Orange Box [360] - Thoughts and Impressions please.

[Lockdown]

Hey guys. 

I am really looking forward to hearing what you guys think of especially Half-Life 2 & Team Fortress 2 on the 360 using the 360-controller.

I am completely happy with the decision to buy this for the PC for many reasons, but it doesn't mean I'm not incredibly curious as to what you guys think of the 360 versions.

Thoughts and impressions please!

[Kevin Grey]

I'm very curious about how HL2 plays on 360.  In fact, I might even rent it to find out.  In general I have zero issues playing FPSs on consoles but that's generally when they are designed for the console from the start which HL2 certainly was not. 

Right now I'm leaning toward going PC with Orange Box but the improved graphics on 360 for HL2 would be nice. 

[Devil]

I'm interested in seeing what this stuff is all about.

[Laner]

I had no problems with the Xbox version of Half-Life 2... played great, minus a bit of slowdown here and there

[denoginizer]

I'm looking forward to this game on the 360 very much.  I never played Ep1.  Also TF2 looks great.  I'm pretty sure my PC would run it at reduced settings.  But I'm pretty much a console guy now so I never even considered the PC version.

[wonderpug]

After playing it more on the PC, I think for the most part it should handle pretty well with the gamepad.  Almost every weapon has a cone effect, so you don't need to have pin-point aiming precision like in Counter-Strike.  The Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, and Medic should translate very well, except for the Soldier's rocket jump. 

Headshots with the Sniper seem like they'd be challenging unless you're one of the people who're particularly proficient with fine-aiming on the analog stick.  Similarly, the Spy's backstab often needs some pretty precise aiming when all your targets are constantly moving, and his only backup weapon, the pistol, needs precision as it only has 6 non-spraying rounds per reload.

The Scout really throws things off both for the Scout himself and for people shooting at the Scout.  Even with a mouse he's hard to aim with and aim at.

Having more players with headsets is a huge plus to the 360.  Sure, you'll encounter more annoying people that way, but that's what the mute button is for.  It's amazing how much more you can coordinate in the PC version if just one or two people are actively using voice chat.

[CeeKay]

people keep on saying the 360 version of HL2 will have improved graphics-  I'm wondering how they could get them any better.  I'm replaying it while waiting for Episode 2 (and in between TF2 breaks) and the game is still gorgeous.

[wonderpug]

people keep on saying the 360 version of HL2 will have improved graphics-  I'm wondering how they could get them any better.  I'm replaying it while waiting for Episode 2 (and in between TF2 breaks) and the game is still gorgeous.

HL2 was indeed a very pretty game when it came out, but I believe this new release will add the fancy pants HDR effects that were introduced with Lost Coast and Episode 1.

[ATB]

CANNOT WAIT!

Why is the release date tomorrow and not today?

[CeeKay]

people keep on saying the 360 version of HL2 will have improved graphics-  I'm wondering how they could get them any better.  I'm replaying it while waiting for Episode 2 (and in between TF2 breaks) and the game is still gorgeous.

HL2 was indeed a very pretty game when it came out, but I believe this new release will add the fancy pants HDR effects that were introduced with Lost Coast and Episode 1.

I thought they added HDR into HL2 via a patch.  I always turn it off because I used to have issues with the game freezing with it turned on, but then again that was my older rig..... hmmmm, I need to try enabling it with my newer one.

[Greggy_D]

I thought they added HDR into HL2 via a patch. 

Not yet.

"HDR in the original Half-Life 2 (PC) - There was nothing concrete stated about the possibility of seeing the old Half-Life 2 maps updated with HDR effects. However, it could just be a ?matter of time? before the maps are released for the PC version. Due to the programming similarities between the PC and 360 versions, it would actually be relatively easy to bring the 360?s HDR maps to the PC environment."

http://www.halflife2.net/

[wonderpug]

people keep on saying the 360 version of HL2 will have improved graphics-  I'm wondering how they could get them any better.  I'm replaying it while waiting for Episode 2 (and in between TF2 breaks) and the game is still gorgeous.

HL2 was indeed a very pretty game when it came out, but I believe this new release will add the fancy pants HDR effects that were introduced with Lost Coast and Episode 1.

I thought they added HDR into HL2 via a patch.  I always turn it off because I used to have issues with the game freezing with it turned on, but then again that was my older rig..... hmmmm, I need to try enabling it with my newer one.

Also, if people have aging rigs like I do, the 360 version will look better because it will let them turn on more bells & whistles.  Team Fortress 2 looks really good on old Bessie, but I'd love to be able to go past 1280*1024 and turn on motion blur.

[Kevin Grey]

Yeah, the 360 version features HDR lighting in HL2 and some updated character models.  Valve has stated that they are "looking into" offering PC users these enhancements but I haven't heard anything concrete. 

For now, I can run HL2 at highest detail 1680x1050 and it looks pretty incredible as is.  Holds up far better than almost any other high profile graphic beauty from 2004 (Far Cry, Doom 3, Riddick, etc). 

[CeeKay]

on the plus side the PC has the Hi Def model pack that some user came out with.  I guess I though HL2 had HDR already was because of the option in the control panel, but missed that it says 'when available'.

[Greggy_D]

For now, I can run HL2 at highest detail 1680x1050 and it looks pretty incredible as is.  Holds up far better than almost any other high profile graphic beauty from 2004 (Far Cry, Doom 3, Riddick, etc). 

Talk about incredible.....have you guys tried FakeFactory's HL2 Cinematic Mod?  Freaking amazing improvement in the graphics.

[metallicorphan]

gonna get this....BUT...as always,it isnt out until a week this friday...so,i'm gonna have to wait..i played and finished half life 1 PS2 game weekend just gone


(PGR4 comes out this friday for me)






off topic:what have i pressed on my keyboard?...the back button,and refresh etc has vanished,and i cant get it back
EDIT:its okay,i have fixed it now,it was in view>>toolbars

[disarm]

i'll probably wind up with this on my 360 simply because my aging PC won't like it very much.  i'm really curious how well the controls work before plunking down the cash, but i'm also a little concerned about how many people will be playing TF2 with Halo 3 so fresh on the market...

[Purge]

So there's achievements on the PC version too? is it tied to your Live account? Someone mentioned it earlier and I forgot to get clarification.

I love the "try this fun thing" aspect of achievements. I am Pavlov's lead dog.

[wonderpug]

So there's achievements on the PC version too? is it tied to your Live account? Someone mentioned it earlier and I forgot to get clarification.

I love the "try this fun thing" aspect of achievements. I am Pavlov's lead dog.

The Team Fortress 2 acheivements are the same assortment as the 360 version, but they do not tie to your Live account in any way--just on Steam.

[wonderpug]

I forgot about how there are fewer players on the 360 version.  The maps seem to balance really well with full standard 12-man teams, and tip greatly toward defense on the 32 player servers, and greatly toward offense when the server is on the emptier side.  I'd wager the 8 vs. 8 max will affect the feel of the game even more than the gamepad controls.

[Calvin]

I'm very curious about how HL2 plays on 360.  In fact, I might even rent it to find out.  In general I have zero issues playing FPSs on consoles but that's generally when they are designed for the console from the start which HL2 certainly was not. 

Right now I'm leaning toward going PC with Orange Box but the improved graphics on 360 for HL2 would be nice. 

I'm not sure how they would be any more improved than they would be on your PC with the bells and whistles turned on unless they added some new physics and particle effects, or went crazy on the textures...I know I will not be trying it on the 360, because for a classic shooter like this I want a good setup for a shooter-mouse and keyboard.

[IkeVandergraaf]

I am also leaning towards picking this up for the PC.  I am not ruling out buying it for the 360 as well if a lot of people are playing online, but I will probably pick it up at the bargain price this week at CC for PC.

[wonderpug]

Right now I'm leaning toward going PC with Orange Box but the improved graphics on 360 for HL2 would be nice. 

I'm not sure how they would be any more improved than they would be on your PC with the bells and whistles turned on unless they added some new physics and particle effects, or went crazy on the textures

360 and PS3 versions add HDR, but since they've already done all the work it's probably just a matter of time before they patch it into the PC version as well.

[Harkonis]

The fact that you can play battles with up to 32 players is reason enough for me to be glad I bought for PC

[Ridah]

Any word on whether you can skip HL2's campaign and go straight to Ep1 and 2?

[Mookee]

Any word on whether you can skip HL2's campaign and go straight to Ep1 and 2?

Yes, you can.

[disarm]

Any word on whether you can skip HL2's campaign and go straight to Ep1 and 2?

i'm pretty certain you can play any part that you want at any time.  i can't imagine them locking you out of those parts given the number of people that have already completed HL2 and Ep1.  it looks like you'll just be able to pick the game you want from the main menu...

[wonderpug]

The fact that you can play battles with up to 32 players is reason enough for me to be glad I bought for PC

Yeah I was just playing on a server with a couple GT/OO people that had about 15-16 people on it.  2Fort seemed really really empty, and a short while later it the losing team pretty much left en masse.  8 man teams isn't even enough to have one of each class.  Still, HL2 on a big screen TV sounds great.

Very curious to see what kind of numbers the 360 version puts out.  Hopefully Valve will be nice and publish some Steam statistics for us as well.

[disarm]

The fact that you can play battles with up to 32 players is reason enough for me to be glad I bought for PC

8 man teams isn't even enough to have one of each class...

wow...that's something that hadn't even occurred to me yet, and it could be a major downer for TF2 on the 360.  i can't help but wonder why they're limiting it to 8v8...seems like the 360 should be more than capable of handling more players, but i guess there is some technical reason that it hasn't happened for any game yet...

[Laner]

For now, I can run HL2 at highest detail 1680x1050 and it looks pretty incredible as is.  Holds up far better than almost any other high profile graphic beauty from 2004 (Far Cry, Doom 3, Riddick, etc). 

Talk about incredible.....have you guys tried FakeFactory's HL2 Cinematic Mod?  Freaking amazing improvement in the graphics.

The textures are great... the character models are creepy.  Not to mention Alyx's dad apparently now keeps pinups of his daughter in his work area 

[CeeKay]

For now, I can run HL2 at highest detail 1680x1050 and it looks pretty incredible as is.  Holds up far better than almost any other high profile graphic beauty from 2004 (Far Cry, Doom 3, Riddick, etc). 

Talk about incredible.....have you guys tried FakeFactory's HL2 Cinematic Mod?  Freaking amazing improvement in the graphics.

The textures are great... the character models are creepy.  Not to mention Alyx's dad apparently now keeps pinups of his daughter in his work area 

I ran that mod up until Black Mesa West, and then my machine started chugging all of a sudden.

[Harkonis]

The fact that you can play battles with up to 32 players is reason enough for me to be glad I bought for PC

Yeah I was just playing on a server with a couple GT/OO people that had about 15-16 people on it.  2Fort seemed really really empty, and a short while later it the losing team pretty much left en masse.  8 man teams isn't even enough to have one of each class.  Still, HL2 on a big screen TV sounds great.

Very curious to see what kind of numbers the 360 version puts out.  Hopefully Valve will be nice and publish some Steam statistics for us as well.

I play HL2 on a big screen TV as it is, along with TF2   There are advantages to having the 42" monitor.

[BiggerBoat]

Here's my question....is the 360 version going to make me violently motion sick? I loved HL2 on the PC, but I felt like crap the whole time. I don't want to go through that again to play the episodes.

HL2 is the only FPS that ever did this to me. I'm hoping maybe there's something different with the FOV (or whatever) on these later versions to allow me to play without a bucket beside my chair.

[Xmann]

hey Bigger....i'm with you on the motion sickness.   i've played about all FPS games out for the pc and 360 and HL2 is the only one that made me downright sick.

i was looking to grab the orange box as well but hopefully it doesn't give me the motion sickness again.

[Bullwinkle]

hey Bigger....i'm with you on the motion sickness.   i've played about all FPS games out for the pc and 360 and HL2 is the only one that made me downright sick.

i was looking to grab the orange box as well but hopefully it doesn't give me the motion sickness again.

Give Marathon a try.  Better get a bucket.

[USMC Kato]

Picking up my pre-order tomorrow at noon for the 360, since my computer setup is severely lacking. 

[CeeKay]

OK, I started it up and the Valve logo appeared- BEST.GAME.EVAR!!!!!

[Jarrodhk]

Grabbing this tomorrow, but probably won't have time to play around until after 8pm cent. 

Kato- if you want to try some TF2 later on send me a message!

[CeeKay]

wow, I feel sorry for anyone who gets motion sickness and tries Portal.....

[USMC Kato]

Grabbing this tomorrow, but probably won't have time to play around until after 8pm cent. 

Kato- if you want to try some TF2 later on send me a message!

Absolutely, lets give it a try.  It seems that most of the GamingTrend community is going to get the PC version, but I think we'll have at least a full team of GTers.