First Look - Half-Life 2: Episode 1

First came the news that Half-Life 2 add-on packs would be released as $20 "episodes," both at retail and via the Steam download service. Now we're hearing that Half-Life 2: Episode 1 - which starts preloading in early May for June 1 release - will have commentary tracks. That's right, Valve is taking a page from the home video business, offering development team insights while you play. It's a potentially nice alternative to those typically mind-numbing "making of" documentaries stuffed into almost every special edition game release these days. Oh, and you'll also get a 4-to-6-hour single player adventure centering around Alyx Vance, plus two full multiplayer games: Half-Life 1 Deathmatch: Source and Half-Life 2 Deathmatch. Oh, and unlike most other expansions, you won't need the original Half-Life 2 game to play...