Half-Life 2: The Orange Box for Xbox 360 Reviews by Gamers

Might Be Some Subtle Spoilers

Single Player:

The Good: Well this is just a overall good that I have to get out the way, the value of this game, or should I say games is incredible. I bought this game, awhile back so I am not exactly speaking on a renting aspect, but it wouldn't matter either way, would be a great rent. The story is very engaging once you get through the learning stages. It stays this way through out the chapters, though I personally liked the main game, but the additional chapters do add on to the experience. This is a game that does take a little while to beat, which is great, unlike many of the 3 hour and done games. Very good voice acting.

Not to spend all my words on Half Life, so portal must be mentioned in this good. This is a more puzzle based oriented game, really gets your brain rolling once you carry on. Like other Valve games, you will find the very subtle humor in it, will sure to get a few chuckles out of you. This its self would be a good stand alone (though it is a download on live), but heck it comes with the game, just continues to add value to the disc itself.

The Bad: The only bad that I can state, is that the graphics are a little dated. Do not let this turn you away from a good series though. Once you get into the game play they become less notable. Have to realized the game was released in like 04 if I am not mistaken.

The Ugly: None to speak of

Multiplayer:

The Good: Extremely fun experience if you have never experienced Team Fortress 2. What you will get is a very engaging team experience.

The Bad: Now a days for the console, there are a good deal of servers, but its not as populated as one would hope. Do not let that deter you, as you will not have trouble finding full rooms at any given time.

The Ugly: None that I can think of.

Not only do you get the critically acclaimed Half-Life 2, but you get the Episode One and Two expansions, Team Fortress 2 (an online versus multiplayer game), and Portal (a sort-of mini-game that involves teleportation portals). Even though Half-Life 2 came out in 2004, it still looks great on the 360. I would say that the graphics on the main game are not as good as they could be, but for Episodes One and Two they are just about the same quality as Halo 3, as hard as some people may find that to believe. The story is also fantastic, so even people that have played Half-Life 2 before should check this out just to get the Episode One and Episode Two content. In fact, this is such a great deal that I would recommend just going out and buying The Orange Box instead of renting it.

For anyone that may not know, you play as a scientist, Gordon Freeman, who accidentally opened a portal to another dimension and now fights to protect the world from the "aliens" that invaded through that portal. The coolest and most innovative feature is the Gravity Gun. It works much like how telekinesis works in Bioshock, but Half-Life 2 came out 3 years ago, so it was the originator. You can do awesome stuff like stop grenades mid-throw and launch them back at guys, pick up a saw blade and fling it through the air, move large obstacles out of your way, drop heavy objects on an enemy's head, and so on.

The only problem I really found with the game is the mid-level loading. Like Oblivion and Halo, you will occasionally get a pause in the action for some quick loading of upcoming terrain, but it's not quite so quick in Half-Life 2. Sometimes these loads take a good 30 seconds, which really blows when you're in the middle of doing something.

Regardless, magazines and websites all over the place are giving The Orange Box better scores on average than Bioshock and Halo 3. Basically, if you love either of those games, you should love this game too, if not even more.

I bought this game at Target for 20$ and to be honest its extremley well put together
Story: Okay so this is for Half Life 2 if you've played HL2 you already know what the story's about but i'll fill you in for those of you who don't know Gordon Freeman from the first game goes to City 17 a sort of concentration camp where it's ruled by Wallace Breen so Gordon teams up with resistance fighters to overthrow the Combine the story is kind of generic but the characters are so 3 Demensinonal that you can connect and feel sorry for them and that's what makes the story so intriguing.
Gameplay: Half Life 2 is the typical First Person Shooter so im not going to go into to much detail Team Fortress 2 is a sort of next gen Counter Strike if there is one two teams red or blue with nine classes each pretty much blow stuff up Prtal is not a first person shooter but rather a puzzle game told from a first person perspective its challenging addictive and a suprise hit for the game.
Graphics: the Source engine for Half Life 2 is beggining to show its age but Team Fortress 2 has an incredible art style almost like a pixar film designed by the army.
Sound: this game exceeds in sound but what it really succeeds in is voice over work most of them are voice actors with some celebrity voice talent like Robert Culp Michelle Forbes and Robert Guillaume but the characters have real emotion and so its easy to love or hate someone Glados from Portal is extremeley likable with a dark sense of humor and an obvious parody of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
replay value: this is definentley worth whatever you're gonna pay for it 5 games on one disc is incredible buy this game
story 9/10
gameplay 10/10
graphics 9/10
sound 10/10
replay value 10/10
final score 10/10

Excellent game design and game play.

5 games included

Portal - a puzzle game for everyone, logic, physics, out of the box thinking

Half life 2 - excellent fps

Half Life 2 - ep 1 - more of HL 2

Half Life 2 - ep 2 - more of HL 2

Team Fortress 2 - excellent multiplayer fps

With so many games out there being released at 60 bucks with barely any content on it, The orange box is a breath of fresh air.

There is not ONE bad game in this package, Half-Life 2(along with episodes 1 & 2) is one of the best First person shooters i've ever played, great story, and it actually makes you think rather than shooting everything that moves. Same thing with portal, very fun and creative puzzles.

Team Fortress 2 could've been better, but it was still pretty darn good, fun modes, classes are balanced, but it's hard sometimes to find a match that doesn't lag or shutdown.

Overall, i give this a 10/10.

The Orange Box was released by VALVe as a sort of belated apology for the delay on episode 2's release. It contains Team Fortress 2 (a ridiculously fun multiplayer team based shooter, with endless replay value,) and Portal (the greatest game that has ever been made in the history of everything.) Oh, and some Half Life stuff, but that's really the least of it.

We'll start with the weakest point of The Orange Box, which, ironically, is Half Life 2: Episode 2. I understand that it's not supposed to be a long game, but honestly, it's bizarrely short. It stumbles around for a few hours long enough to add very little to the series, other than the introduction of a new character, and the removal of an old one, spoiler alert. You could essentially just replay ep1 and read a plot synopsis of ep2 and get roughly the same experience. Not that it's bad, it's just more of the same.

Now. Team Fortress 2. The game itself starts off committing one of the greatest sins a game can; that is, having no singleplayer whatsoever. It then flips conventional game design the bird, and lets us all know that a little sin now and then is pretty fun. The game itself is very well balanced, with 9 unique classes that are very well characterized, and a host of maps and unlockable weapons and hats. Very good game, worthy of a review of its own.

And here it is. Portal, also known as the game that is officially better than anything real life has to offer, including meaningful relationships, british TV, and Olivia Munn. With truly innovative and unique gameplay, a fantastic soundtrack, and some of the funniest writing in the history of any medium (including films, books, television, etc.) Portal is, without any possible doubt, the greatest game that's ever been made

The Orange Box contains what I like to call 5 of the greatest FPS games of all time: The complete Half-Life 2 experience to date, containing Half-Life 2 and its two episode sequels, the mind-bending Portal, and the always fun Team Fortress 2 as the multiplayer component. Whether you are evading Combine forces in City 17, participating in the Aperture Science Computer Aided Enrichment Center, or dominating BLUs as a RED or REDs as a BLU, there is always something to enjoy, no matter what game you are in the mood for.

However... If you have a good gaming PC, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing this game on Steam rather than playing it on your console. The PC version offers much more content, especially in Team Fortress 2 in the form of improved weapons, character customization, and multiplayer maps and gametypes.

If you don't own a gaming PC, then you're not at too much of a loss. The console version of The Orange Box is still a fun experience. If you like FPS games, then The Orange Box has something for you.

It was only a few days after I rented this game from GameFly that I wanted to buy it. The five game pack was a terrific idea for Valve. Half-Life 2 Episodes 1 and 2 plus Portal and Team Fortress 2 is great. Half-Life 2 is a great campaign game for almost anyone. Portal is a great game if you like puzzles and having to figure things in a pattern. Not to mention Team Fortress 2 is a great multiplayer game. Considering it's been going for 9 years, it has to be one of the best games in history. Good job Valve, keep it up!

Half-Life 2 is a great FPS. And Episodes 1 and 2 step it up a notch. The graphics and sound in Episodes 1 and 2 are excellent. Episode 1, however, is a little too short.
The gem of this disc is Portal. What a great surprise. It only took about 4 hours to get through it all, but once I started I couldn't stop, and I didn't want it to end.
Didn't play Team Fortress 2 because I don't have XBOX Live Gold.

I first beat HL2:Episode 1 on PC over a year ago.

Now, I get to play HL2 (prequel 2 episode 1) and Episode 2.

Then for achievement purposes I'll play episode 1 again!

lastly, Team fortress is unique and great fun!!

The Orange Box is not just one great game, it is 5 great games, and at only $35 this retail season, it is one of the best values if you are looking to buy this game.

Half Life 2 is a great FPS, if not one of the best and most engaging on the 360. the graphics are amazing, and the sound quality and voice acting are superb. The achievments in Half Life 2 and throughout the entire Orange Box are really great, and will give playres a challenge.

Episode 1 and 2 are both great additions to Half Life 2. Episode 1 is excellent, and ep. 2 is even better. Both are very dramatic and satisfy in this world of weak storylines.

Portal. I can no say enough about this game that was seemingly thrown in for filler, but ends up being the shining light on the Orange Box. Although fairly short, GLaDoS will keep you coming back and playing again. I have beaten this game about 5 times now, just because the game is that enjoyable.

Team Fortress 2 is a great game for people looking for online action. One of the best online games on the 360 in my opinion. Their are multipple job classes and lots of action, and it is just very engaging and addicting.

All in all, The Orange Box is one of the must own games on Xbox 360, especially if you have not played Half Life 2 in the past.

The Orange Box should be called "The Reason to Own an Xbox 360". From the very first game out of 5 that you get (Half-Life 2) you're engulfed in one of the best episodes of gaming you will ever experience. For a steal you get Half-Life 2, Episode One, Episode 2, Portal (which ties into the Half-Life story somehow) and a fantastic multi-player game in Team Fortress 2! It's all here and yes I love Halo 3 but this package politely pushes Halo 3 aside for "dominate must own game on the Xbox 360" crown easily. Half-Life 2 has an engaging story that draws you in from the start and doesn't make you feel left out for not playing the first. Episode One & Two do a great job of bringing you more when you finish Half-Life 2 and need another fix. Portal is an innovative puzzle type game that's simple enough for anyone to pick up and get into. Team Fortress 2 is a fun frenetic multi-player add-on with some cool options you won't find in other online first person shooters. Overall, all 5 parts of this package make it impossible not to want to rent or buy it immediately. Don't miss out on this one! This orange box is loaded with juice!

the orange box is cool and fun and for five games in one for sixty dollars at game stop this is a good deal. it has a good story line, sound, graphics, physics, and voice acting. it has team fortress 2 [ FUN MULTIPLAYER GAME! ], half life 2 [ tells new comers the story ], half life 2 episode 2 [ the newest installment ], half life episode 1 [ forgot to put it before 2], and a game called portal witch is about a person who escapes from a test facility using a gun that makes portals. i wish though that it had half life 1 but it's still a fun game. PERFECT 10

I have this game for PC and X-box 360 and I still can't stop playing! From Portal, Valves hit puzzle game that always makes you think a step ahead, to Half-Life 2, the classic game series that mixes action with stratagy. Team fortress 2 is a fun and enjoyable multiplayer game that always fills time ready to be wasted. I would reccomend The Orange Box to anyone who loves shooters as much as they love to use their brain to conquer challenges.

This collection of Half Life 2, it's expansion Episode Two, Portal, and Team Fortress make this a must buy for any fans of Half Life or FPS games. Even if you don't know or like either one you'll still get grabbed buy the amazing story and awesome gameplay that Valve always delivers. I suggestion is to buy this. If not then definitly rent it.

Ok really? who would give this a bad review? Half life is one of the best shooters ever and the other half life campaigns are just as good. And team fortress 2 is amazing and portal is good. But I would recommend getting steam and getting the computer version because I like it better but this one is good. Plus on the computer you can play with bots.

every one who say oh its the same or its repetitive that's dumb half life is very fun anyone who doesn't like it probably should do the norm play cod mw2 all night with no skill or strategie needed half life 2 you cant just blow through it there's time where you actually have to THINK! and portal is fun but the only problem is isn't easy to replay it Team Fortress ooooh don't get me started with that cause its the best darn game ever since the call of duty series it has a very ADDICTING leeme repeat that VERY ADDICTING multiplayer you can play for weeks and months and years and no game will ever be the same it always different down side of it no single player so soz for non xbl users and uber heavys that is all hope you all get this game!

Ok, when I owned this it was, by far my favorite. I mean lots of action, puzzles and enemies that'll blow you away,almost. Basically, this package is BY FAR THE BEST GAME EVAR!!!! like the other guy said some said you'd get boring within the first 15 minutes, by then you're stilll trying to escape the confinements of city 17, it's almost nonstop action and a lot of sci-fi built into it. I'd reccomend it to any shooter lover.

This was one of the first games I bought for the 360. With Portal and Team Fortress 2, the game is easily worth $50, but when you throw in Half-Life, it gets beyond value. The video quality calls back to when the games were originally created, and the physics are still the same basic physics, but the games are no less fun.

This has to be the most underrated collection of games i have played in my life. Half-life 2 is amazing, Portal is also amazing and very funny. And Team Fortress two is equally awesome. From the train at the beginning to the Blah, blah, blah Mr. Freeman Half-life 2 is an absolute trill ride. The best of the entire Box is Ravenholm, i don't wanna spoil anything for newcomers, but lets just say, it'll be the most thrilling 45 minutes in your gaming life. Portal on the other hand, is my favorite stress reliever. However the only problem with all these games is that they're just too short. But seriously you'll want to revisit the Aperture Science center again and again. Not to mention the enormous reply value that comes packed into the Half-life saga. You'll waste many hours of your life finding all the secrets in Half-life as well as Portal. And TF2 is Awesome. Half-life is the best shooter ever... Deal with it Halo Fanboys.

P.S. Blah, Blah, Blah Mr. Freeman. Watch Half-life in 60 seconds on youtube to get the joke.

one of the best games i have played in a long time. for sure worth a rent.

Only one word can describe The Orange Box, and that word is fantastic.

The Orange Box has 5 games compiled onto one disc. Every single game on there is Excellent. First, there's Half-Life 2. Half-Life 2 is the amazing sequel to what is considered the Best PC game ever, Half-Life. Everything about this remarkable game is absoloutly terrific. I know people who have gotten every achievement for Half-Life 2, and still play it non-stop. Also, Half-Life 2 contains the ever so popular Gravity Gun. This is considered the best gun in Video Game History. Everyone find this gun to be very fun. It doesn't get much better then Half-Life 2. Next, there is Half-Life 2 episode 1 and episode 2. These are the long awaited epilouges to the Half-Life 2 story. They contain the same exicting, fun action as Half-Life 2 does.

Next, contains the newest edition of a game from Valve, Portal. This interesting game is about a "test subject" who has been forced by Aperture Science to test out their newest invention, the "Portal Gun". This portal gun creates a blue portal, and an orange portal. Go through 1, end up through the other. This game contains many interesting and entertaining obstacles that you must go through by using the Portal Gun. The possibilities of this Portal Gun are endless.

Last but certainly not least, is Team Fortress 2. This Class-Based sequel to the popular Team Fortress is the most anticipated game of 2007. This game is only for Multiplayer, there is no single player story. In TF2, you can choose any of the 9 classes that suits you the most. From the extremely fast scout, to the very slow, but very powerful heavy weapons guy. The "spy" class in this game is by far the most anticipated. As a spy, you can disguise yourself as the enemy, cloak yourself invisible, and infiltrate the enemy base. The posibilities of the actions of a spy are endless. Team Fortress 2 is one of the best multiplayer games ever.
I reccomend The Orange Box to everyone

The Orange Box is an explosive package with 3 whole games crammed into one disk.

NOTE: While the Xbox 360 version is excellent if console gaming is your preference (or only option), the PC versions are a much better option if you have a decently capable computer and a reliable Internet connection. The console versions suffer from a lack of extra content (maps, weapons, user-created content), and a far smaller community -- primarily a problem for TF2.

-Half-Life 2 + Episodes 1 and 2 (One Player)
An exhilarating adventure through a radioactive wasteland riddled with alien creatures and a brutal alien-controlled police force. Speed through a radioactive bayou on a ski boat, and ride an armed dune buggy along a bug-infested coastline. Whack stuff with your Crowbar, snipe enemies from afar with the Crossbow, pick up and utilize the Gravity Gun and use any piece of junk as a projectile weapon while solving intuitive physics-based environmental puzzles and confronting the dark reality and humanity's potential downfall. A dark and gruesome future awaits, and our silent hero has his work cut out for him.

-Portal (One Player)
One of the most innovative puzzle-platforming games ever. Shoot 2 portals (entrance and exit) onto walls, and jump in! See physics from a whole new direction, possibly upside down with a turret shooting at you while avoiding a poison moat below. Solve puzzles by rerouting energy balls into hoops, creatively bringing weighted cubes onto buttons, and flinging yourself through the air with carefully placed portals and timed jumps. Not to mention the crazy story and "lovable" antagonist! (Story indirectly related to Half-Life 2)

-Team Fortress 2 (Multiplayer Only)
Fast-paced cell-shaded multiplayer mayhem! Pick one of several different classes like the light-footed, baseball bat-wielding Scout, the dastardly Spy, or the hot-headed Pyro, and stop the other team from snagging your Intel or your Capture Points in one of a few "tug of war" style game modes.

this game is great, half-life2 is the best game of all time. portal is the shortest of the 5, but incredibly fun with great graphics. team fortress 2 is a great multi-player with lots of classes and weapons.