Review: Portal 2 – worth the full price of admission?
Portal 2 is Valve’s latest mind-bending masterpiece with more of everything that made the first game great. The first Portal game came packaged with Half-Life 2 and Team Fortress 2 in The Orange Box, making it an excellent value. However, can Portal 2 stand on its own as a fully fledged game?
Story
Portal 2 takes place after the events of the first game, with the player taking control of Chell once again. The game picks up after many years later with Chell waking up from stasis by the sound of Wheatley, a robotic core, frantically yelling. Wheatley is attempting to escape from Aperture Science as the facility has been slowly crumbling with GLaDOS out of commission from the first game.
With Aperture Science in decay, the two team up to navigate out of the facility. Unlike the first game, Portal 2 is broken up into distinct parts that involve getting out of the test labs for an extended period of time and into the depths of Aperture. Outside the test chambers, the Portal technology becomes a transportation mechanism used to traverse across great distances like to a building suspended far up in the sky.
While navigating around Aperture Science, Wheatley and Chell stumble upon the destroyed remnants of GLaDOS. However, while attempting to access the system to find a way out, Wheatley accidently resurrects GLaDOS. She awakes to find Chell and decides to exact revenge by putting her through a never ending series of test chambers.
Portal 2 delves into the history of Aperture Science in much greater detail than the first game. The story also reveals some shocking information as you progress through the lengthy single player campaign. Portal 2 is also much longer than the first game clocking in about eight to twelve hours just for the single player campaign alone.
While there are some cinematic moments in the game, much of the story revolve around the relationship between GLaDOS, Chell and Wheatley. While Chell is mute, you do build a bond with her just from the banter and jabs from GLaDOS.
The addition of Wheatley does provide another layer of entertainment to the game, allowing you to take a break from GLaDOS’s own brand of passive aggressive humor.
Gameplay
Portal 2 plays like a first person shooter, but instead of bullets you create two types of Portals. The Portal gun allows you to create an in-Portal and an out-Portal. Using the Portals as the foundation, you are tasked with solving complex puzzles with the goal of getting from point-A to point-B. Players will initially scratch their heads while trying to figure out how to get to a seemingly impossible destination. However, figuring out these puzzles offers a sense of accomplishment that no other game can provide.
Similar to the first game, the puzzles involve playing with physics and gravity to propel the player to the target destination. The game does add some new gameplay elements with the variety of different repulsion gels. The orange gel makes you move faster, while the blue gel makes you jump higher. The introduction of the white gel allows the player to paint surfaces that can in turn be used to create new Portals on.
Portal 2 will require players to think outside the box. If you can’t find a surface to create a Portal on, then you have to figure out how to get the white paint onto that surface.
The first Portal felt like an appetizer with its short but intriguing gameplay. Portal 2 builds on that foundation, offering a full course meal with a lengthy single player and co-op campaign. Its hard to describe Portal 2 to someone that has never played the first game as it mixes various genres – FPS, puzzle, platforming and action/adventure to deliver something truly unique.
Design
Portal 2 has a strong foundation due to various contributing factors. For one, Portal 2 takes place in the Half-Life universe, with some minor cross-over hints that add to the mystery. The overall mystery is what keeps players coming back for more in Portal 2. The game provides an overall feeling that something major is happening in Chell’s world, with no sense of time or surrounding.
Where are the other humans, have they all died? How long was Chell kept in stasis and what is the current year? These are some of the questions players will keep asking themselves as they play through the game.
The developers at Valve did an excellent job in structuring the game to ease players into the various gameplay mechanics. Once you master one tool, the game throws a new wrinkle in the puzzles. At one point players will have to utilize all of the tools in the game in order to solve the puzzle.
The PS3 version has Steam service integrated into the game. This allows players to play with other gamers across Steam PC and PS3 in the co-op mode. This is a brilliant idea on Valve’s part as it allows Steam to expand beyond the PC/Mac market. The co-op mode in Portal 2 is actually quite extensive in length. The co-op is equivalent in length to the single player campaign. Players can expect to spend at least 24 to 30 hours playing the entire game.
The co-op mode offers its own set of challenges as it requires coordination with another live player. Timing is also something that will be even more crucial in the co-op mode as players will have to queue up actions in specific order. Headset use is definitely recommended but isn’t mandatory as Valve has implemented a rather robust emote system.
Players can signal to the other player as to where the Portal needs to be created as well as timing certain events. In a recent interview Valve indicated that the developers found many players playing the first Portal game cooperatively even though it wasn’t designed for it. I am glad that the developers listened to their fans as Portal is a type of game that fits well with cooperative play.
In addition to the smartly laid out puzzles, the dialog script and voice acting is superb. GLaDOS, Wheatley and Cave Johnson help add the necessary layers to the game in order to propel it from just a puzzle game to an action/adventure title.
Wrap-up
Portal 2 is a type of game that will leave players feeling extremely smart after completing each puzzle. The sense of accomplishment coupled with the mystery in Portal 2 provides the depth the game needs in order for it to be classified as a must play game. With 24 to 30 hours of gameplay time available, replay with the achievements/trophies and a free set of test chambers on its way (courtesy of Valve), Portal 2 is definitely well worth the full price of admission. We highly recommend that all players to go pick up a copy of Portal 2.
Score
5/5
Related Posts:
49 Responses to “Review: Portal 2 – worth the full price of admission?”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
May 4th, 2011
@Mike
Ahh Mike so you agree with me that Portal is an action FPS puzzler/platformer?
Be careful– you have just invoked the nerd rage of Roca, and that means another week of PSN being down
May 4th, 2011
Of course Portal 2 is a FPS! How can anyone disagree? The game is from the first person perspective of Chell and you have a shooter lol.
Sure the game is a different breed of FPS, with it’s heavy puzle type game play but that does not change the fact that first and foremost Portal 2 is a FPS. It’s even on the box …even the developers say it’s a FPS.
I even stated this with Borderlands, first and foremost the game is a FPS but it’s also an RPG/Loot-em-up.
May 4th, 2011
“Of course Portal 2 is a FPS! How can anyone disagree?”
Where the hell were you when I was arguing that it was??? Jelching your chode?? LOL
“even the developers say it’s a FPS.”
Yeah, but you and I both know no one at gamer.blorge accepts what the creators of a medium says something is unfortunately…
May 4th, 2011
Here we go again.
Played through it again for trophies and I’m pretty confident that the ‘action’ is highly outweighed by other aspects of the other genres.
Of course, I still haven’t touched co op yet so that may change things.
May 4th, 2011
“Of course, I still haven’t touched co op yet so that may change things.”
It’s still kinda the same… There are a tiny bit more reflex challenging puzzles but, not really much difference
May 4th, 2011
Lol sorry Bird, I’ve had a very busy couple of weeks. I ain’t been on here as much as I’d like tbh. I must of missed all the fun with the Portal 2 debate.
You can’t say a game is not a FPS just because it’s changed things up a bit in how you can play a FPS. It’s like calling Wind Waker not a Zelda game just because it’s cell shaded lol.
I like Roca, we agree on a lot of things but I just think he’s saying this just because he’s not a fan of Portal. I might be wrong but I think that if he liked the game then it wouldn’t be an issue.
Btw I just bought a 3DS …I caved in and traded in my old DSLite. Then I went to buy a game after and it’s all shit 3D games, so I just bought Pokemon Black until Ocarina 3D is released. I’m impressed with how Nintendo implemented 3D with no glasses, very clever. No headaches yet though, I just think people like to make bullshit claims up just so they can have a excuse to sue a large corporation.
You got a 3DS yet Bird? I need to know of any good 3D games that are out, and I don’t play beat ‘em ups because I fucking suck at it lol
May 4th, 2011
I ain’t had a chance to play my PS3 for weeks now, I hate being busy lol. I miss playing Portal 2, completed the Single Player very quickly, was surprised by how easy the puzzles were but I still loved them. I just started mopping up some trophies when shit hit the fan lol.
Hopefully next week I will be back on it, I ain’t even attempted co-op yet.
May 4th, 2011
“I like Roca, we agree on a lot of things but I just think he’s saying this just because he’s not a fan of Portal. I might be wrong but I think that if he liked the game then it wouldn’t be an issue.”
Nah, he’s more on a “I’ll disagree with everything B-man says and agree with w/e whoever says in disagreement with B-man as well” lately. Not sure why, but you know me– I give less than a rat’s arse. Just making an observation.
And I’m going to stick with my DSiXL. I just didn’t see the point in buying another DS from an economical standpoint. Besides, I’m slightly against 3D gaming– I feel it’s unnecessary, unwanted and too bloody expensive. But I’m the same bloke that is seriously tired of 3D in general.
Everyone wants to be the next Avatar…. -_-”
But stop traffic– you got Pokémon??? LOL After all the shit you gave me mate, I ought to bop you, you old git hahaha
But it’s a good game though, am I right?
May 4th, 2011
I was even willing to do offline co op, but I can’t find anyone interested.
May 4th, 2011
I love 3D movies but I’m against Hollywood putting the effect in every movie out there and subsequently desensitizing people to effect, especially when it’s half-assed like Clash of the Titans.
I can see why they do that though. I wouldn’t have bothered to the Beowulf in the theaters but the added 3D effect made the ‘movie’ (If i can call it that) more like a amusement park ride.
May 4th, 2011
Yeah, I get you. The desensitizing is fucking true.
I remember (like 13 years ago) when I heard a film was in 3D I got excited. Now, I can literally tell which movie will be 3D, based on the production company, it’s budget and if it has “Disney’s” in the title.
Fuckin hell.
I agree that certain movies work with 3D, but come on– EVERY bloody film???
May 4th, 2011
LOL. I hear ya. The animated films definitely work with 3D. Then I’m left with the decision as to go see a kids film in the theaters.
Doesn’t make you appear like a kid toucher at all
May 4th, 2011
Hell, I went to see Rio in 3D for my little brother’s birthday on Sunday.
OK film, but I fell asleep.
Seriously
May 4th, 2011
Just finished Portal 2. The story is “epic”!
Almost cleared up the rest of the SP trophies – just got Smash TV left.
May 4th, 2011
@dan.
Smash tv all takes place during chapter 8. Remember. There’s two monitors in puzzle 5.
May 4th, 2011
I just started playing last night. I left off at the beginning of chapter 3. I’m really enjoying it so far.
I guess it is technically a FPS, but it feels more like a puzzle game. That’s not a bad thing at all though.
Actually that’s what makes it so great. Do we really need more Modern Warefare type shooters? It’s really nice to play something different.
May 4th, 2011
Portal 2 is at $45. Was it $45 when it released?
May 4th, 2011
I want to see the Priest but I think that movie will only be available in 3D.
May 4th, 2011
BJ – “I guess it is technically a FPS, but it feels more like a puzzle game. That’s not a bad thing at all though”
that’s exactly what Phranc and I were saying. It’s pretty obvious that the game’s main concept is puzzle solving…it’s just that everything happens in “first person view”
Take Dead Space for example. It’s in 3rd person and you shoot things but it’s a survival horror game because that’s the main concept of the game. It’s not your typical 3rd person shooter.
May 4th, 2011
I have nothing against puzzle games and the first one would have been better if they didn’t male them so dam pinpoint precise. I got stuck in that one room for Hours and finally quit.
May 4th, 2011
What did you guys pay for Portal 2?
The orange box was the second game I got for my PS3 and I paid $20.
May 4th, 2011
I don’t think the perspective of the game should be it genre. It is the overall style of the game. Like COD is a war action game that happens in first person view.
May 4th, 2011
Birdman – “The animated films definitely work with 3D”
agree, besides Avatar, the most impressive 3D films I’ve seen are all animated movies. Monster House, A Christmas Carol, UP and many others.
May is going to be a busy month for me, there are so many good movies that I want to watch during May.
-Priest (May 13)
-Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20)
-The Hangover Part II (May 26)
Still not sure about Thor though, trailers look kind of “meh”… How’s Rio birdman?
May 4th, 2011
@ncaisse.
I paid $34.99. It was $5 at Amazon and I applied a $20 credit, and in return received another $20 credit.
May 4th, 2011
@Roca
The Theatrical trailer looked pretty bad ass. The trailer on TV…..a lot less so.
May 4th, 2011
Ncaissie,
I paid 39.99 for the game. Gamestop was selling new copies of Portal 2 for this price.
May 4th, 2011
should read:
“it was $5 off at Amazon”
May 4th, 2011
Just done smash tv – monitor 11 was a biatch.
I paid £31.99 off Amazon. About $50-odd.
May 4th, 2011
Yeah. I had no problem only hitting two turrets with the blue goo. Getting to that one turret was a bit of a pain in the ass.
May 4th, 2011
so $45 is not a good deal.
Just picked up my white Xperia Play.
May 4th, 2011
It’s 34.99 at Amazon now.
May 4th, 2011
“Just picked up my white Xperia Play”
Damn, that was fast. You were “thinking about it” just yesterday. I really want since I’ve been wanting to get rid of my old phone. It’s outdated and slow as fuck, it can barely run newer apps.
May 4th, 2011
I know. I did just get my IPhone 3GS dec of 09. So 1 year and 5 months.
I paid over $900 with an extra 2 year warranty.
I may just keep both phones and swap them out like chicks change purses. LOL
May 4th, 2011
Livestream **New protection law considered** against Cyber-attacks and Hackers
“Committee lawmakers discussed the recent data breaches from companies like Sony, Epsilon and ChoicePoint”
http://cspan.org/Events/A-Look-at-Threat-of-Data-Theft/10737421279-1/
May 4th, 2011
Sony response to the Congress
http://www.flickr.com/photos/playstationblog/5686965323/in/set-72157626521862165/
May 4th, 2011
Here are some info from the Committee lawmakers conference
-100M peronal data have been obtained since 2004
-Cyber-attacks happens all the time but right now cyber attacks have been going on at a alarming rate.
-Walgreen, Sony, Epsilon, ChoicePoint, Amazon, email clients and web-based app have been hacked
-10K CC info was taken from SOE from and old ’07 server but only 900 cc were active.
-Sometimes consumer are not notified right away because companies normally try to patch/fix/track the exploit before releasing the info to the masses. There has been companies that have taken up to 30 days to notify customers
May 4th, 2011
Sony probably hasn’t put PSN back on until they find out if they are in trouble with the privacy commission or whatever they are. Or they are told not to put it back up yet.
May 4th, 2011
Mass Effect 3 delay until 2012.
2011 has officially become much more miserable for the xbot
May 4th, 2011
ouch.
cue Xbots blaming the PS3 for the delay. in 3….2….
May 4th, 2011
LOL
May 5th, 2011
@ Bird: Lol, yeah I got Pokemon, I always buy the new Pokemon games. I never took the piss because you like Pokemon, just for the fact that you say it’s the deepest game going, that’s all :p
Anyway I’m over giving you stick, I’ve actually grown quite fond of you haha
May 5th, 2011
Fair game.
I didn’t say deepest, just deeper than Demon’s Souls.
It’s one of those “die roll” RPGs with a lot of hidden factors that only the hardcore would ever notice, like EVs, IVs, shinyness, natures, abilities, tier lists and move effects.
For example– an Adamant (it’s a nature) Charizard who is perfectly EV trained (EV spread 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd), holding a Salac Berry and has the moveset – Fire Punch- Earthquake- Belly Drum- Substitute can wipe the floor with the casual player’s Blastoise.
And that’s only 1 type of Charizard– there are many variations (roughly 20). There are now over 600 Pokémon– that’s 1200 variations just based on natures alone!
I can’t get into all the game mechanics of Pokémon– it’s too exhaustive. If anyone wanted a general idea check this out
http://www.serebii.net/games/mechanics.shtml
Pokémon is exceedingly complex, but elitists tend to marginalise it because the Pokémon brand (NOT THE GAMES necessarily, especially Black and White) is marketed to a younger audience. I realise Pokémon isn’t really some gamers’ cup of tea, but it’s a game like any other.
May 5th, 2011
@Roca
Rio was average, and Jesse Eisenberg is soooooooo vanilla as Blu. It wasn’t very entertaining. The whole film was TAME– no raunchy jokes for parents, George Lopez was so rated G, and there are some seriously corny moments mate….
I went to sleep halfway through it.
May 5th, 2011
You should watch Insideous, that movie won’t let you sleep for weeks.
May 5th, 2011
“It’s one of those “die roll” RPGs with a lot of hidden factors that only the hardcore would ever notice, like EVs, IVs, shinyness, natures, abilities, tier lists and move effects. ”
Yeah my 10 year old daughter is into that to. Digimon and LBP also. So were my nephews when they were younger.
May 5th, 2011
British comedian talking about Sega Megadrive and Mortal Kombat. It’s got a few funny bits. Watch from 0.55mins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzitvzl5zA
May 5th, 2011
NC your daughter is hardcore then. I did challenge her remember? lol
But age has very little to do with how hardcore you are.
For example, one of my younger brothers (12 years old) can beat any of you in Halo. But I personally know a 45 year old and a 56 year old that couldn’t play Kinectimals if their lives depended on it.
The game’s mechanics and how it’s audience utilises those mechanics are what make a game hardcore, not age.
May 5th, 2011
@Roca
LOL actually, I thought Insidious was wack… Paranormal 1 & 2 did nothing for me, and Insidious was, in my honest opinion, weaksauce.
The premise wasn’t too original, but I see where they tried to go with it.
May 5th, 2011
Oh no, you’re joking.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-05-l-a-noire-takes-up-3-xbox-360-discs