Half-Life 2: Episode One

The last game of the “Orange Box” that i will be reviewing. I’m afraid my review will be strikingly similar to that of HL2: Episode 2, as these games were strikingly similar themselves.

Name: Half-Life 2: Episode One

Publisher: Valve Corp.

Release Date: June 1, 2006

Platform: PC

This was a good game in it’s own right, but again, at the expense of sounding like a broken record, it was a bit short, completed in only about 8 hours. The story was the most compelling part of the game, which is the only reason i played it in the first place, though i did have hopes for something new. Same weapons, same monsters (though i believe the Zombine are new to the game, these are combines who have been the sad victims of head crabs. They delight in activating grenades and running at you. Very annoying) More puzzles involving the gravity gun, and more appearances by Alex, and Dog. Great story line, but the game play is getting a bit worn.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars. Good story, same classic game play, more of the same.

Half-Life 2 Review

This comes with the orange box as well, making a fantastic deal in a small package. I bought this game a few years back when it came with Counterstrike, and some other games.

Name: Half-Life 2

Publisher: Valve Corp.

Release Date: Nov 16, 2004

Platform: PC

This was a great game considering it came out in 2004. The graphics are pretty amazing, and the havoc physics system adds a fun little quirk to the game (Basically everyone becomes a lifeless rag doll when killed.) The storyline is enthralling, and the characters are memorable. Game play is like a standard FPS, with a few twists thrown in, such as solving puzzles with the unique gravity gun, a weapon that allows you to pick up various items in your surrounding, and fling them at enemies and the like. This game is of course the sequel to Half-Life, which came out in 1998. The retail game also comes with Half-Life 2: Death Match, an online multi player version of the game. This version of course is a death match between individuals, or teams divided into the Rebels, or Combine. Various maps are available directly from steam, along with user made maps that can be pretty far out there (such as a giant scale model of a kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom) The single player campaign offers a fantastic story line, and hours of fun, while the multi player function allows for endless replay value.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars. One hell of a game! Never gets old.

Half-Life 2 Episode 2 Review

Another game found in the orange box is Half-Life 2: Episode 2. The exciting sequel to the hit game Half-Life 2.

Name: Half-Life 2: Episode 2

Publisher: Valve Corp

Release Date: Oct 10, 2007

Platform: PC

This was a good game, continuing on where episode one left off. Of course you play as Gordon Freeman, who is joined by the courageous Alex Vance. The story is the most enthralling part of the game, but unfortunately the game play is more of the same if your a fan of previous titles. You get all the same guns, including the gravity gun (which is still a lot of fun). Popular characters make reprisals such as the lovable Dog. A Fair game, but just like Episode 1, short. Took me about 8 hours to complete in total. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fantastic game, but overall the story is what kept me playing, not the actual game play.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars. Get some new material valve. Blow us away with Episode 3!

Team Fortress 2 Review

I thought i would keep with the theme and review all of the games featured in “The Orange Box”. This is another favorite of mine

Name: Team Fortress 2

Publisher: Valve Corp.

Release Date: Oct 10, 2007

Platform: PC

This is a fantastic game with excellent replay value. Its worth noting that is is an Online only game, there is no single player campaign. It is mostly a “capture the control point” type of game with fantastic strategy, and superb graphics, cartoonish though they may be. You have the option of playing as 9 different character classes, allowing multiple game experiences, and assuring it will never get old. You can choose from Scout, Engineer, Solider, Demoman, Pyro, Heavy, Medic, Spy, and Sniper. Every class has thier own weapons and skills they can employ that gives them both advantages, and disadvantages. For example, the heavy is unbearably slow, but can pump out tons of damage. The scout is fast, and agile, but has poor firepower, and is fairly weak. You will find this game has something new to offer every time you play it.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars. Well done again Valve!

Portal Review

This is the first of many reviews i plan to do, and i hope you find them useful. So! We will start with a game that stuck out in my mind as one of the best games ever.

Name: Portal

Publisher: Valve Corp.

Release Date: Oct 10, 2007

Platform: PC

I bought this game as a part of the “Orange Box” collection, which was a great value at only $49.99 at the time, though now i believe it is available ala carte. This is one of the strangest, funniest, and plain weirdest games you will ever play. The game play starts of simple: Navigate your way around various obstacles using a special portal gun. The game gets more difficult as you progress, and even becomes seemingly impossible at times, the puzzle aspect is incredible. It also has an intriguing story line involving a prisoner, and a homicidal computer named GLaDOS . I never laughed so hard at a game before. The things this computer said were just pure, unbridled hilarity. The controls are simple to get the hang of, and even the portal gun becomes familiar in little time, but some puzzles took quite a bit of time to figure out. A fairly short game, but completely perfected in my opinion. I highly suggest looking into this game if you like puzzlers and you need a good laugh.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars. Good job Valve!