The Orange Warehouse
The Orange Box is value gaming at it's finest. This gaming warehouse contains 5 full games, all of which have their own perks.
Portal
Portal is a first-person shooter puzzle game involving, you guessed it, portals. The game features story driven gameplay, and uses comedic situations to draw the player in, to create an amazing experience. Portal features an updated version of the Source engine, so the graphics and physics are stunning, and the same can be said for the game's sound. GLaDOS is a pleasure to listen to, thanks to the voicework of Ellen McLain, and everything from the sound of the portal gun firing, to energy balls bouncing off walls is a treat. The gameplay is top-notch as well. The portal puzzles have you thinking quickly, and on your feet, so there's a lot of quick fun to be experienced. Sadly, the game can be had in about three hours, leaving players with hunger for more Portal.
Half-Life 2, HL2: Episode 1, HL2: Episode 2
Half-Life 2 is a first person adventure, set at an undetermined amount of time after Half Life. Released in 2004, Half-Life 2 was considered by many to be the pinnacle of gaming. Great, story driven gameplay, stupendous graphics, and believable characters all made Half-Life 2 an excellent experience. Although a bit dated in this day and age, Half-Life 2 is an experience ill-replicated by any other, and should be played by everyone.
The episodes are "expansions" of Half-Life 2. They continue on the plot, beginning from the end of Half-Life 2. They are episodic, are each about three hours in length.
Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is a multiplayer-only team-based first person shooter. Being the sequel to Team Fortress, Team Fortress 2 had a lot to live up to. Thankfully, it delivered on that, with stunning, unique visuals, and amazing gameplay. From the moment you boot Team Fortress 2 up and join a game, you are completely immerssed in the constant struggles of Red and Blu. You have the option to choose from nine classes, each with their own special abilities and weaknesses. Every aspect of the game is fantastic, from the cartoony, almost cel-shaded comic book style characters, to the screams of a player calling for a medic. The game even goes as far as having a hilarious taunt for each of the characters weapons, which can allow for some comedical situations. The only qualms I have with Team Fortress 2 would be that, if you are on an unfamiliar server, teamwork tends to be fairly lax, and that can lead to a disgraceful losing streak.
On the whole, The Orange Box is a breathtaking collection of some of the finest games in history, and should be experienced by everyone.
