Portal 2

Valve Software

5 stars out of 5

When Valve released The Orange Box in 2007, Portal was added simply because the company thought the game wouldn’t sell well enough on its own. Instead, the game quickly became a fan-favorite, thanks to its unique game mechanic, clever level design and memorable antagonist. Though the game was short, it managed to become one of the biggest breakout hits of the year.

Not counting the XBLA re-release Portal: Still Alive, it has now been well over three years since the original, and Valve has finally released the sequel, Portal 2. The question is whether the game has managed to successfully expand on the elements that helped make the first game such a hit.

Fortunately, fans of Portal have nothing to fear, as this is a sequel that manages to do everything right, and Portal 2 is arguably Valve’s best game since Half-Life 2 in 2004.

The player takes on the role of test subject Chell as she tries to escape the demented halls of Aperture Laboratories. In order to do this, she must survive the numerous testing chambers created by GLaDOS, the insane AI construct in charge of the facility. At first, much of the gameplay in Portal 2 is similar to the original. The player must use the titular “portal” gun to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. In fact, much of the game’s first two chapters act as a reintroduction to this mechanic for anyone unfamiliar or out-of-practice with the creativity needed to solve these puzzles.

However, as the game continues, a plethora of new gameplay features are introduced, allowing for even more complex and devious test chambers. Aerial Faith Plates send players careening through the air, while Excursion Funnels act as tractor beams to travel around environments.

These are only a few of the new things players will encounter on their journey through Aperture, and figuring out how to interact with and combine them all makes for some of the most satisfying challenges in gaming.

While the new gameplay elements are introduced slowly over the course of the game, the story hits hard and fast from the opening to the final scene. While not the most complex of narratives, Chell’s journey to freedom is filled with twists in the story, varied locales, and memorable moments.

Helping the story are the numerous characters that are featured, all of whom are sure to make lasting impressions upon the gaming community.

GLaDOS, of course, returns in top form, quickly reminding players why she was heralded as one of the best villains of 2007. Her passive aggressive abuse of Chell is conveyed wonderfully through layers of double speak and false hope.

Of the new characters, the personality core Wheatley quickly endears himself through his stuttering speech and nervous behavior. This is thanks in no small part to voice actor Stephen Merchant, who commits himself entirely to the role, bringing his unique wit to the forefront.

Also entertaining are the recordings of Aperture founder and CEO Cave Johnson, voiced by J.K. Simmons. As the player ventures further through the facility, these recordings provide an insight into just what kind of mad science Aperture took part in when it was still in business.

From these characters and their interactions come much of the game’s humor, which stands just as strong as its gameplay. This is one of the funniest games ever made, and anyone willing to let go of themselves and buy into the madness of the world are going to be laughing. This also leads to one of the craziest game endings, one that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

And once the credits role, the game still has more to offer in the form of its two player cooperative mode. Here, players take on the roles of testing robots Atlas and P-Body in an entire co-op campaign.

Over the course of 35 test chambers, co-op challenges players to think in whole new ways. With four portals instead of just two, Valve has seen fit to ramp up the challenge, creating test chambers that would be impossible in single player. Timing and communication are key, and this mode stands as a true test of mastery over Portal 2.

If you had even a slight interest in Portal, then Portal 2 is a definite must-play. It is in every way a proper sequel, expanding on the humor, creativity, and challenge that made gamers the world over fall in love with the original. Valve has created the definitive puzzle/platformer, as well as the first big contender for Game of the Year.