The Orange Box

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 2251 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,049 out of 2251
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 2251
  3. Negative: 138 out of 2251
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  1. RuiF.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    BrainMelting Offbeat Genius.
  2. JohnB.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Value, thats it. Amazing games, lots of fun. All bring something to the table for a great low price.
  3. JonM.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    This game is so much fun! It is seriously one of the best games I have played in some time!
  4. lukaszrudnicki
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    How often do u play a PC game and think "i've never doen this before", and it's fun. I ahven't done that since I was finished with quake 1 and the respective mods. Granted iportal can be completed in under 7 hours, so can episode 2. Regardless, portal alone deserves a 10, for novelty and lots of fun. Then you add even MORE items to the orange box. 10 is an understatement.
  5. GeorgeC.
    Oct 11, 2007
    7
    Source Engine runs much better than in the past but the creators put lots of fillers(long driving scenes, stronger enemies, and now an achievement list. I still love it but still not as good as the original HL2. Also, I wish Valve would stop killing of the key personalities!
  6. Slackiller
    Oct 11, 2007
    9
    Fun game, pretty balanced. I miss the grenades.
  7. MikeM.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Brilliant collection, every game in here is a AAA title, and all for £25, bargain
  8. JonathanV.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    This was the best in the series by far. They really got their coreography down. The cinematics and graphics were AMAZING! I was very impressed. Can't wait for the third, shame that right as they get great at developing the game, the series'll be over. Oh, this is the first Half life with an ending that wasn't an explosion in your face! Very impressive, it's worth the This was the best in the series by far. They really got their coreography down. The cinematics and graphics were AMAZING! I was very impressed. Can't wait for the third, shame that right as they get great at developing the game, the series'll be over. Oh, this is the first Half life with an ending that wasn't an explosion in your face! Very impressive, it's worth the $50. Portal was a blast too.… Expand
  9. MatthewH.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Amazing game! So addicting, i just cant stop playing!
  10. MikeB.
    Oct 10, 2007
    10
    Half life 2 and its two episodes are amazing, the game continually puts out exactly what any good FPS player needs. Portal is an amazing game, it has lots of potential to grow. The first few maps are very easy and teach the mechanics. After these scenarios the game becomes quite challenging, and actually involves a bit of knowledge in physics to figure out where you will land with your Half life 2 and its two episodes are amazing, the game continually puts out exactly what any good FPS player needs. Portal is an amazing game, it has lots of potential to grow. The first few maps are very easy and teach the mechanics. After these scenarios the game becomes quite challenging, and actually involves a bit of knowledge in physics to figure out where you will land with your portal. TF2 is just an awesome game, though it is best played on a server with friendly fire enabled. If friendly fired is enabled it makes life as a spy much more difficult as anyone can shoot you with no repercussions. Overall I give the pack a 10/10. A MUST HAVE! I suggest the source package, or the valve package if you do not have the other games associated with valve (DoD, CS, and the like).… Expand
  11. PhilipD.
    Oct 10, 2007
    9
    Very good package, for people who haven't already got Half Life 2 or Episode 1. For those who do, it's unfair that we had to spend £10 more on the Orange Box than we would have on the Black Box. Still, Valve's a business and their marketing has got another £10 out of me. Onto the games. TEAM FORTRESS 2 - It would be unfair for me to judge it, with me being a CSS Very good package, for people who haven't already got Half Life 2 or Episode 1. For those who do, it's unfair that we had to spend £10 more on the Orange Box than we would have on the Black Box. Still, Valve's a business and their marketing has got another £10 out of me. Onto the games. TEAM FORTRESS 2 - It would be unfair for me to judge it, with me being a CSS player. I'm not into Team Fortress, though the graphics are pretty, original and the gameplay is fast paced and exciting. Shame more coordination isn't shown at the moment on public servers, but it'll get there in time. Nice dam level. Portal - very good game, original, distorting and could get some 'non fps' players to buy the package. It's just like the simple puzzle games we all know and love, but with great graphics and strange voices (If you can get them working, I had to reinstall it). Half Life 2 Episode 2 - More of the same, really, but with more vulnerable characters and plot wists. Unlike Episode 1, it actually advances with the story line and the graphics look much better in some places. Same weapons, a coupld of new enemies, including one super cute dismembered fast zombie which I laughed out loud at when I saw it! Half life 2 and Episode 1 are also fantastic. In my opinion, I would rather see Half Life 3 than yet another episodic package. It might ake longer to come out, but we've been waiting over a year for this expansion alone. It's more of the same, gets finished within 5 hours and doesn't leave one hundredth the impact that Half Life 3 would. I'm not complaining about the quality, I just wish they could advance to Half Life 3. When I bought Half Life 2, I played no other game for several months. The multi player physics were revolutionary and the graphics and gameplay unbeatable. The Source Engine has a lot of expansion, though I just wish they could take the plunge and make the ultimate engine for Half Life 3, with real time lighting, env maps, super realistic physics etc. Other than that, great package- but after about 3 expansions it's going the same way as the Sims series. Please, Valve, finish there 3 episodic packages then start on Half Life 3.… Expand
  12. Recoton007
    Oct 10, 2007
    9
    An excellent package overall. At a great bargain price of $50, it is certainly worth the price. However, it would have been nice if gamers of the Half-Life series had a discount, if they already had HL2 and HL2:EP1. All in all, an excellent package, which is certainly worth the price. However, I'm convinced that the discontinued "Black Box" (which excludes the original 2 Half-LifeAn excellent package overall. At a great bargain price of $50, it is certainly worth the price. However, it would have been nice if gamers of the Half-Life series had a discount, if they already had HL2 and HL2:EP1. All in all, an excellent package, which is certainly worth the price. However, I'm convinced that the discontinued "Black Box" (which excludes the original 2 Half-Life games) would have been a much better bargain for PC gamers. A must buy if you are new to the series!… Expand
  13. JohnS
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Every game included in the orange Orange Box is Uniquely amazing. The orange Box will set a new standard of quality and entertainment by which all games will ascribe to... only the Orange Box did it first!
  14. JodyO.
    Oct 11, 2007
    9
    Ok, here is the deal. This IS the best deal of the century for a FPS fan. The content is amazing, and Team Fortress 2, Portal, and of course Half Life are all unreal. If you don't own this on the PC you really should! Here is my 1 complaint: A few years ago, Steam offered Halflife 2, along with every other game that Valve made. At that time, I spent like $70.00 or so to purchase that Ok, here is the deal. This IS the best deal of the century for a FPS fan. The content is amazing, and Team Fortress 2, Portal, and of course Half Life are all unreal. If you don't own this on the PC you really should! Here is my 1 complaint: A few years ago, Steam offered Halflife 2, along with every other game that Valve made. At that time, I spent like $70.00 or so to purchase that package. Valve did not offer an "upgrade" path so that the true early adopters of steam got any type of discount. Instead we had to buy Half Life 2 AGAIN, and several other games. They did give us the option to "gift" Half Life 2, but most everyone I know already has the game. Anyway, it is an awesome collection to have, and money well spent. I just wonder how the gameplay is on the 360!… Expand
  15. AlfredG.
    Oct 11, 2007
    10
    Killer game, great value. Worth the money just for Team Fortress 2 and Episode Two! The rest is icing on the cake if you never played the 1st two installments of the series. Get it!
  16. E.Cook
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    You have to got to be kidding me! Valve released a bundle of games for the price of one???? Have I hit a gaming lottery? Everyone take note: This is the best deal on the planet. You not only get a variety of games, but they have been created with the best engine on the planet! As long as Valve continues to produce games, they will have my money. Period.
  17. SeanR.
    Oct 12, 2007
    9
    Very fun and intense, story is told to u in the usual way.
  18. NikG.
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    This is gonna be the best game of the year, team fortress 2 is amazing and different, portal just fantastic i really enjoy the puzzle solving and episode 2, lets just say i can't waite for episode 3!
  19. AlanD.
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    Aside from being a bit short, Portal is by far the most fun I've had in quite awhile.
  20. BryceR.
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    Absolutely amazing! This is the best deal out there! I love Half life 2 and i can't believe it all comes in one package! I've never played the first Team Fortress, but I am totally addicted to this! I play it every single day for a long time. Portal is just plain addictive. It really makes you think hard about how to go about moving along, even though i dont understand the plot Absolutely amazing! This is the best deal out there! I love Half life 2 and i can't believe it all comes in one package! I've never played the first Team Fortress, but I am totally addicted to this! I play it every single day for a long time. Portal is just plain addictive. It really makes you think hard about how to go about moving along, even though i dont understand the plot behind it, yet... it is still amazing!… Expand
  21. DenisS.
    Oct 12, 2007
    10
    Produced with love. They are love gaming and money. And, yes, they have style!
  22. MaxB.
    Oct 10, 2007
    9
    This is a very fun game. Too bad that it just takes a few hours to go throu the story line.
  23. JoeL.
    Nov 25, 2007
    10
    It's an amazing game collection, to be sure. Pick it up. Do it. I don't want to seem like I think it's the best package of games in the world. It's not. But it's...it's creative to a point where any other game attempting something new is left in the dust. With the integration of new types of gameplay in portal, new uses of celll-shading, as in TF2, or in the It's an amazing game collection, to be sure. Pick it up. Do it. I don't want to seem like I think it's the best package of games in the world. It's not. But it's...it's creative to a point where any other game attempting something new is left in the dust. With the integration of new types of gameplay in portal, new uses of celll-shading, as in TF2, or in the gritty realism expected of most fps' with a twist of incredible storyline and maneuverability in hl2, this is most certainly a box worth picking up. Just don't count on cake.… Expand
  24. DavidT
    Nov 29, 2007
    10
    Great games. The tf2 is addicting I play for about 3 hours a day. Then, portal is another entertaining game I played for about 18 hours straight until I was forced to sleep. Only played a little bit of Half-Life but I like the first one, so the second one seemed better. Great games.
  25. KarlS.
    Oct 12, 2007
    9
    Brilliant, well worth the wait! All classes bring something new to the table, I still can't decide whether no grenades was a wise choice though, 9 out of 10!
  26. WillT.
    Oct 13, 2007
    9
    Ok, the value of this game was Awesome! (Way to go Valve!) However portal was beat in 2 hrs. and the Ai had to die from level one. Episode two followed at 4 hours. Aside from some short gameplay times this box roxs!
  27. MaxM.
    Oct 13, 2007
    10
    Even though im not big on the multiplayer and EP2 doesnt stirr me up much, pOrtal alone makes this worth the experience. While it is extremly short, it still beats hundreds of other fps in gameplay value - simply because after the same old gameplayconcept squeezed till the last drop and the some more pOrtal finally creates an immersion in completly new ways.
  28. DylanP.
    Oct 15, 2007
    10
    Even after purchasing Half-Life 2, Episode One, The Orange Box is still of great value with the single-player gameplay Episode Two and Portal, giving you many hours of sheer delight as you continue to push forward as Gordon Freeman, still on a quest with Alex to get to her father. Portal, developed under Valve by the team that created Narbacular Drop, brings a polished, comical, 3D rat Even after purchasing Half-Life 2, Episode One, The Orange Box is still of great value with the single-player gameplay Episode Two and Portal, giving you many hours of sheer delight as you continue to push forward as Gordon Freeman, still on a quest with Alex to get to her father. Portal, developed under Valve by the team that created Narbacular Drop, brings a polished, comical, 3D rat maze that will test your reflexes as you attempt to perform split-second actions. Team Fortress 2, the long-anticipated sequel, will become your next multiplayer FPS. All in all, amazing gameplay for amazing value. Whether you own a PC, XBOX 360, or (in November) a PS3, if you have played HL2, get it, if you don't yet own HL2, get it, NOW!… Expand
  29. RobS.
    Nov 5, 2007
    9
    Great game, excellent value for money, although episode 2 was a bit cut-short I though. Portal blew my mind. TF2, best multiplayer this year.
  30. AlexF.
    Nov 8, 2007
    10
    Half-Life is, simply, the best FPS I've ever played. And I've played a lot. Besides the incredible graphics (in my opinion full motion video is the only next step they can go from this) you have a storyline that you enjoy following. Only the first Deus Ex rivals HL2 in the storyline complexity department. And Deus Ex did not have a charming character like Alyx Vance to keep you Half-Life is, simply, the best FPS I've ever played. And I've played a lot. Besides the incredible graphics (in my opinion full motion video is the only next step they can go from this) you have a storyline that you enjoy following. Only the first Deus Ex rivals HL2 in the storyline complexity department. And Deus Ex did not have a charming character like Alyx Vance to keep you company most of the way. Alyx is a character I truly see as groundbreaking and I hope Episode 3 whenever it arrives doesn't mean the last we'll see of her. Portal deserves most of the raves it's getting. I don't consider it the best game of all time, but it is the first first-person game I've ever seen that combines the addictiveness of Tetris with the immersiveness of FPS. And the ending song is worth the effort alone. I don't do multiplayer online games, so I can't comment on TF2, but Ep2 and Portal alone are worth the money if you already have the first two HL installments (as I do). And if you are new to HL I agree with the sentiments above that this could well be the best deal in gaming since the first three Doom games were reissued on one disc. The only sad thing is that I bought these games with the full understanding that Steam's anti-piracy system basically ties the game's lifespan to the lifespan of Steam. Once it's gone, I worry we'll never be able to visit the world of Half-Life2 and Portal again. Please, Valve, if you ever decide to discontinue Steam or "upgrade" it to something no longer compatible with the current HL games, PLEASE issue a patch to let us break the Steam link so we can continue playing these games!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2007
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
7
#7 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. PC Gamer
    94
    Leave it to Valve to deliver the goods on such an ambitious game package...The Orange Box is one of the finest compilations of gaming content ever produced. [Nov 2007, p.58]
  2. IGN
    95
    Not only do you get the best single player first person shooter ever created, you also get the two next chapters, a 3D puzzle game that also happens to live in the Half-Life universe and a terrifically fun team-based multiplayer first-person shooter. This is a lot of game in one package for only 50 dollars.
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  3. Eurogamer
    100
    The Orange Box offers everything any fan of first-person shooters could possibly want: some of the best single-player gaming ever in the shape of Half-Life 2 and Episodes One and Two; wonderful innovation from Portal, and the most refined, downright fun team-based online FPS currently available in Team Fortress 2. If that doesn't warrant a 10 out of 10, nothing does.
    Read full review
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