Back when this came out in '04 I didn't have the proper PC to play a game like this. So I didn't get to experience the magic, so-to-speak. I was and always will be partial to consoles.
Anyways, after completing The Orange Box recently, more specifically Half Life and Ep. 1 & 2, I must say I was thoroughly impressed. Even though we're talking about a 4 year old game here, It holds up wonderfully in my opinion.
I was particularly blown away by the story. To me FPS's sometimes lack in this department, but I was completely into this game. Even though 'The Freeman' never make a peep, I felt a connection to him and the overwhelming odds he had to overcome. The total lack of cutscenes are a big plus because you get to be in control 99% of the time. When there is some important plot development going on, you have the choice to pay attention or just run around and knock shit off tables.
By todays standards the graphics definitely show some age. But I can totally see how these were awesome back then. During the course of the game I noticed some pretty good lighting, shading etc that still looks pretty good. The visuals do improve from HL2 to Episode 1 to Episode 2, slightly, but noticeable. There are a few instances throughout the game where the framerate does drop significantly, but definitely not to the point of 'unplayable.'
Now lets talk about Portal and TeamFortress 2. Portal was just amazing! Great puzzles with a lot of dark humor. It was a great way to spend 3 hours. TeamFortress 2, in my opinion is totally fun. There are a lot of people who complain about it being unplayable, but I had a blast. It's a pretty basic team-based, online shooter. Totally straightforward and accessible. I will admit that I didn't spend too much time with it simply because online-play really isn't my thing, but from what I gathered, really fun.
Five games on one disc is a great deal. It's not the most perfect port of a game, but It's definitely not the worst.
This was my first review, thanks for reading : ]
The year is 2007. Console owners tap their fingers in barely contained impatience. For years they have been starved of Valve's delicious, full-bodied courses, forced to watch from the bleachers as Valve mixes a unique blend of kinetic first-person with extraordinary tech. Besides a brief dalliance with the original Xbox and the PlayStation 2 - which produce pale imitations of its best work - Valve has remained faithful to the PC.
And then, in a flash, five of them arrive at once; neatly packaged morsels for a new generation reared on Microsoft's & later Sony's consoles. Five games, all in one orange box. Valve serves the PC too, for it is October 18 - a day of celebration - and everyone should feast.
Valve didn't really "release" 5 of its greatest games in a single day, Half-Life 2 came out 3 years before The Orange Box. In no other context do we talk about a port being the "release" of a game.
The orange box was an excellent release. I don't think Valve will do much beyond online only games now.
Robin Walker discusses the impact of Portal, Team Fortress 2 and more.
Little cheeky to talk about it when you know we're still waiting for Half Life 3...the Orange Box included Episode 2 and is still left unfinished story wise to this day.
At this rate we better get a second Orange Box. Half Life 3, Half Life Remake (Black Mesa Mod), TF3 or L4D3 and the HL spin offs like Blue Shift.
Don't know what valve are going to do with Half Life after Mike Laidlaw posted the short version of Episode 3 in August and changed the names and genders.
On October 10 2007, Valve didn’t just release a video game, they released three. All came in the one package, and it was called The Orange Box.
It is not that the game was bad it is that it is a bad port, a patch was released but it didn't fix everything. It is very good value though.