The Masked Prisoner

for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

17th September 2014

Oh BOY! You’ve been captured and taken to a Combine Prison.

Your mother was right, You are special.

Follow the instructions and do what you do best – cause trouble.

Watch the story unfold right before your eyes.

Basic Details
  • Title: The Masked Prisoner
  • File Name: hl2-ep2-sp-the-masked-prisoner.7z
  • Size : 59.50MB
  • Author: Mike Anderson
  • Date Released: 04 September 2014

Download Options

Download to your HDD [59.50MB]

You can still use it with MapTap once you have downloaded it.

Manual Installation Instructions
  • Copy the themaskedprisoner folder into your SourceMods folder.
  • Restart or start Steam.
  • The Masked Prisoner should now be listed in your Library tab.

If you require more help, please visit the Technical Help page.

Custom Gridview Image

1 gridview icon ise included in this file. To use the included grid view icon, select “Gridview” in Steam (top right corner). Open the archive and save the “Steam Gridview Image” file to a location of your choice. Right click on “The Masked Prisoner” and select “Set Custom Image”. Then browse to the folder where you saved the “Steam Gridview Image” and select it. Then click “Set Image” and that’s it.

Of course, you can create your own custom image if you prefer.

Videos

The playthrough/walkthrough below is provided by PlanetPhillip.
See more of my playthroughs on this site: VP: PlanetPhillip.

Screenshots

Click on the tabs below to select the size of screenshot you would like.
All sizes are the same screenshots, just in different resolutions.
WARNING: The screenshots contain spoilers.

1024 x 576

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Reader Recommendations
Avoid It!
Think Twice
Maybe
Play It Later
Play It Now!

27 recommendations, average score: 4.89 (out of 5), standard deviation: 0.1 (what's that?)
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Meta Review Data
Statistics based on 22 comment(s) with meta review data.

Installed:
Using Gauge: Users
Manually: 17 Users

Time Taken:
Average: 0 Hours, 53 Mins
Shortest: 0 Hours, 20 Mins by Jottle
Longest: 3 Hours by John
Total Time Played: 19 Hours, 31 Mins
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Phillip says Play It!Personal FavouritePlay It Now!Play It Now!Play It Now!Personal FavouritePlay It Now!Play It Now!Play It Now!Play It Now!Play It Now!Play It Now!Personal FavouritePersonal FavouritePlay It Now!Personal FavouritePlay It Now!Play It LaterPlay It Now!Play It LaterPersonal FavouritePlay It Now!Personal FavouritePersonal FavouritePlay It Now!Play It Now!Play It Later

37 Comments

  1. Phillip says Play It!

    This mod has a lot of really nice touches. There’s a story and it’s pretty well told, there are some great battles and the ending is almost as cool as Mission Improbable!

    It takes a while to get into the actual gameplay of this mod but it rarely feels strained. It’s well design enough so that you feel it’s a natural section of the mod.

    It’s the little touches I liked the most. I won’t spoil them for you, but you’ll probably see what I mean.

    There’s a middle battle that was my favourite as it kept the player in a smallish area but still made them move a lot.

    My only criticism was the straight edges. I felt there were too many straight lines, especially outside with the rocks and grass. There as also a square Combine tunnel, that felt very amateurish.

    All in all, it’s a great piece of work and everybody should play it.

    1. Chosen_undead

      I extracted the mod files for the masked prisoner into my sourcemods folder and restarted steam all according to instructions yet the mod is nowhere to be found, i looked all over my steam library.

      1. Did you extract the files or one folder?

        1. Chosen_undead

          First i tried extracting just the ”themaskedprisoner” folder and restarting steam did not work, i then tried extracting everything themasked prisoner folder along with the readmes and steam grid view jpg and restarting steam but that also did not work, i then tried opening the masked prisoner folder inside winrar and extracting only the files inside of that one and restarting steam still didn’t work.

          1. You need to remove any files that you copied across. Only folders should be copied into the Sourcemods folder.

            What is your path to the Sourcemods folder? Have you had any trouble with other EP2 mods? Have you tried installing it with MapTap?

  2. Personal Favourite

    Wow. Just… WOW.

    I loved EVERYTHING in this mod. I loved the concept, the mapping (even though it was quite bizarre in some occasions), everything was really pleasant.

    Though, the thing that shocked me the most was when the bridge was destroyed by the Strider. I just loved that.

    Overall, I have to play such a great mod for months. PLAY IT NOW

    1. Sorry for the spoiler, thought I put the spoiler warning.

    2. Chosen_undead

      I did remove all the files i copied after each manual installation try but it just didnt work, i now tried installling with maptap and it works now

  3. Play It Now!

    Well what can i say …. theres not been many mods lately and this mod is worth waiting for ….. the start as you are transported into the base is unique and i havent seen anything like this before …. and then its just a case of locating the civilian who directs you to the right guys
    theres some excellent touches in this game including the way the grenades are used to open doors and hatches … and the weapons are introduced just at the right times
    voices are good especially alyx …. its the first time ive heard another voice for alyx and to be honest it suits her well and alot better than some ive heard
    but on the negative side we have zombies …. many will now how anti zombie i am … dont get me wrong in the right map or mod they are great but why are some mods spoiled by using zombies … i mean why not use antlions or snipers to make the game just as hard but zombies ….
    overall a impressive mod and well worth a play it now ( i was going to give it a personal favourite but the zombies spoiled what would of been a PF )
    even so mike should be extremely proud of himself and i look forward to more work from him … well done mike !

  4. JG
    Play It Now!

    A fun mod which tells an engaging story and has great design. It really is a masterclass in entity scripting above all else, especially in the dramatic final map. The author even found an absolutely spot-on voice for a character that is notoriously difficult to match.

    Unusually, the biggest problem with this mod isn’t gameplay, but that by the author’s own admission, it’s a first-pass blockout. As a result, the detailing is very scattershot. You’ll have nicely detailed walkways and weapon shelves next to big, boxy rooms and completely flat, unmolded terrain. Clearly, the overarching vision is there, but it’s not fully realized. Had it been taken to a finished state, I’d have no problem awarding this mod a Personal Favorite, which is something I rarely do. But because it isn’t, I feel a Play It Now is the best I can give it. Let that be a sign of how I feel about its quality despite the unfinished visuals.

    I do hope that the author reconsiders his choice to make this the final release, or at least release the VMF sources. It’s unfortunate to see such a strong idea taken out of the oven way too early. A couple months of polish and we’d probably have a classic.

  5. Play It Now!

    Terrific little mod, that I think might have gotten a Personal Favorite if the mapping and environments had been a touch smoother. The blocky nature of the area was a bit obvious, displacement would be nice on a lot of those straight edges.

    Aside from that, everything in this mod is very well done. The pacing was really good – at first I thought “oh no I didn’t get a good enough look at those maps and instructions”, things moved pretty quickly once you reach a certain point. But instead of just getting lost and having to figure out what to do, everything is very nicely laid out and put together in a fluid manner. I didn’t feel like I was really lost except for once.

    [spoiler]when you shoot the caged explosive barrel and it tumbles some logs down, if you leap over the logs that are still there you reach a part of the map you’d seen earlier – but you cannot get out of it, and have to reload the save or noclip. At first I thought that was where I was supposed to go, but no it’s just a red herring/dead end, but still nice to explore a little before moving on.[/spoiler]

    Very good ending, I thought we were goners. 😀

  6. Personal Favourite

    This is how maps should be done, its all there, its brilliant. i can’t quibble about minor stuff, this is a story, a great gameplay, everything. No doubt to me how I rate it.

  7. Play It Now!

    Agree with others that this is a definite PIN mod. Not a personal favorite because of the short length, but the entire experience gushes with quality from beginning to end. Only turn off would be the lack of realistic looking cliffs, rocks, and edge. But really, who in the world would not play this mod because there are a few too many straight lines! Beautiful storytelling by showing, not telling. The integration of the strider elements is a breath of fresh air. It really felt like you were fighting within a larger institution with activity buzzing all around you at points. We need more mods like this one!

  8. Play It Now!

    Now this is a SP mod worth playing! Well paced, good battles, good quiet time in the first half, and lots of places to explore.

    But for a game that showed many high detailed areas (like the bridge part, and some of the Citadel-type structure parts), a lot of it was amazingly plain looking. I’m talking about the wooden building parts (which were melded in with the Citadel type structures). Large wooden buildings and large wooden rooms…just as plain as you please and very blocky. Strange for a game that pays so much attention to details.

    Other than that I don’t have any gripes. I would of loved it if the utility tunnels were longer I guess. But the game has such a high fun factor as is, it is worth keeping and replaying.

  9. Play It Now!

    Terrific little mod. I really enjoyed the story line and the game play. I must admit I got a little confused and thought I was supposed to find and climb the tower when in fact I had already done what I was supposed to do. Chalk that up to not paying close enough attention. My only quibble with this mod is the brevity. I saw the multiple chapters when I started the mod and thought it would be longer than it was. I certainly hope the author builds on this to produce a longer version. Definitely a PIN for me.

  10. Well, I am really pleased to see a mod that everyone likes! 😀

  11. Play It Now!

    *spoilers*

    Great mod, through and through. A bit shorter then I expected, but a good length. I honestly wished the author would have done a final art pass, I felt it would of made the grander moments seem all that much better, and the vista all the more engaging. I also played it on hard, because why not. The combat turned out to be pretty balanced on hard, except for two portions where you had to do specific thing. The part with the headcrab shells and the barricade–which wasn’t to bad, I was just shocked when I was killed by one of the shells while waiting in cover–and the part with the elites and the zombie pens. Kudos to this author to have the first part be mostly walking around, and for having the citizens respond to you when you +use them. I like alot of the foreshadowing in the beginning too. The voice actors were good as well. The quality of the recording wasn’t great, but the fact that they got lip sync working, and that the characters actually had some emotion was well done. At first I though the Alyx voice actress didn’t fit, but once I saw Alyx’s mouth moving, with the actress’s voice, I felt more comfortable with it. I also have some scripting niggles, but its just a mapper’s thing. There’s a billion ways you can use npc scripts in HL2.

    Nice pace. Good story. Neat twist. Solid combat. And a cool location.

    EDIT: I forgot to mention the map inner-connected-ness. It was neat how you could see parts of previous or future maps from where you were in your current map. Though, it did make me think the load times were a little to close together. The engine can handle alot more then you think (Ep2_Outland_06a). Especially with point_templates and the “kill” command!

  12. Play It Now!

    First of all, this was an interesting project since it was released numerous times on moddb as sort of giant beta testing, the textures were the last things added.

    I took great pleasure playing this mod, the battle situations were varied, it was not too difficult, and also you can use sometimes the environment (you’re in a prison, remember?) at your advantage. There is also some good work put here on the ambiance, you’ll really be plundged into that sympathetic story, and I liked the little twist in the end, about the prisoner’s identity.

    I don’t have many complaints, it’s short and nicely done.

    1. JG

      One of the things I liked about the setting of the map was that it combined two existing themes – prison and forest. As a result, we don’t get the stereotypical Nova Prospekt prison and we get the interesting juxtaposition of a hastily-constructed Combine facility built around a large natural campground of some sort. So hastily built, that they are unaware of all the tunnels beneath it. 🙂

  13. Play It Now!

    It’s really disappointing that this mod has only a first-pass of detail – not because it’s particularly bad, but because that would be the difference between it being a good mod and an excellent one.

    The combat difficulty and layouts are pitch-perfect. Every sequence is exciting and challenging without ever feeling rushed. The mod tells a simple but enjoyable story and the voice acting is universally excellent, especially in the surprise ending. There are also a lot of dramatic set-pieces, a couple of which reuse the cinematic physics models from the core games to great effect.

    I wouldn’t usually give a Play it Now score to a mod which is obviously unfinished and lacks detail, but it is a testament to the quality of all the other elements.

    I really hope we will get a “special edition” of this mod with the last level of polish added, then it would deserve a Personal Favourite.

  14. Hec
    Personal Favourite

    Wow this is a very cool piece of work!

    I really enjoyed, and I think the fact that made me really got hooked and entertained by this mod, is that it’s goal it’s simple and very realistic. You know “escape the prison” though things won’t be as you expected at the final moments and that’s pretty well done in this mod, I mean it has a very sweet and cool element of surprise and the whole story plot development is told into the mod gameplay perfectly.

    I think also another great point in favor about this mod, is that the sections are defined pretty neatly, there’s a perfect introduction to the scenario which keeps the player involved and curious about exploring where are you and who are you. Also we have a middle part, where we actually have to get the things done, then a cool incressendo battle and a splendid and surprising end.

    I think this little mod is a classic in HL2 modding universe now, and why? well simple: because it uses Barney as the main character and because the whole story feels very real into the HL2 universe. And also because the little detention post of the combine looks like a very realistic concentration camp, and the environment is terrific at the beginning, you know, we feel the totalitarian fist of the CMB and is just a joy to ravage it oppressive system pictured there on that little countryside prison or detention camp.

    The only issue I see with this mod, is that although we are into a beautiful scenario, with magnificent green forest and mountain views, some mapping details, as many in this forum have already noticed, feel just way too sharp and straight lined, specially those edges, you know, I also feel some indoor areas and cabins quite boxy, and those really sharped edges in outdoor areas make them feel not very natural.

    But despite of those minor shortcomings, this mod is very nice and a joy to play too, the whole details of what to do (like those cool blueprints in the rebel base) and how the resistance members contact you and encourage you to do the main task in this mod is very well done and the whole thing feels worthy to play.

    So I’m glad to have played this, and also glad for delivering a very cool and Must play mod in this year so far.

  15. Personal Favourite

    I really enjoyed this map. The setup allowed for good, fun combat with nothing feeling forced or out of place. Story not so original, sure, but it’s a relatively simple setup that lets you get going without too much fuss.
    Personally a little longer “under cover” would have been fun maybe, but the map can only be so big and I’m massively grateful for the authour for their hard work.

  16. Play It Now!

    This was a great mod, with an ending that leads to a possible sequel.
    The action was well balanced with the puzzles and two of them will give you a fit.

  17. Personal Favourite

    This is a lesson in making a half-life two mod. It has story, starting from the landing as seen from inside the pod, the action sequences in the middle and an interesting, and to me, surprise ending! So that’s who I was!
    Everything was just right, combat intense but not too much, interesting scenery, nice voice acting, especially from the surprise guest and a change of suit. Something Barney would wear!
    The Combine should patrol their underground service tunnels. Just a suggestion!
    Good mod. Loved the maps on the walls during the mission briefing.

  18. Unq
    Play It Now!

    Another set of maps that falls into the coveted “Short & Sweet” category that I am so fond of.

    Overall it’s a fantastic experience. There’s a good mixture of combat and clever scripts that bring this pack to life, and an interesting story with a nice payoff at the end to tie it all together. I’m not doing it justice but the reviews above provide good discussion.

    All that praise aside, there are some shortcomings here. The overall map pack feels a little uneven. First, although the setup of location and atmosphere is well done, it perhaps goes on too long – a good percentage of the playtime of The Masked Prisoner is before there’s any action. I feel that some careful editing could have had the same effect while reducing the time you spend before anything “happens”.

    Second, as reviewers have mentioned above, the map design is uneven. Some sections are nicely detailed (I particularly liked the ‘mission briefing’ section with all the interesting sketches and checklists on the walls). But some areas are too blocky and even the author admits not enough attention has been paid.

    But these flaws can be easily overlooked, because it’s the experience that counts the most and that is where this pack shines. Highly recommended.

  19. Play It Later

    I can definitely see why this mod is so popular here, as lately only few decent ones have come out. By all means, Masked Prisoner is a good mod, but nothing exceptional in my mind. The gameplay is smooth, the pacing very good, and I was satisfied with the length, too.

    Yet the environment is mediocre at best, if not outright ugly. It might be a matter of personal taste, but when the environment is edgy and everything seems to made out of Minecraft blocks, for me no real immersion is possible.

    I missed chance if you ask me, as the foundation is very solid, missing only some polish in terms of environmental graphics. Still worth playing, but maybe later…

  20. Play It Now!

    This mod is fantastic. It helps to explain what happened to Barney Calhoun before he joined the resistance. Anybody who likes Barney and Half-Life in general should definitely play this mod.

  21. Play It Later

    Very well made, great voice acting, great scripted sequences, could use a slightly longer story + maybe some back story on how you start being captured. I would’ve liked a longer chapter of being a prisoner and not being invited to escape so quickly.

  22. Personal Favourite

    I really liked this mod. It has alot of little details and the Voiceactor is great!

    The Gameplay was just like i like it: full of action.

    The Story was really well made. I was really suprised at the end.

    Overall it was a really cool mod with great gameplay.
    My personal favorite yet!

  23. SBrowski

    How do i play, i did every step i got Source SDK and i dont see it in my library

    1. Restart Steam and it should appear in your library. You don’t need any Source SDK for this mod.

  24. Play It Now!

    Ohhhhh so close to a PF!! Such an awesome tale with great acting and a scenario that works brilliantly. I loved this mod too much!! Gutted when it ended and felt the later parts could have been stretched out to be longer. Because I loved them so much!!
    Well, at least that ending gave me the impression more was to come. I hope so!!

  25. Personal Favourite

    WOW! This mod is good and it inspired me to make my own mods, I love the level design and NPC
    placement it also has good scripted events and a good ending. I just wish it was a little longer.

  26. Personal Favourite

    Ä°ts very very good. its little short but its okay.

  27. Play It Now!

    I love the storytelling and the design of the prison. I really enjoyed the map!

  28. Play It Now!

    This was a great and enjoyable experience realize by a professionnal mapper in a part of his spare time working for a new game.

    Since it was done by somebody highly experienced gaming experience was really put on the high level with perfect intro, good to really great cutscene (the stider attack on the cheminey) good interaction and suprise and even more.

    the only thing that was a little disappointing was for me the sometime boxy design from surrounding areas and some hallways (the author appologize for it) and perhaps the abrupt ending

    This one is close to be part of my personal favorite but I consider it’s better to give it a play it now rating

    it’s sure highly recommanded 🙂

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