Pretty much the most complete video game experience (Half-Life 2: The Orange Box (PC))

Member Name: alexlea88

Product:	Half-Life 2: The Orange Box (PC)
Date:	15/05/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plot and story quality are on par with a good film

Disadvantages: Portal is a bit short, other than that, there are none

Well, where do I begin? I'm sure you've heard all the hyperbole before, and I'm here to tell you that it's all worth it. Every bit. This is a flawless collection built around a flawless game. Half Life 2 delivers on everything that the original brought and offers so much more.

I played this on my home PC, with a pretty decent setup, but I shudder to think what this must look like on a top-end PC, especially as it's over three years old now.

So, assuming that you have no problem with the general assumption that HL2 is one of the greatest games ever, let's bring you up to speed on the rest of the contents of the Orange Box. I can't really comment on Team Fortress, as I'm not the greatest multiplayer fan, but the other bits included are phenomenal. Episodes 1 and 2 (Which, along with the forthcoming Episode 3 constitute what is pretty much Half Life 3) are fantastic, and give you meaty chunks of further story and open up new possibilities in the game, without feeling like an expansion pack, or add on. The story develops further and you really get an emmersive feel. Things are left on a cliff hanger at the end of Ep2 and the quality of the voice acting and story in general left me almost in teasr (no, I'm not kidding - think about how emotional you can be after a two hours film, then think about how much time you invested in playing Half Life up to this point, it makes sense).

and Portal? What a surprise. Such a simple context and so well executed. It's almost worth the price of the Orange Box alone. An emmersive game which parallels the main game and leaves you wanting so much more. Luckily a pre/sequel is in the offering.

In short. Buy this game now. If you don't like it, please feel free to come round my house and I will personally reimburse you. You willnot be dissapointed.

Summary: Never has a game been so deserving of the hyperbole