Even before you start reading the review, you probably know that this can be nothing but positive. Probably the best box ever compiled for gamers, Orange box contains everything a gamer could have hoped for. It contains so many games, at a price of only $60. It sure is a bargain on $60, but what if you get it in $25? It would be a steal, wont it? Yes, thats the prince I got it in. In India, it sells at 1000Rs, which converts to only $25!!!!! Lucky we are, right?
Lets review games one by one, cause there is no good reason why we should see Orange box as one game. It contains different games, and each of them deserves a place here is our reviews. Actually, they are so great that I would dare to say that we are honored to have them in our reviews. Sounds over the top? First buy Orange box, and then see how you agree with me.
Half life 2-Episode two-
The most important game of the lot it is, although some people might not agree.
Episode two begins right from the place where Episode one left. Your trains had crashed and you didnt know exactly where you were. So Episode two begins in a train again, something all Half life games are famous for. Your train is now wreckage and it is Alyx (the smart chick who saved your life thousand of times before, and you already know that she is going to give birth to more freemen, just by looking at her love pouring face) once again who brings you out. How she was out already is something we are not interested in. You come out and see a huge portal over the combine citadel which you blew up in Episode one. And after that.....play the game. This is a spoiler free review.
Since I can't spoil anything about the story, it would be wise to go right away on the things which are usually considered in a review.
Gameplay wise, Half life series was never a slouch and Episode two is no exception. It is done almost to perfection. The only problem with it is that it is almost the same as it was in Half life 2 and Episode one. But still, it is leagues ahead than most of the games available today. The sheer immersion Valve's method gives to the player is something no one else can do. It is probably the only game which gives the proper feeling of being 'in game'. The only title I had such experience while playing was Fahrenheit (Indigo prophecy for some).
The gravity gun still is a great weapon and Valve uses it to great extent to create puzzles. There are no mind bending puzzles, only minor ones which really enhance the gameplay. This time you will go to Antlion caves and in huge jungles and this change in setting than usual city 17 setting is really interesting. It is still quite linear though, but that dosen't take away anything.
There are these new enemies called 'Hunters'. They will give you a really hard time, surely. They are tough, fast and agile and usually come in groups. They wont die easily and their attacks are devastating. I always thought that Half life games were a bit easy. Hunters are nice additions which make game challenging.
The AI in Half life 2 was a bit bad when compared to other stellar aspects of the game. This time, it clearly shows that Valve worked hard to fix it. Alyx was pretty good already, but this time she is even better! Where the improvement has come most, is in AI of other characters. Enemies are a bit smarter and helpers too. I took a health crate quickly from a falling trolley and the Vortiguant said- "The freeman is a quick thinker." Funny?
Graphics, although not completely overhauled, are a lot better than previous installments. Valve's 'high detail shader' is in work here. Trees, shadows and animation all look great, but what steals the show are HDR effects. Combined with AA (Although I reviewed game on a 8800, Source engine can do HDR+AA on all cards), these effects are probably the best HDR effects in released games. They all contain a bluish tint, which makes then even better to look at.
But there is one problem with graphics, textures are not of very high resolution. But that is something you wont notice much, so I would say that it dosent affect overall graphics quality much. Couple the graphics from the fact that it is so well optimized that it is very easy to say that this is the best optimized game, and you have a winner here. Why can't other developers optimize as mush as Valve? Does Valve use some kind of magic? Who knows?
The story, this time, is fleshed much more. Episode one was disappointing cause nothing really happened in it. The story didnt progress much. But this time, especially in the later stages, many secrets are revealed. Though we still dont know who G-man is, we know a bit more about him. There is a clear hint that the story lines of Portal and Episode three will merge.
The review wont complete without mentioning the final battle and the ending of the game. The final battle, which I lovingly call- 'the strider buster level', is one of the best gaming moments ever! It is hard, fast paced, engaging and what not? It will keep on your toes for a good while, without frustrating you. Sounds great? Even greater it is while playing.
And then there is the ending. The most emotional gaming moment ever for me. The credit must be given to Valve for making a sequence which could force a weak heart to weep, easily. The voice acting is amazing in the scene and no other sequence in a game is that hard hitting.
There are only two problems with Episode two, and they are obvious. First- it is short. Although longer than Episode one, it is still short. But what would you expect from a episode? It is actually our mistake that we just can't satisfy with the length, we always crave for more.
Second is the ending. Its, once again, a cliffhanger ending. But then again, it was expected. It sets out a great ground for Episode three and assures that the series will only reach new heights in the next installment.
Summing up-
Presentation- 10/10
Graphics- 9.3/10
Sound- 9/10
Gameplay- 9.8/10
Controls/AI- 9.5/10
Overall- 9.52/10.
Portal review-
Review of Portal can't be much long. Why? Cause the game itself is pretty short and the storyline is non-existent. That is not to say that Portal is not good. Portal is quite engaging affair actually. It is a puzzle game and probably the most innovative one to come along in years.
To have an overview, all you have to do is to make portals in walls or anywhere else where you can. One to go in and one to come out, or to bring some object out.
Give you the gun to make portals and out you in arenas where you have to make your way out without dying or doing anything not allowed. That is Portal. But what Valve has crafted is a short, but sweet game. In total Portal has 19 stages (excluding ones to be unlocked). You will clear about 10-12 very very quickly and easily. 12-15 are a bit challenging but nothing tough. It is actually in later stages where the fun begins. They are some mind-bending puzzles there.
The story is that you are "subject name here", an Asian looking girl who is in Aperture Science Enrichment center. You are part of an on going experiment and you have to complete all levels successfully to get 'cake'. The only interesting is that what 'cake' really is and I wont spoil it. You are guided by the famous female AI voice, which is synonymous with Portal these days.
The best part of the game are the credits. I really really loved them and especially the credits song. It is really humorous and sweet. Have a look at the Lyrics-
It was Triumph.
I am making a note here. Huge success.
It is hard to overstate my satisfaction.
Aperture science.
We do what we must, because, we can.
For the good of all of us,
except the ones who are dead.
But there is no sense crying over every mistake,
you just keep on trying until you run out all cake.
And then science gets done and you make a neat gun,
for the people who are still alive.
I am not even angry,
I am being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart and killed me.
And tore me to pieces.
And threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because,
i was so happy for you.
Now these points of data make a beautiful line,
and we are out of beta we are releasing on time.
So I am glad I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned,
for the people who are still alive.
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you will find someone else to help you.
Maybe Black mesa.
That was a joke. HAHA. Fat chance.
Anyway this cake is great, it is so delicious and moist.
Look at me I am still talking when there is science to do.
When I look out there, it makes me glad I am not you.
I've experiments to run, there is research to be done.
on the people who are still alive.
And believe me I am still alive.
I am doing science and I am still alive.
I feel fantastic and I am still alive.
While you're dying I will be still alive.
And when you're dead I will be still alive.
Still alive.
Still alive.
You can download the song here.
Other than this, there is nothing really to be said about Portal. It is a nice addition to the Orange box which injects variation in it. I can't even judge it on normal point basis cause it is so different. So I will give it directly-
8/10.
I couldn't review Team fortress 2 cause our University Proxy dosent allow to play online games. And I didnt play Episode one and Half life 2 again. So basically, this was review of Episode two and Portal.
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