The Orange Box Image
The Orange Box
Xbox 360
EA Games
Release Date:
Also On: PC, PlayStation 3
Metascore
96
Based on
54 Critics
User Score
8.9
Based on
737 Ratings
Summary Back to top
Games included in The Orange Box compilation: The original Half-Life 2 - The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people - people he cares about - are counting on him. Half-Life 2: Episode One - The playerGames included in The Orange Box compilation: The original Half-Life 2 - The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people - people he cares about - are counting on him. Half-Life 2: Episode One - The player reprises his role of Dr. Freeman, who must immediately face the repercussions of his actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Freeman reconnects with Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, as they continue their support of the resistance's battle against the Combine forces. Half-Life 2: Episode Two -- the second installment in Valve's episodic trilogy advances the award-winning story, leading the player to new locations outside of City 17. Portal - a pioneering type of single player action game that rewrites the rules for how players approach and manipulate their environment – much like how Half-Life 2's Gravity Gun reinvented the way gamers interact with objects in the game. Team Fortress 2 - an all-new version of the legendary title that spawned team based multiplayer action games. The game's daring new art style features the most advanced graphics of any Source-based game released to date. [Valve Software]… Expand
Starring: Harry S. Robins, Gary Schwartz, Gary Schwartz
Developer: Valve Software
Genre(s): First-Person Shooters
# of players: 16 Online
Cheats: On GameFAQs
Rating: M
see all Details »
Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
54
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
100
G4 TV
It’s hard to think of a game on the shelves that provides more bang for the buck than The Orange Box. For $60, you get one of the best games ever made along with its episodic sequels, a top-tier multiplayer game, and a brilliant little puzzler with some of the best writing in the medium. There’s really no reason not to own it.
Read full review
100
Armchair Empire
Succulent and juicy sweet gaming goodness – The Orange Box is waiting to be unpeeled.
Read full review
100
Edge Magazine
As a whole it is almost overwhelming in its depth, irresistible in value and certainly, unreservedly, brilliant. [Dec 2007, p.82]
96
XboxAddict
An engaging single player adventure broken out into several episodes, a brilliantly balanced and class based multiplayer shoot-fest, and an original game that will bend your mind.
Read full review
95
Play Magazine
There are many reasons to praise Half-Life 2 that reach well beyond the surface of its gameplay and into the expression of its complete world of fantasy. [Nov 2007, p.66]
94
Cheat Code Central
One of the best deals in gaming. All five games that are offered are a blast to play, and if Portal and Team Fortress 2 were fleshed out a little more, they could easily stand on their own. However, most gamers will not be angry at Valve for packaging all of the games together, giving a nearly complete Half Life 2 experience.
Read full review
88
The New York Times
The Orange Box reminds me of those knife sets sold on late-night TV, where if you act now you get a vegetable chopper and a cutting board. Besides Episode 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2, the package includes the original Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode 1. But no cake. If someone tells you the Orange Box comes with cake, remember that whatever else you choose to believe, the cake is most definitely a lie.
Read full review
see all Critic Reviews »
User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
202
Mixed:
7
Negative:
11
10
ChristianB.
Oct 11, 2007
Without a doubt one of the greatest buys of al time, the orange box is a masterpiece. 5 games for the price of one is already a good deal,Without a doubt one of the greatest buys of al time, the orange box is a masterpiece. 5 games for the price of one is already a good deal, then take in mind each of those games has wonderful appeal.do not ignore one of the greates deals ever.… Expand
10
xxpuffinpurpxx
Nov 6, 2011
ive seen this game for the pc back in 2004 and it blew me away, i never played it till it hit the xbox, and lemme tell you, this is the bestive seen this game for the pc back in 2004 and it blew me away, i never played it till it hit the xbox, and lemme tell you, this is the best 1st person solo campaign i have evr witnessed. its jsut amazing, every aspect of the game is crazy. **** the whole package is a steal.... 5 games on a disk? come on now, thats too easy not to pass up... **** i dont think i should say more? **** buy this bih if you havent already… Expand
10
RyanH.
Oct 18, 2007
Portal alone is a 9 for $50 and that's only due to its shortness. Then you add TFC2. Then you add Half Life 2 and both its episode. How Portal alone is a 9 for $50 and that's only due to its shortness. Then you add TFC2. Then you add Half Life 2 and both its episode. How can this be anything less than the perfect package for an fps fan? Back to portal. Most incredibly original and incredibly polished game I've ever played. With the amount of awesome per minute crammed in I can understand the short length of it. And the combination of dark humor and creepiness is absolutely perfect. A player can't help but stop, look around, and appreciate that sinking feeling of foreboding at one point; and then at another you'll come close to falling out of your seat laughing. Unless you're one of those unlucky few who gets motion sickness from first person shooters, you should own this package.… Expand
10
starmario123
Apr 26, 2011
10/10 = Masterpiece = Best Compilation disc . . . EVER!!!
10
SiphaiBorsch
Oct 10, 2007
This is easily the best deal of the year as you get 5 groundbreaking, amazing games for the price of one overly expensive games. Even thoughThis is easily the best deal of the year as you get 5 groundbreaking, amazing games for the price of one overly expensive games. Even though only 3 are new, it is still worth it as all of the games in the deal are much better than anything out at the moment.… Expand
9
Incarta
Feb 7, 2014
Great content. Half life 2 and portal would be worth buying on their own. The episodic content is less good and I couldn't get in to teamGreat content. Half life 2 and portal would be worth buying on their own. The episodic content is less good and I couldn't get in to team fortress 2 at all. But I would still recommend this to anyone… Expand
0
AndrewH.
Oct 20, 2007
While the new content is more than impressive the fact that Valve forced long time owners of their products to repurchase HL2 and Episode 1 While the new content is more than impressive the fact that Valve forced long time owners of their products to repurchase HL2 and Episode 1 was really ill advised.… Expand
see all User Reviews »