:Half-Life 2: Episode Two

As with previous Half-Life games, Episode Two is played in the first person as Gordon Freeman against transhuman troops, known as the Combine, and other hostile alien creatures. Levels are linear but add a more open environment, consisting of puzzles and first-person shooter game-play. Sequences involving vehicles are interspersed throughout the game, breaking up moments of combat.

One of the focal points of Episode Two was meant to be increased use of vehicles in open areas. However, the game retains its original linear style until the final battle.{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6152046&pid= |date=May 30, 2006 |access-date=May 9, 2008 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One Interview 1 |website=GameSpot |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929225320/http://uk.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6152046&pid= |archive-date=September 29, 2007}} Episode Two has more puzzles than Episode One, including the biggest physics puzzle yet in the series—a damaged bridge. As in the previous two games, Episode Two features numerous "achievements" (similar to PlayStation 3's Trophies and Xbox Live's Achievements) for carrying out certain tasks. Some are essential to game progress, such as helping fight off an antlion invasion, or defeating the first Hunters. Others are optional tricks or feats the player can perform, such as killing a Combine soldier with their own grenade or running down a certain number of enemies with the car.

Episode Two featured a new Hunter enemy, which had just been seen briefly in a recorded message in Episode One. The Hunter serves as one of the most dangerous enemies within the game and as means of emotional development for Alyx Vance. The Hunter is a powerful and resilient enemy which players must often run from while seeking a means to fight back; Episode Two{{'}}s environments are designed with this in mind.{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/728/728031p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907102926/http://pc.ign.com/articles/728/728031p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2006 |title=GC 2006: New Half-Life 2 Trailer Dissected |website=IGN |date=August 24, 2006 |author=Simmons, Alex}}

An interview in the August 2006 issue of PC Gamer magazine revealed that the Hunter stands {{convert|8|ft}} tall. Erik Johnson, the game's project lead, states that the Hunters are "big and impressive, but they can go anywhere the player can go", as the player can encounter them both indoors and outdoors. Ted Backman, senior artist for Valve, talks about how the Hunter can express emotions, being a somewhat non-human character. "We want the Hunter to be able to express nervousness or aggression, [to show you] whether it's aggressive, hurt, or mad." Hunters are very aggressive and they tend to operate in packs, but can also be found supporting other Combine troops. Late in the game, they can be found escorting Striders, using their flechette guns to protect the Striders that the player is trying to attack.{{cite journal |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |journal=PC Gamer |date=August 2006}}

Hunters primarily attack the player by bracing themselves and firing bursts from their flechette cannon. Four flechettes can vaporize an ordinary human soldier. If they do not strike a living target, the flechettes charge up for several seconds and then explode, dealing minor damage to everything nearby. Hunters may also conduct a charging attack or strike with their legs if the player gets too close. Hunters are vulnerable to all weapons, but to compensate, are still quite resilient, making explosives and the pulse rifle's charged energy ball the most attractive options. Objects thrown with the gravity gun are also effective, especially if the player catches some of their flechettes with the object before hurling it. In outdoor environments, they can be run over with a vehicle.{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/826/826062p1.html |title=The Orange Box Review |website=IGN |date=October 9, 2007 |author=Goldstein, Hilary |archive-date=April 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418163632/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/826/826062p1.html |url-status=live }}

Image:Magnusson Device Explanation.jpg

Episode Two features no additions to Gordon Freeman's weapons inventory. Instead, Valve chose to further explore uses for the gravity gun, with which the player can pick up and throw large objects. They introduced more varied gravity gun "ammunition", such as logs, flares, and half-height butane tanks, which are easier to aim than full-size fuel drums.

Near the end of the game, the player uses "Magnusson Devices", which designer Dario Casali described as a "sticky bomb that you fire at a Strider's underbelly that will draw power from the Strider's internal power source". The player uses the gravity gun to attach the bombs to tripodal enemy Striders; the bombs detonate when fired upon with any other of the player's weapons, instantly destroying the target. The Hunter escorts prioritize them as targets, either destroying them in the player's grasp or shooting already-attached ones off.

Large sections of the game feature a car which resembles a gutted-and-rebuilt 1969 Dodge Charger. It appears to have been tuned for performance. A radar system is installed later in the game, allowing the player to locate Rebel supply caches. In the final battle, a rear-mounted storage rack for Magnusson Devices is added and the radar is adjusted to track enemies and Magnusson Device dispensers. A homing unit is also installed so the player can quickly locate the car in the chaos of the final battle via a readout in the Hazardous Environment suit.{{cite web |url=http://storefront.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/message/958/ |title=Steam Update |publisher=Steam |access-date=May 9, 2008 |date=February 16, 2007 |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515191517/http://storefront.steampowered.com/Steam/Marketing/message/958/ |url-status=live }}

The Combine have opened an interdimensional portal in place of the destroyed Citadel, to summon reinforcements and defeat the Resistance. Outside City 17, Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance (Merle Dandridge) escape the wreckage of a train they used to flee the city. The two proceed to a transmission station, where they make contact with Dr. Isaac Kleiner (Harry S. Robins) and Dr. Eli Vance (Robert Guillaume), who have arrived at the White Forest rocket facility. Kleiner and Eli learn that a copied Combine transmission Alyx is carrying may be able to close the portal. The pair reach an abandoned mine, where Alyx is critically wounded by a Combine Hunter. A vortigaunt (Tony Todd) leads the two to an underground outpost, where Gordon is instructed to help gather larvae from a nearby antlion colony to heal Alyx. After the larvae are gathered, vortigaunts begin to heal Alyx. With their abilities diverted, the G-Man (Michael Shapiro) can now connect to Gordon. He reveals that he rescued Alyx from the Black Mesa Incident despite objections from an unspecified third party, and it is imperative she reaches White Forest. The G-Man instructs an unconscious Alyx to tell Eli to "prepare for unforeseen consequences".

After Alyx recovers, they reunite with Eli, Kleiner and Dog at White Forest and are introduced to Dr. Arne Magnusson (John Aylward). The scientists are preparing a rocket which they plan to use with the code to reverse the portal. After Gordon subdues a Combine attack on the facility, Alyx gives Kleiner a message recorded by Judith Mossman (Michelle Forbes), which contains the location of the Borealis, a vanished Aperture Science research vessel. Kleiner believes the vessel contains technology capable of combating the Combine, but Eli argues the vessel should be destroyed. Both agree that Alyx and Gordon should travel to the ship and locate Mossman. Alyx unconsciously delivers the G-Man's message to her father, troubling him. Gordon learns from Eli that the G-Man provided the test sample which caused the Black Mesa Incident, warning Eli with the same message as Gordon entered the test chamber. He promises to explain more after the portal is closed.

While the scientists prepare the launch, White Forest is under another Combine attack. Gordon defeats the attackers using explosive weaponry created by Magnusson. The scientists launch the rocket and close the portal, trapping all remaining Combine forces on Earth. As Alyx and Freeman prepare to leave for the Borealis, Eli warns to Gordon about the ship's "cargo". The trio head to a hangar to board a helicopter, but two Combine Advisors suddenly appear and restrain them. Eli is killed by an Advisor before Dog can chase the Advisors away. Alyx, sobbing, clutches her father's body.

Episode Two was the second in a planned trilogy of shorter episodic games that would continue the story of Half-Life 2 (2004).{{Cite web |last=Dobson |first=Jason |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One Dated, Trilogy Confirmed |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/ |access-date=November 27, 2019 |website=Gamasutra |language=en |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617144053/https://www.gamasutra.com/ |url-status=live }} It was developed simultaneously with Episode One (2006) by a team led by David Speyrer. This schedule of simultaneous development aided them in streamlining the story between the two games to create an immersive story. The technology used was the same for both games, allowing the development teams to quickly fix any technical problems that might arise from either game; this happened often because of the multi-platform release.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65345 |title=Opening the Valve |author=Bramwell, Tom |date=June 6, 2006 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408134834/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=65345 |url-status=dead }} The team originally planned the ending to feature a comical sequence with Lamarr, Kleiner's pet headcrab, floating in space outside the rocket Gordon launches into space; however, Valve president Gabe Newell requested killing off a major character to create a cliffhanger for Episode Three.{{Cite book |last=Keighley |first=Geoff |title=The Final Hours of Half-Life Alyx |date=2020 |publisher=Steam}}

An announcement was made on July 13, 2006, stating that Episode Two would be released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to the PC, where previous iterations of the series separated.{{cite web |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/halflife2episode2/news.html?sid=6154006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719102847/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/halflife2episode2/news.html?sid=6154006 |archive-date=July 19, 2006 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two - The Return of Team Fortress 2 and Other Surprises |website=GameSpot |date=July 13, 2006 |access-date=March 31, 2016}} Valve handled the development for the PC and Xbox 360, while Electronic Arts (EA) worked on the PlayStation 3 version.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/47435 |title=Valve confirms Episode Two, Team Fortress 2 launch date |access-date=June 15, 2007 |author=Remo, Chris |date=June 15, 2007 |website=Shacknews |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705151645/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/47435 |url-status=live }} It was announced on September 7, 2007, that the PlayStation 3 version of the game would be delayed because the EA studio behind the game was in the United Kingdom, away from Valve's development team, and therefore lagged behind in its schedule. According to Valve's marketing director, Doug Lombardi, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC versions would be identical in functionality and performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82891 |title=Valve explains PS3 Orange Box delay |author=Bramwell, Tom |date=September 7, 2007 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=May 9, 2008 |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030012920/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=82891 |url-status=dead }} An audio commentary is also featured, as in Episode One and Lost Coast.{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://media.www.usavanguard.com/media/storage/paper973/news/2007/11/05/Entertainment/half-Life.2.Episode.Two.Entertains.As.Strong.Sequel-3089662.shtml |title='Half Life 2: Episode Two' entertains as strong sequel |publisher=University of South Alabama |date=November 5, 2007 |author=Cashon, Jonathan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227063105/http://media.www.usavanguard.com/media/storage/paper973/news/2007/11/05/Entertainment/half-Life.2.Episode.Two.Entertains.As.Strong.Sequel-3089662.shtml |archive-date=December 27, 2008}} Tony Todd replaced Louis Gossett Jr. as the voice of the Vortigaunts.{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/942003-half-life-2-episode-two/credit |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |work=GameFAQs |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126122236/http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/942003-half-life-2-episode-two/credit |url-status=live }}{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/x360/previews/half-life-2--the-orange-box-cb463b.html |title=Half-Life 2: The Orange Box |publisher=Yahoo! Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716104113/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/x360/previews/half-life-2--the-orange-box-cb463b.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 90.68%{{cite web |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942003.asp |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two — PC |website=GameRankings |archive-date=February 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221154256/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/942003-half-life-2-episode-two/index.html |url-status=live }}

| MC = 90/100{{cite web |access-date=April 14, 2012 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/halflife2episode2 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |publisher=Metacritic |archive-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223182251/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/halflife2episode2 |url-status=live }}

| 1UP = A+{{cite web |access-date=August 3, 2008 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3163574 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode 2 (PC) |website=1UP.com |date=October 10, 2007 |author=Elliott, Shawn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028184805/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3163574 |archive-date=October 28, 2007}}

| IGN = 9.4/10

| PCGUK = 93%{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=173006 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |publisher=PC Gamer UK |date=October 10, 2007 |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220113201/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=173006 |url-status=live }}

| EuroG = 9/10{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84997 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |website=Eurogamer |date=October 10, 2007 |author=Reed, Kristan |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026012936/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84997 |url-status=dead }}

| CVG = 9/10{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=173331 |title=Review: Half-Life 2: Episode Two |publisher=Computer and Video Games |date=October 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427015233/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/173331/reviews/half-life-2-episode-two-review/ |archive-date=April 27, 2012}}

|rev1 = New York Times

|rev1Score = 86%{{cite news |access-date=May 12, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/technology/circuits/25game.html |title=In 1 Box, 3 New Games Filled With Puzzles and Fights |work=The New York Times |date=October 25, 2007 |author=Herold, Charles |archive-date=December 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202062007/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/technology/circuits/25game.html |url-status=live }}

| GSpy = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web |access-date=May 12, 2008 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2-episode-two/826498p1.html |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two (PC) |website=GameSpy |date=October 10, 2007 |author=Accardo, Sal |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515135846/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/half-life-2-episode-two/826498p1.html |url-status=live }}

}}

Half-Life 2: Episode Two received an average score of 90.68% based on 22 reviews on the review aggregator GameRankings. On Metacritic, it has an average score of 90 out of 100 based on 21 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". As part of The Orange Box compilation, Episode Two shared with Portal and Team Fortress 2 in winning "Computer Game of the Year" at the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=964 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details The Orange Box |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=13 November 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113171252/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=964 |url-status=live }}

Dan Adams of IGN rated the game 9.4 out of 10 and praised its improved visuals and expansive environments, but cited the short six-hour length as a drawback.{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/826/826067p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012013811/http://pc.ign.com/articles/826/826067p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |title=IGN: Half-Life 2: Episode Two Review |access-date=October 10, 2007 |author=Adams, Dan |date=October 9, 2007 |website=IGN}} He said: "Any way you look at it, Episode Two stands out, even among the Half-Life series, as something special ... a burly experience packed into roughly six hours or so that offers up all the diversity, level design, and thoughtful gameplay we've known while making sure to propel the story forward and leave us wanting more." Bit-tech.net awarded the game a 10 out of 10 score, citing approval of how the story turns and the introduction of side stories and new characters.{{cite web |access-date=May 9, 2008 |url=http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2007/10/11/half-life_2_episode_two/1 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode Two |publisher=bit-tech.net |date=October 11, 2007 |author=Martin, Joe |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705142702/http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2007/10/11/half-life_2_episode_two/1 |url-status=live }} 1UP.com said it was "vivid, emotionally engaging, and virtually unsurpassed". PC Gamer UK felt Episode Two was "the most sumptuous chapter of the Half-Life saga, and by a country mile". The New York Times enjoyed the gameplay, saying that battles "often require as much ingenuity as they do fast reflexes".

Computer and Video Games said that although the Source engine was dated, the "wonderful art design and the odd bit of technical spit-shine ensure that Episode Two [...] doesn't lose any of its wow factor". They also noticed that the game "goes about fixing a lot of the niggling complaints we had about Episode One," applauding the open forests and rocky hills. The New York Times wrote that "while it sows a few seeds for the final episode of the trilogy, the game lacks the driving force of the previous episode". GameSpy felt it was less consistent than its predecessors, and that the opening segments were "arguably the weakest".

Half-Life 2: Episode Three was scheduled for release by Christmas 2007.{{Cite web |last=Dobson |first=Jason |date=May 25, 2006 |title=Half-Life 2: Episode One Dated, Trilogy Confirmed |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/-i-half-life-2-episode-one-i-dated-trilogy-confirmed |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=Game Developer |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516145404/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/-i-half-life-2-episode-one-i-dated-trilogy-confirmed |url-status=live }} It was canceled after Valve abandoned episodic development and began developing a new game engine, Source 2.{{cite web |last=Marks |first=Tom |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Valve Explains Why Half-Life 2: Episode 3 Was Never Made |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/valve-explains-why-half-life-2-episode-3-was-never-made |access-date=March 23, 2020 |work=IGN |archive-date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323171744/https://www.ign.com/articles/valve-explains-why-half-life-2-episode-3-was-never-made |url-status=live }} After canceling several further Half-Life games, Valve released Half-Life: Alyx in 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/21/20975860/valve-half-life-alyx-release-date-vr-announcement-first-screens-trailer |title=Half-Life: Alyx is Valve's VR-exclusive, full-length prequel to Half-Life 2 |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=November 21, 2019 |work=Polygon |access-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122091724/https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/21/20975860/valve-half-life-alyx-release-date-vr-announcement-first-screens-trailer |url-status=live }} In November 2024, Valve delisted Episode One and Two from the Steam Store and incorporated them into Half-Life 2.{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=November 15, 2024 |title=Valve gets the original Half-Life 2 development team back together for a huge 20th anniversary update—and the game is now free on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/valve-gets-the-original-half-life-2-development-team-back-together-for-a-huge-20th-anniversary-update-and-the-game-is-now-free-on-steam/ |accessdate=November 15, 2024 |work=PC Gamer}}

In reference to the Episode Two achievement "Little Rocket Man", which requires the player to carry a garden gnome from the start to the end of the game and place it into a rocket before it launches into orbit, Newell partnered with Wētā Workshop and Rocket Lab to create and launch a garden gnome on their "Return To Sender" space mission. The mission launched on November 20, 2020, from Mahia Launch Complex, New Zealand, as a mass simulator.{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gabe-newell-has-blasted-gnome-chompski-into-space |title=Gabe Newell has blasted Gnome Chompski into space |last=Beckhelling |first=Imogen |date=November 20, 2020 |work=Rock Paper Shotgun |language=en |access-date=September 25, 2024 }}

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