"The Freeman Returns" with The Official Orange Box Thread

The M.O.B

Member
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5 Games in One Box


Release Dates:

PC----October 10, 2007 on Steam,Midnight Launch 12:01 pst.-October 12 in Europe

X360--October 10, 2007-October 12 in Europe

PS3---"around two or three weeks later",Doug Lombardi.


Prices
PC Version-$49.95 ($44.95 if you get it off steam NOW!)according to our CAG friends orange box PC will be $37.99 at CircuitCity on release day
360 Version-$59.99
PS3 Version-$59.99


PC Requirements:
1.7 GHz Pentium 4 CPU
512 MB system RAM
DirectX 8 compatible video card
5GB Hard Drive Space
Windows 2000/Windows XP/Windows Vista


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In 1998 Half-Life sent a shock through the game industry with its combination of pounding action and continuous, immersive storytelling. Valve's debut title wins more than 50 game-of-the-year awards on its way to being named “Best PC Game Ever” by PC Gamer.

NOW. By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors, and even emotions, of both friends and enemies.

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 he cares about are counting on him.
Also, Half-Life 2:Lost Coast(seen below) is free for download if you have Half-Life 2.
Trailer
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Half-Life 2: Episode One is the first in a series of new adventures created by Valve that extends the Half-Life 2 single player experience.

Stepping into the hazard suit of Dr. Gordon Freeman, you face the immediate repercussions of your actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Rejoin Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, to once again aid the human resistance in their desperate battle against the totalitarian alien menace of the Combine.

Episode One exposes Alyx's combat skills and knowledge of City 17 as the player battles side-by-side with her in this 4-6 hour adventure of greater density and detail than non-episodic releases.

The intense gameplay delivered in Episode One is made possible only by Source, Valve’s proprietary engine technology, which has been enhanced with new rendering technology and advanced artificial intelligence to deliver new levels of graphics and character interaction.
Teaser 1
Teaser 2
Teaser 3
Teaser 4

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Half-Life 2: Episode Two is the second in a trilogy of new games created by Valve that extends the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life adventure.

As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions. In Episode Two, you must battle and race against Combine forces as you traverse the White Forest to deliver a crucial information packet stolen from the Citadel to an enclave of fellow resistance scientists.

Episode Two extends the award-winning Half-Life gameplay with unique weapons, vehicles, and newly-spawned creatures.
Trailer

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Portal is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.

The game is designed to change the way players approach, manipulate, and surmise the possibilities in a given environment; similar to how Half-Life 2’s Gravity Gun innovated new ways to leverage an object in any given situation.

Players must solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to maneuvering objects, and themselves, through space.

Portal is coming on October 10, 2007 as part of The Orange Box.
Trailer

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You may now Preload Portal off Steam.

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Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is the sequel to the game that put class-based, multiplayer team warfare on the map. This year’s most anticipated online action game, TF2 delivers new gametypes, a signature art style powered by Valve’s next generation animation technology, persistent player statistics, and more.

Unlike other “class-based” games that offer a variety of combat classes only, Team Fortress 2 packs a wild variety of classes which provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities, and lend themselves to a variety of player skills.

Play as the flame-throwing Pyro, the room clearing Heavy, or the Spy, a master of disguises. Other classes include: Scout, Sniper, Medic, Engineer, Demoman, or Soldier.

TF2 features the most advanced graphics of any Source-based game released to date – and the most exciting class-based action ever created.
Trailer
Meet the Heavy
Meet the Soldier
Meet the Engineer
Meet the Demoman
Meet the Scout
Meet the Medic
Meet the Spy
Meet the Pyro
Meet the Sniper
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More info on TF2 in this thread

You may preload TF2 as soon as you purchase the Orange box off steam and play the beta.


Reviews:
PC Gamer:94/100
HIGHS: Episode Two action-packed and emotionally engaging story; TF2's perfected multiplay; Portal's innovative and fun new technology.

LOWS: You'll want more Half-Life answers, more TF2 maps, and more Portal puzzles.

BOTTOM LINE: The Orange Box is one of the finest compilations of gaming content ever produced.

This thread is strictly for the Orange Box
-No complaining about 360 version over PC version
-Asking if your system specs are good enough is fine
-No "lol,I need $5000 to play this on my PC" crap

PC Games Germany:
Jarosh said:
hl2: ep2: 87/100

Pros:
Atmospheric new environments: woods, mines
Exciting story about the combine invasion
Nice graphics and physics
Believable characters with lifelike facial expressions

Cons:
No new weapons
Not a lot of freedom in the forest area
Not a lot of new stuff compared to ep1

Play time: 7:10

-------------------------------------

Portal: 89/100

Pros:
Portal gun is a great innovation to the genre
Awesome plot twist towards the end
<- minor story spoiler
Imaginative villain with lots of charisma
<- minor story spoiler

Cons:
Puzzles not challenging enough
Dull levels

Play time: 3:05
Thanks to Jarosh for the German pc games review
----------------------------------------------------
TF2 Servers
Icy said:
Servers:



password: neogaf2k7

Donation Links:

Amazon Donation Site

PayPal Donation Site

Server Stats:
http://neogaf.hlstatsx.com/

Custom Maps:

http://www.neogafclan.com/maps/cp_lazytown.rar
http://www.neogafclan.com/maps/ctf_mach.zip

You can use WinRar www.rarlab.com to decompress the .rar file.

This information has also been added to my main post.

Thanks to Icy for the Neogaf TF2 server, feel free to play on it now, and donate later.

and remember....


5 Games in One Box
 
Already own Half Life 2 PC.

PC no longer is working up to spec so gonna buy Orange Box 360. Might upgrade down the track and go TF2 PC as well.

VALVE, HAVE MY MONEY
 
It's like Jesus in disc-form... It's almost too much quality gaming to handle... it's fucking ridiculous...


Also, boo at no black box!
 
I need to get my busted PC fixed and back in my apartment before October. I have to play Episode One again so I can can properly get myself hyped for this.
 
I'm definitely picking this up. I've been out of the PC gaming scene for quite a few years until just recently so this looks like a great buy. Pretty much every game in this collection just looks awesome.
 
Believe it or not, the money I would have used for Halo 3 is going towards this game. 360 version for me, btw.

I CAN HOLD OUT. I WILL RESIST THE HALO HYPE.
 
Pringo said:
I'm definitely picking this up. I've been out of the PC gaming scene for quite a few years until just recently so this looks like a great buy. Pretty much every game in this collection just looks awesome.
If you haven't played any of them, to say I envy you would be a gross understatement.
 
Deal of Forever. 5 games in one box.

Been waiting on this for some time now. I'm certain to get it, as soon as it comes out!
 
derder said:
What did they say in the PC Gamer Mag?


HIGHS: Episode Two action-packed and emotionally engaging story; TF2's perfected multiplay; Portal's innovative and fun new technology.

LOWS: You'll want more Half-Life answers, more TF2 maps, and more Portal puzzles.

BOTTOM LINES: The Orange Box is one of the finest compilations of gaming content ever produced.
 
Salmonax said:
If you haven't played any of them, to say I envy you would be a gross understatement.
That's not entirely true. I did pick up Half-Life 2 quite soon after I got my new PC and I'm in the process of beating it right now. Other than that these games are all new to me though.
 
One of the Greatest of games, two expansion packs, the spiritual sequel of Narbacular Drop, and a multiplayer fragfest nine years in the making. That's hard to beat.

I can testify that three parts of this are worth full price individually. Can't speak for Portal and HL2 Ep 2 yet but I have faith.
 
Excellent deal. Too bad I already have Half Life 2 and Episode 1 cause I would definitely grab this. Episode 2 and Portal will be mine day 1 though.
 
Already pre-purchased.

I wonder if this game is considered one product, surely nothing else then would stand up to it for 2007's GOTY.

I am hyped beyond logic and reason for this. Already playing TF2 for 3-4 hours every night I weep for my backlog. Episode 2 looks to continue and improve on the definitive single-player FPS experience.
 
I have a question...

Is it easy to get into Half-Life's story starting at the second game? I rented the original game on my PS2 ages ago, and I couldn't play longer than 20 minutes because I didn't own a memory card at the time... LOL
 
Man, I love Half-Life 2. I'm playing it again, and then the episodes, then sink my teeth into Team Fortress 2. Oh, and Portal too :D.

Best deal ever.
 
Kuroyume said:
I have a question...

Is it easy to get into Half-Life's story starting at the second game? I rented the original game on my PS2 ages ago, and I couldn't play longer than 20 minutes because I didn't own a memory card at the time... LOL
Very easy. You don't really need any prior knowledge. If you want a short primer it can be summarized in about three sentences.
 
Isn't this like the 3rd thread now about the orange box? last one turned into a KB/M and Controller debate
 
Icy said:
Isn't this like the 3rd thread now about the orange box? last one turned into a KB/M and Controller debate

This is the official thread. Thread rules have outlined that there is to be no bullshit pandering about keyboards, console-age, etc.
 
Picked up orange box over steam due to the TF2 hype before it (beta) was released. I also never played HL2 so it seemed like a kickass deal. Finished HL2 a day ago and im starting to go through HL2:E1 at the moment. Currently at
The train just crashed
part of the game.

Easily one of the best "products" you should buy this year. TF2 kicks some serious ass and is just balls out awesome.
 
Icy said:
Isn't this like the 3rd thread now about the orange box? last one turned into a KB/M and Controller debate
There's no debate, just a bunch of delusional people who can't accept fact.

Anyway, I think I'm going to get Orange Box on Steam. It runs solidly (60fps with some drops) on my iMac at 1680x1050, though as always, changing settings around does little to remove stutters. It's the best I've ever had HL2 perform, so I'm pleased and confused at how Lost Coast runs better at times, but that's Source for ya. HL and me have a long, convoluted history that has always worked against my favor.

I'm going through HL2 now, then going to play through Ep1 in anticipation of Ep2.
 
Please change 2nd and 3rd pictures with something without compression artifacts. Nice descriptions, and try to find some box/case pictures and art.
 
Nice thread but uber ugly pics. HL2 looks nowhere bad as that on even an average PC.

Change them, please.

Barnolde said:
There's no debate, just a bunch of delusional people who can't accept fact.

QFT

I can understand people choosing console versions over PC version if they have a PIII-750 MHz with 256 MB of RAM.

But I can't understand people saying console versions are better.
 
Any word on a TF2 demo? I'm trying to decide between the 360 and pc versions, and if TF2 runs maxed on my laptop I'll grab the pc copy.
 
Borys said:
QFT

I can understand people choosing console versions over PC version if they have a PIII-750 MHz with 256 MB of RAM.

But I can't understand people saying console versions are better.

Especially since it's a PC GAME. One could argue a controller's better for a game like Gears, but HL2 is a fucking PC game. The Xbox port felt loose and unrefined (even on 360) and I'm sure the Orange Box will share the same issues (also sucks that it's capped at 30fps), since it's a PC game, not a console game. Same thing with the stupid RTS's on 360, passable =/= ideal. M/kb reigns supreme for certain genres like FPS and RTS, while controllers excel in genres like platforming and fighting. I can understand MS not wanting to allow m/kb for online play, but not allowing it for HL2/Ep1/Ep2 offline play is just ignorant, selfish bullshit.
 
Barnolde said:
Especially since it's a PC GAME. One could argue a controller's better for a game like Gears, but HL2 is a fucking PC game. The Xbox port felt loose and unrefined (even on 360) and I'm sure the Orange Box will share the same issues (also sucks that it's capped at 30fps), since it's a PC game, not a console game. Same thing with the stupid RTS's on 360, passable =/= ideal. M/kb reigns supreme for certain genres like FPS and RTS, while controllers excel in genres like platforming and fighting. I can understand MS not wanting to allow m/kb for online play, but not allowing it for HL2/Ep1/Ep2 offline play is just ignorant, selfish bullshit.

Hear hear. They don't want people to know what they are missing :\
 
Very excited for this, but I'm sad that I've yet to get my TF2 beta key from GameStop... they said it would take 4 business days and it has now been 5. I called today and they said they were just getting the keys and if I didn't have it by the end of the week to call them.

I also just installed Steam. I installed it a couple years ago and didn't really like it, so I uninstalled it. I actually really like it now though, I didn't realize you could add all of the games that are installed on your PC to it rather than just Steam/Valve games. Pretty slick... NOW GIVE ME MY BETA!
 
PuppetSlave said:
Hear hear. They don't want people to know what they are missing :\
It's all about choice, remember?

AndoCalrissian said:
I feel I should probably play Half Life 1 before I play 2... am I going to miss a lot?
If you're going to, do it asap. Going back to HL1 after HL2 is... difficult to say the least, since it's 9 years old. But they're not really related, the games are pretty independent and you won't enjoy HL2 any less from not having played HL1.
 
Preordered 2 days ago via Steam. Playing through HL2 right now. Also enjoying some TF2 when I have the time to play it.

Best deal ever IMO (especially now when USD is so weak - paid a pittance for it) :-)
 
Keyboard and Mouse are Superior, but I'm going to get the console version because my PC is on its last legs.
 
So, is there commentary for the console versions/Ep. 2? That's one of the things I'm looking forward to most. =P
 
AndoCalrissian said:
I feel I should probably play Half Life 1 before I play 2... am I going to miss a lot?

I did finish HL2 without playing HL1. I didn't understand a lot of thigns that only became obvious after I watched HL1 speedrun on the internet.

Don't make the same mistake, go play HL1 before HL2 or at least watch some run through it.

What kind of a PC gamer am I: did not play Starcraft nor Half Life 1.

:P
 
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