"The Freeman Returns" with The Official Orange Box Thread
- Thread starter The M.O.B
- Start date
I thought a Black Box equivalent was going to be on Steam, I don't want to pay $45 for HL2 and Ep1 again and I don't see any draw in "giving" them away. Should I just buckle and pay since I don't think I'll be able to buy them separately?
Also, it's disheartening to AGAIN see no ads of any kind from EA on this. Word of mouth works on PC, but goddamn, give the Orange Box a commercial!
Also, it's disheartening to AGAIN see no ads of any kind from EA on this. Word of mouth works on PC, but goddamn, give the Orange Box a commercial!
KyanMehwulfe
Member
I'd have payed $50 for TF2 by itself. The action is so damn polished and smooth.
AndoCalrissian
Member
I just looked on Steam, and you can buy them all separately, but you end up spending $80 (HL2:E2 and TF2 are each $30, and Portal is $20). Might as well just pick up the Orange Box and save yourself $30. AFAIK the black box was cancelled altogether.Barnolde said:
Ep1, Ep2, TF2.SnakeXs said:
It feels like it's longer though, as the commentary is spaced out. The way it works is you replay through the game, all the while having nodes (Text bubbles) that you can click on that initiate commentary. Commentary is unlocked after you beat the games once, so you're going to have incentive to play through the games more than once. (On top of achievements or what not) Nodes are area sensitive, and placed around maps, so you'll hear commentary in context, based on where you are in the game, and where the node is near. Like at the beginning of Ep1 for example, they'll talk about HDR and the improved facial animation system, because those were additions to the source engine at that time. While you listen to the commentary, the game continues, and you see examples of what they are talking about. They talk about gameplay design decisions, map design decisions, you'll hear commentary from Alyx's voice actor, etc. It's not just random commentary. In TF2's case you can listen to the commentary from the get-go, as it's a multiplayer game.
I wish more games did it, it's good stuff.
Here's an example (No spoilers)
Don't really wanna use my cc, so now the quest to add $25 to my PayPal account commences!AndoCalrissian said:
Also, Source is being updated for Ep2 like it was for Ep1, right? But there was confusion since it was going to 360 and had a delay for PC or something? That seems odd to me, but I don't really know the whole story.
AndoCalrissian
Member
That is crazy-awesome. Is this on PC as well as consoles?Quellex said:Ep1, Ep2, TF2.
It feels like it's longer though, as the commentary is spaced out. The way it works is you replay through the game, all the while having nodes (Text bubbles) that you can click on that initiate commentary. Commentary is unlocked after you beat the games once, so you're going to have incentive to play through the games more than once. (On top of achievements or what not) Nodes are area sensitive, and placed around maps and areas, so you'll hear commentary in context, based on where you are in the game, and where the node is near. Like at the beginning of Ep1 for example, they'll talk about HDR and the improved facial animation system, because those were editions to the source engine at that time. While you listen to the commentary, the game continues, and you see examples of what they are talking about. They talk about gameplay design decisions, map design decisions, you'll hear commentary from Alyx's voice actor, etc. It's not just random commentary. In TF2's case you can listen to the commentary from the get-go, as it's a multiplayer game.
I wish more games did it, it's good stuff.
do we even know when (if at all) we can pre-order and pre-load ep2 and portal individually on steam? i really really don't wanna buy hl2 and ep1 again. and i'm not sure if i even want tf2.
edit: wait, you guys are saying i can already buy them separately now? hmm. i dunno, not on "my" steam. i've been checking almost every day and i still don't see it now...
edit: wait, you guys are saying i can already buy them separately now? hmm. i dunno, not on "my" steam. i've been checking almost every day and i still don't see it now...
AndoCalrissian
Member
It's going to cost you $50 total to get Episode 2 and Portal individually on Steam. You might as well by The Orange Box and get the others (including TF2) thrown into the mix for the same price.jarosh said:
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
I already preordered the PC version through Steam and I also plan on picking up the 360 version depending on the reviews. I want to try the game with a controller and I want to see the improved graphics for the original HL2, so assuming the 360 version isn't full of problems I will grab it as well.
Prime crotch
Banned
I got it pre-orded on Steam because of TF2 beta. In fact I think most if not all waiting for the eventual Black Box on Steam dropped that notion with the TF2 beta.
Kabuki Waq
Member
did they overhaul the graphics for the 360 version of halflife 2? or is it a straight port?
I'm really interested in Portal but the whole package is very sweet. I originally got HL with my Radeon 9600 but never finished it due to a very annoying stuttering I couldn't get rid of. With my recently assembled new rig I'm currently going through the HL2 experience (stutter free) and I am looking forward to Ep1 and Ep2, as well as Portal and TF2. As much as I love my 360, HL2 is a game that should be played on PC to fully appreciate.
OliveJuice
Member
Already ordered, and I'm addicted to the free game that comes with it, Peggle Extreme. :lol
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
Quellex said:
Wow. I can't believe TF2 even has comment'ry. That's fucking SWEET.
blindrocket
Member
I have already purchased Half-Life 2 (along with HL1 and CS Source) via Steam but plan on getting The Orange Box on Playstation 3.
dynamitejim
Member
I only have something like 7GB left on my HDD. Does anyone know how much space the stuff besides HL2 (already have it installed) takes up?
Teknopathetic
Member
If HL2's already installed then TF2 only needs about 1.5gb more. Dunno about Ep2 or Portal. I can't imagine Portal being too much.
ThaiGrocer
Member
If you want to drain time at the best price, the orange box is the way to go. It's been optimized to lower your GPA for less! Adding commentary into every game practically doubles the goodness.
Kabuki Quantum Lover
Member
Damn it, I really wanted a Black Box equivalent. Who the hell am I going to transfer HL2 + Ep1 to?
EDIT: Ah son of a bitch, I caved in.
EDIT: Ah son of a bitch, I caved in.
Big Chief Crazy Cone
Member
Pre-ordered... TF2 is worth it alone and Peggle is really addicting, I might actually fall for the marketing bullshit and buy Peggle Deluxe.
And the HL1 story can be really simple or really complicated depending on how you play, but dont play it for the story regardless. The game still looks fine and the gameplay is unsurpassed. Hell the AI is still some of the best I have ever seen. BUY IT!!
Now when will Valve go public so I can cash in?
And the HL1 story can be really simple or really complicated depending on how you play, but dont play it for the story regardless. The game still looks fine and the gameplay is unsurpassed. Hell the AI is still some of the best I have ever seen. BUY IT!!
Now when will Valve go public so I can cash in?
AgentOtaku
Member
RumpledForeskin said:
I went with the 360 sku....I gave up on PC Gaming awhile ago
wipeout364
Member
I'll be buying both, well actually 360 version plus the expansion on steam(ep 2, portal, and TF2)
ToyMachine228
Member
I plan on getting The Orange Box on 360, but I don't know if I'll get it at launch. But hopefully before the year is out. Great freaking value.
CajoleJuice
Member
360 version of TF2 is capped at 16 players. That alone should tell you what version is superior, without of course going into the whole tired KB/M vs. controller argument.RumpledForeskin said:
Right, awesome thread.
Now for some tech help. I recently got a laptop with the following specs.
Yet, HL2 seems to run a bit worse than my old desktop, which has an AMD 64 3500+, 2 gb of RAM, and a Radeon x800GTO 256 mb.
Though, that might be because I'm running HL2 at 1680 x 1050 on the laptop, and 1280 x 960 on the desktop.
I guess my question is, how can I squeeze more performance out of my laptop? I already reformatted and reinstalled Vista, and I'm using the latest drivers from laptopvideo2go. I was thinking maybe I can fool my computer into using the Geforce drivers instead of the Quadro ones... is this possible and will it help?
Now for some tech help. I recently got a laptop with the following specs.
Yet, HL2 seems to run a bit worse than my old desktop, which has an AMD 64 3500+, 2 gb of RAM, and a Radeon x800GTO 256 mb.
Though, that might be because I'm running HL2 at 1680 x 1050 on the laptop, and 1280 x 960 on the desktop.
I guess my question is, how can I squeeze more performance out of my laptop? I already reformatted and reinstalled Vista, and I'm using the latest drivers from laptopvideo2go. I was thinking maybe I can fool my computer into using the Geforce drivers instead of the Quadro ones... is this possible and will it help?