Happy Orange Box-ing Day! [HL 2]

[Jarred]

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 arrives today in one big Orange Box for PC/360 (PS3 sometime later), which includes Half-Life 2, HL2: Episodes 1 & 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2.

Who's picking this up and which version? I myself never got around to playing any HL2, so I'm stoked to pick up all the games for a cheap price for the 360. It's funny. I've been out of flavor with FPS for a while now, and 3 of my last 5 games have now been FPS (BioShock, Halo 3, HL2).

Never played TF, but I love the Pixar-esque graphics and humor I've seen in the trailers. Any tips for a TF n00b? :sd:

[LordGeo]

Half-Life 2: Episode 2 arrives today in one big Orange Box for PC/360 (PS3 sometime later), which includes Half-Life 2, HL2: Episodes 1 & 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2.

Who's picking this up and which version? I myself never got around to playing any HL2, so I'm stoked to pick up all the games for a cheap price for the 360. It's funny. I've been out of flavor with FPS for a while now, and 3 of my last 5 games have now been FPS (BioShock, Halo 3, HL2).

Never played TF, but I love the Pixar-esque graphics and humor I've seen in the trailers. Any tips for a TF n00b? :sd:

One of my friends got "The Box" today.

I already played Half-Life 2 on the original Xbox, and it is a really good game.

I'm looking forward more to Portal and Team Fortress 2.

[WRX]

I'll probably be picking up the PC version sometime this week.

Speaking of which, I noticed on the Steam website that they have a program where you can give your existing Half-life2 (http://support.steampowered.com/cgi-bin/steampowered.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=750) copy to a friend. Interesting idea if you already have HL2 and/or Episode 1 and want to get the Orange box.

[stfram]

I'll probably be picking up the PC version sometime this week.


Speaking of that, Circuit City is advertising the Orange Box PC version for $37.99.

If they're out, grab the circular, and get BB to pricematch. :>

[Stormfalcon]

If you live near a Fry's, they're supposed to have it in tomorrow (Thursday) at $36.99.

And yeah, I'll see about getting the PC version myself.

[gnikdrazil]

I got the PC version and priced matched it at Best Buy. The 2 local Circuit City's listed it as out-of-stock. I've already purchased HL2 and HL2 E1 so I'm going to have to figure out how to get a separate registration key so I can pass along those 2 to a friend. As soon as it is done installing, I'm going to jump into TF2.

[Citizen Klaus]

Never played TF, but I love the Pixar-esque graphics and humor I've seen in the trailers. Any tips for a TF n00b? :sd:

Shoot the medic (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/09/21). :>


-----


Personally, I've already got HL2 (in fact, just finished replaying it a couple of days ago), so I'm not sure how excited I am about this.

Episodes 1 and 2 are probably excellent -- I'd expect no less from Valve -- but since I don't play multiplayer games, Portal and TF2 are just fluff. After what I spent catching up on Geneon titles, I'm only getting one game this month, and I honestly can't decide between the Orange Box and Sam and Max.

For those more familiar with the HL Episodes, how long are they, anyhow?

[porkchopexpress]

Episodes 1 and 2 are probably excellent -- I'd expect no less from Valve -- but since I don't play multiplayer games, Portal and TF2 are just fluff.

HL2 orange box has a graphical update as compared to the HL2 for the Xbox, and Portal is a single player first person puzzle game thats also pretty humorous.

[Citizen Klaus]

Episodes 1 and 2 are probably excellent -- I'd expect no less from Valve -- but since I don't play multiplayer games, Portal and TF2 are just fluff.

HL2 orange box has a graphical update as compared to the HL2 for the Xbox, and Portal is a single player first person puzzle game thats also pretty humorous.

I buy PC, so I'm pretty positive that the graphical update means bupkis for me, but it's good to know that at least Portal is worth a peek. With TF2 now being the only dud in the package, I'm pretty tempted to throw some money Valve's way.

[Sensuifu]

Never played TF, but I love the Pixar-esque graphics and humor I've seen in the trailers. Any tips for a TF n00b? :sd:

Scout for a while, but watch out for the heavies. When a soldier, rocket jump. It's amazing how so little use it. It really helps both offensively and defensively when you're in tight spot.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

With TF2 now being the only dud in the package

Um... Based on what? Every review of the Orange Box rates Team Fortress 2 as being quite fun/addictive.

As for the Circuit City pricing, if they have it for $38, I will buy the Orange Box. I was holding out because I already own HL2 and Episode 1 and I couldn't justify spending gobs of cash on stuff I already own. I also wasn't going to buy this on Steam because they want $30 for TF2 alone, which is ridiculous. If the whole package is $38, however, I can justify it. :)

[Dylonius Funk]

I allready have Half Life 2 but i may splurge for the box just because i don't have Ep 1 yet and i really want TF 2. I've been waiting for this for a long time, back when i sued to Play TF Classic on the first Half Life. My concern is if they've kept the free for all wackyness of the first game or made it more of a serious tactical affair like Battlefield.

[Pyocola]

My concern is if they've kept the free for all wackyness of the first game or made it more of a serious tactical affair like Battlefield.
Dude, have you seen the screenshots? (Or any images at all from the game?)

[TheStrongMan]

Plan on acquiring the Orange Box for the 360.

I still need to finish the original Half-Life before I feel ready to start with HL2. I know, I know...how can I even call myself a gamer? I've had the game since a friend gave it to me years ago...I've just never had the desire to play it. I'm a little miffed about the graphics in HL2 and Ep1. According to the reviews, while the graphics are updated somewhat, they're not exactly pushing the hardware like the graphics for ep2.

Team Fortress 2 looks great! I just hope I can find a bunch of other noobs to play with.

Portal is the main reason why I want The Orange Box. 'Tis upsetting most people say the game is so short. Hopefully valve will follow up with some extra levels available via Live.

[porkchopexpress]

Team Fortress 2 looks great! I just hope I can find a bunch of other noobs to play with.


You called?

[Jarred]

Team Fortress 2 looks great! I just hope I can find a bunch of other noobs to play with.


You called?


You made a 3-way call? :D I haven't tried TF2 yet, getting my feet wet with HL2 right now. The game is a blast, a pity it took me so long to get to it. I was freaking out in the beginning trying to run from the guards. "Oh shit, oh shit, RUNNNN!!!" :sd:

[Stormfalcon]

Maybe we oughta set up an AoD group in Steam community (for those of us on the PC side, that is)?

[NeoCortex]

I found this online a little while ago. It's a Flash 2-D version of Portal. The puzzles do work a lot like the normal version of the game. It's a least a fun time-waster.

Link (http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/404612)

[pathos]

I'm actually considering this, which for me is strange. I haven't played a shooter since Sin ep 1, and before that, halflife 2. Before that was....umm, like ut tourney, the first one.

But, I still remember what really got me into computer gaming (I mean, other than rpg's), and that was Team Fortress (for quake 1). A good chunck of my life is completely gone as a result of that game.

The biggest hurdle for me buying it is the fact I'm not interested, at all, in playing a fps game on a console, and I'm not sure my old dinosaur, i mean, pc would actually play it. Well, it did play halflife 2 when it first came out...barely.

I just havent wanted to upgrade my pc. There hasnt been any games recently I've actually wanted to play for the pc, so I didn't see much of a point. Heck, maybe this one might steer me towards actually seriously considering it, at the least

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Ok, I caved and bought it at Circuit City on lunch. They had it behind the register at the front of the store hidden, in case anyone can't find it. I plan on giving away my HL2 duplicate to my gf (I want to get her into the Fortress Forever mod) and my Episode 1 duplicate to my roomie. Huzah!

[NeoCortex]

I just finished Portal. It took a couple of hours to go through the main game. I still haven't done any of the advanced levels or challenges yet. I have to say, this is one of the most fun games I've played recently. The last level alone makes the game worth it. The humor throughout the game only got better the further I got.

Oh, and stay for the song at the end. It's actually pretty good.

[Bibulb]

Oh, and stay for the song at the end. It's actually pretty good.

New Jonathan Coulton! New Jonathan Coulton! Yay!

(It's pretty cool.)

[GHardin]

I decided to buy the 360 version despite having a decent enough PC to probably run it...for some reason, I just wasn't tempted by having an extra HL2 and E1...lousy excuse, but I figured I'd have more incentive to play them again on the 360... :sd:

[Stormfalcon]

Just picked up the PC version and in the tail-end of downloading the games. Woot!

[Dylonius Funk]

My concern is if they've kept the free for all wackyness of the first game or made it more of a serious tactical affair like Battlefield.
Dude, have you seen the screenshots? (Or any images at all from the game?)
I've seen a few but keep in mind also i've been waiting for this game since 1999 when Half Life first got Team Fortress from the Quake Mod guys and made Team Fortress Classic which was supposed to be a hold over until they got TF2 done. Well that was a while ago so you'll forgive me if i seem skeptical that the game i played back then will be anything close to the game we get now considering the way gaming tastes can change. I mean we know have a Quake game like Battlefield, something i never thought i would see. So I'm gonna see if either one of my computers can run it. I think they can since they've boith ran Half Life 2 and my latop has better video and more ram than my desktop but my desktop ahs more ram. Then when i actually get some time to play games i might pick it up.

[Stormfalcon]

My concern is if they've kept the free for all wackyness of the first game or made it more of a serious tactical affair like Battlefield.
Dude, have you seen the screenshots? (Or any images at all from the game?)
I've seen a few but keep in mind also i've been waiting for this game since 1999 when Half Life first got Team Fortress from the Quake Mod guys and made Team Fortress Classic which was supposed to be a hold over until they got TF2 done. Well that was a while ago so you'll forgive me if i seem skeptical that the game i played back then will be anything close to the game we get now considering the way gaming tastes can change. I mean we know have a Quake game like Battlefield, something i never thought i would see. So I'm gonna see if either one of my computers can run it. I think they can since they've boith ran Half Life 2 and my latop has better video and more ram than my desktop but my desktop ahs more ram. Then when i actually get some time to play games i might pick it up.

Well, I haven't played the original TF (though I could download it off my Steam account since it was part of a Valve package deal I got), but I will say that it's definitely on the lighthearted side. Sure, there's a large emphasis on teamwork and filling your role in it, but it's definitely got a huge sense of fun to it.

As for how well it'll run on your system, keep in mind that the requirements are a bit steeper for the three headliner games in Orange Box than they were for HL2 and Episode One.

Minimum: 1.7 GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, DirectX� 8 level Graphics Card, Windows� Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

Recommended: Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better), 1GB RAM, DirectX® 9 level Graphics Card, Windows® Vista/XP/2000, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet Connection

My system has the minimum processor and everything else recommended, and it runs halfway decently at a resolution of 1024x768

[Citizen Klaus]

With TF2 now being the only dud in the package

Um... Based on what? Every review of the Orange Box rates Team Fortress 2 as being quite fun/addictive.

Perhaps I should have said, "dud for me". I'm sure TF2 is quite fun -- if you find multiplayer FPS gaming to be at all entertaining. I don't, so therefore TF2 means about as much to me as a bundled copy of Google toolbar.

[lockmastah]

Maybe we oughta set up an AoD group in Steam community (for those of us on the PC side, that is)?

You got it! (http://steamcommunity.com/groups/animeondvd)
I set it up as a public group so anyone can join without invitation. I also stole a pic of Divi-chan from the site, hopefully Chris doesn't mind. I was actually looking for a different pic, but the current one seems to works nicely. I also added the Steam group url to my sig to help spread the word. :)

Yesterday I bought The Orange Box for $37 at the local Fry's Electronics store. I'm still a bit pissed that Valve canceled Black Box, but my desire to play TF2 (and eventually Ep 2) overruled the idea of waiting for a lower price on Orange Box or the individual games on Steam. Anyways, I played TF2 for about an hour last night. Tons of fun, even though I'm a "n00b". It's been years since I played any sort of Team Fortress game/mod. My multiplayer FPS skills are damn rusty as well.

[Merliwolf]

Psst steam for all yuri fans!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/yuri

[Stormfalcon]

Woot for the AoD group! :D Just joined up for it.

[Pyocola]

Portal ending is made of win and cake.

[Stormfalcon]

Psst steam for all yuri fans!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/yuri

This one open for both genders, or mainly for the ladies?

[Fencedude]

Figured I'd pick this up, since I never got HL2 to begin with.

And I've heard very good things about Portal.

And I've always wanted to start thinking with Portals.

[Citizen Klaus]

Portal ending is made of win and cake.

And filthy, filthy lies.

[Citizen Klaus]

While we're discussing the Orange Box, has anyone else tried Peggle Extreme yet? I think it's almost more hilarious than Portal -- especially the sun. You'll see what I mean during the loading screen. It's precious. :>

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Portal ending is made of win and cake.

And filthy, filthy lies.

But it's so delicious and so moist! :D

[Fencedude]

Ok, holy shit, I need some help.

So I got everything installed, went to start HL2.

Seemed to be starting, then suddenly gave a DirectX error, kicked me back to my desktop at some fucktardedly low resolution, then when I tried to fix it I got an error about not being within display properties, and I just had to REINSTALL WINDOWS to fix it.

...anyone ever heard of ANYTHING like this?

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Hmm... Never heard of that. Sorry. :(

Here's a consolation prize, though: The Portal ending theme. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x36rkp_portal-ending-theme)

[Stormfalcon]

First off, are the drivers up-to-date? A lot of times, updating the drivers will fix things. Secondly, do you have any background processes going on like IM clients and the like? Shut down as many as you can, especially IM clients (Source doesn't play well with others). See if either of those help.

[Fencedude]

Yeah, I just updated my drivers, and I'll shut everything down next time.

...I'm a tad scared to try again though. -_-;;

[Stormfalcon]

Another thing that might help if you've got a firewall like ZoneAlarm going is to run a particular game in windowed mode for a bit, long enough for any alert popups to come up and for you to tell the firewall to let the game do its thing. Once you've gotten through those popups, you can switch back to fullscreen mode for the game.

[Swordfish_II]

Portal ending is made of win and cake.

And filthy, filthy lies.

But it's so delicious and so moist! :D
The cake is a lie!

Companion Cube is your only friend! He didn't even try to stab you or anything!

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Only because you didn't give it a chance! You incinerated it at the first sign of rebellion! :D

Besides, if you watch the whole ending, you know the truth about the cake! ;) I can't wait for Portal 2 and for the maps created online.

[Merliwolf]

Psst steam for all yuri fans!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/yuri

This one open for both genders, or mainly for the ladies?


Well assuming yuri fandom is more males than females, what do you think ;)

[Fencedude]

Dammit.

I didn't have to reinstall, but there's something seriously screwy here.

[Fencedude]

Ok, starting it up windowed works, and I was good for a bit, then it froze during a loading screen and did the wacky "lets reset the video mode to something the monitor can't handle!" trick.

...I may just have to play the damn thing windowed.

[WRX]

Ok, starting it up windowed works, and I was good for a bit, then it froze during a loading screen and did the wacky "lets reset the video mode to something the monitor can't handle!" trick.

...I may just have to play the damn thing windowed.

My system had some similar hiccups to a lesser extent. I found that if I started up the game, quit and then started it up again it behaved a lot better.

I'm guessing (hoping) we'll see new video drivers soon that help fix whatever the issue is.

[Fencedude]

GRAGH

ERRORS ERRORS ERRORS

But, on the plus side, Portal seems to work pretty well.

[porkchopexpress]

1up.com reports that Valve is aware of online problems being experienced by the xbox 360 version of team fortress 2. Massive lag in 6v6 and 8v8 games along with common "disconected from host" messages. Expect a patch by this weekend or early next week.

[Jarred]

1up.com reports that Valve is aware of online problems being experienced by the xbox 360 version of team fortress 2. Massive lag in 6v6 and 8v8 games along with common "disconected from host" messages. Expect a patch by this weekend or early next week.
Good to know. Most of the online games I've tried to played ended by getting disconnected, or hitting major lag first and then getting disconnected. Makes you appreciate how well Bungie did Matchmaking and changes the host to best available. I've yet to experience any problems with Halo 3 online.

[RayeKinezono]

I think I'll pick up this game for PC specifically to get Portal. I like how it works. I don't currently have Half-Life (either of them), but I've been looking into some new FPS games to play lately, so that's a nice extra.

[Fencedude]

WHOOO HOOO!

Got it working!

The weird part was, Portal and Episode 2 were working fine (I'm most of the way through Portal, and played a bit of Episode 2 just to confirm it worked), but Half Life 2 and Episode 1 ALWAYS crashed.

Steam's system scanning tool told me my Video Drivers were out of date, which was bullshit, because I'd updated them in the process of trying to fix all this. But I did it again, and upon checking, it wanted me to use an OLDER version of Nvidia's drivers, but I really didn't want to do that.

But I ended up forcing the game to run in DX8 mode, and that seems to have solved things. Its running like a dream now (though probably not looking quite as good as it theoretically could, I think its fine)

I'm in the Water Hazard chapter, and so far, its damn intense. Fucking BUGs (or whatever they're calling the flying Buzzsaws).

Need to finish Portal. I want my CAEK.

[Jarred]

Need to finish Portal. I want my CAEK.

Just finished it last night. Test 19 is completely and totally awesome, such a blast. And that ending credits song had me rolling in tears of laughter. Hurry up Mr Coulton/Valve and make that song available for download!!

[DiGiKerot]

Need to finish Portal. I want my CAEK.

Just finished it last night. Test 19 is completely and totally awesome, such a blast. And that ending credits song had me rolling in tears of laughter. Hurry up Mr Coulton/Valve and make that song available for download!!

If you'd have been playing the PC version, you'd have been able to extract it from the game archives using gcfscape. Given the song is all over the internet already, though, they'll probably end up releasing it eventually anyway.

[Pyocola]

If you'd have been playing the PC version, you'd have been able to extract it from the game archives using gcfscape.
Yeah, I've been listening to the song so much over the last couple of days, the other night I realised I had managed to memorize the entire lyrics without even trying, and could sing myself to sleep. (In my head that is, I doubt I would ever be able to fall asleep otherwise.) :P

[Jarred]

If you'd have been playing the PC version, you'd have been able to extract it from the game archives using gcfscape. Given the song is all over the internet already, though, they'll probably end up releasing it eventually anyway.
Yeah, and I've seen it a couple places already. But I'll gladly hold out to chip in $1 for a download (along with Coulton's Code Monkeys, Baby Got Back, and a couple others).

[Fencedude]

If you'd have been playing the PC version, you'd have been able to extract it from the game archives using gcfscape. Given the song is all over the internet already, though, they'll probably end up releasing it eventually anyway.
Yeah, and I've seen it a couple places already. But I'll gladly hold out to chip in $1 for a download (along with Coulton's Code Monkeys, Baby Got Back, and a couple others).

You know, obtaining it now via one means doesn't mean you can't also obtain it later through other, slightly more legit channels, should it become available.

[Jarred]

Those waiting for the console patch for TF2, it's out! Just downloaded mine around 9PM PT, but haven't tried out a session yet. Trying to get through Anticitizen One at the moment. :sd:

I'm down for any TF2 sessions with fellow AODers if anyone is interested.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

I finished Episode 2 last night! :D Without spoiling too much, I look forward to seeing how Portal and Episode 3 are woven together... Maybe Portal 2 will be a side-story to Episode 3?

[Jarred]

Here's (http://kotaku.com/347581/still-alive-in-japanese-sung-by-computer) the Portal credits song, "Still Alive", this time sung by a Japanese computer voice.