New games this week: Orange Box edition
by Justin McElroy 
{ Oct 8th 2007 at 9:00AM }
Gallery: Half-Life 2: Orange Box
Xbox 360:
- The Orange Box
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Sega Rally Revo
- Looney Tunes ACME Arsenal
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- Puzzle Quest
- Folklore
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Sega Rally Revo
- Warhawk (Game Only)
- NBA 08
- ?????
- Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast
- Balls of Fury
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Bleach: The Shattered Blade
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
- Mercury Meltdown: Revolution
- Rock and Roll Adventures
- Fatal Fury
- World Heroes
- Art of Fighting
- Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Honda: SBk-07 Superbike
- Backyard Football 2008
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- Mountain Bike Adrenaline
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
- Sega Rally Revo
- Jackass: The Game
- Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
- NBA 08
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Holly Hobbie & Friends
- Arctic Tale
- Bleach: The Blade of Fate
- Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck
- Flipper Critters
- Master Jin Jin's IQ Challenge
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- Touch Detective 2 1/2
- The Orange Box
- FIFA Soccer 08
- Race 07
- Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull
- Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer Expansion
- Thrillville: Off the Rails
- Sega Rally Revo
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AkmGamer @ Oct 8th 2007 9:08AM
I'm really looking forward to The Orange Box.
FOXHOUND @ Oct 8th 2007 9:12AM
...Secondedededededed. >:]
This begins the expensive holiday season of gaming ahead for me, provided I can pull myself away from playing TF2 for a bit.
joevill @ Oct 8th 2007 10:05AM
w00t! Orange Box! I'm getting the PC Version! I cannot wait to play TF2! Been waiting way too long for this!
mfed3 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:54AM
hell yea, i wish valve did a little advertising for the game to hype it up like a halo. the more online players the better. the pc version will never have that problem though, tons of steam users probably preordered that thing by the hundred thousands. tf2 with the best netcode around will be the multiplayer game to beat.
Spiza @ Oct 8th 2007 2:59PM
Orange Box >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Halo 3.
Akamaru @ Oct 8th 2007 9:17AM
Been waiting for Folklore forever!
thethirdmoose @ Oct 8th 2007 9:22AM
Wow... Mercury Meltdown Revolution has been on the list for-evah, and it still hasn't come out. It's the new Duke Nukem Phantom Forever.
Mercury Meltdown Neverlution?
caramelzappa @ Oct 8th 2007 9:23AM
I pre-ordered the orange box, already preloaded portal and episode 2. TF2 is loads of fun.
sicsided @ Oct 8th 2007 9:37AM
second that. Been playing TF2 everyday for the past 2 weeks and can't get enough. Portal and Epi.2 is just laying there, staring at me with is perverted look of injustice that I've already paid for it and can't touch OH GOD WHY MUST IT BE THAT WAY!
John @ Oct 8th 2007 1:48PM
I'm sorry, TF2 is a BIG disappointment. Since they have stripped out ALL of the grenades and a ton of weapons, the game play is completely different - and boring.
Fortress Forever on the other hand is a really great mod. And it's free.
HineyWipe @ Oct 8th 2007 9:24AM
Let me see...after I pickup all the new games released by Christmas season, I'll have no money to buy anyone anything! Bring on da Scrooge!
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Oct 8th 2007 9:32AM
Woohoo!!! Cant wait =) Poor PS3 owners keep waiting lol
The1 @ Oct 8th 2007 9:46AM
Thats not funny, shame on you---ROFOL. I will be getting THE ORANGE BOX for my X360 since I preordered and got a $5.00 discount at Gamestop. I may get Folklore for my PS3, need to read the reviews first.
copa @ Oct 8th 2007 9:32AM
Damn, it's been a long wait. I can't believe TF2 is finally here.
CaptainAmericaX @ Oct 8th 2007 9:36AM
Still not sold on The Orange Box...
Whats Portal again?
sicsided @ Oct 8th 2007 9:41AM
You are trapped in a complex (from what I've seen and gathered) and given a device that allows you to shoot portals in order to get around the various traps and puzzles in the game. You will be able to shoot more and more after awhile allowing for complex situations to be overcome. Example. There is a giant wall in your way and spikes are coming in from the sides. Shoot a portal at the ceiling, then one in the floor. Jump through the floor and when you come out the ceiling quickly shoot one at the wall adjacent to the wall your trying to get past. Once you fall through the floor and out the last portal you shot, you shall be flung over your obstacle from the momentum you gained falling from the ceiling.
or you can do what most will be doing, just falling in an infinite loop til your computer crashes.
CaptainAmericaX @ Oct 8th 2007 10:17AM
lol thanks for the explanation...
Well I guess I've got some more research to do...just TOO MANY damn games this year to buy for my 360...my salary can't take it all at once.
I want to buy a better HDTV. I wanna buy an HD DVD player. I wanna buy all these games AND still have money for other things at Christmas...
God I'm screwed...
Blue_Falcon @ Oct 8th 2007 9:37AM
Personally, I'm looking forward to Duck Amuck.
Oh, and the Orange Box, as well.
T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Oct 8th 2007 9:42AM
Hmm this or halo 3. My 360 returns from heaven to today. It is risen and I found the stone that blocked the enterance to it's tomb to have been moved. Let us celebrate this season of revival with the teachings of gordon freeman! Orange Box ftw, for it is his will.
Jake @ Oct 8th 2007 9:51AM
I'd wait for some reviews and impressions. Often, stellar PC games just don't translate nicely to console. Halo 3 is a guaranteed fun ass game, I can tell you that.
Orange Box probably will too, and of course the excellent single player story will be intact, but it doesn't hurt to just wait a bit and see.
Do you have the option of buying both? Orange Box trumps in the single player catergory, with a sweet portal cherry on top. Multiplayer wise, not to take anything away from TF2, Halo 3 is probably going to be funner on 360, especially considering TF2 is built to thrive on mouse controls.
Can't you just buy both? That's what I'm doing, once I can put the controller down for Halo 3. (I never played much Halo 2 or Halo 1. I can actually see what the fuss is about. Fun game. Lots of unique memorable moments where something crazy cool happens.)
Zertoss @ Oct 8th 2007 9:45AM
Orange Box AND Duck Amuck on the same week?! Good thing they aren't on competing platforms!
JJ @ Oct 8th 2007 9:48AM
Definately looking like a good week.
Folklore for my PS3, Orange Box for my 360 and Bleach for my Wii. First time in a while where each of my consoles has something desirable on one day.
Delta @ Oct 8th 2007 9:54AM
Does this have any online Co-Op? I just finished Halo 3 with a friend, and would love to play another shooter with some Co-Op!
samfish (MSDF- Nurse Outfit!) @ Oct 8th 2007 9:57AM
heh...Balls of Fury...
JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot) @ Oct 8th 2007 10:03AM
final fantasy tactics PSP!
woo!
After playing through Zelda: Phantom Hourglass last week (just finished it last night, soooooooo good) I am once again hooked on my handhelds
JL @ Oct 8th 2007 10:41AM
This should be the top release of the week. One of the greatest stories in video games ever.
Monthenor @ Oct 8th 2007 10:05AM
Touch Detective 2 1/2! Touch force assemble!
Dale @ Oct 8th 2007 10:10AM
Touch Detective 1/2 for the win! It's as close we'll get to a a decent new LucasArts adventure for a while.
James @ Oct 8th 2007 10:10AM
Orange Box. Possibly the best collection of the best games ever.
TF2 trumps everything else online.
Stellar singleplayer with Ep 2.
Stellar online with TF2
probably brilliant puzzler with Portal.
**** everything else this month :D
Einhanderkiller @ Oct 8th 2007 10:14AM
The Cake is a lie.
Blazur @ Oct 8th 2007 10:20AM
Hooray Orange Box!! And goodbye social life :(
monkeygamer @ Oct 8th 2007 10:26AM
I am a long time PC gamer. I started playing Halo 3 with a friend last week. Im still trying to master the analog stick controllers. It seems like a step back compared to using a keyboard and mouse. Is it just me, or will an xbox controller never be as accurate as a keyboard/mouse? I plan on getting an Xbox 360 before Christmas, but Im wondering if I should buy The Orange Box for my PC or Xbox360.
Anyone opinions/comments?
Vidikron (FU) @ Oct 8th 2007 11:02AM
This is a debate that constantly rages... lol. Anyway, I think controllers can be as accurate, they just aren't as fast. I mean, you can shoot anything you want using a controller to aim, it just might take a second or two longer to get your aim zeroed in.
That said, if you're a long time PC gamer you would likely be happier getting Orange Box on the PC.
rockintom @ Oct 8th 2007 11:52AM
PC, definitely. Better controls, less idiots online, and you also get Peggle Extreme (joy!).
...Can't imagine playing portal on dual analog, anyway. It would require *very* fast responses.
SoulBlade @ Oct 8th 2007 12:31PM
Ima have to vote for PC - Vidikron is accurate in that you can aim as well, it'll just be slower. If you were a twitch gamer or just expect a high level of responsiveness / speed in your FPS, KB/Mouse FTW.
Plus it's 38 bucks for PC at Circuit City ;)
Todd @ Oct 8th 2007 10:57AM
Knock Knock...
Who's there?
OrangeBox.
OrangeBox who!?
'Orange'Box gonna let me in!?
JL @ Oct 8th 2007 11:51AM
Dude....c'mon...
*shakes head
rockintom @ Oct 8th 2007 10:46AM
...I really goddamn hope they still will let you buy portal/tf2/ep 2 sans the original hl2 and ep 1, because I'm sick of re-buying crap.
...And I really don't want tf2 much at the moment anyway. All my multiplayer FPSing has been on Halo 3 lately.
damien @ Oct 8th 2007 10:56AM
On steam they list the tfc2 price separately, but I couldn't find a way to purchase it alone. Anyone know if you can just buy tfc?
sicsided @ Oct 8th 2007 11:41AM
i believe they are releasing them separately later on, at least on store shelves much like CS:Source.
MasterInsan0 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:51AM
At the moment, you can't pre-order TF2 separately from the Orange Box, but once it is released you can buy it separately.
Also, I'm willing to bet that Steam will offer a package including only HL2: Episode 2, Portal, and TF2--a.k.a. the Black Box. Of course, it might only be $5 cheaper or so, but still, that's $5 you're saving.
Mike-453 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:56AM
Looking forward to finally playing Half-Life 2, not much of a PC gamer and skipped the nerfed Xbox version
jorojoserojas @ Oct 8th 2007 12:29PM
Same story here. I skipped out on the Xbox version because the reviews said it didn't compare well to the PC...but here, years and a whole new generation later, I think it may be as faithful as it could get. So yeah, I'm getting it too.
Mike-453 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:59AM
You'll never get as accurate with an analogue stick as you will with a mouse, aiming is just so easy with a mouse.
Just depends on if you enjoy using dual analogues or if you can't stand the heightened difficulty to aim.
Mike-453 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:59AM
You'll never get as accurate with an analogue stick as you will with a mouse, aiming is just so easy with a mouse.
Just depends on if you enjoy using dual analogues or if you can't stand the heightened difficulty to aim.
h0mi @ Oct 8th 2007 11:10AM
Ill be playing this after i finish halo 3. Which might take me through the end of november at the rate I'm going.
umm....hello??? @ Oct 9th 2007 12:17AM
Definitely the OrangeBox for my 360. For those of you with a PS3 that haven't gotten it, I'd highly recommend WarHawk. If I had a PSP, I'd be tempted to pick up FF: Tactics: War of the Lions.
thenino85 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:49AM
This is NOT a slam-dunk choice, as the text states. Even a port of FFT deserves serious consideration for Game of the Week. Yes, I do have the Orange Box preordered on Steam and am planning on playing the crap out of it this week. But FFT practically created the SRPG market in America.
Heh, you guys should try to market that to game advertisers. The coveted "Joystiq Game of the Week" award.
@Rockintom
I have some bad news for you... The Black Box is dead. You gotta buy the Orange Box for $50 or each individual piece for $30. As an aside, I hate the way Steam markets their games. They jack the prices up so much on mods just to make their bundles look better. I already own HL2 and I really don't care about the episodes. Episode 1 just wasn't worth the money (20 minutes of plot frontloaded into the game, the remaining 4 hours was nothing but standard, boring FPS battles, including the oh-so-awesome mandatory shooting in complete darkness level) and I doubt Episode 2 will be either. I just want Portal and TF2. Sucks to be me.
mfed3 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:57AM
might wanna stay away from folklore, i was semi interested in the game until i listened to a podcast where the guy was really annoyed by the game. basically talked about how it is ridiculous that they claim the amount of hours it tkaes to beat the game because you have to beat the exact game twice. you get up to a certain level then a message comes on screen saying "you cannot progress any further with this character" and it switches to the other. it proceeds to force you to beat the exact game all over again with new dialogues from npcs. an action rpg like that would piss me off to no end, not to mention the fighting looks mad repetitive. im hittin up the orange box.
Clayton @ Oct 8th 2007 12:53PM
Orange Box = Best Deal Ever!
Definetly can't wait for this game (Half Life 2 being my favorite game of all time and all), and I'd gladly pay the price of addmission for Episode 2 alone, but with the likes of Team Fortress 2 and Portal, I'll be playing this game long into 2008.