In the first chapter of Half-Life 2, “Point Insertion”, you start your journey in a dystopian world. You arrive at City 17 via train and navigate through the station, encountering the oppressive forces of the Combine officers. Amidst this, you’re unexpectedly reunited with Barney, a familiar face from Black Mesa. He’s disguised as a Combine officer and provides you with some guidance, directing you to meet Alex.
You then traverse through various cityscapes, witnessing firsthand the state of affairs under Combine rule. You encounter citizens living in fear and see Combine officers enforcing their dominance. Your journey takes you through a playground, a poignant reminder of a world that once was.
Your path leads you to an apartment building where the Combine are conducting a raid. The chapter ends as you navigate through the building, setting the stage for the challenges to come in this new world.