15 Years Since The Orange Box; 5 Timeless Mods For Orange Box Games feature - The Masked Prisoner mod for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

Fifteen years ago, on October 10th 2007, the Orange Box was released - giving us Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2 and its episodes, and Portal. It gave consumers access to five of the most influential games of all time. All built upon Valve's modder-friendly philosophy, too, we've picked five great bits of content for these games to celebrate the occasion.

Southernmost Combine

By Gambini

Southernmost Combine is an alternate epilogue to Half Life 2 Episode 2, in which Gordon Freeman is sent back in time to the 1980´s to stop a Combine recon deployment happening in the southernmost land of the world. There are a few deviations in gameplay mechanics (more tactical and slow paced, no gravity gun, and an inventory) but it's still Gordon fighting the good fight against the combine and rebel freedom fighters helping him to achieve it.

Gamma Energy

By Gamma_Energy

Gamma Energy visits the Aperture Science East facility, built after GLaDOS gained sentience. The goal was to create a facility where GLaDOS' research could be examined and tested without harm to employees or other people who actually... mattered, without her knowledge. Pick up a prototype Portal Device and try not to die.

Underhell

By Mxthe

UnderHell is a First Person Shooter Action Survival Game on the Source Engine. You play as a Special Forces officer who recently lost their wife. Awoken from drowning in grief by your compatriots, you're tasked with an operation that goes wildly out of control as what appeared to be a simple threat response turns into a living nightmare. Meanwhile, between chaotic spouts, you can explore your house and uncover the mystery of the game, but beware! You're never as safe or alone as you think.

The Great Class Dash

By Steaky

The Great Class Dash is a single-player modification for Team Fortress 2 that transforms the game into a side-scrolling platformer. Players will have the chance to play four challenging levels. Additionally, the levels are filled with class-specific obstacles, meaning all nine classes will need to be used to beat the game.

The Masked Prisoner

By mikeanderson

"The Masked Prisoner" explores the untold stories of several Half Life characters - taking place in a prison on the outskirts of City 17. Half-Life 2 never sees us leave the boots of scientist Gordon Freeman, but the older titles saw two expansion packs fleshing out other characters in the Half-Life continuity. Whilst similar plans for the sequel were ultimately scrapped, fans have spent the time creating their own takes on the fates and origins of many characters like the ex-security guard Barney Calhoun, or HECU military man Adrian Shepherd.

Turning The Wheel

The Orange Box, to classic gaming fans, probably doesn't need much introduction - it was a collection of five legendary titles, three of them brand new, from Valve, released on October 10th 2007. Giving easy access to Half-Life 2 and all its episodes (including the fresh, still-latest entry in the Half-Life storyline), the innovative Portal, and multiplayer industry-defining Team Fortress 2, it was heralded by many as one of the best deals in all of gaming and still today, it's a solid collection of heavy hitting titles, up there with the likes of the Master Chief Collection for delivering a concentrated dose of old-school brilliance.

Just Like Old Times

Valve may not be stirring as much as they once were, but the release of Half-Life Alyx and also Aperture Desk Job have displayed a small return to form for the company. It remains to be seen if we're about to endure another long period of silence on the Half-Life front, but if nothing else, as the mods on this list prove, fans will keep the Valve dream alive for years still to come.