• Review: Portal 2 (PC)

    by
    Hecqubus
    Published on 04-24-2011 09:02 PM
    4 Comments Comments

    Portal 2

    Developer: Valve
    Publisher: Valve
    Platform: PC, PS3, 360
    Genre: First-Person, Puzzle
    Rating: Everybody 10+
    Release Date: April 19th, 2011
    For Fans of: Moonrocks, Robots, James Jonah Jameson

    The first Portal was released on the orange box and quickly became one of the most well known games spawning the internet meme "The cake is a lie" while winning numerous awards. Years after that phenomenon hit the shelves we are finally being graced with the sequel, Portal 2. With many upon many upgrades to the current Portal formula, we're bound to be in for a treat, but can Portal 2 work as a full game?

    -Presentation-

    Taking place what seems like centuries after the events of Portal, the Aperture testing facility is showing signs of decay and overgrowth. Decay to the point where everything is starting to breakdown including the reserve generators keeping the stock of "lab rats" alive. This is where we step into the shoes of our protagainist, Chell. Waking up in what seems like the apocalypse, we are instantly introduced to one of the best characters in the game, Wheatley, a personality core with a british accent. Taking responsibility for the current state of things, he leads you to your freedom performing "Manual Overides" on walls and opening up new ways for you in the hopes that you'll take him with you. Being somewhat of a moron he accidently awakens GlaDos, the evil robot from the first game who apperently is less dead and more unconsious. GlaDos is not happy with you or your new friend, but instead of killing you instantly, like she does Wheatley, she wants to get back to testing, for the rest of your natural life.

    The best part of playing through the story is the humor of it all, be it from Wheatley, or Cave Johnson, or even GlaDos who insults you constantly, its hard to sit through Portal 2 without giggling. Featuring a few new characters and a few twists that open up more into the history of Aperture Science, Portal 2's story is as satisfying as it is rewarding, especially the ending. One would think it would be hard to wrap an interesting story around a puzzle game but Valve manages to do so in a fashoin that puts most other games stories to shame. It's suprising because the first game wasn't that big on story as it was puzzles and humor.

    -Graphics-

    Using the same engine as Portal (and many other Valve titles) you can expect about the same level as graphics in the sequel, just more polished. Things do look better and there is details that will appease those who crave epic graphics, but overall the graphics take a backseat here.

    -Sound/Music-

    One of the best points of the game overall is the voice acting, especially for the new characters. Valve went champ style and picked voices that are not only talented but fit their roles perfectly. Wheatley, one of the funniest characters to listen to, is voiced by Stephen Merchant, who plays the excitable role very well. J.K. Simmons who you may know better as James Jonah Jameson in the Spiderman franchaise, plays my favorite unseen character Cave Johnson. Music-wise Portal 2 is minimalistic as aside from approaching climaxes in the story and the beginning, there isnt a whole lot here.

    -Gameplay-

    Players will once again solve the mind bending puzzles created by GlaDos by ultilizing the portal gun provided. The way portal works for those that are new to the franchaise is by creating a portal in one place, and another in a different place, you create a window that you can travel through instantly appearing out of the other portal. This concept alone takes some imagination to grasp but when combined with the mind of a robot who loves to test, it can make for some pretty challenging yet fun gameplay. Portal 2 breathes new life into the formula of Portal by combining the old elements of testing with some new, or rather "older" elements.

    At first the player will be re-introduced to the Portal device, which for the time being will only create blue portals. A little while later, after a few tests, GlaDos will provide the Dual Portal gun to you. One of the new elements is something called "repulsion gel" a blue liquid that can be transported through a portal and bounces anything that touches it off of it with the same momentum. It can also be used to creatvily incapcitate the turrets that return in this game by covering them in gel and making them bounce all over the place. Portal 2 will continue to introduce new crazy elements like this late into the story.

    The main thing about gameplay in Portal 2 is that it wont take you long to grasp the concept, but mastering will take you the whole story. Some puzzles will leave you scratching your head and maybe frustrated, but once you figure out how to do them leave you feeling at least somewhat intelligent. I believe that is something that this game brings back to the table, a sense of accomplishment.

    -Lasting Appeal-

    Portal 2 is considerably larger then the previous game sporting around nine hours of gameplay in just the story alone depending on how many secret rooms you flush out and how fast you solve the puzzles. Like many Valve games, Portal 2 also includes a set of achievements for the completionists out there. Replaying the story is something that is up to the player but I feel the story wouldn't hold up to that quite as well as other games.

    That is possibly one of the reasons that Portal 2 instead brings the goods in the form of Co-op play. With puzzles that are separate from the single-player and of course the online capabilites of Steam, the co-op can provide endless hours of entertainment for families and friends, or even for the randoms you can meet in game using the "I have no Friends button". The game also supports cross-console severs for PS3, PC, and MAC versions of the game. The technical reasons of why the 360 was left out of this loop is unknown exactly to me but simply, PS3 has support for Steam.

    The players will take control of ethier Atlas or P-Body, two testing robots created by GlaDos and introduced late in the story. Playing in Co-op gives you access to the gestures tab which makes the robots do some funny things, like rock paper scissors or hassle each other. There is also a wardrobe for the robots where you can equip things like hats and flags effectively giving the robots a sense of individualism.

    -Conclusion-

    I highly recommend picking up Portal 2 for everyone. The single-player is among the few games that gets me honestly this excited to replay and not only that but backing it up with a completely separate co-op campaign, Portal 2 has the replayability that makes it completely worth the sixty dollar price tag. It is unfortunate though that the cross-console servers do not extend to the 360, however it is a barbarian leap forward in the right direction in my opinion. While the graphics take somewhat of a hit being just a slightly more polished version to the graphics we've come to expect from Valve games, the sounds and voice acting in the game are streets ahead of what most of us were expecting. The additions to the gameplay were a testament to why the phrase "Why fix what isn't broken?" is a passing trend, they kept us thinking fresh and always looking for new ways to ultilize them. I'm looking forward to see what Portal 3 has in store for us, if they decide to make one (please!) and even further forward to see how it fairs when Game of the Year comes into play.

    -Score-
    9.5/10
    Comments 4 Comments
    1. Jason Arriola's Avatar
      Jason Arriola - 04-25-2011
      My thoughts exactly, Hec. Good review for Portal 2. I'll buy the PS3 version and do one on that for a third review because it was that good. Hahaha, nah both you and Taun summed everything up nicely. I didn't know about the robot customization either, I need to take a look at that. Hopefully we can all try the co-op soon, I'd like to see where that story goes too.
    1. Hecqubus's Avatar
      Hecqubus - 04-25-2011
      Thanks! yeah I /agree on the co-op campaign too haha I wanna see where that goes as well. Tuesday was a damn good day for video games haha
    1. Beatboxtaun's Avatar
      Beatboxtaun - 04-25-2011
      Great review, Hec! I love that you added the "For Fans of" section! I really like that Valve added the Avatar awards for the 360 version and for the PS3 and PC, they allow them to play co-op together, no matter the platform!

      9.5 is perfect for Portal 2. This is one of those games that you spend all of your free time playing and all of your "working" time wishing that you were playing. It is one that gave me that Christmas morning feel. How do I explain that....that special gift that was waiting just for you, that special gift that brought you joy, when you opened it, that special gift that brings you joy to think back on playing.
    1. Hecqubus's Avatar
      Hecqubus - 04-25-2011
      Quote Originally Posted by Beatboxtaun View Post
      It is one that gave me that Christmas morning feel. How do I explain that....
      The "N64 Kid" feeling haha only way to describe it ^>^

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.