Amazon.comPortal is an action/puzzle video game from Valve, creators of Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike. The winner of over 40 awards, including 15 Game of the Year honors, it is one of the most original games on any platform in years and offers gamers hours of unique gameplay. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal is designed to change the way players approach, manipulate and surmise the possibilities in a given environment; similar to how Half-Life 2’s Gravity Gun innovated new ways to leverage an object in any given situation. Players must solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to maneuver objects, and themselves, through space.
The Story Portal contains only two characters, the player-controlled Chell and GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System), a computer AI that monitors, directs and misleads Chell in a kind of twisted experiment. It's not exactly a match made in heavenRegardless, Chell must rely on information provided by GLaDOS to survive as she navigates through a series of mostly doorless rooms using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device ("portal gun"). The portal gun creates two portal ends, one orange and the other blue. Both are simultaneously a potential entrance and exit and objects, alive or otherwise, that travel through one end will exit the other at the same speed. In addition, portals create a visual and physical connection between two different locations in 3D space. Their ends are restricted to planar surfaces, but if the portal ends are on nonparallel planes, bizarre twists in geometryand gravity can occur as the player character is immediately reoriented to be upright with respect to gravity after leaving a portal. Chell can pass through open portals at will, but barriers, known as "Material Emancipation Grids" or 'fizzlers' prevent players from carrying objects beyond them. Luckily certain objects, known as 'companion cubes' can be tossed through. Once through these can then be used as the player wishes. Passage through these fields also closes any open portals, so it's important to look before you leap. It's Chell's challenge and yours to survive the hazards of the portals, including bobby traps, hidden gun turrets and the treachery of GLaDOS in the search for eventual freedom. Features
Award-winning, innovative gameplay.
The first first-person puzzle action adventure game.
Two bonus games introduce new play challenges.
Support for level editing and mod creation – build your own Portal puzzles.
Hours of single player gaming.
Makes you feel smart!
System Requirements:
Minimum Specifications:
Recommended Specifications:
OS:
Windows Vista/XP/2000
Processor:
1.7 Ghz Processor
Pentium 4 Processor (3.0 Ghz or better)
RAM:
512 MB RAM
1 GB RAM
Video Card:
DirectX 8 level Graphics card
DirectX 9 level Graphics card
Other:
DVD-ROM Drive/Mouse/Keyboard/Internet Connection
REVIEW
Can't play Portal because "Steam server unable to process request" I have tried to play this game 3 or 4 times since I got it about a week ago. I can't even play a game I legally payed for and is a single player game with no need to even connect to the internet because Steam's servers are to busy to process my request. My request being to play my game that I legally paid for. I will never purchase another Steam game ever. This is ridiculous. Also, you are not able to play any of the Orange Box games without it first updating, which if you are on a slower connection can take hours. It is not even an option. And one more thing, is forces you to install their Steam software which I don't like.
With part 3 of the Half-Life saga in the horizon, this collection brings you from the start so you're ready to take on the third episode of this exciting trilogy. Half Life earns its popularity and reputation at being the first First Person Shooter game to use aq lifelike, realtime plot that pits you in the action as well as behind the trigger. Created by Valve Software, each episode employs advanced technologies for better, more realistic play. In Half-Life, you assume the role of Dr. Gordon Freeman, a recently graduated theoretical physicist who must fight his way out of an underground research facility whose teleportation experimentations have gone awry. The second part of the trilogy of episodic expansions for Half-Life 2, Episode Two picks up where Episode One left off?with Gordon and Alyx traveling out of City 17 and into a vast new environment. The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people people he cares about are counting on him. Intense, real-time gameplay of Half-Life 2 is made possible only by Source, Valve's new proprietary engine technology
REVIEW
Most worthwhile 30$ a gamer can spend The orange box comes complete with 3 games, one of those having 2 expansions called episodes. Half 2 and it's two follow up episodes are a lot fun, combining first person shooters with puzzle elements and allowing you to use the innovative Gravity Gun with the Havok Physics engine for an exceedingly fun experience.
Team Fortress II is a fun multi-player shooter with plenty of online applicability.
Portal was declared game of the year by a number of sources so go check it out.
Amazon.com Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is the sequel to popular anime-inspired, sci-fi action/role playing game series Spectrobes, for Nintendo DS. Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals continues the story of Rallen and Jeena, interplanetary patrol officers who discover, excavate, awaken and train mysterious fossilized creatures known as spectrobes and then use them to battle enemies. The story revolves around the origins of ominous portals that lead to distant dimensions and a new nemesis who hopes to destroy the spectrobes.
The adventure continues
Rallen & Jeena work as a team. View larger.
Confront Krawl in field battles. View larger.
Excavate spectrobes where you can. View larger.
Spectrobes battling in multiplayer. View larger.
The Mysterious Powers of Spectrobes Since the first invasion by the alien scourge known as the Krawl was repelled during the events of the original Spectrobes game, a new threat has positioned itself over the Nanairo corner of the galaxy. A shadowy figure has amassed a great army and is preparing for a new assault. The only hope is for Rallen and Jeena to find and evolve new Spectrobes to stop this mysterious new menace from opening dimensional portals, or risk allowing the Krawl to once again invade Nanairo territory and destroy their civilization. Play Modes: Singleplayer & Multiplayer Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is playable both in singleplayer and a variety of multiplayer modes. The singleplayer campaign consists of the player, in the role of Rallen, battling to secure and awaken the fossilized Spectrobes that are buried beneath the surface of various surrounding planets. These battles come in two flavors. First, "Field Battles" where Rallen, using his own abilities, takes on the powers surrounding vortexes he comes across while searching for and awakening Spectrobes, and "Encounter Battles." In the latter Rallen enters these vortexes and uses up to two spectrobes at a time to battle for him. Up to four players can participate in Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals multicard play over a local Wi-Fi connection via three different battle modes. The combat and tactic of each of these is similar in feel to the Encounter Battle experience in singleplayer Maps are chosen by the player hosting, with the ability of individuals to participate based on whether they have played through the map already. Modes include: One-on-one Mode - Here you go head-to-head with a single opponent where both have the use of two spectrobes. Two-on-Two Team Mode - Here you pair up with a friend and battle another team of two, where each player controls two spectrobes. Battle Royal - Here it's everyone for themselves as 2-4 players pit a single spectrobe against their opponents. Key Game Features:
1-4 player support.
New, revamped three-dimensional perspective.
Players can take on the role of either Rallen or, for the first time, Jeena in special missions where her technical expertise is needed.
A new map system to assist with exploration.
New excavation and battle features.
More than 100 creatures, plus all-new items, gadgets, and a customizable patrol cruiser.
Online battle system utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Tradable and backwards compatible code input cards, included with the game and available elsewhere, that give players access to in-game items.
Includes DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios' innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected online game community for Disney video game fans.
Built-in Wi-Fi Community In addition to its robust multiplayer functionality Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals also engages players in a community of Spectrobe gamers that spans the globe. It does this through the following three built-in uses of the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, easily accessible from any place in the game: Wi-Fi Upload - This system allows the game to track all the items you have collected and goals accomplished. All this data is uploaded to the Disney's Spectrobes website and added to player's profiles. Individual player data, as well as squad-base data compiled during team-based multiplayer sessions via different leaderboards, can be viewed and shared with other players. Wi-Fi Market - Because many physical things in Beyond the Portals are limited to ownership by any one player, there is a thriving market for rare and useful in-game items. The Wi-Fi Market system provides a spot where players can post and shop for (with in-game currency) everything from customized items and accessories to spectrobes themselves. Wi-Fi Download - Through Wi-Fi downloads players can receive new and rare Spectrobe items directly to your DS. Players can expect new and exciting items to be made available after the game is released. Added Bonus of DGamer Functionality Offered free with Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, DGamer is Disney's online community that utilizes the Wi-Fi capabilities of your Nintendo DS to allow you to connect with other Disney gamers across North America. Through the DGamer community players can create their own identity via an avatar, chat about games, unlock unique collectibles, collect virtual currency and track leaderboard stats. You also have the ability to "gift" items collected in the game to your friends.
REVIEW
Surprised at low quality graphics! Yeah, the graphics of the up-close things (like Rallen talking to people) are good, and the text and graphics in text boxes & Prizmod are good, but everything else is really rather shabby and pixelly. I'm new to Spectrobes and in fact the only RPG I've really loved has been Pokemon Diamond. And I was expecting something at least of that quality for the graphics, but the scenery in Spectrobes is cheesy-looking and the Spectrobes themselves are very polygonal and sometimes look like drawings on construction paper that have been cut out and glued into a boxy form with curlicues all over them.
I could probably get over this fairly easily - it's no worse than Yugioh Nightmare Troubadour was (but that was what, 3 years ago?). But I also have a great deal of trouble controlling Rallen's movements (and the movements of the Spectrobes while they are in battle). They want to slide all over the place instead of logically following the cursor controls that I choose, and if the cursor is pressed JUST ALITTLE to one side, the character (Rallen or Spectrobe) goes slanting off at a weird angle. Ramps have to be approached directly; you can't climb them from the side, even if it's the side where a ramp is touching the ground, so if you approach it and happen to tilt the cursor funny, you can easily waste a lot of time trying to line yourself up with the ramp to go up it.
Just an edit; I gave up on Spectrobes and started Zelda Phantom Hourglass, which is pretty old (2005?) and the graphics are better on Zelda than they are on this Spectrobes game.
I liked the story so far - got stuck in the "jungle" behind the Fossil Research lab - but the disappointing graphics and the annoying movement control (or lack thereof) are making me seriously consider returning it.
Amazon.com Portal Runner engages players' emotions and makes them feel they are living the story, fully engaging them in the relationship between the main characters. It's an action game with adventure gameplay elements, such as hot shooting action and platform-style challenges. Nonlinear exploration of spectacular and surreal environments and the varied pacing of the interactive story line make for a truly immersive gaming experience.
REVIEW
One of the best games I've played. I'm a gamer. I had so much fun playing this game that the kids wanted me to buy them a copy. Most everyone in the house, plus other people I know, from age 5 to 46, has played this game and loved it. I love the graphics, music, and gameplay. Now I'm looking for other Army Men games. I hope they make a sequel to this one.
I'm 46 years old and there are a few games I play over and over again; this is one of them. You play as Vikki, Vikki with Leo the lion, Vikki riding Leo, and just Leo. I love the gameplay variation, the beautiful levels, interesting puzzles, spansive adventure, and shooting action. Vikki can shoot in first-person or third-person mode. She can often auto-aim at times when it's really needed (especially helpful in the tree area). Locating all the gems adds extra replay value. All in all, I really love this game. No downside. And I still play it. I play many games over and over again: Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry, Drakan, Soul Reaver and more. So I have varied taste. Try this one. I give it a 6 out of 5.
The Orange Box includes all the content of The Black Box for PC, plus the original Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. Innovative games featured in The Orange Box include Half-Life 2: Episode Two, the second installment in Valve's episodic trilogy advances the award-winning story, leading the player to new locations outside of City 17, as well as the pioneering type of single-player action game Portal, which rewrites the rules for how players approach and manipulate their environment, and Team Fortress 2 -- an all-new version of the legendary title that spawned team based multiplayer action games with a daring new art style features the most advanced graphics of any Source-based game released to date.
REVIEW
Great Collection, Great Value Five games, one box, $27 dollars. There isn't a better value in gaming right now. Half Life 2, Episode 1 and Episode 2 are basically all the same game. Sure, HL2 has outdated graphics but the gameplay is engaging and wide ranging. Half-Life's story itself is very interesting and it kind of drives me nuts that its going to have taken over 10 years for the whole tale to be told.
Portal, the next game, is the most unique game I've ever played. Describing it as a first person puzzle game will have to suffice but it doesn't do it justice. Portal challenges the way you think. Toss in the ridiculous humor and the re-playability (a variety of difficulty levels) and you have a great game; most of the most unique things to hit the market in years.
The last game, Team Fortress two, the sequel to the grand daddy of team based combat. It's incredibly simple, but also incredibly fun.
The Orange Box includes all the content of The Black Box for PC, plus the original Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. Innovative games featured in The Orange Box include Half-Life 2: Episode Two, the second installment in Valve's episodic trilogy advances the award-winning story, leading the player to new locations outside of City 17, as well as the pioneering type of single-player action game Portal, which rewrites the rules for how players approach and manipulate their environment, and Team Fortress 2 -- an all-new version of the legendary title that spawned team based multiplayer action games with a daring new art style features the most advanced graphics of any Source-based game released to date.
REVIEW
PS3 Orange Box is a must have I was hesitant to purchase this game due to some reviews claiming that it had frame rate issues on the PS3. I am happy to report that those issues were either overblown or fixed. If you don't have this compilation of 5 games, you need to get it. The price drop to $29.99 make it a steal. I would pay that for Portal by itself. My girlfriend actually likes Portal! It is so different from other games. It is my understanding that Valve may not port future games to the PS3. That would be unfortunate. All their games on this disk are great and I recommend it with no reservation.
Amazon.comAn amazing value featuring two new episodes in the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life franchise, the Half-Life 2: Episode Pack offers players both of the new games created by Valve as well as the added bonus of online multiplayer functionality via the included Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. Pick up the Half-Life story right where you left off as you journey back to City 17 with Dr. Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance and play your way all the way up to the most current release in the series Half-Life 2: Episode Pack.
Half-Life 2: Episode One This is the first in a series of new adventures created by Valve that extends the Half-Life 2 single player experience. Stepping into the hazard suit of Dr. Gordon Freeman, you face the immediate repercussions of your actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Rejoin Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, to once again aid the human resistance in their desperate battle against the totalitarian alien menace of the Combine. Episode One exposes Alyx's combat skills and knowledge of City 17 as the player battles side-by-side with her in this 4-6 hour adventure of greater density and detail than non-episodic releases. The intense gameplay delivered in Episode One is made possible only by Source, Valve’s proprietary engine technology, which has been enhanced with new rendering technology and advanced artificial intelligence to deliver new levels of graphics and character interaction.Half-Life 2: Episode Two This isthe second game in Valve’s trilogy of new releases in the Half-Life adventure. As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions. In Episode Two, you must battle and race against Combine forces as you traverse the White Forest to deliver a crucial information packet stolen from the Citadel to an enclave of fellow resistance scientists. Episode Two extends the award-winning Half-Life gameplay with unique weapons, vehicles, and newly-spawned creatures.Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Expand your Half-Life experience as you take your game online in deathmatch and team deathmatch modes.
System Requirements:
Minimum Specifications:
Recommended Specifications:
OS:
Windows Vista/XP/2000
Processor:
1.7 Ghz Processor
Pentium 4 Processor (3.0 Ghz or better)
RAM:
512 MB RAM
1 GB RAM
Video Card:
DirectX 8 level Graphics card
DirectX 9 level Graphics card
Other:
DVD-ROM Drive/Mouse/Keyboard/Internet Connection
REVIEW
Successfully expands the experience! If you've played Half-Life 2, then you've probably at the very least heard of HL2: Episode One and Two by now. Its pretty hard to finish Half-Life 2 and not want more, and thankfully Valve has supplied us with two short but exciting extensions to the Half-Life universe without making everyone wait 5+ years for a Half-Life 3.
In case you've never played Half-Life 2, these episodes take place right where the original leaves off, and it would be advisable to purchase the original game first so you know what's going on. The best way to do that is through the Orange Box available for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, since you get these two episodes as well as the original and two other great games in the set for a good price.
And one more thing before I begin; I am not taking Steam into account on these reviews. I don't particularly relish the idea of having an internet program that locks the games I'm supposed to own in the closet and ultimately tells me whether or not I can play them or how many computers I can play them on, but I haven't had any major problems with Steam yet. It's something you should be aware of though if you're buying any PC versions of Half-Life games; you are required to "activate" them online at installation or you aren't able to play. It also appears that, for this particular set, the games must be fully downloaded from Steam when you insert this disc, rather than installing from there and simply patching, which would be much faster. If the idea of Steam bothers you, get a console version of the Orange Box if that's available to you.
Now, onto the episodes themselves... they're fantastic! Episode One picks up right at the "OMG what happens next!?" ending of the original and lays the foundation for an interesting new story arc. This episode features some slightly improved graphics and great facial animation, and manages to retain most of the orignalflavor of the original with some excellent story-telling scenes and action. The entire voice cast (of the characters still alive) makes a return too.
Unfortunately, while great, I didn't feel that Episode One lived up to it's predecessor. It was short and way too easy. There was also a point in the game where you are required to escort groups of citizens across a hot zone to a train station. I found this to be the worst part of the game since it required you to backtrack several times (something the original never required) and escort 2 or 3 citizens at a time. Plus,the boss battle at the end was just like a certain battle toward the end of the original HL2, except you're only fighting one (instead of like 5 at once) and there's plenty of cover (also unlike earlier), so I found it to be a real breeze and a poor choice for a final boss fight. I loved the character development Alyx underwent in this episode however, and I love the little details the game presents, like Alyx squinting and covering her eyes with her hand if you shine your flashlight in her face. Things like that go a long way to add a realistic feel to the experience.
I hate to use the term "epic," but it's really the only way to describe the next episode. Ep. 2 is a departure from the previous HL2 games as it doesn't take place in City 17 at all. You'll visit lots of places you've not seen before, like an antlion den, a mine, and a forest. I've heard some people complain that this episode doesn't contain the feel of the previous installments, but I found the change welcome and exciting. At the beginning of this episode and throughout, this episode further develops your female sidekick Alyx as a character and gets you more attached to her. IMHO, Alyx isthe best female lead character I've ever seen in a video game. By this point in the series, I actually CARED what happened to her, so when she went though a couple of terrible experiences, I felt sorrow, anger, remorse, etc. Pretty amazing that somebody can make you care for something that doesn't really exist! The ending was amazing too; it'll really make you want to get Ep. 3 the day it comes out.
So in other words, if you played HL2 and enjoyed it, these episodes are successful at extending the excitement. You'll really be missing out on a great gaming experience if you pass these games by.
BioShock lets you do the impossible as you explore a mysterious underwater city. When your plane crashes, you discover Rapture - an underwater Utopia torn apart by civil war. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified "splicers" and deadly security systems, you have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. As little girls loot the dead, and biologically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn. Now you're trapped, caught in the middle of a genetic war that will challenge both your capacity to survive and your moral allegiance to your own humanity. Make meaningful and mature decisions that culminate in the grand question - do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture to save yourself - or risk all to become their savior?
REVIEW
Great Game, But It Is Not Worth The DRM Scheme This game uses the same horrible DRM scheme that is found on Far Cry 2, Mass Effect, Crysis Warhead, Spore, Dead Space, Sacred 2, and Red Alert 3. I refuse to purchase a game that requires me to ask permission to install the game. There are several games that I own that I have had to install more than five times for various reasons. That is why I refuse to purchase a game that limits the number of times I can install the game, let alone a DRM program (like SecuRom) that could be considered a trojen horse.
As a side note, this DRM method does nothing to stop piracy. All of these games were pirated within hours of their release and in the case of some, like spore, even before their release (with the exceptions of Sacred 2 and Red Alert 3 which have not been released yet, however the developers confirmed that they would use the SecuRom activation DRMscheme). The only thing this DRM does do is prevent this game from entering the used game market.
Amazon.com Create universal wonder in Spore, an exciting new simulation game that lets you develop your own personal universe. Work your way through five evolutionary phases, including Cell, Creature, Tribe, Civilization and Space, that offer unique challenges, thrills and goals. For example, you can start in Cell and nurture one species from a simple aquatic organism all the way until it becomes a sentient life form. Or you can jump right in and begin building tribes and civilizations on multiple planets. What you do with your universe is totally up to you.
The powerful creation tools of Spore are easy to use, allowing you to effortlessly design every aspect of your universe. Creatures, vehicles, building and even starships are all within your grasp. While Spore is a single-player game, your creations and other players' creations are automatically shared between your galaxy and theirs, offering a nearly limitless number of worlds to visit and enjoy. You can also go online to view the incredible things other players have made and can even pull those items into your universe. Spore gives you the chance to make worlds and beings that evolve, grow and delight you every step of the way.
SPORE CREATURE CREATOR
Finally all that hard work creating the perfect being can be put to good use. Import creatures that you created with the Spore Creature Creator and watch them live, breath and thrive in the full version of Spore.
TAKE YOUR SPORE ONLINE
While Spore is a single player game, your creations and other players’ creations are automatically shared between your galaxy and theirs,providing a limitless number of worlds to explore and play within. Internet Connection Required.
Minimum System Requirements
This game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems (PowerMac)
PC Minimum - Windows XP/Vista
6 GB Hard Drive Space
2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
768 MB RAM
128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0
Mac Minimum - Mac OS X 10.5.3 Leopard or higher
4.7GB Hard Drive Space
Intel Core Duo Processor
1024 MB RAM
ATI X1600 or NVidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, or Intel Integrated GMA X3100
REVIEW
Below Average Game Crippled with SecuROM First, the game's concept is awesome.
Second, the implementation is crap. For example, you would think that if you wanted to create a warlike creature, you would gain some benefit by placing weapons and spikes all over the creature. However, this is not the case. It doesn't matter if you give him a dozen spikes, he will do the same damage as a pacificist blob with no spikes. Where is the role playing experience here? The only thing your design changes is the way the creature looks, not his stats or abilities... thus its a dumbed down evolution sim. Imagine Darwin's surprise when the monster shark that evolved huge jaws and teeth was killed by a pacifist sloth...
Finally, this is an EA title, thus it installs SecuROM, which is a hidden rootkit which you are unable to uninstall and causes random crashes, privacy concerns, etc. For the life of me I cannot figure out why publishers pay SecuROM for this disservice. The game gets cracked and released on the internet anyway, so all it does is piss of paying customers.
