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{{Game Infobox
  
{{Game Infobox
 
|image=Episode Two Steam library cover.jpg
  
|image=Episode Two Steam library cover.jpg
 
|name=Half-Life 2: Episode Two
  
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|developer=[[Valve]]
  
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|date=October 10, 2007
  
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|mode=[[Wikipedia:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
 
|platform=[[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Wikipedia:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]], [[Wikipedia:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]], [[Wikipedia:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]], [[Wikipedia:Linux|Linux]], [[Wikipedia:Shield Portable|Shield Portable]]
  
|platform=[[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Wikipedia:Xbox 360|Xbox 360]], [[Wikipedia:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]], [[Wikipedia:Mac OS X|Mac OS X]], [[Wikipedia:Linux|Linux]], [[Wikipedia:Shield Portable|Shield Portable]]
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|rating=[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: M (Mature)
  
|rating=[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: M (Mature)
 
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|distribution=[[Wikipedia:Electronic Arts|Electronic Arts]], [[Wikipedia:Steam (software)|Steam]]
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'''''Half-Life 2: Episode Two''''' is the second installment in a trilogy of episodes for the 2004 science fiction first-person shooter video game ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', developed by [[Valve Corporation]].
  
'''''Half-Life 2: Episode Two''''' is the second installment in a trilogy of episodes for the 2004 science fiction first-person shooter video game ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', developed by [[Valve Corporation]].
   
 
Continuing with Valve's method of orienting each episode around a particular theme or set of technologies, ''Episode Two'' focuses on expansive environments, travel, and large, nonlinear battles. Following the closing events of ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode One|Episode One]]'', it sees [[Gordon Freeman]] and the series' other major characters moving away from [[City 17]] to the surrounding wilderness.
  
Continuing with Valve's method of orienting each episode around a particular theme or set of technologies, ''Episode Two'' focuses on expansive environments, travel, and large, nonlinear battles. Following the closing events of ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode One|Episode One]]'', it sees [[Gordon Freeman]] and the series' other major characters moving away from [[City 17]] to the surrounding wilderness.
−  
⚫
The first two episodes of ''Half-Life 2'' were developed concurrently by separate teams. ''Episode Two'' was originally intended to be released in two different packages: the "Black Box" &ndash; which was to ship for the PC only, and was to contain ''Episode Two'', ''Portal'' and ''Team Fortress 2'' &ndash; and the "Orange Box" &ndash; which was released for the PC, the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and contains all the Black Box games in addition to ''Half-Life 2'' and ''Episode One''. The Orange Box is now available at retail stores and on Valve's [[Wikipedia:Steam (software)|Steam]] content-delivery system, however, the Black Box was canceled. Instead Valve introduced a ''gift'' feature to enable those who already own Half-Life 2 and/or Episode One to give the extra copies they buy in the Orange Box away as gifts.<ref>[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?p_faqid=750 Extra Copies - Gifting and Guest Passes - Knowledge Base - Steam Support]</ref>
  
   
 
==Plot==
  
==Plot==
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==Characters==
  
==Characters==
  ⚫
===Allies===
−  
⚫
=== Allies ===
  
 
*[[Gordon Freeman]]
  
*[[Gordon Freeman]]
 
*[[Alyx Vance]]
  
*[[Alyx Vance]]
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*[[Citizen|Resistance members]]
  
*[[Citizen|Resistance members]]
   
−
=== Enemies ===
 +
===Enemies===
−
* '''[[:Category:Xen creatures|Xen Aliens]]'''
 +
*'''[[:Category:Xen creatures|Xen Aliens]]'''
−
** [[Antlion]]
 +
**[[Antlion]]
−
** [[Antlion Grub]]
 +
**[[Antlion Grub]]
−
** [[Antlion Guard]]
 +
**[[Antlion Guard]]
−
** [[Antlion Worker]]
 +
**[[Antlion Guardian]]
−
** [[Barnacle]]
 +
**[[Antlion Worker]]
−
** [[Fast Headcrab]]
 +
**[[Barnacle]]
−
** [[Fast Zombie]]
 +
**[[Fast Headcrab]]
−
** [[Standard Headcrab|Headcrab]]
 +
**[[Fast Zombie]]
−
** [[Poison Headcrab]]
 +
**[[Standard Headcrab|Headcrab]]
−
** [[Poison Zombie]]
 +
**[[Poison Headcrab]]
−
** [[Standard Zombie|Zombie]]
 +
**[[Poison Zombie]]
−
** [[Zombine]]
 +
**[[Standard Zombie|Zombie]]
  +
**[[Zombine]]
−
* '''[[:Category:Combine Units|Combine Forces]]'''
  
  +
−
** [[Combine Advisor]]
  
−
** [[Combine Dropship]]
 +
*'''[[:Category:Combine Units|Combine Forces]]'''
−
** [[Combine Gunship]]
 +
**[[Advisor Pod]]
−
** [[Overwatch Soldier]]
 +
**[[APC]]
−
** [[Overwatch Elite]]
 +
**[[City Scanner]]
−
** [[Hunter-Chopper]]
 +
**[[Combine Advisor]]
−
** [[Hunter]]
 +
**[[Combine Dropship]]
−
** [[Manhack]]
 +
**[[Combine Gunship]]
−
** [[Strider]]
 +
**[[Hunter-Chopper]]
  +
**[[Hunter]] (reuses the [[Combine Guard]]'s AI).
−
** [[Advisor Pod]]
  
−
** [[APC]]
 +
**[[Manhack]]
  +
**[[Overwatch Elite]]
  +
**[[Overwatch Soldier]]
  +
**[[Strider]]
  +
 
==Gameplay==
  
==Gameplay==
 
As was suggested in press releases, ''Episode Two'' features expansive, open-world environments in the forests outside of City 17, as opposed to the claustrophobic, urban setting of the City 17 ruins used in ''[[Episode One]]'', particularly in its latter chapters, although it ends similarly to ''Episode One'' with a pitched battle in a fixed environment. The [[Muscle Car]] chapters are very reminiscent of the [[Highway 17]] Chapter of ''[[Half-Life 2]]''. ''Episode Two'' is longer than ''Episode One'', being approximately two thirds the length of ''Half-Life 2''.
  
As was suggested in press releases, ''Episode Two'' features expansive, open-world environments in the forests outside of City 17, as opposed to the claustrophobic, urban setting of the City 17 ruins used in ''[[Episode One]]'', particularly in its latter chapters, although it ends similarly to ''Episode One'' with a pitched battle in a fixed environment. The [[Muscle Car]] chapters are very reminiscent of the [[Highway 17]] Chapter of ''[[Half-Life 2]]''. ''Episode Two'' is longer than ''Episode One'', being approximately two thirds the length of ''Half-Life 2''.
   
−
''Episode Two'' introduces two new enemies: the [[Antlion Worker]] and the [[Combine]] [[Hunter]] synth. As discussed in the commentary of the game, both display new, sophisticated types of A.I.: the Antlion Workers' in their standoffish approach, and the Hunters' intelligent flanking and flushing out maneuvers. With the Hunters in particular, with their resistance to conventional attacks, their deadly close combat moves and their weakness to thrown objects, the developers hoped to encourage players to interact with the game environment more closely, and try different tactics each time.
+
''Episode Two'' introduces four new enemies: the [[Antlion Worker]], [[Antlion Grub]] and [[Antlion Guardian]] as new wildlife enemies. Furthermore the [[Combine]] [[Hunter]] synth as a Combine affiliated enemy. As discussed in the commentary of the game, both display new, sophisticated types of A.I.: the Antlion Workers' in their standoffish approach, and the Hunters' intelligent flanking and flushing out maneuvers. With the Hunters in particular, with their resistance to conventional attacks, their deadly close combat moves and their weakness to thrown objects, the developers hoped to encourage players to interact with the game environment more closely, and try different tactics each time.
   
−
The game also introduced [[Antlion Grub]]s and [[Antlion Worker]]s, the behavior of whom make the first chapters of the game different from anything yet experienced in the ''Half-Life'' games, and were also used to explain the inner workings of Antlion society. The game also gradually reveals the characteristics of the sinister [[Combine Advisor]]s, and they play a much more central role to the ''Episode Two'' than in previous installments.
 +
Antlion Grubs and Antlion Workers display a different behavior to the first chapters of the game, different from anything yet experienced in the ''Half-Life'' games, and were also used to explain and expand on the inner workings of Antlion society. The game also gradually reveals the characteristics of the sinister [[Combine Advisor]]s, and they play a much more central role to the ''Episode Two'' than in previous installments.
   
−
Although no new weapons as such are introduced, the [[Magnusson Device|Strider Buster]], used to defend [[White Forest]] against a [[Combine]] offensive, is crucial to the last stages of the game. [[Valve]] stated before the release that they were not interested in creating new weapons, as they were more interested in exploring every dimension of the [[Gravity Gun]], the Strider Buster being the outcome of this. This decision came in spite of the fact that the lack of new weaponry in ''Episode One'' was one of its most criticized aspects.
 +
Although no new equipable weapons are introduced, the [[Magnusson Device|Strider Buster]] is, as an effective tool to defend [[White Forest]] against Striders. It proves crucial in the last stages of the game. [[Valve]] stated before the release that they were not interested in creating new weapons, as they were more interested in exploring every dimension of the [[Gravity Gun]], the Strider Buster being the outcome of this. This decision came in spite of the fact that the lack of new weaponry in ''Episode One'' was one of its most criticized aspects.
   
 
The game also has separated the flashlight from the HEV Suit's auxiliary power, allowing for more use of the flashlight.
  
The game also has separated the flashlight from the HEV Suit's auxiliary power, allowing for more use of the flashlight.
Line 93: Line 92:
 
Running on the so-called "Source 2007" version of the [[Wikipedia:Source engine|Source engine]], ''Episode Two'' comes with numerous technical improvements and new features as well as those introduced in ''Episode One'' (such as Phong shading and HDR lighting). Some of the more important technical improvements seen in ''Episode Two'' are:
  
Running on the so-called "Source 2007" version of the [[Wikipedia:Source engine|Source engine]], ''Episode Two'' comes with numerous technical improvements and new features as well as those introduced in ''Episode One'' (such as Phong shading and HDR lighting). Some of the more important technical improvements seen in ''Episode Two'' are:
   
−
* Motion blur
 +
*Motion blur
−
* Dynamic lighting and shadowing 2
 +
*Dynamic lighting and shadowing 2
−
* Soft-Particle system
 +
*Soft-Particle system
−
* Dual and quad-core CPU optimizations
 +
*Dual and quad-core CPU optimizations
   
−
In addition to the widely-publicized new features, there are also a number of less noticeable but nonetheless significant improvements. Lighting effects, specially for the flashlight, have been improved even further since ''Episode One, ''with any object or surface casting shadows, with the bloom effects toned down slightly to give the game a slightly less surreal look. Many character models have been improved upon once more, while the A.I. is slightly more sophisticated, most noticeably in the behavior of the new enemy - the [[Hunter]] synth. Most textures have been improved, special shaders have been applied to many characters and objects and almost everything is bump mapped.
 +
In addition to the widely-publicized new features, there are also a number of less noticeable but nonetheless significant improvements. Lighting effects, specially for the flashlight, have been improved even further since ''Episode One'', with any object or surface casting shadows, with the bloom effects toned down slightly to give the game a slightly less surreal look. Many character models have been improved upon once more, while the A.I. is slightly more sophisticated, most noticeably in the behavior of the new enemy - the [[Hunter]] synth. Most textures have been improved, special shaders have been applied to many characters and objects and almost everything is bump mapped.
   
−
==Soundtrack==
 +
==Development==
  ⚫
The first two episodes of ''Half-Life 2'' were developed concurrently by separate teams. ''Episode Two'' was originally intended to be released in two different packages: the "Black Box" &ndash; which was to ship for the PC only, and was to contain ''Episode Two'', ''Portal'' and ''Team Fortress 2'' &ndash; and the "Orange Box" &ndash; which was released for the PC, the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and contains all the Black Box games in addition to ''Half-Life 2'' and ''Episode One''. The Orange Box is now available at retail stores and on Valve's [[Wikipedia:Steam (software)|Steam]] content-delivery system, however, the Black Box was canceled. Instead Valve introduced a ''gift'' feature to enable those who already own Half-Life 2 and/or Episode One to give the extra copies they buy in the Orange Box away as gifts.<ref>[https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?p_faqid=750 Extra Copies - Gifting and Guest Passes - Knowledge Base - Steam Support]</ref>
   
  +
==Soundtrack==
 
{{Main|Half-Life 2: Episode Two soundtrack}}
  
{{Main|Half-Life 2: Episode Two soundtrack}}
   
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*{{Steam|app/420|Half-Life 2: Episode Two}}
  
*{{Steam|app/420|Half-Life 2: Episode Two}}
   
  +
{{Software}}
 
{{RW}}
  
{{RW}}
   
−
[[pl:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
 +
[[de:Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two]]
  +
[[es:Half-Life_2:_Episode_Two]]
  +
[[fr:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
 
[[ru:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
  
[[ru:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
  +
⚫
[[Category:Games]]
  
 
[[Category:Half-Life 2]]
  
[[Category:Half-Life 2]]
 
[[Category:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
  
[[Category:Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]
⚫
[[Category:The Orange Box]]
  
 
[[Category:Half-Life 2 Episodes]]
  
[[Category:Half-Life 2 Episodes]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Half-Life games]]
  ⚫
[[Category:The Orange Box]]

Latest revision as of 23:11, 27 July 2023

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Half-Life 2: Episode Two is the second installment in a trilogy of episodes for the 2004 science fiction first-person shooter video game Half-Life 2, developed by Valve Corporation.

Continuing with Valve's method of orienting each episode around a particular theme or set of technologies, Episode Two focuses on expansive environments, travel, and large, nonlinear battles. Following the closing events of Episode One, it sees Gordon Freeman and the series' other major characters moving away from City 17 to the surrounding wilderness.

Plot

Main article: Half-Life 2: Episode Two storyline

Characters

Allies

Enemies

Gameplay

As was suggested in press releases, Episode Two features expansive, open-world environments in the forests outside of City 17, as opposed to the claustrophobic, urban setting of the City 17 ruins used in Episode One, particularly in its latter chapters, although it ends similarly to Episode One with a pitched battle in a fixed environment. The Muscle Car chapters are very reminiscent of the Highway 17 Chapter of Half-Life 2. Episode Two is longer than Episode One, being approximately two thirds the length of Half-Life 2.

Episode Two introduces four new enemies: the Antlion Worker, Antlion Grub and Antlion Guardian as new wildlife enemies. Furthermore the Combine Hunter synth as a Combine affiliated enemy. As discussed in the commentary of the game, both display new, sophisticated types of A.I.: the Antlion Workers' in their standoffish approach, and the Hunters' intelligent flanking and flushing out maneuvers. With the Hunters in particular, with their resistance to conventional attacks, their deadly close combat moves and their weakness to thrown objects, the developers hoped to encourage players to interact with the game environment more closely, and try different tactics each time.

Antlion Grubs and Antlion Workers display a different behavior to the first chapters of the game, different from anything yet experienced in the Half-Life games, and were also used to explain and expand on the inner workings of Antlion society. The game also gradually reveals the characteristics of the sinister Combine Advisors, and they play a much more central role to the Episode Two than in previous installments.

Although no new equipable weapons are introduced, the Strider Buster is, as an effective tool to defend White Forest against Striders. It proves crucial in the last stages of the game. Valve stated before the release that they were not interested in creating new weapons, as they were more interested in exploring every dimension of the Gravity Gun, the Strider Buster being the outcome of this. This decision came in spite of the fact that the lack of new weaponry in Episode One was one of its most criticized aspects.

The game also has separated the flashlight from the HEV Suit's auxiliary power, allowing for more use of the flashlight.

Technical Information

Dynamic Shadows 2

An example of the dynamic flashlight shadows featured in Episode Two.

Running on the so-called "Source 2007" version of the Source engine, Episode Two comes with numerous technical improvements and new features as well as those introduced in Episode One (such as Phong shading and HDR lighting). Some of the more important technical improvements seen in Episode Two are:

  • Motion blur
  • Dynamic lighting and shadowing 2
  • Soft-Particle system
  • Dual and quad-core CPU optimizations

In addition to the widely-publicized new features, there are also a number of less noticeable but nonetheless significant improvements. Lighting effects, specially for the flashlight, have been improved even further since Episode One, with any object or surface casting shadows, with the bloom effects toned down slightly to give the game a slightly less surreal look. Many character models have been improved upon once more, while the A.I. is slightly more sophisticated, most noticeably in the behavior of the new enemy - the Hunter synth. Most textures have been improved, special shaders have been applied to many characters and objects and almost everything is bump mapped.

Development

The first two episodes of Half-Life 2 were developed concurrently by separate teams. Episode Two was originally intended to be released in two different packages: the "Black Box" – which was to ship for the PC only, and was to contain Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2 – and the "Orange Box" – which was released for the PC, the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and contains all the Black Box games in addition to Half-Life 2 and Episode One. The Orange Box is now available at retail stores and on Valve's Steam content-delivery system, however, the Black Box was canceled. Instead Valve introduced a gift feature to enable those who already own Half-Life 2 and/or Episode One to give the extra copies they buy in the Orange Box away as gifts.[1]

Soundtrack

Main article: Half-Life 2: Episode Two soundtrack

References

Imagecat The Half-Life Wiki has more images related to Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
  1. ↑ Extra Copies - Gifting and Guest Passes - Knowledge Base - Steam Support

External links

Imagecat Software
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Cut content Prospero • Half-Life Alpha • Half-Life: Uplink • Half-Life 2 Beta • Half-Life 2: Episode Three • Half-Life 2: Episode Four
Other official games Deathmatch Classic • Half-Life Deathmatch: Source • Source • Half-Life 2: Deathmatch • Half-Life 2: Survivor
Compilations Half-Life: Further Data • Half-Life: Generation • Half-Life: Initial Encounter • The Orange Box
Related third-party games Codename: Gordon • LEGO Dimensions • Mods • Narbacular Drop • Tag: The Power of Paint
Game engines GoldSrc • Source • Source 2
Development software Half-Life SDK • Source SDK • Valve Hammer Editor
Imagecat Real-World subjects
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Cut content Prospero • Half-Life Alpha • Half-Life 2 Beta • Half-Life 2: Episode Three • Half-Life 2: Episode Four
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