The Orange Box Reviews

• Best deal in video game history! 5 games in one box!

  
  By AV9SRGPNOD73Z on 2007-10-11
  I have been a fan of Half Life, so I knew I would get this for Xbox 360. (I prefer playing games on consoles.) I was also curious about the other games in this package. There is one disc...when you put it in the 360 a main menu comes up with five choices across the bottom of the screen...1. Half Life 2, 2. Half Life 2 Episode One, 3. Half Life 2 Episode Two, 4. Portal and 5. Team Fortress 2. That's right 5 games! One disc. One box. $59.99! Great deal.
  
  Half Life 2 appears to be much better looking graphically than the original Xbox version...there are not as many glitches either. The backwards compatible version had quite a few bugs that made playing the game on the 360 quite annoying. Not to worry here. The game play is smooth and quite comparable to the PC version. The bonus here of course is that you have both Episodes One and Two to move on with after completing Half Life 2...or you can play just Episode One or Two. You don't have to solve one to play the others. That may be beneficial if you have played Half Life 2 and just want to jump right into the Episodes. The graphics on the Episodes really shine...it looks amazing...they did a great job with this version.
  
  Portal is an interesting game and quite challenging. It seems very similar to Half Life 2 in that it is in first person, but this is more of a puzzle game. You have a portal shooting gun, and you have to figure out how to use the device to get through a maze or puzzle. There are a few twists on this too...moving platforms, switches, blocks, weight activated floor buttons, electrical sensor receptacles, energy emitting zappers that can activate the receptacles and later in the game this is even more complicated by motion sensing robotic machine gun turrets. It really stimulates the brain. It definitely makes you think outside the box. Eventually, you get the ability to shoot two different portals...one an entry portal, and the second an exit portal. I got addicted to this game and played for two hours straight until I became completely stuck and confused. I had to put it down and relax for a while...I was getting a little too intense. I can't wait to play again.
  
  Team Fortress 2 is an online multiplayer based game. You are set up into teams, and then there are different objectives to play. I only played it twice, so I don't know all the ins and outs of it. However, it does look quite interesting. There are a few different characters to choose from with different abilities. These abilities can make one character better at defending a base, one is better at going out and stalking the other team, etc. There are snipers, medics, heavy weapon handlers, spies, scouts and a few others that I can remember. This game appears to have some replay value and a lot of fun for online multiplayer.
  
  With all those games in one box and on one disc, who wouldn't want it for $59.99?!? This is truly the best deal in video game history. Why don't more companies do this and release more content at one time? This may make developers think about quantity in addition to quality.
  
  

• Good Game, could have been better, but they only had 10 years.

  
  By A3QQOJYY6K8AMJ on 2007-10-30
  This is a really good deal for what you get, however, you should note, to play Team Fortress 2 and the new version of Half Life, you will need a XBOX Live gold membership.
  Orange box includes the old Half Life games, I am not sure why you would want to rehash that, especially since most of us probably have the original versions. Old versions seem tired, and I wonder how it kept my attention years ago. If you are even a occasional gamer, you ought to have something better to play than old first person shooters.
  Team Fortress 2 is excellent if you can find a decent server to play it on. When the system goes to search there doesn't seem to be near the variety that pops up with some other multiplayer games like WarHawk.
  I am also getting tired of multiplayer releases without single player gaming on the disc. These games initially do fairly well, if you can find a good server, but try and play it in a year or two, servers will be even harder to find. 10 years of development should have been enough to give this game a single player version.
  The new Half Life version is okay, but you have a feeling that you have already played it. Again, surely there is something that hasn't been rehashed out there that an occasional gamer could better spend his time playing, perhaps BIOSHOCK or STRANGLEHOLD.
  Portal is excellent and the saving game of this bundle, but alone it would not be a great game to own.
  Those giving this bundle 5 stars need to expand their video game collection to the newer, more cutting edge games.
  
  

• I don't see the big deal

  
  By A2W36OONSDMA03 on 2007-10-21
  I love videogames and I love first person shooters but I honestly can see what the big deal about this game is. I find the actual Half Life 2 (first out of 5 games) to be way too long. The hoverboat level and the dune buggy level just seem to go on forever... The game isn't too difficult it just seems like once the creators come up with something new they like to ride it to death. I would have enjoyed more story then doing the same exact thing for over an hour. The giant strider level becomes irritatingly long as well. Dr. Freeman isn't exactly a developed character.. he doesn't talk and we don't actually see him other then the picture on the box... wow what an interesting fellow. Did I mention how annoying it is when your troops constantly block your path and even sometimes trap you to the point where you have to blow yourself up or load last save. Yeah i'll be trading this one in sooner than expected. I don't like giving bad reviews, but i just think the half-life franchise needs some work. At least Team Fortress is fun to play though. If you enjoy long games that tend to get repetitive then you'll love this bundle as it would take a long time to complete
  
  

• Orange Box, Black Box, whatever! It's all good!

  
  By A12WZTC4YJ8ZEC on 2007-11-03
  I should mention up front that I'm a PC gamer, and that while there are some here that might hold that against me (you console folks can be brutal) I'm going to give as honest a review of the Orange Box games as I can. Given that Valve's release coincided with some catastrophic malfunction of my wife's car, the funds I had set aside for this game for my PC ended up getting sucked up into car repairs, thus I was forced to play this on my brother's Xbox 360. And that said I thoroughly enjoyed the Xbox version, much to my surprise, even without a mouse and keyboard to aim and shoot with.
  
  Orange Box includes the original Half Life 2, and it's subsequent followups Episodes 1 and 2. In addition it contains the quirky spatial-puzzle game Portal, and as icing on the cake Team Fortress 2. To get these separately (at least on PC) would run in the realm of $250, more or less, and to get all 5 games in one bundle for all of $60 is too good to be true. On to the actual reviews.
  
  Half Life 2 begins with MIT PhD Doctor Gordon Freeman, released some 20 years after the Black Mesa incident by the G-man and into a dystopic City 17. It appears that Earth has been conquered by a galactic conquering empire of sorts who used Freeman's previous handiwork at Black Mesa to burrow through the walls of time and space to invade Earth. The game follows his insertion into this volatile situation culminating in his leadership of Earth's rebellion against the Combine Overwatch. The game's "silent protaginist" approach, where the player's character never speaks, is played out perfectly and adds greatly to the storytelling angle. The game tells it's own story and you're basically along for the ride. The weapons selection is fairly standard fare for a shooter, with your usual selection of pistols, rifles, and the ubiquitous shotgun. The real nice touch is the Gravity Gun, which can pick up loose objects on the ground and can then be used to hurl said objects at your enemies. The sound, voice acting, and atmosphere of the game (of a familiar world turned into an Orwellian style police state) are all fantastic.
  
  Episodes One and Two both continue the story as Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance both try to escape City 17 in the former and deal with the remnants of the Combine in the latter. Each new episode showcases a new technology add to the engine (lighting effects for Episode One, motion blur for Episode Two) to increase gameplay.
  
  When I loaded up Portal I had only the vaguest idea of what to expect. The game is admittedly hard to grasp at first and requires you to think puzzles out using Euclidean geometry and Newtonian physics and a little bit of brain juice all mixed in. The game begins with the protaginist, a female in an orange jumpsuit, being forced to complete a number of puzzles for the test facility's computer using a hand-held portal generating device. One can cross chasms by blasting an entry hole in the wall next to you and an exit hole in the wall across the chasm and simply cross it by walking through the portal. Each test gets harder, and it becomes apparent as things move along that the computer running the tests (and you) is more than a little deranged. As this game is set in the Half-Life universe I look forward to seeing how the plot of this game fits in with that of the larger title.
  
  Lastly we come to Team Fortress 2. I must admit that I have loved Team Fortress since it's inception and have played it religiously since 1998 on the PC. This game spent the better part of 7 years in development limbo and those of us among the originals fans were pretty skeptical that the game would ever be released at all, but the finished product is here and is an absolute blast. Players can pick one of among nine classes to play, from the lightly armed but fast moving Scout, to the lumbering two-legged tank Heavy. There are only 6 maps included in the game, which is a downside, but the maps themselves are quite solid and the game dynamic is unique. The game itself is done in a style reminiscent of "The Incredibles" and this lends some rather comedic elements to the overall experience. The game is entirely Capture the Flag (CTF) so don't expect to go into Deathmatch as it was never designed to do this.
  
  There are some minor points I must mention about Orange Box though. For starters the Half-Life games are really dark. I've had the benefit of having played this on the PC and the lighting is pretty ho-hum on the Xbox version. Case in point, even with the brightness on the game turned up you can still barely see in even dusk conditions, let alone the details on your weapons. The caveat here is that if you turn the brightness up *too* much then you end up getting flooded with bright light when you enter better lit areas, resulting in a weird glaucoma-style whiteout. Expect to have your HEV suit light on *a lot*. In addition the surface textures aren't quite as crisp as I what I was accustomed to with my previous experiences on the PC, although this didn't detract from the game that much.
  
  I also felt it something of a disservice to 360 owners that as big as the game release was Valve kind of dropped you into the *middle* of the story, without the courtesy of even giving the new HL player an overview of what's happened thus far. The events of Half Life, HL: Opposing Force, and HL: Blue Shift are all integral to the storyline, and taking someone completely new to the story and simply dropping them off halfway through it seemed a puzzling choice. As they'd gone as far as making a game release this big how difficult would it have been to at least add HL 1:Source into the mix? Granted, it's an eyesore by today's standards, but still.
  
  With TFC2 I don't have complaints, more like concerns. In the PC world you have literally thousands of custom player-made maps, as well as numerous Valve releases, and I'm wondering if players will be able to play classic Valve TFC maps like "Rock" and "Hunted". I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to accomplish, but all in all it was a befuddling thing to place such a great, solid game into the mix with only 6 maps. And I'm wondering if they plan to eventually add class-specific grenades as those would most certainly enhance the gameplay.
  
  Still the game package itself is fantastic and it's clear that a lot of love was poured into their production and subsequent carryover to the 360. I'm impressed enough with the 360's performance with these games that even an old, grizzled PC gamer like myself is giving it a serious second look. Cannot recommend Orange Box enough! Now if only they had a mouse/keyboard setup for old PC diehards like me to play with. :)
  
  

• Reviving a classic, mostly on target with this release

  
  By AGJ0NQD5T6WFG on 2007-10-18
  I will start off by saying that I already owned the Half-Life 2 portion of this on PC - and that as far as the single-player game goes, the controls translate *very* well onto the console, which is one of the main concerns I had about it. Achievements breathe whole new life into the experience, and the addition of Episode 2 gives you around 30 hours or more of the Half Life storyline. Half-Life 2 is already a classic, and is an excellent follow up to the first one.
  
  The only negatives I have to offer in regard to this are minor. Half Life 2 Death Match is omitted. Also - mods, game modes, etc. created using the Source engine will always tend to favor the PC. This is one of the few IPs that still has an active mod community - so it is worth having on the PC. Achievements and the controls more than make up for these shortcomings if you are interested in the Half-Life 2 story itself however.
  
  Portal is... interesting, but the single-player only offering leaves me wishing it could have a multi-player component. It is a good puzzle game however, and will leave you scratching your head at some points wondering how to pull something off.
  
  Team Fortress 2... I remember playing the mod from the original Half-Life. For the most part this is a faithful transition - and I really enjoy the game modes and the way that the classes balance and play. It feels both new and familiar at the same time. As the only online offering of the package - this is an excellent way to spend 15 - 20 minutes at a time blasting other players in a cartoony fashion.
  
  That being said - this is also a weak point in the Orange Box arsenal. X-Box Live, and the reason I started purchasing more games for the console, is supposed to be a "seamless" experience. I should be able to select a group of friends, launch into a game, and go. Connecting to the same server as your friends on Team Fortress 2 is a hassle. You have to coordinate via the microphone and hope that the same servers come up on your list when you click "find servers" at the same time.
  
  Joining in progress is not always an option, because servers fill up quickly. As in Halo 3 - I would like the ability to launch with my friends at once, or join servers as a group.
  
  Once you get into a game however, it is an absolute blast. The online connecting issues are the only reason why I would give this package 4 instead of 5 stars. If the hassle of joining a game weren't there - this would be 5-star material. As-is, it is easier to join the same server using Steam on the PC.
  
  
  
  
• A console gamer's review
  By A2JQA4V2EWMKA8 on 2007-11-26
  This review comes from someone who wasn't a big Half-Life fan before the launch of the Orange Box, like most of the reviewers seem to be (nothing wrong with that).
  
  I'm a big fan of Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4, but I didn't care for the Orange Box. Team Fortress 2 is like a cheap version of Halo on Xbox Live. Some people obviously like it, but after playing it for about an hour and a half one night, I decided to hang it up for good. I just found it lame and stupid I guess.
  
  Portal was the best aspect of the Orange Box, but nothing spectacular. I spit on the Weighted Companion Cube! It was fun being creative in solving the puzzles for a while, but no reason alone to purchase the game.
  
  I have to say that I couldn't care less about Half-Life. The levels are just long extensions of killing a certain type of lifeform (human or not) in a uniform environment over and over again. I've played Half-Life 2 and Episode Two each for about two and a half hours each, and had little to no fun. I especially found HL2 dumb because in the first couple hours you just make your way through a set of buildings killing the same exact type of guy. Not only that, but it takes about 5 headshots with a pistol to kill them. Anyway, I just skipped HL2 and Episode One because if I had any reason to keep the game, I figured that I'd find it in Episode Two. The graphics are better (though nowhere near Halo 3 or COD4) and it was just more of the same boring gameplay that HL2 had. For the first few hours, the character makes his way through a web of underground tunnels killing fat yellow spiders. It really isn't fun.
  
  If you're a console gamer who is debating whether or not to get it, I'd rent it just to see if you like it. You're likely to get caught up in the hype created by PC gamers, but the Half-Life series is the poor man's Halo. Look for mine on Ebay...
  
  
• Team Fortress 2 does not have splitscreen!!!!
  By A1ZUP0DJNY4MBM on 2008-01-31
  Overall I think this is a great game. Five games for the price of one all in one nice package. On the off hand I really believe the people who ported this game to the consoles really screwed up. Team Fortress 2 is basically useless without splitscreen. Why would you have a console game without splitscreen. Thats like saying oh you can play halo with 2+ players but only over xbox live. Too bad. hahha.
  
  
• Outstanding Bundle. Portal is Awesome!
  By A21XG7UVD2ABKS on 2007-10-15
  The Orange Box is such an extremely good value that there is basically no excuse for you not to buy it. Included on the disc are Halflife 2, Halflife 2:Episode 1, Halflife 2:Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2.
  
  There is probably little need to say anything about Halflife 2, which was one of my favorite Xbox titles. Episodes 1 and 2 continue on in the same vein with the same quality and same level of fun. They are worth the price of the disc.
  
  In my opinion, though, the real story here is Portal! I predict that this game will become a classic in short order, and will almost certainly become the basis for further, larger games. Simply put, it is one of the most engrossing games I have ever played. It is primarily a puzzle game, albeit one based on a very novel concept. It is however, blended with just the right amount of ominous, slightly creepy, "game-breaking" that becomes the game behind the game. Just play the thing. You will wish it was at least TWICE as long.
  
  As far as Team Fortress 2 goes, I don't have anything to report yet, mostly because I don't have the free time required to get involved in an online team-based endeavor. It does look pretty sweet though. I'm not sure how conducive it is to casual play, as it seems to require a high-degree of coordination among player classes, etc.
  
  So, Orange Box is definitely 5 stars for Fun. It would get 6 stars for value, if there were a value category, and if it let you give 6 stars. It is the new "must have" title on the 360.
  
  
  
  
• FPS on console not for everyone
  By A2J0V1WVSP802H on 2007-11-11
  I've been waiting for Team Fortress 2 for about 10 years. Hard to believe it's been that long. That's a lot of expectation. Fortunately Valve knows how to deliver (slowly). Its fun, challenging and funny. TF2 happens to come bundled with a lot of stuff. Portal is the best puzzle game I've played all year. The dialog had me rolling on the floor while the level design kept me scratching my head. The advanced and challenge levels provided great replay value. Beyond that you get the entire Half-Life 2 canon. This is the only FPS that has a story worth a damn.
  My only complaints are with the setup. I'm a mouse/keyboard FPS player. Playing with a 360 controller is kind of like making me play with my feet. I know what is supposed to happen, but I can't quite convince my body to do it. The control scheme is well designed. None of this awkward, "now lets see,to operate this critical machine that completely blocks progress in the game it was right trigger, right shoulder, click left stick" nonsense. If you don't already play FPS on console, buy the PC version. It's much easier to control. My other complaint is also not an issue on the PC. To play TF2 online you have to have a LIVE Gold membership. Thanks MS, but after spending $600 on the console I'm not interested in paying you $7 per month to use it.
  I cannot recommend this game enough. However, the PC version is a much better value.
  
  
• A rehashed 3-year old game
  By AXXN3K7VG7ML7 on 2007-11-23
  I know in the eyes of the media Valve can do no wrong, but HL2 and the 2 Episodes are very dated products that just do not hold up in terms of gameplay. Compared to more recent releases like TimeShift and Halo 3, the graphics are dated and the action is rather stale. I am not sure what the hype here is about. Team Fortress is very difficult to play online because you can't find any games, Portal is just a puzzle that will take a few hours to complete and Episode 2 (the "new" content) is just not that compelling from a gameplay or AI standpoint.
  
  If you have never played HL2, I suggest grabbing it on the PC. They even released HL2 on the original Xbox - that should give you an idea of how old this product really is...
  
  
• Portal is one of the best gaming experiences ever.
  By A3356H3IN29CYF on 2007-10-18
  five games in one is a no brainer; especially if they all come from Valve. HL:2 is requarded by the video gamer community as one of the best FPS games ever made, plus you get it's expansions episodes one and two.
  The only negative thing I can say about Portal is that is was too short; but then, twenty hours of portal would not be enough. This is seriously some of the best hours I have ever had gaming on a console.
  Team Fortress Two is a ton of fun to play on Live. The art direction and animation of this game really make it stand out from anything else on a console, and will provide you with plenty of hours of pure gaming goodness.
  
  Buy this game NOW.
  
  
• Portal Is Amazing!
  By A1A89LQ8C1AYV1 on 2007-10-18
  If you are a true gamer then you have probably already experienced the incredible gameplay of Half-life 2. That combined with Episode 1 and Episode 2 makes this package all the more tantalizing. The graphics, physics, and gameplay have been the standard for FPS's for years. Nothing new there except that the graphics look a little better. Portal, on the other hand, is such a pleasant surprise that I can hardly contain my excitement. The game is set in the Half-life universe where you find yourself a test subject having to make it through various puzzles using a high tech portal gun. The portal gun looks and feels similar to the gravity gun. In addition to creating portals, it can pick up and move various objects. The first few puzzles are relatively easy to understand and get through, but as the game goes on they become much more involved and complex. Portal forces you to rethink space. Nothing is really linear anymore. I've had to use the strategy guide to get through most of the complex puzzles cause their just so darn hard. There are a lot of unique achievements for this game, such as falling 30,000 feet (try to get that one). I also enjoy the commentary by a robotic sounding guide who monitors your progress and dishes out ham-handed, sarcastic encouragement. I haven't had the pleasure of playing Team Fortress 2 yet, but it's on my list. It's pretty amazing how they fit 5 games on one disc. Kudos to Valve for their expertise and innovation.
  
  
• Excellent game, but a bit too short
  By A2G0SU6B8UUDS3 on 2007-10-23
  Here are pros and cons of Half Life 2 Eposode 2
  
  PROS:
  - Slightly better graphics than in HL2. Since HL2 already has decent graphics, you will not be dissapointed
  - Many easy to medium difficulty puzzles sprinkled throughout the game. I really like that feature because it breaks the "run and shoot" routine
  - A couple of new interesting enemies with good AI
  - Interesting storyline
  - More cool objects to throw with the gravity gun
  
  CONS:
  - Pretty short. I am not a quick player, but it only took me a few days to finish it (about 1/3 of HL2)
  - Still pretty linear for most of the game. I.e. you have to follow a specific path, and there is no way to sneak up on your enemies. I personally don't see it as much of a problem though
  - Even with the new enemies and the new things to throw, it's still very similar to the original HL2
  
  Together with Portal and the other excellent games in the package, the Orange Box makes a great buy.
  
  
• Everything is better with bacon...
  By A2T8MS69XTZTNH on 2007-12-12
  Much to the chagrin of Paula Deen, this game cannot be improved with the addition of butter. The Orange Box includes fresh, new flavors along with a few old favorites. None of them are artificial or watered down.
  
  Half-Life 2 is a nicely crusted rye, beautifully marbled and toasted to perfection. Moist, never dry, and good enough to eat on its own. We all know it, most of us have had it before, and few of us dislike it. It's not totally like the pumpernickel that came before it, but most agree that it's better. It was so good to start with, no one had to jazz it up for the new crowd.
  
  Episode 1 is a pretty decent sauerkraut, and truly reflects the point. I mean, I like it. It's good. It's not perfect, but the sandwich isn't as good without it. It's salty and sour with just a hint of sweetness, improves and aids the overall taste and moisture of the meat and condiments, and really tells you just what kind of sammy this is. It can be had on its own, but I wouldn't recommend it.
  
  Episode 2 is the premium cheese that you spent ten minutes deciding on. It had to be just right, and when you took bite one, you knew it was. This could be consumed alone, right out of the package, and no one has to tell you what the brand is. I'd eat blocks of Episode 2, it's almost as good as the bread. It really cuts down on the acidity of Episode 1 and would make a killer grilled-cheese with Half-Life 2. It really ties the sandwich together.
  
  Portal is the best meat you've had in ages. You know you ordered top-shelf pastrami, but you weren't expecting it to be this good. It's so good, you need another just like it, maybe sneak a few on the side. If no one is watching, might as well just grab a handful and stuff it into your mouth. It just goes too quickly.
  
  Finally, bring the whole thing together with a great beer. Team Fortress 2 is the Sam Adams of video games. Maybe it isn't good for all occasions, but that doesn't stop you from ordering it everywhere. It goes great with this fine Reuben, washing it down and capping off this already satisfying meal.
  
  Sure, bacon would have been nice. Fries or chips would have been better. Maybe the cook could have finished it a bit quicker, or the waitress could have been a bit more prompt with your refills, but it's still awesome. All I know is that if Episode 3 lives up to the expectations, it will be worth the wait for the sides.
  
  
• Wow Buy for the xbox 360 if you dont have a good pc
  By A3ACJYXWDUKGWP on 2007-10-14
  Ok i have a pretty good computer i can play Half Life 2 to almost top specs, but episode 1 had so many problems, anyway i always wanted half life 2 on a console but the graphics were pathetic and did not compare to the pc. When it came for out for the 360 i had to get it, and man was i impressed 5 games for the price of one, and theylook amazing i have a nice hd tv surrond sound and i was blown away so much better than my pc trust me graphics top notch. so if you ever wanted to play half life at top specs get this now. Now about game play come on its half life ok its the best game ive ever played and the best fps on any system, team fortress is fun and portal is a thinker you will spend awhile to get through this game in the end this game was amazing get it.
  
  
• Peel this Orange and be satisfied!!
  By A1JO5E9OD96VLO on 2007-10-14
  One thing that struck me when I first put in 'the Orange Box' and played Half Life 2 original was how crisp the graphics are. The textures ,dynamic lighting all add to the beauty. And if you have a good HDTV , some additional minor tweaking of the picture makes Half Life-2 look rather stunning.Another thing I loved about the Half Life series were there are no pre-rendered cutscenes,except for the very begining and very end of each episode/game. All of Half Lifes story takes place in game while playing, something I wish more games did. The game is not riddled with mini-movies.Half Life 2 does show its age 'design' wise but as far as graphics and crispness of textures it looks about as good as it can on any platform. One great thing I love about all 5 games is the fully customizable controls. After playing HALO3 for so long I was comfortable with the (RB) reload . So if you want you can fully map any button on the 360 controller for Half Life-2 to suit your tastes, very nice indeed. Multiplayer TeamFortress2 plays nice , there were some early lag issues but at the time of this writing Valve was working on the servers and trying to match people with simular LIVE speed, so the lag issue is nearly solved. Portal is quirky puzzle solving in First Person, if you played PREY the portals work in simular fashion , only with the Portal Gun you can put a portal almost anywhere the game allows,although you don't aquire the Portal gun right away. The (3) Half Lifes look and play great. It takes at least 26-30 HOURS to complete all 3 Half Life-2 games (Not including Portal).I enjoyed Half Life-2's story and its nice to have all 3 chapters in one disc.There's lots of gaming to be had with ' The Orange (5 game bargain) Box' any FPS fan should have this in there collection. (update) I found out there is a lag patch for TF2 out now. You can get the patch via XboxLive. On another note:With the open-ended ending of Ep:2 will HL2-Episode 3 be available for download via X-Live soon? Most likely yes ,PEACE
  
  
• Half Life 2 (worth every penny)
  By A3EGCXDWRWBTNX on 2007-10-15
  I never played any of the games from the Half Life series/mods (since I never played games on a PC). So, I decided to buy the Orange Box and see what HL2 was all about... Let me first say (write), if you enjoy FPS's you will love Half Life 2. I was already playing Bioshock and thought I would throw in The Orange Box and get a taste of each of the games on the disc. Two hours later I was totally captured by the HL2 storyline and game play. This game is sweet! And its age (2004) doesn't show in my opinion. Yes, Bioshock is a prettier game, and yes Halo 3 is a robust multiplayer extravaganza; but Half Life 2 definitely has a story to it. And the engine used to create this game is way cool.
  
  If you are not sure about buying The Orange Box for the Xbox 360 ~ TRUST ME! You will not regret the purchase! It is worth every penny... :)
  
  
  
• Finally, Half LIfe 2 with a game pad and without Steam.
  By ANH62P22H7HX8 on 2007-10-15
  Valve has done everything right with this package. Half Life 2 is now more immersive due to updated graphics and a rumble feature for the controller. The gamepad controls are mapped out perfectly and I have found I can play this came far better and more effeciently than I did with the keyboard and mouse set up of the PC version. I always felt like I was doing my homework sitting in front of a tiny computer monitor and typing and clicking away. That's great for Microsoft Word but not for a FPS video game. (Plus, getting Carpals Tunnel from playing video games is not my cup of tea.) Half Life 2 is now a far more spontaneous and relaxing experience. The biggest plus is the fact that the shackles of Steam are nowhere to be found on the console version of this classic. Now, I just pop the disc in and start playing. My old PC copy of Half Life 2 and Steam are in the dumpster outside my apartment where they belong.
  
  
• AWESOME games plus 5 for the price of 1 deal..ROCKS
  By A3DRGLCWOFGVXX on 2007-10-15
  I bought this game bcuz it has Team Fortress 2(multiplayer only) and it is uber fun (after you figure out each game mode, takes about an hour and a half of steady playing). I have probably spent 10 hrs playing this since I got it on Thursday. Primarily I have been playing TF2 but have started plying the first of the 3 Half Life games on it snd am very impressed. I can see alot of value for what you get. Have fun with it.
  
  
• Best Game Compilation Ever!
  By A1KPLQICXTEH8V on 2007-11-17
  Not only is this game the best value in console history, with 5 quality titles, its also includes some of the most innovative first-person game play design as well. I'll review each title:
  
  Half-Life 2 (4.5/5) - Probably the single best 1-player first person shooter ever made, definitely for the PC. I played this game on the PC and it gets a perfect 5/5 there. The console version gets a 0.5 star deduction if only because the 360 controller proves to be slightly less adept than the mouse/keyboard combo. Combat is fine because they've added some auto aim to compensate, but often times you'll find yourself strafing back and forth at doorways, in order to line up correctly and get through. But the absolute worst is the vehicle control. Halo is the only FPS I've played that got vehicle control right, but HL2 is bound by the rule of never leaving Gordon Freeman's eyes, and so driving must be done first-person. But the driving segments are relatively short, given the total length of the game, and there are plenty of breaks. Certainly not a deal breaker, but still noticeably inferior to the PC version in this regard.
  
  Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (4/5) - The first in the "episodic content" experiment, HL2:EP1 returns you to the Citadel, where you ended HL2. The first portion of the game has you repeating the same style of combat, using your enhanced gravity gun. Some new puzzle elements have been added here, which basically involves shooting energy balls around. Its interesting, but not nearly as diverse as the first game. Same with the rest of the game. Although there are some interesting new ideas, and a few new enemies, there is also a little too much repetition for such a short title, and although the story is captivating as always, it doesn't advance very far. Ultimately though, its HL2 so it rocks. These are minor complaints, and would be diminished if it didn't have its predecessor to be compared to. There is also an unbelievable XBox 360 "Achievement" that involves completing the entire game using just one bullet!
  
  Half-Life2: Episode 2 (4.5/5) - The first "new" game on the disc. A little longer, and a little better than the previous episode. The game play has changed a little here. There are a few less physics puzzles, and more varieties of combat. A brutal new enemy is unveiled, and quickly gives you a reason to despise them. One of the byproducts of this stylistic change, means more frustration. The first two games are very linear and do an excellent job of indicating ideal strategy, while still letting you "run and gun" if thats your style. While this title is still pretty linear, you have to work out some strategies on your own, and that usually involves dying a lot. In the middle of the game, navigating an underground antlion nest involves EVADING a mother antlion. Its not exactly clear (the AI characters only tell you not to KILL it), and you'll waste ammo (that you ABSOLUTELY need later) if you even try and combat it. For the first time, there is an epic "end battle". This was probably the most intense experience in the whole series, and it follows the same style as above: there are multiple strategies to attack the encroaching enemies. This is the first time I wanted to throw my controller out the window, but finally winning was awesome. When does Episode 3 come out again?
  
  Portal (5/5) - Another reviewer has said that if you don't like Portal, then you are stupid. There isn't much else to say. Talk about an innovative idea that is perfectly executed! Portal is not only a unique puzzle game, its wickedly smart and funny. Although the game is far too short, it does have some replay value with a few advanced maps and some other challenges. I'm very interested to see where VALVe take this awesome idea! This is the first real first-person style innovation in a while.
  
  Team Fortress 2 (4/5) - The online multiplayer aspect of the package. TF2 is awesome looking (almost cell shaded?) and pretty fun and funny as well. This is class based combat, meaning that if you aren't any good at shooting people than you can be a medic or an engineer or something else useful to the team. I have two complaints. First is that its one player per console. This makes sense as its a ported PC game, but it still suffers when compared to other major FPS online games (ahem, Halo 2 & 3). The second is that the online matchmaking system isn't as smooth as others (ahem, Halo 2 & 3). Once again, this is because its based on the PC model. But its no fun to have find an almost full match only to find out its been filled in the time it took you to push the "A" button and then have to start the whole process over again. There are only a couple maps, but thats OK because it removes some of the steep learning curve. Combined with the simple controls and fixed weapon options, it allows n00bs to jump right in and at least enjoy the experience, unlike other games (ahem, Halo 2 & 3).
  
  So the final verdict is that you have to buy this title. Now. Do it. Click "Add to Cart". Do it.
  
  
• Bang for the buck
  By A3K91X9X2ARDOK on 2007-12-06
  For what you pay with this title, you get a lot of content. Five titles including Half-Life 2 incl. Episodes 1 and 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2 ensure that you won't be getting tired of this game anytime soon.
  
  I especially enjoyed Portal which is one of the trippiest games I've ever played, not to mention laugh out loud hilarious. It's a first person shooter/ puzzle type game that has you using a gun that throws out two portals (think of it as an in door and an out door that you can place on walls and/or ceilings) which you use to navigate the maze like levels. All the while you are being spoken to by a computerized voice that simultaneously guides you and threatens you. It's one of the most original experiences I've had playing a videogame and almost worth the price of admission alone. It's a bit on the short side but it does get some life extension with advanced levels once you beat the game's main storyline.
  
  The graphics are pretty nice across the board, especially on Team Fortress 2 which has this kind of cartoony look to it that gives the game a humorous touch to all the violence. Team Fortress 2 also has an online component that is everything you'd expect from a first person shooter except that it requires a bit more teamwork than other games because every character class is designed to achieve a certain function and in order to win in most cases, you've got to know what class to play with as well as what other players are playing with.
  
  The Half-Life games are impressive themselves as their use of surround sound makes the game an immersive experience coupled with really nice graphics. Make no mistake, this is a LOUD game when you start firing your weapons but it's in the moments where you might be standing on a beachfront and all you can hear is the wind blowing all around you and the sound of the ocean and birds overhead that you really start to appreciate the subtlety of the sound design. This is the game that's probably the main attraction for most buyers and understandably so. It's one of those games that does a really good job of putting you into the world of the story and making you feel like you're really a part of what's going on in it.
  
  This is a great package and highly recommended as you don't really see this kind of deal too often.
  
  
• It's a whole new experience.
  By ATGCHSSLLO6U on 2008-04-12
  The Orange Box is a fantastic product (or set of products) that really redefine FPS gaming altogether. I did not remember much about Half Life 1, but its OK, the story will fill you in and make it seem like a brand new experience. My play through of Half Life 2 lasted for over 10 hours (!), and including Episodes 1 and 2, my total play time was somewhere around 15-18 hours, which is a pretty amazing value for an FPS. If you played HL2 on the PC as I did, don't be dissuaded into not getting the Orange Box. The value isn't bad either, considering that you would need to shell out quite a few more dollars to purchase each game separately (and also have 5 separate disks). Portal wasn't my cup of tea, but it does change your mind's problem solving process. It was a very innovative idea and pretty neat experience.
  
  Team Fortress 2 would be the only overall negative of the Orange Box. I am not sure what kind of traffic the game receives on the PC, but there are very few people playing on XBL at any given time, and lag is commonly an issue. Plus, I think many people assume that it will be similar to Counter Strike, and that is definitely NOT the case.
  
  I've laid it out for you. Sound's good, doesn't it?
  
  
• Sweet
  By A1ZDTIVZA9R8G4 on 2007-10-14
  This is a good game. People should buy it if they have an Xbox 360 because it's good. I like it to play it. Portal is really fun but once you beat it you probably won't ever want to play it again.
  
  
• Best.....Deal...Ever....
  By AH724YXGFQIX6 on 2007-11-09
  Seriously, you cannot get a better deal then this video game package. A puzzle game, 3 riveting stories that tie together, and an online multiplayer game that is not your ordinary shoot em up. I just cannot stop playing it :)
  
  
• Too much fun!
  By A1ON96KOPVGG97 on 2007-11-10
  It's great to re-do Half Life 2 and the sequels. Portal was fun and I haven't tried Team Fortress 2--I don't have the time! There's so many hours of gameplay. And you can start any game whenever you want, unlike Far Cry Predator Instincts.
  
  
• Great gameplay that is sure to please both the online gamer and the thinker.
  By A456MJ2PZVLPR on 2007-11-10
  Orange Box is an excellent buy--it fuses together 4 different games. Portal (a thinking game), Team Fortress Classic (an online battle game like Halo 3) and 2 Half-Life games (both shooter games). My favorite game in this bunch has to be Portal, which offers a unique concept that is satisfying to even my wife (and she hates video games).
  Team Fortress Classic requires a subscription to Xbox Live, but I can vouch that the gameplay, albeit different from Halo 3, is quite good.
  
  I highly recommend this game. A bargain at $59.99.
  
  
• Awesome Deal
  By A1548FHD992B7 on 2008-01-15
  I got this game initially for Portal. I had played this game over someone's house and loved it! The game is awesome and great for the mind who likes to think things through and maybe isn't highly excited with the shooting aspects of the Orange Box. However, I began to play the other games and found them entertaining and a bit like Portal as well. So even if you like one thing in this package and aren't sure about the rest-odds are you'll like all of them.
  
  
• Bang for your buck
  By A3867FNWUMXELV on 2008-02-05
  I had never played any of the Half-Life games so when the orange box came out I bought it. I skipped over to Episode two because it looked amazing and so far I love the game. But the best game hands down is Portal. It's fun, makes you think, and control-scheme is very simple and easy to learn. The other games are great too and well Foortress is fun as well. Definately a good gaming deal.
  
  
• Best bang for your buck
  By A25J3LLYXQ8VIY on 2008-03-15
  Plain and simple the Orange Box is the best deal out there. Each game on it is worth a regular pricing. I personally feel I have been spoiled after buying it. It's a must buy!
  
  
• Buy it if you're looking for a puzzle/shooter/adventure FPS
  By A30VRE2WXVEER3 on 2008-04-06
  Ok, I loved this game from Day 1! I just beat Half-Life 2 after 6 or 7 days of having (if that lets you know how long it is) and Portal is just a genius, super fun game. The Half-Life series are really great, and they're very unigue: you will never find any other shooter like this. With Portal, you really have to use your head on some of the puzzles, and it is just the greatest puzzle game on earth. I can't say much for Team Fortress 2 because you have to have Xbox Live to play it because it is focused on multiplayer gameplay. But you won't wanna be playing that when you're too busy playing Half Life and Portal. Portal is a short game, but the good news is the 2nd one is on the way, and the Half-Lifes are pretty long except for Half-Life 2 Episode 1. There are 3 Half-Life games on it: Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2 Episode 1, and Half-Life 2 Episode 2. Episode 3 is also on the way. I love this game, and it is the most recommended game ever for the 360!
  
  

• Half-Life 2 (Orange Box): Prima Official Game Guide
• The Official Xbox Magazine [1-year]
• Electronic Gaming Monthly

• BioShock
• Mass Effect
• Assassin's Creed
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Grand Theft Auto IV