Jun. 21 - Half-Life 2: Episode 1: The Phantom Gordon
Episode 1 is on sale at Best Buy this week so I bought it. It's gotten great reviews so I thought for 15 clams I couldn't lose. I must admit that I haven't finished it but so far it is incredibly frustrating. Most of the puzzles have succeeded in pissing me off. One puzzle made me reload so many times that I quit the game only to come back the next day and still have to reload about twenty times before getting past it. This isn't me dying in combat. This isn't me not knowing what to do. This is just a frustrating puzzle that kills you if you don't get it right.
Alyx joins you once again and I have to say that her character rules. She's very well-acted both vocally and physically in the game. She has rarely left my side (or rather, I have barely left hers; she seems to be the main character so far) which has provided the exposition necessary to advance the story. However, and this is a purely personal preference, I don't like to baby-sit in shooters. Alyx is extremely smart and I have noticed her navigate some complex paths to catch up to me while shooting enemies. To me Gordon's a loner and I really don't like having to rely on my sidekick to open every door for me. It's OK in spurts but turn me loose, already.
For better or worse I'll keep you updated as I keep playing.
Current opinion: frustrating
Posted by Nathan
