Well, the Orange Box was released over Steam yesterday, and I'm sure that quite a few forum members have played and enjoyed its contents by now. Here are my opinions on the new titles in the pack, namely Episode Two and Portal.
Episode 2:- Amazing. Some excellent firefights and gorgeous outdoor settings. The combine hunter makes for an intimidating and formidable opponent. The storyline and dialogue are top-notch, with an excellent ending making you pine for Episode 3 already. The game reaches a crescendo with one of the most exhilarating pitched battles I have ever played, and IMO is destined for a place in gaming folklore. It is a tad short (just over 6 hours for me), but what is there is tight, enjoyable and gripping, with none of the fluff that is found in many other FPS's. I won't say too much more as I don't want to ruin it for you.
Portal:- Well, for what is essentially a 'freebie', I was pleasantly surprised with Portal. It is a puzzle game at heart, with you using a handheld portal generator to negotiate several 'lab tests'. What I didn't expect was the dark humour that the game is suffused with, from the robotic female voice egging you on, to the graffitti found on walls later on. Fantasitically, it manages to weave its own story to fit around the half life universe. It also boasts one of the funniest and most memorable ending sequences ever. It took me about 3 hours to play through, but I still have the advanced levels and the challenges to go. I defy anybody not to get sucked in and enjoy this game.
So, thats my opinion, what do you all think?
Episode 2:- Amazing. Some excellent firefights and gorgeous outdoor settings. The combine hunter makes for an intimidating and formidable opponent. The storyline and dialogue are top-notch, with an excellent ending making you pine for Episode 3 already. The game reaches a crescendo with one of the most exhilarating pitched battles I have ever played, and IMO is destined for a place in gaming folklore. It is a tad short (just over 6 hours for me), but what is there is tight, enjoyable and gripping, with none of the fluff that is found in many other FPS's. I won't say too much more as I don't want to ruin it for you.
Portal:- Well, for what is essentially a 'freebie', I was pleasantly surprised with Portal. It is a puzzle game at heart, with you using a handheld portal generator to negotiate several 'lab tests'. What I didn't expect was the dark humour that the game is suffused with, from the robotic female voice egging you on, to the graffitti found on walls later on. Fantasitically, it manages to weave its own story to fit around the half life universe. It also boasts one of the funniest and most memorable ending sequences ever. It took me about 3 hours to play through, but I still have the advanced levels and the challenges to go. I defy anybody not to get sucked in and enjoy this game.
So, thats my opinion, what do you all think?