[Munkey Boy]

The classic Half-Life 2, along with the two episodic sequels, Portal and Team Fortress 2 have been released on the Xbox 360 to excellent reviews. But what do you think of the package?

A 10 should only be given for a landmark game that sets new rules, a 9 for a truly excellent game without a fundamental flaw, and an average game that does things right but nothing special should get a 5 (not a 7 like some reviews would have you believe).

[meweavy]

at the moment i would give it a 9,but ive only played half life 2 and im just starting h/l/2 episode 1...but as far as value for money goes even at £45 it is still a bargain..

[kav]

9

[Munkey Boy]

Originally Posted by meweavy

at the moment i would give it a 9,but ive only played half life 2 and im just starting h/l/2 episode 1...but as far as value for money goes even at £45 it is still a bargain..

Well, if you think you don't know enough about the games to comment yet, then don't vote yet please!

[meweavy]

Originally Posted by Munkey Boy

Well, if you think you don't know enough about the games to comment yet, then don't vote yet please!

oops pardon me....

[ukkev2000]

Portal is genre defining, using physics and 3d spatial awareness for hours of mind bending vomit inducing fun! 10/10 and the tune at the end is very funny.

HL2 and Ep1 chugged on my PC whereas it renders beautifully on my 360. It makes the game a joy to play, but for me the most amazing thing is I don't feel the controls are an issue at all.

HL1 defined the FPS genre when it was launched and still rocks today. Ep2 is creepy and funny - the lines for your compadres are well written. Waaayyyy funnier than halo.

Bright idea to wrap up multiplayer into TF2 and all it's camp cartoon comedy. What's your favourite class?

Excellent package - bought it Monday morning and been playing it non stop, when I should really be looking for work It's that good.

[Skiprat]

Top class game even if it does make feel sea sick when playing for too long

[rio1981]

A 9 from me, and very nearly a 10.

It's outstanding value and thoroughly enjoyable - I haven't got around to playing Episode 2 yet but am looking forward to completing everything in terms of HL2.

Portal is exceptional too, full of great ideas.

TF2 I can't really comment on, put it on once and it was a bit laggy. Not so sure it'd be my kind of thing either.

As a package though you can't argue what's on offer for the money...

[featherhall]

A 6 for me. I find it a bit tired, and the loading times are a pain.

I know I am in the minority though, and no doubt it is value for money if you are a fan. I think next to recent releases (Bioshock, Halo 3 and COD4 (beta)) it is lacking. All IMHO of course.

[Lin3ar]

A 9.5 for me.An unbeleivable package that puts the overated Halo3 in the shade.
HL2/ep1/ep2 has to be the greatest FPS of all time in my opinion.

[Lin3ar]

A 9.5 for me.An unbelievable package that puts the overated Halo3 in the shade.
HL2/ep1/ep2 has to be the greatest FPS of all time in my opinion.

[Munkey Boy]

I think that while it would be a stretch for me to vote any one of the three components I've played so far above a 9 (HL2 is very very close though, ep 1 & 2 yet to be played), the package as a whole is incredible and Valve once again shown the rest how it should be done. Each component I've come across so far is incredible - they've done a great job porting the game across to the console, and the care and attention to detail across the package is undoubted. I don't know how anyone with even a passing interest in FPS could refuse this one in their collection.

10.

[Lin3ar]

I think that if I hadn't already played HL2 and EP1 to death on the PC, I would give this a 10.

[Munkey Boy]

Originally Posted by Lin3ar

I think that if I hadn't already played HL2 and EP1 to death on the PC, I would give this a 10.

But that's not a reason to mark it down? Because you've played something before doesn't make it a worse game, right? It may take the edge off the 2nd time experience for you, but that's not what we're voting on...

[Lin3ar]

Originally Posted by Munkey Boy

But that's not a reason to mark it down? Because you've played something before doesn't make it a worse game, right? It may take the edge off the 2nd time experience for you, but that's not what we're voting on...

O.K then 10

[Markoos]

Thus far it's the only game on 360 (and one of the only games full stop) that warrants a 10 for me. HL2 is simply put the best game ever made. Episodes 1 and 2 are just as good and follow-on perfectly; and Portal is an original work of genius.

Must admit I haven't tried TF2 yet as I'm not a massive player of online shooters unless I get a few mates on, but I doubt it's anything less than superb.

[shagaboopon]

10 from me

The game has everything, puzzles, action, great story and a fantastic online experience. The shear value money makes me give this game of the year over Bioshock (which I also still rate extremely highly despite having finished).

[Pugs1]

Just a quick one....

I played HL2 years ago on the PC, has the graphics been updated or improved for the 360?

If not, its a bit behind the times in terms of graphics etc

[Anotherlimey]

Originally Posted by Pugs1

Just a quick one....

I played HL2 years ago on the PC, has the graphics been updated or improved for the 360?

If not, its a bit behind the times in terms of graphics etc

No its much the same as it was on the PC, Its still a fantastic looking game IMO and if you have not played it for a few years well worth playing through again, Ive yet to play episiode 1&2 and really looking forward to those and TF2 which ive only played briefly

[ukkev2000]

Originally Posted by Pugs1

..If not, its a bit behind the times in terms of graphics etc

Honest question - What games are better?

For me, the combine structures hit a delightful balance of looking man made but other-worldly sinister.

Surely there is no better weapon than the gorgeous rocket launcher, pop a rocket in safety then duck out of cover to light up the target with the laser... sweet watching that rocket curve round and hit.

The physics based puzzles amaze, for example the water room early on in Ep2 or the lift..

Stunning games

[ukkev2000]

I guess for me the real significant difference from Gears or Halo is the story telling and how it's done. There are some great set pieces which amuse, scare and generally get my adrenaline going in a way that H3, GoW just didn't.

Like Bioshock, the narrative is well written - I really can't dis BioShock, I still think that's a ten too. Load up a save from either OrangeBox or BioShock and you just have top class entertainment waiting for you, beautifully rendered and leaving me feeling involved in the plot.

Bioshock obviously had a lot of time spent on it's art design and with a limited brief of indoor rooms, delivers a very rounded look and feel.

HL2 series has a much wider rendering requirement and you just can't spend as much time on the "look" of any particular bit. The Combine design has had a lot of effort put in and it shows.

I'm extremely happy (can you tell??) with OB. It's one of those games that makes me feel very lucky to have the kit I've got to be able to enjoy this game.

[Nik73]

As a package this is really is outstanding. I know HL2 is a 3 year old PC game so is not genre defining now in itself, but I would definitely say Portal is. That game is genius in my opinion. To be honest, I would have bought the package if it was just HL2 and it's episodes. I still stand by my opinion that HL2 alone is one of, if not the (along with Bioshock), best fps on the 360. All my opinion of course.

[NewBeetle]

I gave it an 8. I enjoyed it on the whole but the big value for money shout that people bring up is a little over exaggerated. Its not like ep 1&2 are whole extra games or anything, infact I would go as far as to say they should have just added them onto the main game in the 360 version. I quite enjoyed team fortress but there is not enough there to make up a normal 360 release.

It sounds like I am putting the game down which I am not, I really enjoyed it but splitting up the parts and calling it 5 games is a little far fetched.

[Stinja]

I'm really enjoying the Orange Box set. Just finished Half Life 2 and Episode 1, and the story really is excellent. Given the age of the game you'd think other devs would have learnt from this. Bioshock, Gears of War, Halo and other "big" titles really have been shown up, and i've still to do Ep 2!

Loved Portal and Team Fortress 2 is the most fun i've had in an online shooter for a while.

I dont wish to rate this yet, until i've finished it all, but certainly looking at 8+ and i'm a harsh critic of games.

[shagaboopon]

Originally Posted by NewBeetle

I gave it an 8. I enjoyed it on the whole but the big value for money shout that people bring up is a little over exaggerated. Its not like ep 1&2 are whole extra games or anything, infact I would go as far as to say they should have just added them onto the main game in the 360 version. I quite enjoyed team fortress but there is not enough there to make up a normal 360 release.

It sounds like I am putting the game down which I am not, I really enjoyed it but splitting up the parts and calling it 5 games is a little far fetched.

In some peoples eyes 8 is very high praise m8, the question I ask when I rate a game is what could be added to make a game perfect and in the case of OB there was nothing hence the 10.

The reason for the Episodes format is thats how they were released and to be honest if you slapped it together in one game then the intro starts where all your weapons are gone would seem silly. I'm more than happy they're seperated into 5 games. I have played a few games on the 360 that are shorter than episodes 1, 2 and Portal so for me I do not see the issue of them being seperate games.

On the earlier question about the look of HL2 they have actually added some of the nice effects from Episode 2 into the first 2 but all the textures remain the same. In short it does look quite nice still unless your up close looking for graphical problems. Team Fortress 2 is a great online game that will probably be completely misunderstood on the 360 now there is the "wonder" of Halo 3. If the kiddies stick to Halo 3 and leave everyone else to play TF2 I'll be delighted.

[elephant56]

Fantastic value for money, such a great set of games.

As an old man of 37 I've become increasingly cynical with regard to many new releases this generation. But games like this and Bioshock help restore the enjoyment of yesteryear.

I also find that as I get older I get struggle with the default difficulty...I'm playing HL2 on easy and I'm still not finished even after 16 hours...that's value for money!

[CAS FAN]

It's a 10 from me easy. No console gaming package comes close to what the Orange box offers.

- The best single player FPS of all time IMO - HL2
- 2 extra episodes of the said best single player game - Ep1 & Ep2
- The best team based multiplayer FPS game of all time - TF2
- A superb and extremely clever puzzle based FPS - Portal

HL2, TF2 or Portal are easily worth a 9 each on their own, but to get them all + 2 extra HL2 episodes in one pack is just outstanding!

There are some games that I deliberate over as to what score to give, but I simply could not even consider giving this release less than a 10.

[CarlB]

I rate it a really solid 9 as the graphics look a little dated in HL2 and the 'loading ' screens are jarring and actually take quite a while. I played it on the PC but haven't played Ep1 or 2, so am playing through the main game again on the 360 and really enjoying it.

[DrinksInBars]

i dotn understand people saying the graphics lag behind, they are truly awesome at times and always great. Everything looks impressive and does a great job of immersing you int he action. The best thing about HL 2 though is that the story is so rich and absorbing. TBH i found halo 3 quite dull and repetitive, it also seemed very quiet with large areas of little or no activity and no puzzles or deviation from the run quite slow and shoot lots of aliens halo trademark.

Whereas half life has support characters who you can grow to like and look out for, quite epic battles across massively varying environments. ravenholm? the citadel? the striders, the zombine, the enhanced gravity gun, antilions.

i am almost through episode two now and i have to say the graphics are astonishing, the entire first section, wow!!!! looks awesome. I played through on the pc, but ntohing beats the big screen and a great sound system.

i havent even mentioned portal yet, which although short and at times frustrating, it was so groundbreaking in its diversity that i just had to play though in one sitting.

and to cap it all off we have tf2 which is one of the most fun multiplayer games i have played ont he xbox. My biggest gripe with it though is the absurd host advantage/ lag you sometimes encounter and the lack of maps. Offset against that though is the spy, who even if he was the only playable ccharacter would make the game complete

[Br1an_g]

Originally Posted by CAS FAN

It's a 10 from me easy. No console gaming package comes close to what the Orange box offers.

- The best single player FPS of all time IMO - HL2
- 2 extra episodes of the said best single player game - Ep1 & Ep2
- The best team based multiplayer FPS game of all time - TF2
- A superb and extremely clever puzzle based FPS - Portal

HL2, TF2 or Portal are easily worth a 9 each on their own, but to get them all + 2 extra HL2 episodes in one pack is just outstanding!

There are some games that I deliberate over as to what score to give, but I simply could not even consider giving this release less than a 10.

yep, all of that..10 from me too