Science, Shooting, and Portals.

User Rating: 9 | The Orange Box X360
By TheZ3nMan | Review Date:
I bought the Orange Box having $60 dollars to spend and wanting a solid FPS. After a few minutes of debate between this and Call Of Duty 4, I picked up Orange-ey(Ha! New word!) only because it was a better value. That being said, it's amazing just how much game Valve packed onto one disc. Along with the original Half-Life 2, HL2 Episodes 1 and 2 are included to round things out. As always, the Half-Life games provide an amazing narrative and near flawless charectirazation. Not once do I remember a line that made me sigh or want to bash that character in the face(unlike some other games that come to mind >_>). All your favorite weapons make appearances(yes, the Gravity Gun is still teh awesomenezz) but no new ones, unfortunately. Instead of new guns, there are new items to play with. half height butane tanks, flares, and sticky mines make up for it.

Next up is newcomer Portal. I was somewhat skeptic when I heard it was going to be a puzzle(first person platforming is a big no-no) but a few minutes of play time dispelled all doubts. Essentially, you must navigate your way through 19 test chambers using a gun that creates entry and exit portals. It sounds simple, but Portal has some of the craziest, most mind bending game play I've ever seen. From the sterile white walls to turrets that apoligize for shooting you, nothing is what it seems.

Then there's Team Fortress 2. I don't have Xbox Live, so I've only been able to play a few matches at a friend's. I liked the different classes and the humor, but I felt there wasn't enough substance to get anything going. No ranks, strange movement(is the Scout on skates?!) and almost unbearable lag drags the Orange Box from perfection. To me, it seems like HL:Deathmatch would have been a smarter choice here. But, I haven't played many matches, so...

In the end, The Orange Box is an incredible deal. 4 guaranteed great games(and one you might like more than me). 99 achievements(Episode 2:look under the bed in the cabin. You'll see it.) All in all, this is a must haev for fans of First person shooters. You can't go wrong with the Orange Box.

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