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Orange Box, The

EMAIL PRINT xbox360

8.9 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 54 critic reviews
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Based on 348 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts / Valve Software

Developer: Valve Software

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Action, Compilation

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: October 9, 2007

Summary

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 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]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Half-Life 2 (Xbox) Half-Life 2: Episode One (PC)

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website Predict this Metascore

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Yahoo! Games

The Orange Box can't stop giving. It's a sci-fi masterpiece, a clever puzzler and a multiplayer monster wrapped into one, making this a landmark achievement in gaming value and one of the easiest buying decisions you'll make all year. Color us impressed.

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100

Eurogamer

The Orange Box offers everything any fan of first-person shooters could possibly want: some of the best single-player gaming ever in the shape of Half-Life 2 and Episodes One and Two; wonderful innovation from Portal, and the most refined, downright fun team-based online FPS currently available in Team Fortress 2. If that doesn't warrant a 10 out of 10, nothing does.

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100

GameTap

After playing through both the old and new stuff, I realized that there is one word that perfectly summarizes Valve: craft. Never mind that ballyhoo about whether games are capital-A art or not. Instead, put someone in front of a Valve game, and watch that person experience sheer craftsmanship. It seems that Valve just can't make a bad game.

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100

GameDaily

Gaming bliss, the essential collection for gamers the world over and one of 2007's best deals.

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100

GameSpy

Even though The Orange Box deserves accolades regarding the amount of "bang for your buck," it's really about quality here, not quantity. Aside from the fact that you're receiving five games on one disc, the craftsmanship that has gone into each of these titles rears its head with every Antlion you shoot, every high-velocity portal transfer you make, and every sentry gun you assemble.

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100

1UP

The Orange Box is the greatest quantity of quality gaming ever.

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100

GamePro

For first-person shooter fans, it doesn't get much better than this. What's even better is that each individual game runs amazingly well on the Xbox 360. The graphics are amazing as is the presentation. The interface that Valve created for navigating through the content is also wonderful.

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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.

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100

X360 Magazine UK

The Orange Box offers more value for money than any RPG package in history. Valve and EA could have charged through the nose, but wisely kep it honest. It's the best ₤50 you'll ever spend. [Issue#25, p.39]

100

GamerNode

The best deal in terms of bang-for-the-buck since "Mario All Stars."

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100

Edge Magazine

As a whole it is almost overwhelming in its depth, irresistible in value and certainly, unreservedly, brilliant. [Dec 2007, p.82]

100

Gaming Age

You get 5 outstanding games that give you a little bit of everything, action, story, puzzles, multiplayer, and just flat out addictive content. If you own a decent PC, a 360 or a PS3...you would be doing yourself, gamers, and the wonderful developers a great injustice by not buying The Orange Box. Not only is it possibly the best bargain in gaming history, but arguably the best FPS experience of all time.

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100

Armchair Empire

Succulent and juicy sweet gaming goodness – The Orange Box is waiting to be unpeeled.

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100

AceGamez

So there you have it; for the price of one game, you're getting three incredible chapters of arguably the best single player first person shooter ever created, the unique and sublime first person shooter puzzler hybrid that is Portal, and an incredible multiplayer game that is incredibly addictive and totally distinctive, simply unlike any other online shooter on the market.

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100

GameShark

Valve has put together an impressive package that demands your attention. Now you just need to clear your schedule until late March to fully enjoy it all.

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100

WHAM! Gaming

At the end of the day, however, you just can't beat the value being offered here and though it's not perfect, the sum of "The Orange Box" is greater than its parts.

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100

Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Even if you forget the fact that you have five games in one box, it’s the quality here that’s impressive. One of the best FPS ever, a little slice of pure genius and a multiplayer classic renewed. [Nov 2007]

100

GotNext

It varies from amazing to simply good, but it'd be worth the money at twice the price if you haven't already experienced any of it before.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

The Orange Box is the greatest quantity of quality gaming ever...Even at $60, this box is value-priced to the point of philanthropy. [Dec 2007, p.124]

Gamer 2.0

Really, The Orange Box is a must-have game. There are few games that even begin to approach the value and quality that can be found here.

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Game Informer

For those who have played both, don’t worry – there is still $60 worth of new content in this package, so you too should go ahead and re-read that headline, because you shouldn’t have to read this whole review to understand why The Orange Box is probably the best videogame deal ever.

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Talk Xbox

No matter how one looks at it, The Orange Box is an astonishing deal that should be considered a mandatory purchase for any real fan of the genre.

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Planet Xbox 360

There is something on this disc for everyone in the family and if you are a fan of the Half Life brand it should be a no-brainer purchase, I cannot recommend The Orange Box enough.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Five of the very best games you will ever, ever play - all in a forty quid box. [Christmas 2007, p.64]

Gaming Target

The Orange Box is the best collection of video games ever to grace a console, and since you bothered to read this review, you know exactly why.

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Worth Playing

Each component of the package has moderate to minor flaws, but as a whole of historical significance and truly unique, entirely innovative contemporary game design, The Orange Box is pretty damn close to perfect, barring the rare, almost accidental miracle title.

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Game Positive

This collection is an astounding value, and crams so much refined gameplay into one package that anyone who doesn't experience it is missing out on one of the best releases in recent memory.

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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.

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Kombo

Every component of the Orange Box stands as a unique triumph in modern game design and serves as powerful representation of what's possible when you have one of the most talented and dedicated developers in the industry working at the top of their game.

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TeamXbox

While there might be longer games ("Oblivion," for example) or games that pack more titles onto a single disc (any of the “classic” compilations), this is a near-perfect blend of varied games.

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GameSpot

With three amazing new games and two classics all in one package, it's impossible to go wrong with The Orange Box.

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ZTGameDomain

You will be hard pressed to find a better deal this holiday season and to those who think gaming was better back in the glory days, enjoy your 8-bit sprites while I continue to indulge life as a Freeman!

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Official Xbox Magazine

The Orange Box packs so much quality content into one $60 title that it sets an almost dangerous precedent for all other developers and publishers. [Dec 2007, p.58]

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IGN

That so much great content is offered at the standard single-game price is astonishing.

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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]

Game Over Online

As has already been pointed out in many other places by many other people, The Orange Box may be the single greatest value in gaming history.

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Console Monster

It may not be as long as some games, or contain as many games as other compilations but it's the best deal with a load of quality games all stuck into one fantastic box.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Finally, console owners get to experience the entire "Half-Life 2" saga without having to load games off of several discs or tweak their PC just to get a decent framerate. [Dec 2007, p.58]

Play.tm

And don't forget: The blend of near-faultless quality and originality associated with the amassed content threatening to burst free of Valve's collection can be secured for the price of a single Xbox 360 title, which near demands that The Orange Box finds its way onto your disc tray at the earliest possible opportunity.

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GameZone

Finding another collection that matches the quality of The Orange Box is next to impossible.

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Games Master UK

With the fantastic "Team Fortress 2" supplying the multiplayer action, this is a formidable complilation. What more could you want? That box of chocolates? Would've been nice. [Dec 2007, p.60]

Pelit (Finland)

Contains some of the best moments ever seen in first person shooters. Half-Life 2 is a true classic and would be worth getting for Xbox 360 or PC even without the additional features of The Orange Box. Team Fortress may be old but is streamlined to perfection, and Portal is damn fun, with one of the best endings ever. [Nov 2007]

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.

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GameTrailers

When you consider that you have what many coined a perfect game in Half-Life 2, two incredible mini-chapters, one of the most innovative puzzle games you’ll ever play, and addictive online multiplayer all for just 60 bones, you can’t go wrong. Do not hesitate. Man’s freedom awaits.

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PGNx Media

In the end, The Orange Box is worth more than your $60. The Half-Life 2 games alone could comfortably sell at that price, but the addition of the surprisingly fun Portal and the incredibly deep Team Fortress 2 make this a must-have game.

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Game Revolution

The Orange Box is more content on one disc than just about any other 360 game on the market...Though each game has its own drawbacks and limitations, and some games you might wish were on their own with a ton more content, The Orange Box is a fantastic deal and a worthy addition to any 360 library.

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Deeko

Quite simply, if you own a 360 and love shooters; then The Orange Box is a must buy.

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PTGamers

A collection of very diverse games, including one interesting multiplayer, a fabulous puzzle game, and, of course, one of the most interesting stories in videogames.

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Thunderbolt

If you haven't experienced the trials of Gordon Freeman at the hands of the Combine before, The Orange Box is an absolute must buy.

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Total Video Games

Half Life 2: Orange Box is undoubtedly the best value videogame around. Admittedly it may not have the sheer numbers of the dodgy '200-in-1' packs found in car-boot sales across the country during the 90's, but you'll rarely find something of this quality and diversity wrapped in one box.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

With Half-life you've got a remarkable, near-perfect single-player experience, while Team Fortress 2 provides endless replay value and Portal provides a unique innovative sideways look at the physics of video games. And don't think it ends here, because Valve is a past master of the art of Downloadable Content. An essential purchase.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

The Orange Box is a fantastic package and the best deal you’ll find for a long, long time. We’d happily pay full-whack just to play Half-Life 2 on next gen, so to get another two Episodes, albeit shorter ones, plus another two full games and The Orange Box becomes the kind of gift usually reserved for sick kids on TV Christmas specials. If you’ve ever liked a single shoot-’em-up, you absolutely have to put this on your most wanted list.

VideoGamer

If you love FPS gaming you owe it to yourself to get The Orange Box. Hell, if you love gaming, you owe it to yourself to get it.

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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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 348 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Justin V gave it a9:
The orange box is a game that exceeded my expectations when I bought it. The game has great gameplay and multiplayer action, with amazing textures and graphics to go with it. Over all it is a great game.

Rowan F gave it a10:
Five impossibly good games, all for fourty pounds. That's realy all you need to know. Half Life Two is made even better with it's list of new acheivments; Episode One delivers some more of that trademark awsome gaming; Episode Two delivers more of the same but with quite a few new additions, luckily just before it started to get samey, and a nice graphical update; Portal's darkly witty storyline and innovative game design make it an absolute classic, and Team Fortress 2's addictive gameplay and radical stlye will make you fall in love with it instantly. All in all, you really can't go wrong here. Perhaps the only bad thing that comes to mind is that a couple of the games are a little short considering their development time but, hey, that's Valve for you.

Alex D gave it a7:
The Half Life episodes and poral are incredibly hard to get passed. I just played the single player games until I couldn't get passed them anymore. I'm still lokking for an Orange Box strategy guide to get passed The Half Life episodes and Portal. What i give the high score for is Grapics, Gameplay, and Story lines.

John P. gave it a10:
This series of games deserves nothing but the best awards. Half Life 2 plus Episodes 1 and 2: absolutely amazing story line and game play. Following and trumping the original HL's success for innovative and dynamic plot, HL2 destroys the competition at the time. Portal: One of the most intriguing and amazing puzzle games ever. This game is comparable to Tetris in taking the Puzzle genre to a whole new level. Team Fortress 2: One word: DAMN!

Pablo K gave it a10:
Half Life 2 is one of the best computer games on the P.C, a long with Team Fortress 2 a very good online multi player shooter, portal, a puzzle game, and Ep1 and Ep2. All these games have high ratings, and are some of the best games on the P.C. The orange box is also one of the best "Gaming Deals in History" There is absolutely nothing that is wrong about this game.

Hagen M gave it a10:
Okay, this package definately warrants the extremelym rare ten out of ten. It has Half-Life 2, which is a ten in itself, Episode 1, Episode 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2? If you do not own this by now, you need to kill yourself. If you consider yourself a human being and value decency in life, purchase this now for roughly TWELVE DOLLARS.

gary f gave it a10:
Best game ever!!!! if I could, I would give it like a thirty! Half life is brilliant with the story and variaty of guns. Portal is completey original, something i've never seen in my life!! and TF2, that was the game that got me hooked!! brilliant style of graphics, 6 maps that is replayable FOREVER! and distinct classes that really make this a true class based game. when I played this, I sold my halo game and said screw it.

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Orange Box, The

Game Info

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