There are a lot of people on the web gushing about Portal 2. Heck, this sort of gushing has been going on ever since that originally niche little side-game called Portal came out as part of Valve’s The Orange Box four years ago. It spawned a movement of sorts, a movement which included an obsession with inanimate cube shaped-objects, horrifying manga fan art and the shoehorning of the phrase “THE CAKE IS A LIE” into just about anything on the web.
So ‘Kawaii’ it makes me wanna spew. It’s a freakin’ CUBE people!
And the games themselves? Well, it seems they can essentially do no wrong. They’ve been reviewed by official aggregates, gaming news sites, magazines and mouth-breathing Youtubers alike, and it came back positive more times than those results that Russell Brand got from his GP.
I gave Portal a try myself- in fact, I gave it more than a try, since I completed it, in fairly good time. And you know what? I enjoyed it- definitely worth all the praise that was spewed about it. Innovative concept, compelling and genuinely fun gameplay, nice to look at and a good sense of humour to boot, I had nothing to complain about.
So what do you get if you make a sequel to Portal which is basically the same game, but bigger and with a few new tricks up its sleeve?
Yeah. Even more nothing to complain about.
While I’ve not played loads of Portal 2 so far, I think I can safely say that I love this game. It’s still as fun as ever, its still nice to look at, it’s funnier (although at the minute I don’t get what is supposed to be so great about Stephen Merchant’s voice role as Wheatley, but hey-ho), and still presents a solid- yet not too frustrating- challenge.
I’m very much the kind of gamer that likes to play a game beginning to end, and will refer to an FAQ or a strategy guide if I get stuck- however, Portal 2 is the first game since its predecessor that I have not consulted any sort of walkthrough for when I have come across a puzzle which I could not solve right away.
Portal 2, so far, has been changed up enough for me from the first game that it feels fresh and still interesting. First of all, it’s 100% more story-driven from the get-go, and I find myself wanting to get to the end of every level not only for the challenge of the next puzzle, but also to see how the plot develops- I just wish that I’d not have certain details unwillingly spoilt for me by the Internet before I unveiled them for myself.
She’s behind yoooouuu…
I also know that there are one or two game mechanics I’ve not yet come across which should make for further intriguing puzzles later on in the game, and a lot more back story to keep me coming back for more.
I wouldn’t call this a review per say, but I think it’s fairly unanimous from myself- this game is awesome, and I shall play it to the end. You may resume your gushing.
But no, I will not be buying a plushie Companion Cube.
Also, all Portal-gushing cynicism aside, Richard’s post this Monday was awesome.
3 comments:
I have bought Voni companion cube plush dice style for her car... She squee'd when she saw them!
Also, you do get used to Stephen Merchant as Wheatley, took a little bit of time for me to be alright with it!
I don't dislike Stephen Merchant's role in it, it's more that people said he was awesome and stuff. It's charming, but not awe-inspiring.
It's a bit strange because for some reason, he's not got a computerised voice like all the other AI's in the game. He is funny though, I'll give him that.
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