The Orange Box

The Orange Box offers everything any fan of first-person shooters could possibly want: some of the best single-player gaming ever in the shape of Half-Life 2 and Episodes One and Two; wonderful innovation from Portal, and the most refined, downright fun team-based online FPS currently available in Team Fortress 2. If that doesn't warrant a 10 out of 10, nothing does. Buy it and enjoy one of the must-have releases of this - or any other - year.

The Orange Box is a "game" that knows no equal. Half-Life 2 and its expansions are true pearls of gameplay and storytelling, Portal adds to this a hilarious and refreshing puzzle game, and Team Fortress 2 is multiplayer fun as it's supposed to be; addictive, without pretence and with an infinite amount of variations. What Valve achieved here can be described with two words: billiant masterpiece!

"It is hard to argue that The Orange Box is not a 10."

Think of Orange Box as a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Half-Life 2 is the big juicy turkey and Episode One is the stuffing. Some people will be discovering this masterful combo for the first time while others probably haven’t feasted on this staple since last year (or three). Half-Life 2 finally gets the console port it deserves with graphics and loads identical to the PC version, slick controls, and a host of sweet achievements. Episode Two is like mom trying a tasty new mashed potato recipe. It’s a mix of over-the-top set pieces strung together by bursts of horror and stirring drama. And the final battle is probably the most intense yet in the Half-Life universe. Team Fortress 2 is the cranberry sauce – many will love exploring the class variety while others will get hung up on the limited number of maps and game types. Portal is apple pie that everyone should try with its groundbreaking gameplay, a hilariously sinister robot guide, and surprising depth.

"Obviously, the less experience you have with Half-Life 2, the more you'll enjoy The Orange Box. For veterans, the original and Episode One hold little value. But if you never played or finished those games, this is the quintessential Xbox 360 killer app, a must buy and a strong game of the year candidate. Stop playing Halo 3, Bioshock or whatever you consider a quality FPS and buy this immediately."