Portal 2 - PC

I'm editing this review after some feedback that people didn't find it "helpful." The original portal was an amazing and innovative game, and at least some of its appeal came from the fact that it was so unique. It stands to reason that any sequel is going to have a hard time measuring up. I say this because with Portal 2 the designers, not wanting to directly copy the original, tried to do something a little bit different, probably to keep things fresh. It works, and it makes for a great game, but it also means that you lose a little bit of the magic of portal 1. PUZZLES: The puzzle element of the game has changed a bit. In portal 1 the challenge came from figuring out exactly what you had to do, and more often than not there was more than one way to solve a particular puzzle. The game would throw you into a room and just leave you to figure things out. In Portal 2, figuring out the puzzle is still a part of the game, but most of the challenges are fairly straight forward. In many cases you'll find yourself scanning a room for the single piece of wall that you know immediately that you have to use. The "difficulty" in this game comes from the execution, more than the solving, of the puzzle. You need to hit things in just the right order, in just the right moment, jump just right, fire at the right moment, etc. The puzzles are still fun and engaging. If you have or haven't played the original you'll find them fun either way, it's just worth noting that the formula has changed somewhat, but the game remains fun. STORY: What story there was in portal 1 was told mostly in the background, through vague hints and scattered pieces of dialog. That has completely changed in portal 2. There are still plenty of subtle hints and comments to keep your ears open for, but the story element of the game has definitely taking a leading role this time around. Personally I find this to be a great change, and well worth a couple playthroughs to make sure you don't miss anything. There are plenty of easter eggs to be found. You don't need to play the original to get into the story here, though having at least the basics of what happened last time around will help you figure out what is happening at the beginning. CONCLUSION All-in-all this game is great fun, has amazing dialog, and includes a killer multiplayer mode. I highly recommend it, whether you played the original or not. The formula has changed a bit, but the game remains a great buy.

I was a big fan of the original Portal and I felt that it was an incredibly innovative combination of first-person action with puzzle solving. It was (and still is) an excellent game for gamers and non-gamers alike. The sequel, Portal 2, expands greatly upon the original. It has many of the same game mechanics (and is therefore familiar to those coming from Portal) while still having the gradual learning curve that made the first game so accessible. It is also a much longer game than the fairly brief original, spanning several chapters over different types of locations. The story is absolutely wonderful and just as funny (while still being a little creepy if you think about it) as the original. You're introduced to new characters (a couple through audio recordings that guide you through levels as well as one that you interact with) and get to learn about the history of Aperture Laboratories through a series of excellent levels that take place in a huge sealed off area of the Labs. The game also introduces several new tools to use in solving puzzles and overall, it is an incredibly enjoyable experience. I did find that the puzzles (both in test chambers and out) did not reach the same level of challenge as in the original (the later levels of which involved a great deal of careful timing and fast reflexes)...some gamers may appreciate this change (with challenge emphasized more in thinking things through than quick action) while some may dislike it. So overall I'd very much recommend this game. In fact, the gameplay and story are so good that I played it twice through in a row, something I've never done with a game before! (there is also an entirely separate co-op game that I haven't played yet...it may offer some of the types of challenges that aren't in the single player experience)

Where the first Portal had a twitch-reflex fps-style feel to it in some areas, Portal 2 is settled firmly and fully in "puzzle game" territory. This is fine by me, as I never could get attached to FPSes in the first place. I really can't say anything about the story itself - I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't finished the game yet! You're just gonna have to trust me on this one ;) - The gameplay is fun, the characters are engaging, the voice acting is perfect, the plot is brilliant, the pacing couldn't be better. And it's a nice kick-start for your brain. The dark comedy had me smiling, or outright laughing, all the way through. If you can't get enough of the puzzles, there's an active mapping community out there pumping out more deviousness. My only regret is the fact I didn't play the original Portal until after I finished Portal 2. Portal's a fantastic game on its own, but the sequel manages to be even better, in such a way that playing them out of order actually felt like a small let-down for me.