IGN Reviews The Orange Box for PS3 [Score: 8.4/10]

IGN writes:

"Certainly, Valve established itself in a number of ways when it originally released Half-Life many years ago. Not only did it create refined and creative gameplay mechanics that inspired a number of other developers in the years that followed, but Valve also told a very interesting, admittedly intense story. Perhaps more than that, they told it well. Extremely well. So although many people today regard Valve games as pillars of fun, physics-based gameplay (which they are), we've always been most fond of Half-Life's narrative and how it plays out before the eyes of the now iconic, crowbar-wielding MIT graduate: Gordon Freeman.

So now we have The Orange Box, a collection of Valve's recent software that includes the original Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2. In case you're completely unfamiliar with these games -- which we doubt, considering their now rabid popularity -- we can assure you that all five games are excellent. If you can't play Orange Box anywhere else, you may want to consider picking this one up. The amount of content (five whole games) you're getting for a standard price is almost astronomical".

[kingofps3]

Why did EA get to make the PS3 version??? Those suckers never do the job right.

[Panthers]

we all know taht fat guy at valve hates the PS3. He probably had something to do with it.

[lockload]

Becuase they wont make any money off the PS3 version so whats the point?

[ruibing]

Not anymore they won't. I hope they didn't expect sales to be okay after after verbally assaulting the PS3 platform, letting a third party develop make a delayed port, and then releasing around the same time as the timed exclusive UT3.

[Kleptic]

its the ultimate catch 22 with ports like this...the publishers don't think anyone will buy the PS3 version, so it gets the back burner with delays and poor development...and then ps3 owners do not buy it because it got delayed and was poorly developed...

oh well...it sucks its a bad port...the original HL2 was one of my favorite PC games of all time...but I never cared for the episodic stuff they keep tacking on, I would much prefer just HL3 with a new engine...the Source Engine has certainly been served divorce papers by any current engine...

also Team Fortress 2 didn't get me as much as I thought it would...while I enjoyed TF1 years ago...I have still been waiting for a simple class system to top that of Return to Castle Wolfenstein...the class system worked perfectly for the objectives of each game mode and map (newer games have topped player customizations...but even CoD 4's cool perks are really only for your own benefit...you don't have to have certain perks in order to dynamite a tower, beach wall, etc.)...TF2 is pretty good, but as far as online games on the PS3 are going right now...it doesn't touch Warhawk...

[skyline2003]

Ill rent it...

[DaddyDC650]

Did a bunch of brain dead morons create this port? No thanks EA. You fail again!!!

[AngelOFDeath]

framerate issues, longer loads, jesus christ EA do you need new devs because u guys r just fluckin up the ps3 section of games, douche farts

[dexterwang]

Outsourcing a PS3 game to a company that has a horrendous track record in making ps3 games... smart.

I'm guessing this went to the lowest bid... EA = ohoh pick us pick us, we can do it with 10 bucks.

Result: EA1: with 10 bucks we can make a nice shiny disc with colors!!
EA2: hmm what about the new development platform... what about the cell... are we going to use the SPEs?
EA1: Who cares, we've been doing this for years! People will still buy it
(sad truth)

And it also ends up with Gabe learning that the PS3 runs the game like crap from the retards from EA and then declaring PS3 is rubbish instead of admitting him outsourcing one of the biggest game of this year to a group of highschool kids employed by Mr. Burns is a big mistake

Also for those who didn't read the review, they said the gameplay and package still kick ass, just terrible framerates problems and the load time make the game practically unplayable... funny I can run Orange box much better on my PC than COD4... the source engine isn't even very demanding... once again making you wonder what kind of geniuses they employ at EA

[volkov137]

to make the port before they released their other poor PS3 ports. While Valve made a poor choice with EA, they aren't to blame.

[sonarus]

i wnt put this on ea. really wasnt their responsibility in the first place. I could overlook the frame rate issues but the load times are inexcusable. This orangebox port simply wasnt worth it

[leon76]

I was expecting for this game...but now i say: who needs a aged game and full of problems, when we have the most spectacular games like Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, UT3, GT5 Prologue, Haze...No way i'll buy this game now...EA, screw you!!! I was hope you get this right, but like the others say, you fail again!!!

[6wl]

I'm kind of in 2 minds on if I should get this or not. I really really liked HL2, and if they came out and said "yeah, there is performance issues, there will be a patch in feb" or something, I'd defo buy it.

But the other issue, I HATE EA, and now Valve for giving us such a rubbish deal.

[Kraken]

Valve's games has always been crappy

[TheMART]

hahaha RIGHT

That's why Half Life is one of the best games ever.
That's why the 360 version got a 9.5 from IGN

PS3 fangirls crying are funny

[InMyOpinion]

Half-Life & Half-Life 2 are probably the most diverse and best fps's ever made.

[TheMART]

"The PlayStation 3 Orange Box performs far worse, and this fact just isn't up for debate. While framerate issues aren't as problematic in Half-Life 2 and Episode One, Episode Two suffers a great deal, especially during the episode's larger battles. We regret to say that some sections border on being unplayable because of the stutters, which often cause your aim to be thrown off and timing shots to be very difficult. The problem isn't persistent throughout, but when it hits, it hits hard.

More troubling still is the difference in load times. Almost all the PS3 load times are at least five seconds more than the 360, but loading a saved game/loading after death is particularly awful. These clock in at about two to three times as long as the 360 version, which slows down the gameplay considerably."

BluRay gives you... Longer loading times! BluRay: needed for next gen gaming!

"Furthermore, a few of our play sessions were laden with so much lag that they became completely unplayable."

PSN lagfree meh meh meh

What was the score of Orange Box for the 360? Wow a 9.5
Best gaming console: XBOX 360
Cheapest BluRay player: PS3

[cloud360-7th_account]

Yes it does anything else. or do you just wanna start an arguement

[rushbd]

you are making this place smelly.

how does Uncharted,Haze,Heavenly sword, ratchet and clank doesn't have a single second of load time ????

[Coke-a-Cola]

All You do is water down this site with a constant barrage of Negative-spin.
I hate to say but is someone paying You for this ........I Mean who on earth
has this much energy for such nonsense .........Won't You Please go elsewhere .

I can only guess My post is the one You wish for .

[HarryEtTubMan]

hahahha the PS3 is gonna teabag the junkbox in 2008. I can;t wait to rub it in your face. The PS3 really is gonna win. regardless of what u think

[laved]

Actually TheMARTatXboxkings, the fault for the poor frame rate/loading times lies with the developer and not the Blu-Ray Disk. In fact EA Games has a proven record for doing a very bad job developing for the PS3. Perhaps if Valve worked on the PS3 version themselves the outcome would most likely been completely different.

[CaliGamer]

I am sure the game is ok, and that the technical issues are not horrible but any self respecting PS3 owner should think twice about supporting valve especially after what Gabe Newell said:

Valve Software’s Gabe Newell has launched an onslaught of criticism towards the PlayStation 3, declaring the console a “waste of time.”

Speaking with EDGE magazine, Newell stated, "I think [PS3 is] a waste of everybody's time," adding, "Investing in the Cell, investing in the SPE gives you no long-term benefits."

"There's nothing there that you're going to apply to anything else. You're not going to gain anything except a hatred of the architecture they've created. I don't think they're going to make money off their box. I don't think it's a good solution," he added.

This isn’t the first time the outspoken Newell has disparaged Sony’s latest home console either, having previously branded it "a total disaster on so many levels."

Despite this, he noted the company is still on track for releasing the PS3 version of The Orange Box compilation later this year:

"I think the people who have The Orange Box on the PS3 are going to be happy with their game experience," said Newell.

"We've done the PC and 360 versions here and EA has a team doing the PS3 version – and they'll make the PS3 version a good product; EA got the job done in putting a lot of people with PS3 experience on the project.”

"But I think it's harder to get it to the same standard as the 360 and PC versions."

That is no way to get new customers, not to mention companies like Infinity Ward, Insomniac, Bethesda and Naughty Dog to name a few would disagree with this joker. Valve or EA for that matter will not be getting a penny from me until they begin making games instead of complaining like some little B1TCH3S.
This Newell guy must be new at business because its a no brainer that he should have just kept his mouth shut. Its one thing to say that a piece of hardware is new and difficult to work with, its another to say its a waste of time because it doesn't fit your perception of how a console should work, especially when other developers are proving you wrong in huge ways.
Valve, EA and the Orange Box can suck a big fat D1CK.

[Razzy]

"Valve, EA and the Orange Box can suck a big fat D1CK."
LOL....nice!

Also had to laugh at this part:

"We've done the PC and 360 versions here and EA has a team doing the PS3 version – and they'll make the PS3 version a good product; EA got the job done in putting a lot of people with PS3 experience on the project.”

LOL...a lot of experience making crappy ports for the PS3.

Anyways, by saying the PS3 is a waste of everyone's time he's also saying anyone who owns a PS3 wasted their money. Well Gabe, you can forget about me wasting my money on your lousy port from EA. Gimme UT3 baby!!

[lockload]

"An otherwise super-stylized game suffers dramatically under technical issues and dreadful load times."

Ouch that must hurt for PS3 fanboys..

[CaliGamer]

Good thing UT3 comes out the same day and there are no excuses for that game. No portal ::sigh:: guess us PS3 owners are going to have to settle for mods, K/M support and early release from the company that made the best game to date on the 360. What a drag for PS3 owners.
Gabe Newell sure got us.

EDIT:
100% agree baba.

[Baba1906]

honestly? this kind of stuff doesn't hurt me lol. i wish it would. a brother losing in war hurts, being kicked out of school hurts, breaking your heart hearts, cutting or burning yourself hurts! a bad port? not so much. its only disappointing

[consolewar]

LMAO

[Baba1906]

looks like no orange for me, guess i ll wait for UT3.
and please mart be smart enough to realice, that bad ports say nothing about the ps3 as we have seen that good ports are possible. so dont come with your "buuuuh ps3 is so muh-cow", couse its just boring. i so wish that your comments are fake and you only wright this donkey crap becouse you want to make ps3 fans angry and laugh and not becouse you really mean it, couse that would be just sad.

[Razzy]

"bad ports say nothing about the ps3 as we have seen that good ports are possible."

Just look at Oblivion. That awesome port proves there are a few developers out there who know what their doing.

[Guwapo77]

Hope there is a patch for this game in the near future. If so, that's when I'll pick this game up...until then I'll be on UT3.

[SnakeCL]

UT3 for me as well. I'm not too broken-up about OB being sub-par. I have it on PC, but I wanted the PS3 version to play with friends on PSN. Ah well, guess Valve/EA don't want my money.

[Razzy]

Snake, I'm sure they want our money. The problem is they didn't want to spend the money (making a great port) to make money. Now the game won't sell well 'cause us PS3 owners are rejecting it and Gabe will say "The PS3 port was a waste of our, and EA's time......gimme another Whopper....mmmmmmm"

[Maldread]

Criterion, the only EA owned company with smooth framerates in their games. Unfortunately they`re doing Burnout (or that`s a good thing really, Burnout`s going to be a blast) and don`t have time for ports, but then PS3 ports actually could be great.

Until that dream turns to reality, i would advice any developer to not give ports to EA, which clearly can`t make a well running game, port or not port.

[solar]

well, as expected EA and Valve hecked up.

what pisses me off is they way Gordon is being treated. its plain sad that Gabe is letting one of the greatest hero's in one of the greatest games of all time take a steaming pile to the face. ive lost my respect for Gabe.

[J@D]

frame rate issue and longer loading times... no thanks, I pass this game thanks for the crappy poorly EA port... Until EA dont give a A+ game for PS3 there not a chance on the world that I'm going to buy a game from them.

[Coke-a-Cola]

QUOTE:

That is no way to get new customers, not to mention companies like Infinity Ward, Insomniac, Bethesda and Naughty Dog to name a few would disagree with this joker. Valve or EA for that matter will not be getting a penny from me until they begin making games instead of complaining like some little B1TCH3S.
This Newell guy must be new at business because its a no brainer that he should have just kept his mouth shut. Its one thing to say that a piece of hardware is new and difficult to work with, its another to say its a waste of time because it doesn't fit your perception of how a console should work, especially when other developers are proving you wrong in huge ways.
Valve, EA and the Orange Box can suck a big fat D1CK.

[speed_demon]

I am a little sad that I will not be owning this game within my library BUT what I'm excited about is the fact that I just picked up
Unreal Tournament 3 and what a great addition to my library.

Epic, Naughty Dog, Incognito, Insomniac ect. should truly teach EA and the Valve devs how to work with the PS3 because the line, "Its getting to a point that its pathetic EA cannot port nor even create a solid game for the PS3 a year after launch shows their unprofessionalism and unwillingness to learn." That ship has sailed because The Orange Box was the last straw that demonstrates a game not worth buying due to its loading times and framerate issues.

UNREAL TOURNAMENT 3 single campaign and online multiplayer HERE I COME, see you all online.

Happy Holidays

[ktchong]

Who are still very loyal to Microsoft.

Gabe is loyal to Microsoft - he still regularly stays in touch and hangs out with his ex-colleagues at Microsoft.

Asking a Microsoft fanboy like Valve to make games for PS3 is like getting a Sony fanboy like Naughty Dog, Insomniac or David Jaffe to make a game for Xbox 360 -- it's not gonna happen.

[jackdoe]

You forgot to add Sony fanboys like Nomura and 360 fanboys like Itagaki.

[sajj316]

Wasn't this expected to a degree the second Gabe said that it wouldn't to the 'standard' of the 360 and PC versions? I'll be honest, I had hopes that EA would pull of at least a 9.0 effort. 8.4 isn't bad, but when compared to the 360 version, it fails. If the framerates improve through a patch, it might be a purchase once down in price but I don't see EA giving effort into this one.

Who's image does this hurt? Sony? Valve? EA? I think its more Sony.

[ThaGeNeCySt]

All those glaring issues and yet the game still recieves a REALLY good review score... must mean it's still a solid game despite it's few faults...

[Rice]

F*cking EA, i was hoping to buy this game, i really wanted this game!!!
I guess i have to play it on my friends xbox 360. :(

[Blademask]

Years ago when I played it on my PC.

Its too bad that they cant get their act together. Call Naughty Dog, and ask them for programming tips. Because its clear.

The PS3 can power one of the best looking/loading game of our generation, (Uncharted). Yet they cant get a 2 year old game engine working on the ps3? Call me skeptical.

I knew from the day Gabe Newell spoke negatively about the PS3 version, that the PS3 version wasn't going to get the quality control it deserved. But oh well.

Epic has my money, sorry EA. But you guys lose again.

You guys that MAY want Orange box.. LOOK AT THE SPECS for HL2. I am sure most computers can play it now. Portal is tons of fun.

Spend your money on:

UT3
Uncharted
COD4
GranTurismo: Prologue

instead.

Or see if you can run it on your PC first.. you dont need a super rig for the source engine. 128mb videocard 3.3ghz played it just fine.

[jackdoe]

You really don't need a super rig to run Orange Box.

[tatotiburon]

jajaja once again OWNED

[Myth]

If the only difference is graphics and framrate between 360, pc, and ps3 version then why oh why didn't they take points from mass effect for it's issues?????????????
BS!!

[jackdoe]

There is no way you can defend this sloppy excuse for a port.

[Skater]

I'd think about getting this game if they would fix the frame rate issues and glitches and such. There's no way I'm spending $60 for a mostly crappy port of what should be a good game. EA really messed up this time and it shows that they rushed it out the door. They should have delayed it for a month or as long as it takes to fix the problems. But who knows, they said that skate had a terrible framerate at times and was sometimes even unplayable. I own skate and the framerate very rarely stutters and I've never found the game unplayable. I guess I should try Orange Box before I rely on someone else's opinion.

[bootsielon]

Gabe Newell said that. How would he know? Well, he's the man in this game after all.

[jackdoe]

IGN did not pull punches and took this game down for the sloppy port it is. Jeez. Like bootsielon said, they did not utilize even one spe which resulted in all the frame rate problems that are present in the game. All because of Newell's stubborness at not wanting to use any of them. Jeez, good job Gabe. Look at the subpar product you released.

[Solotov]

Yea, EA UK handled the game, so they share the blame more than anyone else.

[andrewf91]

the Half-Life series just as long as I play some TF2 and Portal I'm fine and from IGN's videos they look as smooth as lotion'd skin :D

Episode 2 is the only one with issues so I still don't care I'll play them when I'm done with portal

[dabizo]

This may be a good game - probably won't be though with all the bad reviews I have read recently, and after the comments of Gabe (fanboy comments) coupled with the poor releases so far from EA I think I will take a rain check on this one and purchase UT3.

[TheXgamerLive]

These are incredible games and worth every cent.

[pshizle]

games runs better on ati

[zonetrooper5]

I bought the Orange Box on the PC as its the best on the PC. Deadicated servers with 2-64 players online, better graphics, free online and lots of free content. =)

[DG]

Oh well its EAs loss (well PS3 gamers loss too). But dont be turned off by all this BS I encourage every PS3 gamer to rent this and try portal its an amazing game. Looks booring...but we all know not to judge a book by its cover.

[KILLA J]

i knew i wasn't going to get this game as soon as that FAT BASTARD NEWELL open his disgusting mouth. how could u trash a console where your game is going to be playing on? PLAIN FVCKING STUPID!!! i would much rather pick up UT3 than this garbage port.

[TwissT]

Its really sad too see wasted talent esspeciall in EA since they "Were" one of the best multiplatform makers its too bad I will just play it on my friends 360 if it is so much "better"

[JokerSGS]

Or play it on the PC like it's suppose to. Been playing HL2 and CS source on PC for a while now and it's truly an amazing experience that can only be felt with mouse and keyboard.