Truly a great deal for five games (and beats buying them separately). This is the first new game I've bought for the new computer, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Portal
This is one amazingly innovative game which pushes the boundaries for today's hardware and really takes advantage of high-end graphics card's rendering capabilities. Even still, this game plays on older hardware as well as a GeForce 7600 GS (approx. $80 online depending on where you look). Portal feels very much like Half-Life 2 (does the Source engine give it away?) but without guns and all puzzles. That probably doesn't sound good unless you really enjoyed Half-Life 2's puzzles, but trust me, its a fun time. One can spend hours toying around with the Portal gun which fires...er...portals without accomplishing anything in the game and still have a good experience (see the picture above, it shows what one can do when one doesn't feel like completing mission objectives). Portal is an overall great playing experience even for those who despised and loathed Half-Life 2's barrage of puzzles.
Half-Life 2 Episodes 1+2
I have chosen not to review the original Half-Life (I'm assuming you've already played it or read reviews of it) but I will review Episodes 1 and 2. Episode one, for me, left much to be desired. The gameplay remained the same as the original, but the graphics didn't show noticeable improvement. Also, the plot didn't develop as much as I had hoped (you only see the creepy-businessman guy ONCE for a short time!) and Episode one was very, very short. I say BOO! to you Valve on this disgrace to the series. However, Episode Two made up all the lost ground from Episode One in every way.
Without revealing too much of the plot to spoil the game for you, Episode Two revolves around reaching the main resistance base "White Forest", but along the way you get waylaid by Combine "Hunters" (see image below) and Alyx is mortally wounded. However, Vortigaunts save the day (and you are paid a visit from the popular omniscient businessman) and the game continues. The graphics are much improved (you have to see it to believe it) in ways hard to describe. The characters look much better with greater detail, and the lighting has been reworked to look more realistic. The plot continues towards the HL2 style cliffhanger ending, and the game truly is a great ride. I recommend Orange Box to you because of this game in particular.
Team Fortress 2
OR Disney's "The Incredibles"--The Game (due to the graphics, not the gameplay). But don't get discouraged by that (if you didn't like the movie, that is). This game really gives more meaning to character classes, giving each class unique (and not just crap like different weaponry) and interesting abilites and roles. For example, one can play as a Spy and disguise himself as one of the enemy team, or become invisible so he can stab enemies players in the back (for bonus points!). There are different playing modes, such as the classics Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. The only downside I can see to this game is the lack of bots for singleplay. Without bots, how can one learn to play without getting pwned by haX0rs online??? Nevertheless, this is a great multiplayer online game and an excellent addition to the orange box.
Overall!!!
Review: 9.8 out of 10
Pros: Five games for $45?? Especially when individually Team Fortress 2 is $30 and Episode 2 is $20. So even if you only play those two games, the Orange Box is worth it. Portal is incredibly innovative and a good, albeit short, time. The classic Half-Life 2 is pretty much a freebie, and Episode 1 is the only game that really brings the review down (if only a little bit).
Cons: Episode One = yuck.
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