The Orange Box (PC/PS3/360)

[capcom_suicide]

Wow, that looks so much better then the 360 version.

I don't know if Valve has edited/tuned the game, but I had no idea it could look this good. I'm looking at the "Fakefactory" mod too, but at superHD I don't see a great need.

Still looks interesting: http://kotaku.com/5127002/half+life-...ming-into-2009

I'm playing through EP1 now, I just can't get over how well designed this game was.

In days of having too many games, it's actually very enjoyable to go back and taste a vintage classic!

I've taken a string of screenshots, I might just upload them to a HD gallery for folk who wanna see how Source scales. Amazing.

[abigsmurf]

Still haven't played through anything other than HL retail and portal.

I objected to episodic gaming then and I still object to it now. There haven't really been any convincing examples where it's been good for gaming. Valve could've quite literally created games with brand new engines in the time it's taken them to make the HL followups.

[Supergoal]

I'd so love to play this again but I don't have a PC at the moment and I doubt it's worth getting the PS3 version. It's just sitting on my steam account gathering dust.

[Charlie]

I've taken a string of screenshots, I might just upload them to a HD gallery for folk who wanna see how Source scales. Amazing.

Do it.

[Finsbury Girl]

Hmm. Haven't played an FPS on a PC since Doom II. But could be tempted to get this on Steam if the price is right.

Are the mouse/keyboard controls easy to pick up?

My pc is 2 years old, just manages to play DA:Origins, will it be good enough to run this? It is pretty old right?

[capcom_suicide]

Hmm. Haven't played an FPS on a PC since Doom II. But could be tempted to get this on Steam if the price is right.

Are the mouse/keyboard controls easy to pick up?

My pc is 2 years old, just manages to play DA:Origins, will it be good enough to run this? It is pretty old right?

It's £15 from play.com http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/3383...x/Product.html Or 12.50 if you buy another game on offer.

Your PC will 99.9999% be fine.

What is your spec? CPU/Memory/GPU/Screen Resolution?

Source is wonderfully scalable, so I am very confident you will be OK.

Peronally I prefer to buy games on steam (Auto updates and never need to worry about DVD's and keys when swapping PC's), so check the prices on steampowered.com too, if you want to play without DVD in the drive.

You will be fine with mouse and keyboard, that game has a nice way of introducing the controls.

[capcom_suicide]

Do it.

OK, I'll upload tonight, first hour of EP1. You really need a 2560 screen to appreciate them, but I guess you can zoom in anyway.

[mekanor]

Peronally I prefer to buy games on steam (Auto updates and never need to worry about DVD's and keys when swapping PC's), so check the prices on steampowered.com too, if you want to play without DVD in the drive.

Buying a retail copy of the orange box is the same as buying it over steam, you just get a physical case and you don't have a massive download.

[capcom_suicide]

Do it.

OK here is a laaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge link!

http://matthewduke.com/ntscuk/HDGaming/

For a heavily compressed version that loses the detail try here:

http://gaming.matthewduke.com/

Pls let me know if these work, its not my specialty..

Cheers

C_S

[Charlie]

lol, the first link took around 6, 7 minutes to fully load and despite my monitor not having the resolution to display the images properly (I had to scroll to view all of each image) they look incredible. My PC was working just displaying the damn things so I can't imagine what kind of setup is needed to run the game in that res but, yeah, a real feast for the eyes. Alyx Vance has never looked so good.

[capcom_suicide]

lol, the first link took around 6, 7 minutes to fully load and despite my monitor not having the resolution to display the images properly (I had to scroll to view all of each image) they look incredible. My PC was working just displaying the damn things so I can't imagine what kind of setup is needed to run the game in that res but, yeah, a real feast for the eyes. Alyx Vance has never looked so good.

Well... she looks pretty good with the fake factory mod

http://mygaming.co.za/forum/showthread.php/3426-Half-Life-2-FakeFactory-Cinematic-Mod

I will give this a try tonight, not sure I have enough iMac power for it, we will see!

[Rossco]

Fake Factory rules!

[capcom_suicide]

Fake Factory rules!

It was a bit of a download Roscco mate! Whhheeey! Took a while to install 20GB of High Res textures too!

The game is changed, and I do love the new music and effects, but I cant decide if I want to swap Alex back!

I took a few screenies (SPOILERS!) if anyone wants to see the mod in action:

http://www.matthewduke.com/ntscuk/FakeFactory10_EP1/

http://www.matthewduke.com/ntscuk/FakeFactory10_EP2/

The care and attention these guys have taken is astonishing.

I am loving my re-playthrough, and am skipping between EP1 and EP2. I am saving HL2 for last.

[Rossco]

Yeh, the level of detail in some areas is just amazing, so much work! But I do prefer the old Alex, wish they'd just beefed up the res and tried to keep her the same looking. I think the audio is one of the best features of FF though, so atmosperic and makes you appreciate the game on a whole new level.

[Uli]

Coming back to this, I recently picked up an iMac with a 27" 2560x1440 screen & I am running all settings maximum with 16x ansio and 8x AA.

It is rocksolid with FRAPS at 60fps, and I just can't get over how good the game still looks at such high res.

For PC gamers with a half decent rig, and ultra HD quality screen, I heartily urge you to take a step back into the game. I feel the source engine comes to life at this res!

Here is a sample shot, with full RES link HERE (Click Me) 1mb.

recently finished Episode 2 on my 360 and i think it can hold up pretty well with the PC version. the engine renders natively in 1080p and runs always smooth and crisp at feeled 40-50 fps. texture details and lighting are slightly inferior but far from noticeable at first glance.

Matt, if you think HL2 looks amazing and have such a powerhorse of an iMac you should check out the Crysis games a.s.a.p.! even the HL2 FFmod looks old in comparison to what you can experience here! the game itself could also be your cup of tea. finished them both recently and posted my final thoughts in the respective first play threads.