A number of reviews of "Episode One" were disappointed by the lack of new characters for the Combine, although GameSpot praised the improved AI for Combine soldiers and the addition of new abilities, such as rappelling down buildings. The addition of the Hunter in "Episode Two" was particularly well received by critics; "Computer and Video Games" stated that they were challenging to fight and were "a very welcome addition" to the series, while "IGN" stated that the Hunters were "impressively designed... are sleek and powerful all at once and reek of malicious alien intelligence."