Half-Life 2: Episode One Storyline
The G-Man, the seemingly omnipotent puppet master pulling all the
strings, may have met his match. Just as he was about to place Dr.
Freeman back into stasis before dispatching him again for another
"employer," Vortigaunts intervened—miraculously saving Freeman, Alyx,
and Dog from the aftermath of Gordon's battle with Dr. Breen. But they
aren't out of harm's way yet. The Citadel's core is about to go
critical, ready to destroy all of City 17 and its surroundings. With no
time to make a run for it, they have to return inside to delay the dark
energy reaction, and that's only the beginning.
There are still survivors in City 17, both helpful and harmful. The
chaos has disrupted standard Combine protocol, and the city's security
has been breached. Antlions roam the previously "safe" streets and
headcrabs have found new hosts in disoriented soldiers. Freeman and Alyx
must navigate through this concrete jungle literally falling apart
around them before the Citadel finally blows, and they have to rescue as
many liberated citizens as they can along the way.
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