Great games inhabit The Orange Box such as Half-life 2, portal, and team fortress two. Not only do the games suck you in, but they are also funny with plenty of that tounge-in-cheek. Come with great phrases such as, "Say g'bye to your kneecaps, chucklehead!" And "The cake is a lie..." If you want fun, then get the orange box.
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Half-Life 2: The Orange Box
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Five gripping, mature sci-fi shooter games.
Why We Rated This 
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Half-Life 2: The Orange Box was written by Marc Saltzman
Parents need to know that this collection of four "Mature"-rated games and one "Teen"-rated game can be violent because you're using weapons from a first-person perspective. Expect explicit violence and gore with plenty of bloody human and alien causalities. Swearing is limited, but some sequences might spawn a line such as "Damn it, Hunters!" or "S--t!" Games like Team Fortress 2 are played online, so players might be exposed to foul language spoken by other gamers.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about whether a game collection like this is worth the money compared with a game like Halo 3. Should other developers or publishers take notice and give gamers more bang for their buck? When it comes to violence and gore, such as shooting a person and seeing blood, parents could ask their (17 and older) kids if the game would be as much fun without the blood.
More on Half-Life 2: The Orange Box
What’s the Story?
HALF-LIFE 2: THE ORANGE BOX from Valve Software jams five games into one box, beginning with 2004's Half-Life 2, in which players once again step into the shoes of Gordon Freeman, a young scientist summoned to help rid the world of a nasty alien invasion. Half-Life 2: Episode One and Half-Life 2: Episode Two also star Freeman and his attractive ally, Alyx Vance. In the online multiplayer sequel Team Fortress 2, you take on one of nine roles and, with your team,play against another team on one of a half-dozen maps and in one of a few game modes such as the popular Capture-the-Flag. The experimental Portal (the only Teen-rated title here) lets players mess with the physics of the game world.
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Is It Any Good?
It's not just quantity -- all five adventures offer top-quality experiences. The Orange Box is well worth the money. Its five highly polished titles -- each offering a different kind of action experience -- guarantees many hours of intense solo or multiplayer game play. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 10/21/2007, price $49.99+, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language)
Our Members Say
See all 38 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Good to see you, Gordon!
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
The game is a must buy for teens
- I rate this title off for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Excessive consumerism
- Negative role models
- Safety is an issue
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
The reason why i put bad and good role models is because it differs from each game. but, ill just say its an excellent package!
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
At first I wanted to get this package just for the game "Portal" (Which is probably one of the best games of all time.) But, after some research, I found out about some of the other games in this package. And, that they too, were probably some of the best games of all time! Portal is a great game that combines shooting elements with a fun puzzle concept, combined with some of the best humor I've ever seen. The half-life series is absolutely beautiful, with great graphics and story, and some of the best characters, gameplay, and playability ever. Team Fortress 2 is also a good addition to the package, with the multiplayer component, and is a great new way to play against friends. It's a great game, with a new concept of many playable classes, and an awesome, cartoony style. Overall, all the games except for Portal, are somewhat violent, but should not enough to stray 13+ gamers away from this great package. I recommend the PC version, if you have a good computer, because of the console commands, which are also fun.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
AMAZAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is the one of the greatest game(s) evar!!!!. You get 5 games in the orange box. Half-life 2: Probably the most awesome first person shooters ever. Do not play if scared easily!!! 5 stars. HL2 Episode 1: Another great game mainly focoused on teamwork with your partner Alyx. Once again do not play if scared easily. 4 and a half stars. HL2 Episode 2: One of the best in the series. Driving is a big part of the game. Not as scary as the others but still intense 5 stars. Portal:The only "T" rated game on the orange box. This game is probably the main reason you should buy the orange box. AMAZING!!!!!!!!! 5 stars!!!! Team Fortress 2: Amazing online game you choose your class and start killing! (Beware of trash talkers!!!) It is an online only game!!! Sucks on PS3, Okay on Xbox 360, Awesome on PC. Overall if you think your kid is mature than buy them this package, plus you can get it for about 20$. Five great games for 20$ what could be better!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 75% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 50% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
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For Your Family
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openmindeddad recommends:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
for kids age 14
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
for kids age 14
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