Ok so I've finally got my Orange Box (except no actual box, downloaded version :P)

Episode 2 is great, it's great to be back with Mr. Freeman :D

I think I'll have to check out Portal for a little bit, but for now my main focus is going to Episode 2, some new enemies to deal with early on is nice to see as well :) And looking at the chapters there seems to be more than Episode 1.

Finally for those Achievement fans out there, yes they are in the PC version ;)

When I play some of Portal, I'll post some impressions of that too. And of course TF2 is awesome, as anyone who preloaded already knows :)

You can give away Half Life 2 and Episode One as gifts now. :P

I'm excited. Especially about playing this on my brother's pc (quad core, SLI'd 8800GTS) rather than my trainwreck.


EDIT: Does anyone want HL2?

http://zbevo.com/index.php?showforum=4 ;)

You're not supposed to sell them, so the market isn't really the place for that.

I already have someone that I'll be giving Episode 1 to (I think), if anyone wants HL2, PM me.

The ending to Portal was so good. I didn't expect this game to be that funny; the ending song was perfect. The last fight was amazing, and I finished it with 3 seconds left, just like in the movies!!11! :lol:

Well I've now finished Episode 2, another excellent Half Life 2 experience. :D The game ends on quite the cliffhanger, making the wait for Episode 3 all the more frustrating!!!

Most of you probably know this, but I'll just say Aperture Science (the setting of Portal), is mentioned in Episode 2, interesting indeed, I wont say anymore, you'll see when you get to it. Speaking of story elements, some things are certainly 'explained' in Episode 2, questions are somewhat answered, but more are presented, certainly gives a lot of material for speculation ;)

And now to move on to Portal :)

I want a Weighted Companion Cube plushie. That is all.

:lol:

I destroyed it with no hesistation, "congratulations, you disposed of the cube in the fastest time, compared to other test subjects". Though I swear mine talked when I threw it away to it's demise :P

I love it when the Weighted Companion Cube is not trying to stab you, and in fact, cannot talk at all.

I pretty much laughed throughout the entire Weighted Companion Cube one. :lol:

I almost cried when I saw the Weighted Companion Cube was present for my cake and I wasn't. :P

See the scrawled wall messages from a past "tester"? About there is no cake.

The cake is a lie
The cake is a lie
The cake is a lie
The cake is a lie

:lol:

I'd like to play Portal, but I don't really want to buy the whole Orange Box just for it, and it's not really worth buying by itself... Maybe I'll rent the Orange Box sometime...

Also, while we're on the topic of Portal, I really feel the need to post this:



:lol:

The final "boss fight" and whole credits sequence in Portal, was just WTF?!! But so cool, odd, weird, and awesome at the same time!

Also after playing Episode 2, it will be interesting to see how the "connections" between Half Life and Portal are further explored in Episode 3 ;)

Now where I have I seen that post before? :P

Shhh, quiet you! :P

I can't wait for my new PC so that I can play this.

My old laptop would hang right after the elevator sequence in episode 1, so I've yet to complete it (and I've been avoiding spoilers like the plague). New laptop on the way once my salary sacrifice clears!

I haven't been that enthused about Portal, as it seemed like a flight of fancy for developers rather than a serious game. However, it would appear that my impression was wrong. Very wrong.

You honestly have no flipping idea how incredibly wrong you are.

Portal, despite its length, is probably my favourite release of this year and favourite ending in a game ever.

When it comes to games and their initial impressions on me, I am incredibly happy when I am wrong. :)

It makes the experience all the more surprising when you find yourself having buckets of fun.

I'd rather have low expectations and be blown away, than have high expectations and be let down.

I finished Episode 2, took one look at portal and couldn't be bothered, too much of a mission. I hate puzzle games, and glossing one with a fps view doesn't make it any more enjoyable for me, I'm kinda intrigued who the person is that apparently joins the hl universe.

Agreed 100%. I just wanted to just make sure you know that it isn't just a good game, it is an amazing one. I came in with high hopes and got an even better game than I expected.

Rob you should give Portal more of a chance, the puzzles are quite clever and the game such a fresh experience that it's worth playing. I'm annoyed that I haven't had the chance to play much of it, damn ...

I would've gotten this game for my PC had it not screwed up, but looks like I'll be grabbing the 360 version. Should be nice to play HL2/Ep1/Ep2 in HD at a proper framerate. :P Man I need a new PC...

Sif 360, Half Life is a PC game :P

Either way you should get it :)

Portal is indeed awesome, will go back and play it to proper completion in holidays, with TF2 taking up most of my time, along with Peggle, damn that game is addictive. Leaving Ep2 till I get a new comp though.

Finally got the new PC, so this is first on the list of things to get. such a shame i have HL2 and Ep1 already. Oh well... looks like i have a gift for a friend stitched up...

specs?

Also, I'll probably hire Orange Box on 360 after I finish my exams, because I mostly only want to play Portal because I don't really play shooters very much...

through the wonders of salary packaging, I've gotten a laptop (which El Pres has quietly chided me for using for gaming in the past :P)

2.4 Intel Core 2 Duo
2 gig RAM
8600mGT 256 meg
160 Gig HD
15.4 inch widescreen

As much as the 8600 series of card is a duffer compared to the 133+ 7 series of card, it is still far better than the 64 meg 9700 Radeon mobility I had in the old one.

But it still should run Orange Box well enough to keep me happy.

I spit on your portable gaming.

Ptoi! :P

Is that a Dell? I'm just asking because it sounds like the specs of a Dell notebook I saw one time when dad was looking for a notebook PC...

Your prejudices will blind you to the wonders of the world's spectrum... or at the very least throw your back out when you go to a LAN party. :P

Half the fun of a LAN party is lugging PCs back and forth.

People at LANs on laptops miss the point completely :P

Largest LAN party ever. :drool:

Speaking of LAN parties... my mates have been looking for a game that will last us for most of the day.

How're people finding TF2? Is it something that you could multiplay for hours on end? Or is it a "quick blast, ha ha, log out" game?

It's certainly a game you can play for hours on end, my stats don't indicate that at the moment, but thats only because I don't have a lot of time to play games at the moment.

You can play for ages.
The only thing is that it may or may not be suited to a LAN environment.
Depending on how many people you have with the game.

Last big LAN I went to the biggest games were 5v5, no spying there <.<

Can I play with my friends over LAN with just one steam account?

No

Probably the best game deal ever.

Except for Super Mario All Stars (SNES), that was a pretty sweet deal containing SMB1, SMB2, SMB3 & the Lost Levels, :) Great as an introduction package

Aside from that its mostly been oldskool arcade collection classics