Valve Software tried something new this year, dividing the next installments of its powerhouse "Half-Life" franchise into three smaller parts. The first of those, released earlier this year, is just as captivating as any game in the series. The good news is it's cheaper than most PC games - only $20. The bad news is it's considerably shorter. Don't let those concerns dissuade you from grabbing a copy, though. Everything that made "Half-Life 2" enjoyable is amped up in "Episode One" - and you'll join the eager throngs waiting for "Episode Two," which is now slated for a Summer 2007 release.