forcing you to concentrate more and dragging you into the narrative and game play experience further. Anyway, yes, they do live. Good job too, otherwise there would be less of the game than there is already... Zapped of energy and slightly dazed, Gordon emerges from the Citidel's rubble with a little help from Alyx's robotic canine, christened 'Dog'. Perhaps she thought the name 'Rover' was a bit cliched and wanted to go for something more original. The trio realise that they must escape from City 17 immediately as they are in grave danger; the reactor may blow at any time.

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As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Valve have stuck to every syllable of those wise words in Episode 1, throwing up what can only be described as Half-Life-esque gameplay consisting of an admirable balance between brain frying puzzles and deadly combat. It's something they've proven very good indeed at since the inception of Half-Life and a flair for imagination and creativity that hasn't wavered in nearly a decade.

The aforementioned major new feature is the fact that you are no longer a lone explorer. Alyx remains at your side throughout, assisting you in battle in an admirable display of courage, daring and infinite amounts of ammunition. She's a bit like the Terminator (the friendly Arnold Schwarzenegger one from the first sequel), which isn't necessarily a bad thing; her company is certainly preferable to some of the defenceless, goony sidekicks some titles have you stuck with. Some puzzles require the two of you to work together, so the extra intelligence and subtle clue-giving from your female assistant is always welcome. The fact that her companionship is positively received rather than intrusive to your exploration is a factor that has to be commended, as she turns into a fountain of information regarding the answer to riddles set to you as well as standing guard while you take care of said cerebral tasks.

While Episode 1 continues with what Half-Life 2 and it's predecessor did so well, for those who have perhaps overindulged in Half-Life 2, a sense of de ja vu (or a glitch in the matrix, whichever you prefer) might well be bestowed upon you. Many of the environments are those which you will have already explored and the same goes for the variety of enemies inhibited to infringe your progress. Furthermore, the array of weapons remains pretty much unchanged but so as long as you're okay with that, all should be well. Otherwise, it might feel a bit too much like treading over old ground. And if those latter few statements hit you with a blow to the gut like the cancellation of your favourite show, just wait until you hear that from start to finish Half-Life 2: Episode 1 will take you around six hours to complete. Whoops, I said it.

The ever flirtatious relationship between Gordon and Alyx is communicated with beautiful clarity by the astonishing amount detail and expression on Alyx's face. Professional voice acting on Alyx's part aids in certifying the pair's emotional state without us ever seeing or hearing the game's central male character. The pleasant surprises don't just stop there, mind you. Efforts have been focused on improving the lighting and shadow effects both in interior and exterior environments from Half-Life 2. The extra layers of ambience that they display succeed in making your experience extremely atmospheric; a perfect aesthetic partner to the way Half-Life plays.

There's no denying that Half-Life 2: Episode 1 is a title that needs no real recommending. It seems that Valve can do no wrong with the series. The real decision is whether you want to fork out the cash, albeit slightly less than for a 'full' title, for a game that is largely just more of the same of what Half-Life 2 offered. The modes available are the same as that the prequel offered, leaving just the few hours of new adventuring and a cheap documentary into the game's development left to pad things out. It's fairly interesting if you really want to see what went where to create the end product, but really it's little more than a DVD-style bonus that most people will never watch, or perhaps sit through once and never again. If you haven't played Half-Life 2 then you're probably best off with that first before deciding whether you want to go for this afterwards. And you know what? Judging by the quality seeping almost uncontrollably from both games, chances are you will.

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By Andrew Macarthy