Half-Life 2: Episode 1 -- HL2 not required

I can't wait. Despite the bad press around the content break down, this is still the best game i have ever played and look forward to its continuation

Is there a retail version or is it Steam only?

Steam only

Although I loved HL, HL2 and am looking forward to the expansion pack(s), I can't help but be disappointed by the value of he pack (in terms of hours/$$). $20 for only 4-6 hours of gameplay is really pushing the envelope the wrong way. I expect a full price game ($50) to provide about 40-60 hours of gameplay. Consequently, $20 should provide at least 16-24 hours of gameplay. I understand that production costs are significant, but Steam also helps minimize distribution costs, which should help bring more profits to the developer (and consequently provide more direct value to the consumer). This is really a disturbing trend.

$20 though?

I think I'll wait until they release some kind of compilation or something and then buy em all at once b/c $20 for 4-6 hours of gameplay is a bit much...especially for a game of this calibur.

Original HL2 had only 12-14 hours of gameplay. it cost $50, so not much value. They did add, Counter Strike and HL2 DM, wich gives it abit more playing time.

Yes, but what about Team Fortress 2?

$20? Yeah, but you get 4 to 6 hours of high dynamic range lighting. WOW!!!

*cough cough*

:-)

I will bet anything that "Episode 2 has been in production for a while" simply means "We didn't want to make a single $30 game that had 10hrs of content so we decided to break 'Aftermath' into two games $20 each".

20 bucks and you don't need HL1... stop complaining!

This is gonna pwn! Gordan Freeman for prez!

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4.

? what, if ever, a first person shooter game has ever gone for 40-60hrs?

generally they are in the bracket of 10-20.

so only paying like $20 is actually pretty resonable.

hmmm, wonder when we'll hear about HL3. that's what i'm waiting for, not this digital offal from Valve's table.

#4 What was the last shooter you played that had 40-60 hours of gameplay in single-player...console or PC?

I'm curious...

Argh, Feeble beat me to it.

Some movie theatres I've been to charge a little under twenty dollars for myself and another person to watch a ninety minute flic.

4-6 hours of HL2 > 2 average ninety minute movies.

I hate to commodify entertainment like that, but it kinda makes sense.

They're also releasing it on CD as well, I think.
Valve are relesing episodic content so that gamers don't have to wait as long- its a good idea.

how can you care about price!
this is the best game ever and they've got more out soon!
besides if you get steam it'll probably be free because you've got halflife already and if you havent got steam you'll get even more great games!

@ Joe:

You obviously didn't read the story...and besides ANYONE can download and install Steam.

Well I think they could do much better, maybe these episodes will improve the rather lack luster game. I enjoy HL2 but when I compare it to HL1 it looses.

It took me 80 hours to finish Half Life 2. LOL Just kidding. More Half Life Source HDR? For $20.00? Bring it Boys Oh YEAH! Can't wait. Thanks VALVe!

HL2 is the funnest game I ever played, and the replay value is high. $20 for it's first sequal is nothing. 6 hrs. for twenty seems reasonable. But what I worry about is Alex...I mean she'll be hanging around most of the time like a bad relative. The "adventurness" factor, which is high when Gordon is alone, will be snuffed out. just what we need, an NPC gettting in the way all the time. Oh well...

CP

Someone asked if there was a retail version or if the release was to be steam only. A DVD version is available for pre-order on amazon. And I can't wait.:-D