Chapter 1 Cache Locations

Your friendly guide to finding all the hidden caches and secrets in Chapter 1: To The White Forest of Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Let's get you geared up!

Alright, let's get this walkthrough rolling! We're diving into Half-Life 2: Episode Two, and our first stop is Chapter 1: To The White Forest. Think of me as your buddy right next to you, pointing out all the good stuff.

So, after that whole trainwreck recap, you're back as Gordon. The train's pretty messed up, hanging off a bridge. Your first move is to head down towards the other end of the train. Once you reach the very end, just drop into the water below and make your way into the next train car. You'll be stuck for a sec, but don't sweat it – Alyx will bust the door off in no time. Once you're out, you'll get your trusty Gravity Gun back. Sweet!

First things first, head to your right and into that overturned train. Use your Gravity Gun's primary fire (Mouse 1) to blast open the door. Drop down and hang a left. You'll get a look at what's left of the Citadel, and then a weird 'Portal Storm' happens. After that, turn around and head left into a mineshaft.

Push your way up the mineshaft, using the Gravity Gun to clear out any boards or junk blocking your path. You'll hit a spot where you can drop down to a lower section. BUT, before you do, do a quick 180. There's some Suit Energy on a shelf just waiting for you. Grab it, then drop down.

Keep pushing forward, clearing your way again. You'll pass a bunch of dead Antlions and zombies. Head to your right, and you'll see some Antlions and Zombies duking it out in the distance. Once you get down some stairs, a Zombie will pop out to your right. Grab a nearby box or some junk and take it out. A few more zombies will wake up, and the floorboards ahead will break, revealing a small area with a zombie underneath. Let Alyx handle most of the heavy lifting here, and use any explosives you spot around the area.

Keep moving forward, clearing out more Antlions and Zombies. You'll run into a Zombine – you can actually steal its grenade with the Gravity Gun to make short work of the group, or just use an explosive barrel if you prefer. Once they're all down, head into the small building. Alyx will try to contact her dad and Dr. Kleiner to let them know you're alive. The transmitter needs power, so Alyx will try to fix it. When the plug falls down from where Alyx is, plug it into the wall and watch the transmission.

After the transmission wraps up, exit the building through the other door. Now, if you're hunting for achievements, listen up: the Gnome you need to escort through the whole game is chilling in the right-hand corner just before the exit door. Make sure you grab him!

Head back towards the mine. When you reach a large block, grab it with the Gravity Gun and head to the right. Hurl the block at the Black Headcrab to take it out. Then, go all the way down and then all the way back up. Remove the boards blocking the minecart, and it'll roll down, smashing open an exit for you. Head back outside.

Go to the right and up a small hill, then drop into the courtyard. Alyx will ask you to open the gate. Go directly behind where the gate is, and climb the ladder next to the train. Head onto the rooftop of the building to the right of the gate. Drop down into the building and hit the switch to open the gate. Remove the board covering a hole in the floor and drop down beneath the building. Head back to Alyx, and you'll witness her getting attacked by a Hunter. After the attack, a Vortigaunt shows up, helps heal Alyx, and calls its buddies to meet up at a specific spot. Head through the gate you just opened and clear out any junk in your way.

Eventually, you'll find an elevator you need to go down. It's blocked by something in the gears – your trusty Crowbar! Use the Gravity Gun to yank it out, and then ride the elevator all the way down. Head through the office area and out the door. Go to the platform and hold down 'E' on the wheel to raise it. Once you reach the top, it'll drop back down. Before you pass it, jump to the platform on the left. There's some Health and Suit Energy hidden in a small crack above it, which you can snag with the Gravity Gun. Once you're on the platform, keep moving forward.

This is where you'll finally get your Pistol! Grab the Pistol and some ammo, then drop down the hole on the left. You'll find some Pistol ammo and Suit Energy in a small cove. Grab both, then head the way the Antlion ran. Take out the Antlion when you reach the bottom, then keep descending through the multiple holes. At the very bottom, you'll find a Black Headcrab. Take it out, then head down the hole and into the water.

You'll hear some weird 'eeet' sounds – those are Antlion Grubs on the walls. They don't attack, but if you kill them (even by just walking on them!), they'll drop some health. Besides the achievement tied to them and the health boost, they don't serve much purpose. Continue through the tunnel after you get out of the water.

Keep pushing through the tunnel; there's really only one path and nothing to find here. When you reach the end where you can drop into a larger area, do so. You'll come face-to-face with a new enemy: the Acid Antlion Worker. These are basically souped-up Antlions – they're faster, keep their distance, and spit acid that poisons you. Take this one out like any other Antlion, then continue down the path. You'll encounter two more Acid Antlions; take them both down. Head into the room on the left to grab the Shotgun and Grenades. There's some Health and Shotgun ammo in the area where those last two Acid Antlions were. Now, head back to the room where you found the Shotgun. Go past the hole in the floor, head to the shelf, and grab the Shotgun ammo and Suit Energy. There's also a hidden Antlion Grub in the small closet-like area. Once you've got everything, drop into the hole.

Head through the hole, and you'll find the Magnum right in the middle. Then, head up the other end. Once you're up, keep going forward, and an Acid Antlion will attack, followed by another one...