Review: Half Life 2: the Orange Box (360)
The PC sensation finally comes to the console, but can it live up to the multitude of fan's expectations? Or will it be as poor as Half Life 2 was on the original Xbox?
Story:
The G-man drops Gordon Freeman into City 17, a city run by the former administrator of Black Mesa, Dr. Breen who rules this city with an iron fist as a police state. Now with the help of some of your former friends from Black Mesa and their families, start a revolt to free humanity from the tyrannies levied on them by Dr. Breen and his cohorts
Graphics:
for a game that is essentially 3 years old now the game still looks great, at least in the sections that are still using the original engine, those being Half Life 2, HL2 Episode 1, and HL2 Episode 2. In the 2 games that are new, Portal looks great as well, but the graphics featured in the game Team Fortress 2 are a direct contrast, in that they are fun and light hearted like the sort of fare that one would find in a Pixar made movie. So over all, each game looks great and does not disappoint at all in anyway.
Music:
Those expecting a good soundtrack will not be disappointed for when there is music is really good, and it does a good job of reflecting the moment it appears in, but what makes the entire series of games is the top notch voice acting by all of the supporting cast, which will completely immerse the player in the game word and do a wonderful job of making you care about each and every character, even the villains.
Control:
Once again, as I have stated in previous reviews if you have played a FPS on the 360 than you know what to expect, but what made Half Life 2 stand out to begin with, still remains the strength of the series, which is the top notch, spot on physics engine that lends it's self to new and inventive ways to play the game. If you have played Half Life 2 than you know what I am talking about, with the gravity gun, and it's increasingly fun ways to use the gun in not only the original Half life 2 but as well as in Episode1 & 2 , but the physics engine starts to really shine in the game Portal, which is essentially a 3d puzzle game, and extremely addictive one as well, where you use a gun that can open a portal from one spot in a room to reach another spot, it is your only weapon, and playing with it to achieve goals is not only fun but always proves to be an interesting challenge. While Team Fortress 2 it is straight up classic team based multiplayer fun that is always fun to play.
Design:
To be perfectly honest Half life 2 has aged wonderfully, and is still every bit the classic it was when it was released 3 years ago, something which can not be said for every game that is thought to be a masterpiece. The continuing episodes 1 and 2 are perfect follow ups to the original game, and although it is kind of short, the work put on Portal is amazing even from just looking at the game at a level design standpoint alone. Teem Fortress 2 is great, and plays seamless, while retaining all of the classic game play intact.
This package is quite literally the complete package all 360 owners owe it to themselves to at least see when the PC owners have been enjoying for some time now, you will not regret it!
Graphics
9/10
Game play
10/10
Sound
9/10
Fun factor
10/10
Tilt
10/10
Average score
9.6
Half Life 2: The Orange Box (360):
Pros:
Everything
Cons:
None I can find