I'm a casual gamer that plays few hours mostly on the weekends, which is the best shooter for me?? Orange box vs Halo 3 vs COD 4??? Looking for the game easiest to pick up and play but still have alot of depth and replay value..

My vote would have to be for cod4. only played the first few bits and can already see myself playing this on harder levels. So much happens around you, if you rest for a minute you could miss the next great fire-fight.

You do get over 20hours with all the parts to Half-live in the orange box, but a lot of it seems repetition.

Are you looking for online or single player, and do you prefer sci-fi or more real world military? Online I like COD4 followed closely by Halo3, but Halo 3 is really good value with the online co-op story mode. If you haven't played any of the Half-life games the Orange box is a really good value for single player.

hmmm that's tough - all 3 are really good.

Personally - for single player only - I'd lean toward Orange Box.

If you want to play online only - I'd lean toward CoD4.

If you want to do both - I'd lean toward Halo 3 -or- Cod4 -or- Orange Box.

They're all pretty easy to pick up and play - but I think I'd give Orange Box the nod in ease of play category.

If you want online AND SP its easily CoD4.

If you want more SP I'd say Orange Box. Halo 3 just seems too much like Halo 2 to me.

I haven't moved on to the others( Halo 3, COD4, Orange Box), but I'm having a blast with Bioshock.

Single player: Orange Box by far. Probably has three times the content as the other two games. Haven't played much MP of any of them, so I can't say for that one.

Halo 3. I have COD 4, but I seem to like Halo more for the multiplayer. I like the vehicles, match types, and just the whole presentation. The others are def must buys but I'd get Halo first.

I've never played halo one or two and don't really have a preference to space shooter or military. I bought GOW when it came out, great game and presentation but was kinda frustrated with the cover system. It was really clunky and made me cover in placed i didn't want to.

Call of Duty 4

Rent them all and decide for yourself. There are simply too many great not good, shooters on the market right now.

Cod 4

Man, only one FPS THIS year? This is the year some of the best FPSes have come out for the 360. Oh well, if you can only get one I pick one of: Halo 3 or Call of Duty 4. Basically, if you like space sci-fi get Halo, if you like military style shooters choose COD4.

Halo 3. Its multi-player experience CAN'T be beat IMO.

All great games. I agree with what BillKen said. Don't overlook OrangeBox. If you want the best bang for your buck then the OrangeBox wins hands down.

Not to sound like everyone else but:

Single Player - The Orange Box (Team Fortress Two offers an online component)

Multiplayer - COD4

If you want, go grab a copy of Gears of War (assuming you don't currently have one) or even Rainbow Six- Vegas. They are a bit older, but still offer terrific gameplay including a fantastic cover-system; something I wish COD4 had...

Best bang for the buck sp: Orange box

Best co op : halo 3

Best military shooter and best graphics : Cod4

There can be only one ... COD4 .

--- Jason

Cod4

Not to sound like everyone else but:

Single Player - The Orange Box (Team Fortress Two offers an online component)

Multiplayer - COD4

If you want, go grab a copy of Gears of War (assuming you don't currently have one) or even Rainbow Six- Vegas. They are a bit older, but still offer terrific gameplay including a fantastic cover-system; something I wish COD4 had...

Also, GoW will only be $38 along with CoD4 and The Orange Box at $48 at Target on Black Friday.

Think I'll go with COD4 since theres overwhelming preferences towards it. Probably gonna buy it when I pick up mass effect after work today, my sanity is worth more then 10dollars than to go out on black friday.

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Yup, COD4 is the game

Think I'll go with COD4 since theres overwhelming preferences towards it. Probably gonna buy it when I pick up mass effect after work today, my sanity is worth more then 10dollars than to go out on black friday.

Actually Target isn't usually that bad in my area. Now Best Buy...STAY AWAY!!

COD4 is a nail biting SP experiece for 6-7 hrs straight, has killed MP that will likely get you hooked for a long while.

Orange box has that same on the edge of your chair feel for all 12 or so hrs of gameplay, the best storyline ive ever experienced in a first person shooter and has portal and Team fortress 2 included. Thats a tough call man.

I preferred the Halo3 campaign much more to COD4's. For MP, I grew up on Counter Strike and recently BF2 (both on PC) so I'm naturally more drawn to the realistic shooter in CoD4 than the SciFi in Halo MP. But seriously, the Halo3 campaign is bad ass.

From what you posted I would say Orange Box. You need to invest TIME into both halo 3 and CoD4.

COD4, but like he^ said, it requires some TIME.

I'm a casual gamer that plays few hours mostly on the weekends, which is the best shooter for me?? Orange box vs Halo 3 vs COD 4??? Looking for the game easiest to pick up and play but still have alot of depth and replay value..

Halo 3
Call of Duty 4
Rainbow Six Vegas

I also highly recommend CoD2. In fact, play it before CoD4 so you can see how far gaming has come in two years (or has it been three?)

Single Player: COD4
Multi Player : COD4

Buy - COD4

My vote is for COD4. I have not played anything else since I started playing it. I have Halo 3 and The Orange Box also, which are collecting dust for now, unfortunately. If you play with friends over Halo 3 does have split screen online multi-player, which COD4 lacks. COD4 has very addictive online challenges that reward you with new weapons, attachments, and perks, which Halo lacks.

I own both Halo and COD4 and love both.

IMO the campaign of COD4 is a much more immersive experience, thus I enjoyed it more. The pace is hectic and has a few little gimmicky things here and there that keep it from being completely repetitive.

Halo, on the other hand, has a multiplayer campaign mode, which IMO gives it greater replay value. IMO Halo's campaign it is not as well done as COD's, but makes up for it by allowing you to go through it with up to 3 of your buddies.

As for multiplayer, I found Halo to be much more "hardcore" than CODs, which I find to be a more casual experience. It's ridiculously easy to level up in COD so I find myself not putting much effort into it while I play. Halo, on the other hand, I really get into and give my full attention to it since you need that W in order to rank up. More psychological than anything, I suppose, but I give Halo the edge in this area.

COD, does have a great leveling system in MP which unlocks new weapons and gameplay modes, but the matchmaking system simply does not compare to Halo, which IMO is the best at this moment.

I'm anti-bandwagon, but I must admit.

Call of Duty 4 has a strong lead as Game Of The Year, (any year, in my book.) It's really a powerful experience.

* I should add, I'm not on 'Live.'

I have Orange box still in the wrapper and looking forward to playing it. I never played Halo prior to Halo 3, and initially was a little awkward because of the 'bunny hopping' jumping around whilst shooting, but after a while it becomes an abolute blast, and after playing multiple shooters, it by far surpasses everything else with regurads to matchmaking. replayability will be years, as was the case with Halo2, and likely will be top 1-2 played on Xbox live averaged out year over year.

CoD4 is very polished, clean, smooth, great graphics. Its matchmaking is better than the previous CoD. The way to rank up, unlock new weapons, make it replayable. It is more 'realistic' compared to Halo, which is futuristic (with lots of cool weapons). personally, there are many games like CoD4 (CoD3, CoD2, Battlefield, etc, etc) whick makes it not as unique, and likely will be replaced with the next war shooter (next CoD, or Battlefield or whatever).

That is why if I had to choose, I would pick Halo 3.

COD4 on Normal level. I think COD4 is the best shooter on the 360 for this year (though I was a big fan of Gears, RB6 and Graws too).

Halo3 was designed for the casual gamer though and has some cool features so you may want to try that out.

COD4 without a doubt.

Have not played COD4 yet, but as for the games mentioned in the other posts, I'd go with the Orange Box.

Half-life 2 is three years old, and after replaying again on the 360, I gotta say that it's still easily the best FPS ever IMHO. Pure genius for balance of gameplay, story, characters, and just otherworldy, creepy vibe.

Any game mentioned but Halo 3.*

*Actually should be called Halo 1, version 3.

Any game mentioned but Halo 3.*

*Actually should be called Halo 1, version 3.

uhhh, it is. it's called a SEQUEL, you know, a continuance from the first and the second.

I've played and beaten all three of these titles, and have also played all three online.

If you do not have live then get Orange Box. By far it has the most single player content; COD4 single player can be beaten in under 8 hours.

If you want to play online I'd go with COD4. It is run and gun all the way. Orange Box has TF2 but cod4 is more fun online.

I'm a die hard Halo fan so I had to have halo3. The co-op mode is the best IMHO.

I have Halo 3 and I like it, but its internet experience isn't near as good as people keep saying it is save the ability to co-op online. It may just be that I'm used to pc online shooters, but everything in Halo3 moves like its under water. So even in the middle of a gun fight, its still kinda slow paced. Then there is the radar. The radar completely takes away from a major part of the multiplayer experience. Now there is no such thing as a sneak attack or hiding while you reload or your health regenerates. People just see a big red dot on their radar and spam nades at you or run straight at you for the kill. There isnt a whole lot of skill in the movements. You cant really dodge bullets or most weapons because you not only move too slow, but theres no option to force auto-aim off for everyone. Halo3 online is a big game of leapfrog. You kill a guy from behind, while another guy does the same to you, and then some other guy to him. Not my kind of online shooter.

uhhh, it is. it's called a SEQUEL, you know, a continuance from the first and the second.

A sequel isn't supposed to be the exact same as the original.

COD 4 for online
Orange Box for value

I have Halo 3 and I like it, but its internet experience isn't near as good as people keep saying it is save the ability to co-op online. It may just be that I'm used to pc online shooters, but everything in Halo3 moves like its under water. So even in the middle of a gun fight, its still kinda slow paced. Then there is the radar. The radar completely takes away from a major part of the multiplayer experience. Now there is no such thing as a sneak attack or hiding while you reload or your health regenerates. People just see a big red dot on their radar and spam nades at you or run straight at you for the kill. There isnt a whole lot of skill in the movements. You cant really dodge bullets or most weapons because you not only move too slow, but theres no option to force auto-aim off for everyone. Halo3 online is a big game of leapfrog. You kill a guy from behind, while another guy does the same to you, and then some other guy to him. Not my kind of online shooter.

Its a very competitive game online. I know the feeling of getting left behind in the dust when playing and cursing at my TV many times but thankfully, I welcome the competition and I am pretty damn good at the game. I understand your frustration though.

I will go against the grain here....

I recommend BioShock. This was the most unique game that I have played in several years. Halo 3 and COD4 are good, but I have the "been here, done that" when playing them.

I say Orange Box for single, multiplayer, and most for your money by far.

The multiplayer, TF2, is more strategic than Halo3 or COD4.

Its a very competitive game online. I know the feeling of getting left behind in the dust when playing and cursing at my TV many times but thankfully, I welcome the competition and I am pretty damn good at the game. I understand your frustration though.

and thats totally cool that you enjoy it and all. i guess im just desensitized towards Halo3 online due to games like Unreal Tournament 03/04, HalfLife, Quake4 and CounterStrike Source. i have COD4 for the 360 and that game is amazing online. too bad i only got to play for a week before RRoD!

Bioshock is a purely single-player game, and has the most compelling single-player story and experience. It has very little replay value, sadly...but I consider it to have, hands-down, the best SP.

The Orange Box provides the best bang for your buck. Good single-player (though it's feeling it's age, somewhat) and some fun (albeit limited) multi-player. But it has so much content (4 games of varying length) that it's a bargain.

Halo 3 features a decent single-player game and a fantastic multi-player game. Being able to play through the entire single-player game in co-op with three friends is awesome enough, but being able to change the difficulty levels and customize the game and compete on a cooperative basis is very nice. There are a variety of both ranked and social online options, from 4-man games to 16-man battles. Halo 3 also offers the largest toolset for doing things online, such as file-sharing, films and screenshot options (which work in conjunction with their website), unique game-types like the Forge and advanced online stat tracking that no other game can touch, if such things interest you. It also has the best matchmaking functions, which is attractive to casual players.

CoD 4 has an intense first-player campaign and highly-lauded multi-player. The graphics are some of the nicest on any console, anywhere. The perks and leveling systems allow for some interesting variations in multi-player games.

For me, the choice would be Halo 3. I don't think you'd go seriously wrong with any of these, really.

This is a hard choice. For me it is between 5 games: Bioshock, halo3, orange box, cod4, or mass effect.

I will strike orange box, because it is a rehash collection.

Halo 3 is the weakest of the games that are left. Its strong 4 person co op is not enough to keep it on the list.

Bioshock made me a kid a gain and I had to finish the game. Lots of fun and great atmosphere. But I have not played it since I finished. So not as much replay value.

So for me it is down to two. Mass effect which has insane amounts of game play or Cod4 which is almost fps perfection. I will probably vote mass effect today. But either would be a fine choice. We are living in the golden age of gaming.

We are living in the golden age of gaming.


+1

I will probably vote mass effect today. But either would be a fine choice. We are living in the golden age of gaming.

Not to pick nits...but he was asking specifically about Shooters, not RPGs. Mass Effect is quite likely a game of the year candidate in a very strong year...and while it does HAVE shooting in it, it is by no means a shooter. It's also not a game that lends itself to his 'easy to pick-up and play casually just on weekends' idea.

this is a silly question--and that's putting it lightly. . . .

You are correct. Me bad. I now choose COD4 as the years best shooter even if it doesn't have co op.

Not to pick nits...but he was asking specifically about Shooters, not RPGs. Mass Effect is quite likely a game of the year candidate in a very strong year...and while it does HAVE shooting in it, it is by no means a shooter. It's also not a game that lends itself to his 'easy to pick-up and play casually just on weekends' idea.

Orange Box. Portal is the second best game made this year, and by itself it is worth $60. Then you get 4 more games. :)

Team Fortress 2 has sucked about 50 hours out of me. The Half-Life 2+Ep1+2 story arc takes about 25 hours to play, though the Half-Life 2 part is a little dated at this point. Episode 1 and 2 are great experiences, clocking in at 3-5 hours each, they are excellent, compact campaigns.

Cool! A demo for Orange Box comes out on Live tomorrow. Grab that and see if you like the style of game. :)

It may just be that I'm used to pc online shooters, but everything in Halo3 moves like its under water. So even in the middle of a gun fight, its still kinda slow paced.

THANK YOU for bringing this up. I keeping saying this to Halo nerds and they look at me like I'm nuts. I don't play PC shooters much, but I love Resistance: Fall of Man on Playstation 3 because it's a FAST game. It reminds me of a PC shooter in this respect; you get dropped into a level and it's absolute chaos right from the get-go.

On the other hand, walking around in Halo 3 is...leisurely. It's great online because everybody and their brother owns the game (there's routinely four of my friends online playing Halo 3 at any one time), but if you're looking for all-out frantic PC-style deathmatches then I don't think Halo 3 is the answer (not to mention the fact that melee strikes are WAY too powerful, but that's another thread).

I haven't played Call of Duty 4, but it looks absolutely amazing.

-silks

No love for Bioshock?

alot of halo gurus that jump over to the cod series usually have a hard time. halo is a run and gun. cod is in some sense but it makes you stop and think as opposed to running out, getting popped, and then being able to get back behind cover. im not saying its ghost recon but its somewhere in the middle. i like cod 4 because its alot more realistic and actually caters to my style of gameplay. i like to split from the pack and flank the enemy hot spot. in halo 3 they'd see me coming a mile away and there would be 5 people waiting to maul me. in cod 4 i can make my way through buildings and such without being seen and do my business by raiding the hell out of the opponent. the only complaint from cod 4 is some of the fight sequences in sp that will drive you nuts 100 times over. and the fact that the sniper has a 10 shot clip. never seen that. imo, if you ever had two shooters, these would be the ones to have and both would be played pretty well.

Despite its lag Gears is still my favorite. Never played a Halo game until #3 came out. Enjoyed it despite its flaws in ranking. (A 1 skill in something when your best is 30+ in something else is usually a bad thing for a casual gamer. Should have had just 1 skill set)
Rented COD 4 since I had bought Halo 3 and ended up buying it after my rental ended. I wish it had a cover system but outside of that I have found it very rewarding. Really like the hardcore mode where it is basically 1 shot 1 kill and no radar.

Of course a big determinate is what games do your online friends have? Depending on who is only and what they are playing will determine what I am going to play.