My Review of the Orange Box.

Back in 1998 Valve released the game "Half-Life" which back then was "the finest shooter ever crafted." -Ign and won so many awards for "Best Shooter". Valve built a reputation for one of the Best PC developers out there. In 2004 Valve then released "Half-Life 2" which lived up to it's hype greatly. Half-Life 2 also received many awards. Soon Valve released "Half-Life 2: episode 1" which was a great game but, was too short and Now, the Orange Box, along with "Half-Life 2: episode 2". The Question is... Is it Good or Amazing? Since there are 3 new games in the Orange Box. I will be reviewing them separately.

Portal

Portal is very different from all the other games in the Orange Box because Portal's environments are creepy, cold, and dark. Yet, there is still a great sense of humor coming from the "director" in this game. Portal has a great puzzle design throughout the levels. The way the game is played is not confusing at all. Basically, shoot a blue portal then, shoot a red portal, walk through and walk out the other end. One very clever thing they added is the concept of momentum combined with portals. For example, you have to get up to a high ledge you cant reach. So, you create a loop of portals to speed up your momentum to shoot you up onto the high ledge. Overall this game is great but, too short.
8.5/10

Team Fortress 2


Team Fortress 2 is the multiplayer section of the Orange Box and it does not let down. Team Fortress 2 is loaded with Stuff. 9 classes to choose from all with different weapons, 5 great maps, Custom maps, Custom skins, Great Voice overs, and Many other things. Team Fortress 2 is almost perfect the way they designed the game. The design is way out there because they didn't take the regular realistic approach every other game would. They took a Cartoonish design and it works out very well. The gameplay is smooth and the teams work out great because it's like red vs. blue. When you see the enemy, you'll know its the enemy. This game is too good.
9.5/10

Half-Life 2: episode 2


Probably the best game out of all the games in the Orange Box, Half-Life 2: episode 2. Wow, The visuals in this game are amazing. The woods in Half-Life could never look any better. The Sounds in the game are good, and the soundtrack goes along perfectly. If you in a car chase, the music is fast and exciting. If your in the woods, the music is slow, and creepy. The Gameplay is so fun, the AI has never been better and the final battle in this game is amazing. The overall presentation is even better. The story becomes more interesting as you progress through the game and the way episode 2 ended was very unexpected. I felt like I was playing Half-Life 2 for the first time again.
9.7/10

The Orange Box is the Best deal out there. 5 games, 1 box, 10$ each. Overall 9.6/10