Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #192 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2007-12-14
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

Customer Reviews

Amazing!
If you want an FPS with a story (and one that's revealed in-game, rather than using cut-scenes), totally immersive levels, incredible variety and one of the best 'weapons' ever, then you need The Orange Box.
So far as the PS3 version is concerned, there was a recent patch (which will be downloaded if you're online when you load the disc) that may have addressed most of the frame-rate issues. In HL2 at least (I've yet to play the other parts), it only stutters a bit occasionally when there is a lot going on. I have HL2 on my PC, and the graphics, if anything, are a bit better on the PS3.
The PS3 version also has a quick save feature, just like the PC version, which is great! Unfortunately, it takes about 30 seconds to reload when you die, which may not sound much but if you keep dying at a difficult point in the game it gets very frustrating! Not sure why this happens, but it seems to be reloading the whole level again (I don't know if the 360 version is the same, if not then maybe it's because Valve didn't convert it to the PS3 themselves?).
Still, this should not be enough to put you off - HL2 is one of the finest games ever created!

Unrivalled
I have seen some reviewers on here slating the game because it doesnt look as pretty as COD4 or some other game, or that its just a port of a three year old PC game. People like this are the problem with gaming nowadays, why we get tripe like Turok or Assassins Creed that looks amazing but fails to hold the attention for long over the initial wow factor. When did modern gamers forget that what made all great games great, was the way they played and their longevity. Half Life 2 may not look as good as COD4, but it still looks damn good, has far more variety and is gripping throughout, with an amazing story. I feel that console owners have been moaning for years about not getting the quality of FPS shooter that the PC gets, then they get the Daddy of them all and they moan cause they want the pretty, but dull games back instead. Get a grip people, realise how blessed you are to play this masterpiece of a Game, and get stuck into it, then you will understand. And as for multiplayer, stop complaining about the cartoony graphics and realise that team fortress practically invented the modern online game and is unbeatable in every way. Throw in the extra episodes and the brilliant Portal as well, and frankly, your an idiot if you dont own this game.

Poor Conversion But Still Great Value
Incredible value for money. Half Life 2 is one of the best shooters ever made, this package also includes Episodes 1 & 2 which continue the story, along with puzzle game Portal and online shooter Team Fortress 2.

For someone who has never played Half Life 2 before, this is an essential purchase. Even on a second play it remains gripping and a lot of fun.
Sadly this isnt the case with Episode 1, with only the level Lowlife providing any real excitement.
Luckily Episode 2 serves up an electrifyng change of pace, switching locations and offering a new vehicle, in addition to several new weapons and enemies.
Unfortunately the Half Life saga is left on yet another cliffhanger, as Episode 3 is still some way from completion. It should arrive soon, as the Source Engine is already looking dated when compared to the likes of Bioshock or Call of Duty 4. Its disappointing less has been done to sort this; of the versions available the PS3 loses out, which shouldnt be the case.
Having played this on a friends 360, the load times are shorter and the annoying slowdown when too much happens on screen is non existent. This is completely unacceptable.

Portal is truly unique and has to be played to get any idea what its about. And without an internet conecton,Tem Fortress 2 is useless to me. But thats the beauty of The Orange Box. There truly is something for every shooter addict. Be it obscure, epic or online.