The Orange Box (PC/PS3/360)

[Spatial]

Finished portal in 2.4 hours and I really wish it was longer, it was so much damn fun and it was actually funny! I must have that song from the ending credits! Genius

I'm not sure if you're playing on PC, but if you are then you already have it. It's in the GCF files for the game and can be extracted using a freeware program called GCFscape. I've also been told there's an MP3 of it for free somewhere (not sure if it's in the program files or on Steam so it might be worth taking a look - it must be easy to find as a lot of people were complaining when Valve released it before the game and it contains spoilers.)

Personally I would love to get the

->Open Spoiler<-

GlaDOS

and turret voice files - some of them would make excellent message alerts. Sadly playing on the 360 there's no chance

When I get my Orange Box for 360 this week should I just jump straight into Ep 2 even though I havent played HL2 or Ep 1 for AGES or play through the whole lot again. I dont want to take away the amazingness that Ep2 is supposed to be by playing the rest of the series all over again first.

Cant decide!

Like Kotatsu says there's a vid recap before you start EP2 that sums up everything you need to know / remember. It's like a "Previously on Half-Life 2..."

It had been ages since I'd played Ep1 and it did a nice job of reminding me of one or two bits.

I had the same dilemma when I got the game. In the end I decided to plough in to Ep2 straight away. I'm really glad I did and I'd advise you to do the same rather than feel you need to slog through the other parts first.

But mainly because if you feel like you have to grind through everything you've seen before, the impact of Ep2's opening might be lost on you.

And trust me, it's an absolute belter of an opening

[dvdmike]

Anyone else find the Knome that looks like a PS3 hating dev !

[Ciaran]

Anyone else find the Knome that looks like a PS3 hating dev !

You see the achievement that goes with it?

Minor ending spoiler:

->Open Spoiler<-

You have to get the gnome from the first level, drag it through the whole game, put in the the rocket and launch it into space

[Jebus]

What's a "knome" ?

[Ciaran]

Yeah mike, what's a knome >_>


<_<

[ChrisF]

Gnome perhaps?

Just been playing Portal (pc version). Really good fun! Loving the sense of humour.

[Jebus]

Well I thought it must mean "Gnome" but I couldn't think of a valid reason why they'd change it to "Knome" so I had to ask...

I've just realised it was a typo...apologies, must have looked like I was taking the piss, and I wasn't...I didn't read the spoilered bit where it was corrected as I didn't want it spoiled!

[dvdmike]

Yeah mike, what's a knome >_>


<_<

its mild dyslexia, didnt realise what you can do with it ! will have to try that !

[Riskbreaker]

Personally I would love to get the

->Open Spoiler<-

GlaDOS

and turret voice files - some of them would make excellent message alerts. Sadly playing on the 360 there's no chance

Was reading alot of threads about Portal whilst at work yesterday and found these:

->Open Spoiler<-

goofball.org/misc/portal-sounds/vo/aperture_ai/
goofball.org/misc/portal-sounds/vo/escape/
goofball.org/misc/portal-sounds/npc/turret_floor/
goofball.org/misc/portal-sounds/music/

ssshhhh!

Had to lop the http://www. bit as it wasn't letting me put them in spoiler tags.

[Spatial]

You star, thank you New message alert get!

Got lost in playing Episode 2 this afternoon. Some more amazing moment in there

Section 4 in particular -

*more BIG spoilers I'm afraid*

->Open Spoiler<-

Watching the Combine heading across that bridge - no matter how many times you've seen that bit in the preview video it's something to behold as they march across. More so because of the inclusion of the heavy sound as the Striders pound across, rhythmic and booming around the valley like a marching drum

Have to say I was bricking it when taking down those two Antlion kings for fear that the commotion would get their attention

And a brilliant moment when you come across something rummaging around in a large open topped container. I had no idea what was in there but thought I'd be a hardcore clever bastard and, having some grenades left over, decided to toss one in to give whatever it was a real surprise. Cackling like an evil genius I waited for the explosion

Bwah ha ha ha!...

Only for the smile to be wiped off my face as whatever was in there tossed the grenade back out at me

BANG!!

->Open Spoiler<-

Bye Bye large portion of health

I was even more surprised when I found out what it was actually in there.

[grant666uk]

I cant wait to get this on Friday. Was going to import to play early but a bit short of cash what with all the good games that have came out in the last month. Hope to pick it up for around &#163;35 from a shop. You never know how cheap Asda, Tescos etc will sell it.

[Spatial]

I had the same dilemma when I got the game. In the end I decided to plough in to Ep2 straight away. I'm really glad I did and I'd advise you to do the same rather than feel you need to slog through the other parts first.

But mainly because if you feel like you have to grind through everything you've seen before, the impact of Ep2's opening might be lost on you.

Sorry to quote myself here but after playing more of Ep2 this afternoon something else has dawned on me.

I'm absolutely loving it as it really is more Half-life goodness, and The Orange Box is excellent value for money without a doubt, but there is a downside to all the games being bundled together.

Repetition.

Like every other obsessive HL nut I have a pretty good recollection of the other outings (especially the more mega memorable moments) and there's a very clear pattern between Ep2 and all the other games. I'm not going to spoil anything but there's an astounding similarity between what Ep2 is asking you do and what the previous games also asked of you.

In fact some sections feel identical and almost have parts that feel like they were cribbed from the previous games.

Lends more weight to my theory that Ep2 works so well because it's been a while since Ep1 and that if you play through the game in one big chunk you're going to get more than slightly bored and a feel like you're grinding your way though it.

So, if you never listen to another word I say, just listen to this. If you've played some of the other games then you'll be better off starting where you left off. If this is your first outing with HL2, don't try and play them all one after another in a huge block. Yes you'll want to see what happens next, but Episodic content works so well because it's simply that - episodic. There's a delay between them coming out for a very good reason (and it's not because it takes the Valve perfectionists a silly amount of time to get stuff out the door).

Play the games but take a break of a couple of weeks between Episodes. Get lost in TF2 or go and play one of the other **** load of releases coming out in the next few months (or the ones that already have). And then go back for the next slice.

Of course this is just my opinion and who the hell am I to tell you what to do? But otherwise I do think you aren't going to enjoy this as it was intended and that'll be the biggest shame of all.

[Rossco]

I'm gonna play Ep 1 then Ep 2. Then I'll go back to HL2 itself another time in a month or so.

[RobDimmock]

Is there much of a step up on the PS3 version over the 360 graphics wise?

[Spatial]

The PS3 version isn't out yet and won't be until November (not even sure that's anofficial date).