The Orange Box (Contains Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2)

HL2 was one of the best games ever created - and I am not an easy customer (check out my other reviews, including the one on HL2, you will see what I mean).
Nevertheless, the whole STEAM disaster taught me the lesson TO NEVER, EVER again get suckered by a game whose publisher:
(a) considers me a criminal - although has pocketed my $50,
(b) wants me to ask for permission EVERY BLOODY time I want to play even a single player game,
(c) installs an auto-updating, commercial-reporting and in-contact-with-the-mothership utility that retains backdoor access to my computer, and
(d) does not concede to the fact every "security system" eventually gets cracked and every "OnLine activation requirement" eventually gets bypassed. So, utilizing an overly inconvenient security scheme only serves in penalizing the people who actually paid good money for their product - and manage to shoot their sales in the foot at the same time.

Remember: it may seem unbelievable, yet "STEAM-secured" HL2 barely sold HALF the units that unprotected HL1 did!
(Source: The Washington Post - link:[...]).
You would think some bright MBA (who could not tell the difference between a FPS game and an RPG) was sent home with no bonus? Guess again. Here come the Episodes!

After underselling HL2, VALVE then tried to catch up with short Episodes sold as...expansions. Well, a couple of hours of gameplay and some polished surfaces an expansion do not make. So, when Episode1 sales missed their projections by far, the geniuses accountants jettisoned the BLACK BOX release (which were to contain just the NEW games) and came up with this...ORANGE BOX idea.

This release contains, of course, Episode2 and - in order to sweeten the deal - the original HL2, Episode1 as well as a short maze game and a multiplayer platform (all based on the HL2 engine). I do remember Episode1 being so short that, even back then, I was sure it was just part of the expansion developed: these parts were eventually to be sold as separate...Episodes 1 & 2 (& maybe 3).
Now, let's see how good a deal the ORANGE BOX actually is. This is what it contains: HL2 (an excellent 2004 game not really showing its age), Episode1 (a very short expansion), Episode2 (the rest of the expansion, also short), PORTAL (a 2-hour FP maze runner) and the multiplayer game TEAM FORTRESS 2.
So, are the accountants actually doing us a favor when pricing all these games for 50$? Not unless this is your first experience with HL2.
If you do not own either HL2 or Episode1, then, yes, this is a good deal. If, however, you already own HL2 and Episode1, I would suggest waiting for the individually sold components. When was the last time we paid 50$ for another short expansion?

Now, since I do have to connect to a server in order to play a multiplayer game, it makes no difference to me whether that be STEAM or any other server. Validate away my genuine copy to your hearts content!
However, I REFUSE to ask permission every time I wish to play a Single Player or LAN game FOR A TITLE I HAVE ALREADY PAID AND BOUGHT!
I REFUSE to ever again submit to the whims of STEAM - only to fall victim to busy, unstable and fickle servers!

VALVE has to learn eventually that respect is a two-way street. The intrusiveness and inconvenience of STEAM created a huge debt with its original HL2 customers - and, since the market correction of the affect of STEAM failed to sink in, the ORANGE BOX will now inevitably pay that debt - with interest.
Episode2 may be a fine expansion and TEAM FORTRESS the new CS. Nevertheless, they are still STEAMed up by accountants posing as game designers. They fooled my once...

I am NOT going through that again!

PS:
WESTWOOD was once a mighty company riding the cutting edge of creativity (the COMMAND & CONQUER series was their innovative idea, starting with the classic DUNE that introduced the RTS genre). In 1997 they released an online RTS game named COMMAND & CONQUER: SOLE SURVIVOR. In 2003 (just 6 years later) WESTWOOD was bought by EA GAMES which (true to its mega-corporation mentality) pulled the plug on the existing servers. Whoever had bought SOLE SURVIVOR now had a piece of worthless reflective plastic.

What makes you think this cannot happen to VALVE?
(and what will the value of all these STEAMed games be then?)

The Orange box is a compilation, so it shoud be reviewed as a compilation. That is why I'm reviewing each game separetly.

Half-Life 2
The original Half-Life was one of the great pioneers of modern shooters. It helped the then little Valve become the giant it is today. So when 6 years later, people found out that the lauded dev was putting out a sequel, they listened. And they were rewarded with one of the most immersive, atmospheric, and overall amazing FPS's of the generation. The graphics are amazing, with realistic physics and lifelike facial animation, all thanks to the then new Source engine.(and if that's still not good enough for you, there's a few good graphical boost mods out there) The gameplay manages to constantly feel fresh, with the occasional vehicle level, and even a scary, suspenseful stage here and there. The shooting feels perfect, and the controls are well mapped out. The protagonist Gordon Freeman never speaks or appears onscreen, yet still feels like a colorful character. Yeah. That's how awesome Valve is.
Individual Rating: 10/10

Half-Life:Episode One
In Ep 1, the story picks right up where the original ended, and it continues to make a great series even better. The graphics are improved, and the atmospheric sense is even more pronounced in this one. The game is a little on the short side, though. At a little over 6 hours long, you'll wonder why Valve released this as a full game as opposed to an expansion. While it lasts though, you'll appreciate Valve as not just game devs, but artists.
Individual Rating: 9/10

Half-Life: Episode Two
Once again, Ep 2 picks up where the previous one left, and it once again amazes, this game is pretty dark compared to the bright open environments of previous instalments. The biggest step forward is in graphics, with better rendered environments and even more lifelike facial animation. You have a partner with you most of the time, and the fun of her picking a lock while you cover her is a good new mechanic. Once again, the episode is a bit short, but it's a great game nonetheless.
Individual Rating:9/10

Portal
Appearing for the first time in this compilaton, Portal invented a new genre. And this First-Person puzzler is one that will be remembered. In the game, you use your "Portal gun" to shoot portals onto barriers of any kind to get to the end of each stage. This starts out simple and easy, which is just enough to suck you in. Then the puzzles get more and more devilish, which can be frustrating, but that moment of pride after figuring out that seemingly impossible puzzle is something few games can accomplish. But it's only a couple hours long, and even less if you're a genius and can dash through the stages. Also, the robotic villain GlaDos is hilariously creepy. Often poking fun at science labs and companies in general. The short but fun Portal is going to be an inspiration for many future games.
Individual Rating:9.5/10

Team Fortress 2
Valve's first forray into the world of multiplayer shooters that was Team Fortress was pretty good. Now they have a sequel. It's one of the most simply fun multiplayer shooters ever. You can choose from the same eight classes as the original, and the same weapons as the original.(except for grenades, but that's a good thing) And the mechanics are the same, with Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and a few others. everyting else though, is completly different. The most striking change is the art style. The original featured realistic shading and proportions. The new one has very cartoony visuals, but don't expect that to get in the way of tye gameplay. I actually prefered it this way. The matchups are excellent, and the shooting feels pristine. Saying TF2 is great is an understatement.
Individual Rating:9.5/10

Some comments on the 3 new components of this 5 game package.

Episode 2...a worthy sequel to Episode 1...

In fact, qualities good enough (IMO) to think that it might have contended for single player, Game of the Year*, (however, its shorter overall length would probably preclude this honor.)

This game was all that I'd hoped for; it has some great battles, an extended car driving component, an interesting new weapon (towards the end), a compelling story line, a hint of humor and a touching, emotional ending.

In addition, it has smooth flowing graphics, well sync'd voice and lip movement and a few interesting puzzles. Also, the way the other characters (i.e. Alyx, Dr. Vance etc.) watch you and turn their bodies to adjust to your position (Freeman) is remarkable; very realistic.

My only small complaint would be that the first quarter of the game was a little drawn out and repetitious; however this is only a minor concern in an otherwise incredible PC game.

Easily 5 Stars...more if I could.

*****

Portal...quirky and different but fun!

A rather unique, single player puzzle game that involves going in and out of doors; doors you make with (what else), your portal gun. However, this task is not quite as easy as it sounds; to accomplish your goals you must use strategies of lateral thinking, timing and momentum to get through all 19 different levels. Of course the challenges become more complicated as you progress and to win the game (and escape), you must defeat the increasingly neurotic test-facility robotess in the finale. Great fun!

This spacial concepts took a little time to get use to, but once the basics were mastered this was an interesting and fun exercise in abstract thinking and puzzle solving. 4  Stars.

*****

Team Fortress 2...non-stop action

An excellent addition to the original TF. The gameplay could best be described as multiplayer chaos, with everyone running around like mad trying to survive. It is, however, great fun. 5 Stars.

Conclusion:
Great value for the money; 1 new game, 2 new sequels, plus a couple of old games thrown in (games that, for anyone who likes this genre, has already played long ago). Overall package...5+ Stars.

*other nominees for single player 'Game of the Year' might be 'Bioshock' and "Call of Duty 4', with 'Timeshift' and 'STALKER-Chernobyl' close runner ups and 'Crysis' in a more distant grouping.