The Orange Box consists of Half Life 2, HL2: Episodes 1& 2, Portal and Team Fortress 2, each amazing games in their own right.

 

 

Half Life 2 takes us back to playing as Gordon Freeman, the unlikely Hero from Half Life. Following the destruction of Black Mesa, Freeman has reappeared a few years later to save humanity. This time, most of your adventures are based in and around City 17, a post-apocalyptic mess of a city, ran by the masked military Combine. Along your journey you will meet up with other characters who are opposed to the Combines plans, one of the most impressive characters is Alyx, daughter of a scientist from Black Mesa, she brings a real human touch to the game and will help you along at crucial parts of the game. HL2 is not your usual first person shooter, with the use of the amazing physics engine, there are plenty of puzzles that require real thought, using the gravity gun on later stages is a joy as you are able to pick up and move large objects to your advantage, be it as a weapon or a handy ledge. Whilst in City 17, the corridors and rooms allow for a feeling of complete isolation, with only the beeping and chatter of the Combine making you aware that you have a job to do.

 

To break up the FPS action you are also able to use a boat and buggy a certain points, the boat plays for some high paced shooter action, being chased by helicopters and enemy patrols, however, using the buggy completely opens the game up. You are able to drive for miles, with only the road and sea to keep you company, then you will come across a small deserted village, but not is always as it seems and before long you will be fighting it out with the Combine and other local nasties or helping a local militia hold off Combine troops.

 

There are plenty of weapons to use in HL2, from pistols to assault rifles, the trusty crowbar, grenades, the gravity gun, and also a spore which allows you to command monsters called Antlions to attack certain enemies. Each weapon sounds amazing, unfortunately, due to lack of ammo, some you will use more than others. One of my favourites is the guided missile, shoot this and use the cursor to send the missile wherever you like, helping you flaunt enemy weak points.

 

Whilst this game is a good few years old, the graphics really hold up well, going for the realistic look in both characters and surroundings. The enemies are a real treat, the Combine have a black military look, their ships, Striders and helicopters have an organic look to them, you also have the zombies, who return from the original Half Life, these ex-humans look even eerier than before.

 

In addition to Half Life 2, you also have the two extra episodes that were released for download on PC’s. These stories run straight after the HL2, with the inclusion of a more in depth story, a few extra weapons and enemies and greatly improved graphics. Whilst these episodes are not as long as the first game, they really extend an already great game.

 

 

Portal is a very unique title, it is presented in the standard FPS way but you have no weapons. This is a puzzle game that works with the physics engine of HL2. You are equipped with a Portal Gun that allows you to shoot a doorway against a wall, shoot another doorway on the ceiling and walk through the first and you fall through the second, travelling between the two instantly, this makes for some truly amazing puzzles, add to this a fun story line, extra challenges and a really funny end song, this game will have you hooked from start to finish and though not that long will leave you wanting more. 

 

Finally you have Team Fortress 2, the original game was the first online game I played and it really opened my eyes as to what is available out there. The sequel thankfully holds all of the originals charm, but adds loads more. You have a choice of 9 characters over 6 maps, each character brings their own style to the game and not one is alike, you have the solider, the medic who can heal other players on the spot, the spy who can look like enemies and infiltrate their base and the Engineer who can build turrets to name a few. Each character has their role for the team, and that’s what this is all about, TEAM. If you run into a fire fight, you will get shot down, there is no death match like most other titles, each map has a specific game attached to it, like capture the flag and Control Points. Though a great game this is probably the weakest as it relies on other people to play online, there had been a few occasions where there was not one person playing this title, which is a real shame. 

 

The main menu layout is very simple, with each game listed at the bottom of the screen, making selection quick and easy. Each game has their own achievements, some are the basic complete a level achievements, whilst others add some extra challenge, for example using only the gravity gun in the already hard and scary Ravensholm level. This will allow people who have played any of these games in the past to find new things and make replaying not such a chore.

 

The Orange Box is a gem of a game and a real bargain, everyone of the games included is worth the money you will pay. A must for everyone’s game collection.