Estranged mod for Half-Life 2

Is "Estranged: Act II" a playable game? When I have downloaded this for Windows, one of the file is "UE4PrereqSetup_x86." What it is this file? Is it an executable?

Folder within this download also include "Engine" and "Insulam." I have no idea what to do with them.

Are there any instructions as to how to 'extract' or 'play' "Estranged: Act II?"

This my review for "Estranged Act I" -- due to the fact that as far as I can tell....after downloading the files for the sequel, "Act II" -- I have realized that there IS NO Act II: When you download and extract the files on this webpage for 'Act II,' you get libraries and useless files, instead of an actual 'playable' game.

"Estranged Act I" is one of the more memorable HL2 user-made mods that I have ever played through (which I have accomplished twice over the years): You begin this mod in some kind of a fishing boat...and after the opening sequences, you are shipwrecked on a deserted and fairly-picturesque moon-lit dock.

In addition to the 'standard' HL2 options (video config, audio, keyboard mappings, etc.), Estranged includes a couple of handfuls of 'custom' options that are primarily 'graphical enhancements.' However, by means of experimenting and tinkering with these 'additional options' -- I found that most of these 'graphical enhancements,' DECREASED.....rather than INCREASED the graphics of this mod. For example, when enabling the option, 'depth of field,' the graphics become blurry and noticeably worse....rather than better. There is also an additional graphics option that allows you to increase or decrease the 'graininess' of the graphics....which with tinkering with allows you to increase the already high-quality custom made graphics even more so than it is 'by default.'

Right off the bat, I have experienced glitches (script or otherwise?) in "Estranged Act 1" BOTH times that I have played this mod all the way through: When you enter the interior of the shack in the dock -- perusing a youtube video walkthrough there are 'supposed' to be some grenades in the interior which allow you to, once collected, to hurl into a box which will have the effect of shattering a window, through which you can enter, so that you can progress towards the back door of the shack.....and later on towards a deserted beach.

These grenades have been entirely lacking BOTH times I have played this mod...hence, I have had to use 'noclip' cheats, INSTEAD, to enter the other side of the window..as well as to equip myself (using the 'impulse 101' cheat') with weapons that are nowhere to be found inside the shack....but are SUPPOSED to exist in the shack....

Though the custom-made graphics, ambience, and sound FX.....as well as much of the level-design of "Estranged Act 1" is pretty consistently of very high quality throughout this mod......the actual combat kind of sucks, which is a fairly big letdown: Part of this reason is because 'Estranged Act 1' only allows you to carry one weapon on your person at all times....and ONLY ONE. Not only that, but there exist only several weapons anywhere at any point in this mod: These are a standard pistol, a sub-machine gun, and a shotgun.

The only 'monsters' and 'creatures' that exist in this mod are custom-made zombies. Hence, there are no 'head-crabs' or any other of the plethora of creatures that you find in other HL2 mods. And for the most part, monsters are quite few and far between.

The few times that you finally experience combat with 'armed civilians'....the combat is fairly unbalanced and unfair and I found myself needing to constantly utilize either an 'invincibility' cheat and/or an 'all ammunition' cheat.

The strength of "Estranged Act 1" lies in 'exploring'.....as well as its graphical quality, ambience, some puzzle solving and level design. To reiterated, the variety of weapons itself and actual combat sucked.

Given the combination of these pros and cons.....I rate "Estranged Act 1" a 7.5/10.

I just want to add that this Act 1 on the Source engine is superior game-play all the way around compared to Act 2 on Steam. Yes, Act 2 has the prettier graphics, that's it. Just my humble opinion. Nonetheless, thank you Alan Edwards and devs for your efforts. I take my hat off sir...

A superior set of mods. Very nice level design, with a fairly strong story driving events. Looking forward to additional content on Act II.

Diesel Turbo

Wow for me estranged II was the most lagest game in my PC but hope estranged II have a great story keep up the great work.