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Parents' Guide to

Half-Life 2: Episode One

By Aaron Lazenby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Maintains quality, brutality -- adults only.

Game Windows 2006
Half-Life 2: Episode One Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 5 parent reviews

age 3+

Half life 2 provides both fun gameplay and an educational experience for people of all ages.

Half life 2 provides both fun gameplay and an educational experience for people of all ages.
age 3+

Half life 2 provides both fun gameplay and an educational experience for people of all ages.

Half life 2 provides both fun gameplay and an educational experience for people of all ages.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (13 ):

Beyond the advancing plot, players of Half-Life 2 won't find a whole lot new here. All of the weapons are the same, and only one new adversary is added to the mix. Mature players new to the series should start with the original, or else they won't have a clue about what's going on.

While players might be disappointed in the length of Half-Life 2: Episode One (the committed can finish the game in one multi-hour sitting), they will thrill to the game's trademark creativity when it comes to cinematic style and puzzles. The cut scene introduction is more effective than most summer movies and guarantees to raise a few goose bumps. And the gravity gun (a weapon that works like a magnet, pulling an object close to you then allowing you to launch it violently at an enemy) is also in full effect.

Game Details

  • Platform: Windows
  • Available online?: Available online
  • Publisher: Valve
  • Release date: July 31, 2006
  • Genre: First-Person Shooter
  • ESRB rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
  • Last updated: November 4, 2015

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