bit-tech Shopping: Electronic Arts The Orange Box (XB360)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Five full titles in one package, including 20 hours of Half-Life 2, a great online game and a intelligent puzzle game

Weaknesses: None apparent

Summary: The Orange Box has five full games inside of it. The main attraction is Half-Life 2, with the two follow-up episodes containing new content. Half-Life 2 shows its age well, as it still is entertaining to this day. The two episodes carry the story further forward and leave with an amazing cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 2. Portal is a very unique puzzle game that requires the careful use of dimension-shifting portals to work through to the end of each level. Team Fortress 2 is a very diverse online-only multiplayer game that covers different game modes. Overall, it's a fantastic value for all types of gamers.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4

Strengths: Portal, Portal, Portal!

Weaknesses: I had already played Half-Life 2 and Episode 1 on the PC.

Summary: This is the best value in gaming right now. Essentially 5 games in one box. Let me start off at the top: Portal. Portal is probably the most innovative and fun game I have played in a really long time. Its funny, frustrating, fun, and mind bending. You really have to think to play it. TF2 is fun, but I really don't play it much. I see my brother online playing it every day though. What can be said about Half-Life 2 that hasn't be reiterated through numerous awards. The same great game brought to the 360. Episode 2 just continues the awesome franchise.I hope they release more levels for Portal in the future.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Months

Strengths: +5 solid titles+valued price+great graphics+great replay ability

Weaknesses: -portal more like mini-game (too short)-team fortress 2 online only-lame cover art

Summary: The Orange Box is a collection of 5 great titles from Valve. Included in this awesome package are Half Life 2, Half Life Episodes 1 / 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. Half Life 2 is the same game as the old xbox game but with updated graphics. Despite being somewhat old, Half Life 2 still holds up well. Episodes 1 / 2 continue the game play found in Half Life 2. Portal is a mini game that challenges players in new, fun, and creative ways. Team Fortress 2 is an online only shooter that allows players to assume the role of different classes that each has their own unique abilities. All of these games come in one disc and for the affordable price of a regular 360 game. The only complaint I have with the Orange Box is that the cover art is very bad. Don?t let the covert art fool you, the Orange Box is a great value and a must own for 360 owners.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 10 Days

Strengths: Some of the best games around, all in one

Weaknesses: slightly old game shows a little age as far as graphics go

Summary: Half Life 2 is one of the standards for games and with this package, you can keep enjoying it. The game runs great on the 360 and the new games are well developed. Although the graphics don't use all of the latest tricks, they still look good. The science fiction story is right up there with the best you can find in games. The new puzzle game, even though short, is a blast and the new team fortress shows some style. If you like Half Life 2 or just science fiction, this is definitely a great buy.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: 5 games for the price of one, all of them winners

Weaknesses: Half Life 2 not as good-looking as the other games in the box

Summary: Valve is really spoiling gamers with this set. First off, there's Half-Life 2 and its two current extra episodes. These are top-notch story-centric FPS, and the characters are far from disposable.Next is Portal, which is a truly inventive puzzle game. You'll have to think like MC Escher to solve some crazy puzzles. Please know, though, that there are some reflex-based areas, so it's not entirely slow-paced. The writing is absolutely hilarious, which is just the cherry on top of an already stellar product.Finally, the set include Team Fortress 2, which does a fantastic job of showing the significance of working as a team. Each of the 9 classes is visually and functionally distinct, which adds a whole new dimension to the way you'll play online shooters.