The Orange Box sees the completion of a fairly ambitious project from its developers, Valve Software. Firstly, it includes the definitive version of the modern classic Half Life 2, remastered for Xbox 360 and packaged together with the two additional episodes that followed its release and continue where the core game left off. Secondly, one of the best online multiplayer experiences of the year comes on the same disc, in the form of Team Fortress 2. Finally, the hugely innovative first-person puzzle game, Portal, has also made it on.

Arguably, any of the games included here could have qualified for a full-budget release, although many gamers will have already played Half Life 2 so will be less interested in the package as a result. Even so, The Orange Box is an incredible achievement and an uncharacteristic display of generosity from a games publisher that raises the bar clean out of sight for future compilations. Easily best value release of the year.