The Orange Box: Review Part 2

So if you haven't read the last post, you probably don't know that I'm reviewing every game in "The Orange Box," Valve's addition to the Xbox 360 family (and soon the PS3 family). I just reviewed "Portal," the dark but amazing puzzle game, and now I'm moving on to "Half-Life 2" and the expansions therein. Here's a trailer to give you an idea of what you're dealing with.



Pretty amazing, right?

This game has been hailed as "Game of the Year" by nearly 40 sources after it's Fall 2004 release. Now, the game is available in "The Orange Box" along with the "Episode One" and "Episode Two" expansion packs (making it the most complete Half-Life collection to date). I only played "Half-Life 2" to get a real feel to the game, deciding to hold off on the expansions until I beat the original.

So why is it so revered? The game allows you to navigate through a (nearly) completely interactive environment. Pick up anything, throw it at anybody. That may not sound too impressive, but think about it. Let's say in a video game about you, in real life, you go to pick up a carton of orange juice in your kitchen. Most game engines won't allow you to do that. In "Half-Life 2," not only could you pick up the carton, but also throw it, pick it back up, and examine a noticeable dent in the thing. Now that's detail.

And detail is what "Half-Life 2" specializes in. The graphics are phenomenal. In the first shots of the game, you can see every pore in the face of the man who's speaking to you and every hair in his emerging five o'clock shadow. Detail isn't lost on the game, and you could spend hours walking around in one room.

Also, the game map is incredibly enticing. You navigate around a seemingly roundabout map throughout the game. However, the game is so intricately planned, that when you think you've advanced to the next level just by stumbling onto it, the Valve team made it happen for you. Everything seems to have a reason to it, and the game seems like it never ends.

And thank goodness that it doesn't. I don't want to stop playing the thing.

"Portal" Grade: A
"Half-Life 2" + Expansions Grade: A+
"Portal" Worth: $25
"Half-Life 2" + Expansions Worth (What I Would Spend On This Game): $50
Actual Orange Box Cost: $60
"The Orange Box" Worth (so far): $75!

So with two games down, we've already gone over - this is already shaping up to be a great deal. Next up, "Team Fortress 2." Will it deduct the worth of the game? Will it make it an even better deal? Stay tuned, true believers!