IGN Reviews the Orange Box - 9.5!!

Link to the review

Can't wait to buy it! :)

(If you've already got the game, post yer' impressions of it here.)

The fact that they merely upgraded the woefully underpowered XB1 version of HL2 pisses me off something fierce, almost enough not to get the game. However, everything else sounds top notch so I guess it's still worth the price of admission.

But seriously, the XB360 version can't match the graphics of a three-year old game?

Bull****.

Especially considering how good Episode Two is supposed to look.

Way to cut corners, Valve.

The fact that they merely upgraded the woefully underpowered XB1 version of HL2 pisses me off something fierce, almost enough not to get the game. However, everything else sounds top notch so I guess it's still worth the price of admission.

But seriously, the XB360 version can't match the graphics of a three-year old game?

Bull****.

Especially considering how good Episode Two is supposed to look.

Way to cut corners, Valve.

Grammaton-Cleric

I'm skipping on this, with COD4 around the corner which I know firsthand will offer the definitive consoleonline experience, and Mass Effect right around the corner....I don't need to buy 5 shooters in the span of 2 months. The Orange Box missed its window for me.

I'm skipping on this, with COD4 around the corner which I know firsthand will offer the definitive consoleonline experience, and Mass Effect right around the corner....I don't need to buy 5 shooters in the span of 2 months. The Orange Box missed its window for me.

HiResDes

The fact that they merely upgraded the woefully underpowered XB1 version of HL2 pisses me off something fierce, almost enough not to get the game. However, everything else sounds top notch so I guess it's still worth the price of admission.

But seriously, the XB360 version can't match the graphics of a three-year old game?

Bull****.

Especially considering how good Episode Two is supposed to look.

Way to cut corners, Valve.

Grammaton-Cleric

Considering the lack of players in Team Fortress 2 (16 on 360 and 24 on PC) and future maps being promised for the PC version of the game, I think this is more of a case of Valve steering people towards the version that connects you to multiplayer through Steam rather then the one that connects you through X-Box Live.

Also, Steam has just added a new community feature that's very familiar...

The fact that they merely upgraded the woefully underpowered XB1 version of HL2 pisses me off something fierce, almost enough not to get the game. However, everything else sounds top notch so I guess it's still worth the price of admission. Grammaton-Cleric

yeah, i didn't like reading this part in the IGN review either...

i played through the xbox version of half-life2 for maybe an hour and a half tops, then the rumors started flying that a 360 version with PC-quality graphics would be coming out eventually, so i stopped playing...

and now reading the review...i'll still get the game, but hopefully the experience will be more enjoyable...

As a guy who has never played any of the included games, Orange Box sounds like a great value, but the fact that Half Life 2 is a lazy port (one minute mid-level loads and lackluster graphics?) means that I won't be picking up the Orange Box until after Christmas.

The fact that they merely upgraded the woefully underpowered XB1 version of HL2 pisses me off something fierce, almost enough not to get the game. However, everything else sounds top notch so I guess it's still worth the price of admission.Grammaton-Cleric

While I can understand your disappointment, I think it's merely a matter of resources. In the past year and a half, Valve made three new games and ported them to the Xbox 360. I assume it was much simpler for them to use the Xbox port of Half-Life 2 than to go through the full porting process once again. Besides, this is Valve, it's Source which means that anyone whose PC is above the specs of a typewriter should go for the PC version. Otherwise you're missing out on a ton of post-release content.

But honestly, even if Half-Life 2 was only the Xbox version with no enhancements whatsoever, this box is still more than worth the price of admission in a time when barebone games are being sold for full price. Seriously, Episode Two itself is basically the same lenght as Heavenly Sword. Let's not even mention that it's actually a much better game as well.

I think this screen says it all:

Even though I'm certainly getting it, I was really hoping that they would upgrade the graphics for both the PC and the 360 versions of Half Life 2. Really disappointing, I was hoping for Ep Two changes in the original game. However, it really is a question of resources, and as a package this looks amazing.

Makes me wonder how the port guys aregoing to treat Half Life 2 on the PS3, upgrade the scrapped PS2 version? :P

Here's Eurogamer's review - a straight-up 10:

Oh Valve, you're spoiling us. There are only two reasons why anyone with the kit or the means to pay for it would think of not buying The Orange Box. Number 1) You have some pathological aversion to first-person shooters, or, Number 2) You're a bit loopy in the head and like denying yourself the chance to play five of the best games ever released. Gaming masochism if you like.

Including the three constituent parts of Half-Life 2 in one box, then throwing in the incredible Portal and possibly the best team-based online FPS ever made in Team Fortress 2...it's easily the best value release anyone has ever come up with, and one so rammed with quality it's hard to comprehend. Even if you're one of the many people already played HL2 or Episode One, it represents such astonishing value that it ought to shock competing releases into shame.

Wow, I'm kind of surprised by these scores. I actually thought that Half-Life 2 and Episode One would drag the scores down despite its obvious value factor, but it would seem that I was wrong.

This is a must have and definately worth the price!!!! I'm getting the PC verson..I can't wait to play Episode 2!!!!DarkSidexxx

nice sig :roll:

Even if it means people are getting hurt, I am doing whatever it takes to get this game today.rragnaar

It's a nice touch that people who already have HL2 and EP1 on their steam account can gift the copy of each game that comes with the Orange box. So it can't be dragged down for value however we look at it.

This will make me feel a lot less bad about having paid for those games earlier (the fact that I played and loved them does too :P )

I can't say that the fact that HL2 hasn't been grafically upgraded bothers me at all either.

terminator.jpgGodModeEnabled

9.5 Presentation
The menus are slick and there's developer commentary for four of the five games. Only the hideous box art and some annoying load times keep this from perfection.Hilary Goldstein

I hope that didn't influence the overall score. Box art is kind of a dumb thing to complain about.

[QUOTE="Hilary Goldstein"]9.5 Presentation
The menus are slick and there's developer commentary for four of the five games. Only the hideous box art and some annoying load times keep this from perfection.[

I hope that didn't influence the overall score. Box art is kind of a dumb thing to complain about.

LordAndrew

[QUOTE="Hilary Goldstein"]9.5 Presentation
The menus are slick and there's developer commentary for four of the five games. Only the hideous box art and some annoying load times keep this from perfection.[

I hope that didn't influence the overall score. Box art is kind of a dumb thing to complain about.

LordAndrew

[QUOTE="rragnaar"]I am the proud owner of a brand new Orange Box! Can't wait to get home tonight and play it.dvader654

I cant believe this is delayed for the PS3. Does the PS3 get anything on time?

[QUOTE="HiResDes"]

I'm skipping on this, with COD4 around the corner which I know firsthand will offer the definitive consoleonline experience, and Mass Effect right around the corner....I don't need to buy 5 shooters in the span of 2 months. The Orange Box missed its window for me.

GodModeEnabled

It's worth the cash but I already have the rest so I'm just getting EP2 which comes with Portal and TF2.

I cant believe this is delayed for the PS3. Does the PS3 get anything on time?dvader654

Nevermind the delay, the fact that it's being done by EA is what you should really be worrying about. :o

By the way, 1UP (if their opinion even matters) gave The Orange Box a 10 calling it the best game compilation ever. Also, thus far no one but IGN said anything about Half-Life 2's visuals being downgraded from the PC version, everyone is saying that it looks fantastic and Team Xbox says it even has HDR...so I'm not really sure what's going on there.

[QUOTE="dvader654"]I cant believe this is delayed for the PS3. Does the PS3 get anything on time?UpInFlames

Nevermind the delay, the fact that it's being done by EA is what you should really be worrying about. :o

By the way, 1UP (if their opinion even matters) gave The Orange Box a 10 calling it the best game compilation ever. Also, thus far no one but IGN said anything about Half-Life 2's visuals being downgraded from the PC version, everyone is saying that it looks fantastic and Team Xbox says it even has HDR...so I'm not really sure what's going on there.

[QUOTE="dvader654"]I cant believe this is delayed for the PS3. Does the PS3 get anything on time?UpInFlames

Nevermind the delay, the fact that it's being done by EA is what you should really be worrying about. :o

By the way, 1UP (if their opinion even matters) gave The Orange Box a 10 calling it the best game compilation ever. Also, thus far no one but IGN said anything about Half-Life 2's visuals being downgraded from the PC version, everyone is saying that it looks fantastic and Team Xbox says it even has HDR...so I'm not really sure what's going on there.

Yeah, I think its safe to go with the 360/PC version as Valveworked onboth platforms unlike EA doing the PS3 version...

Just got back home. Everything is preloaded on steam and I got my copy for the 360. I'll have my own comparison up on my blog something next week :)rimnet00

When will the PS3 verson even be released?SKHuskie

GS just put up its review a 9.5

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halflife2episode2/review.html?sid=6180714

Wow, we should see a 10 score at this rate soon from GS :D

Wow, did The Orange Box just become a serious GOTY contender?

Wow, did The Orange Box just become a serious GOTY contender?

UpInFlames

I'm not surprised, its just that I'm not sure if TF2, EP2, and Portal being enough to make it GOTY. The reason I'm not including HL2 and EP 1 its because those have been released already, if that wasn't the case this game would be GOTY in a heartbeat.

Wow, did The Orange Box just become a serious GOTY contender?

UpInFlames

For someone like me, who hasn't played ANY Half-Life game, this is like a gift from heavens. I'm actually thinking of buying the whole deal for 360, and TF2 via Steam for PC, just to keep you conveniently punished.

I'm not surprised, its just that I'm not sure if TF2, EP2, and Portal being enough to make it GOTY. The reason I'm not including HL2 and EP 1 its because those have been released already, if that wasn't the case this game would be GOTY in a heartbeat.D3s7rUc71oN

That's exactly the kind of reasoning I used when thinking about The Orange Box, of course all these games are awesome, but due to a good portion of the content being previously available, I figured it would bring the scores down a bit - at least for the PC version. But now I'm inclined to think that The Orange Box is recieving accolades not despite Half-Life 2 and Episode One, but rather because of them, if you know what I mean.

TF2 via Steam for PC, just to keep you conveniently punished.SteelAttack

"Of course you realize this means war!"

Wow, did The Orange Box just become a serious GOTY contender?

UpInFlames

I believe so, If it did come down though to it. I would still give the nod to Halo 3 or Mass Effect or Witcher(Believe on the last one lol). Mainly because I don't really think I can count HL2 and HL1 as part of it when announcing the GOTY since that is more like throw on or extra then new content to give it better value. Seem like it would be the same as Halo 3 having Halo 1 and 2 plus everything else. It still deserves a 9.5 and perfects. Beyond fantastic deal. But if i did count then...Then I would have to admit the best game of last gen would be Sega Genesis Collection(Best complilation ever!!! buy now lol)

Not surprised to see the 9.5 score. It's unbelievable how many amazing games are coming out this season, and this just might be my next purchase. For a while, I been wanting to get this on the PC, but the fact that my computer can't put the game at the highest visuals (it probably looks worse than the X-Box port) has pulled me over to pick up the console version.

I'll give it another week before I cave in and rush to my nearest Wal-Mart to pick this gem up.

[QUOTE="D3s7rUc71oN"]I'm not surprised, its just that I'm not sure if TF2, EP2, and Portal being enough to make it GOTY. The reason I'm not including HL2 and EP 1 its because those have been released already, if that wasn't the case this game would be GOTY in a heartbeat.UpInFlames

That's exactly the kind of reasoning I used when thinking about The Orange Box, of course all these games are awesome, but due to a good portion of the content being previously available, I figured it would bring the scores down a bit - at least for the PC version. But now I'm inclined to think that The Orange Box is recieving accolades not despite Half-Life 2 and Episode One, but rather because of them, if you know what I mean.

I think that the simple fact of the matter is that even if HL2 and Episode 1 were excluded, The Orange Box would still be a package of 3 unique and extremely high-quality games, which represent some of the very best of gaming from the first person perspective. That you also get two more similar, excellent, but older games on top of that is just icing on the proverbial cake. :)