User Reviews (11 - 21 of 67)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Outstanding Bundle. Portal is Awesome!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: October 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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.

Half Life 2 (worth every penny)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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... :)

Best Game Compilation Ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 17, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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.

A console gamer's review

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 10 / 37
Date: November 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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...

Portal Is Amazing!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: October 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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.

Peel this Orange and be satisfied!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 5
Date: October 14, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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

Best.....Deal...Ever....

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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 :)

Great gameplay that is sure to please both the online gamer and the thinker.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 10, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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.

Bang for the buck

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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.

Awesome Deal

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 15, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next 

Actions