Portal 1 was fun, but it didn't feel like a game. More of just an add-on, or an extra. Although, four years on it's respectably one of the most well known game releases of all time, I couldn't help but feel Valve had a lot of work to do if they were to squeeze a unique storyline out of this one.
Portal 2 starts off where the last one ended (as sequels usually do). However Chell has been in stasis for many years and is awoken by a familiarly voiced robot (voiced by Stephen Merchant). You're almost immediately whizzed off deep into Aperture Science Laboratories which as been badly beaten up during the absence of its "overseer". You'll notice the beauty of Valve's updated engine and graphics, different colours are now added to the spectrum to make way for overgrown foliage and moss. This is quite different to the clean, white setting that dominated Portal 1.
The gameplay isn't that different to Portal 1, except a few minor changes to accommodate newly added elements to the game. Opposed to the simple companion cube, button and portal combo - Valve have decided to mix things up and add gels to the game, four of them. One can rapidly increase your walk speed when walked across, one is very bouncy when jumped on, one can be used to make portals where they typically aren't able to be placed and a water-like gel that can wash away the other gels. With the introduction of these new elements and so much more, this has paved the way for Valve to really get creative with the level design and make much more vast, open chambers that will really get you thinking (if Portal 1 didn't do enough of that). You'll probably get stuck at some point, but who said it was bad when a game got you thinking rather than pounding at your keys/triggers?
One interesting aspect is that the game's soundtrack actually changes base on your actions, (such as if you're close to completing a level, the music starts to get more dramatic).
As I mentioned, the graphics are a big improvement from Portal 1. My first play through was on the highest settings possible and there were many times where I had to hit the screenshot button just to catch the beauty that I witnessed. Valve have really outdone themselves this time.
Portal 2 ships with a singleplayer and an exciting co-op mode which I am yet to try. There are plenty of extras, such as trailers and a developers commentary also a teaser for the upcoming movie Super 8.
Overall, Portal 2 is game of the year material. There are no complaints here, for me at least. Even getting stuck at points in the game (which is expected to cause the average gamer to rage) can be fun. It's definitely a nice break from rushed and broken games. It's quite a long story, but that's not a bad thing. Perhaps some DLC next? Buy this game, now.
Discover 10 timeless video games from the past that remain absolutely playable today. From Chrono Trigger to DOOM, these classics have aged like fine wine!
Hot damn that's a good list. The only one i never played is AOE2 and i never finshed Chrono Trigger but it was damn good.
Speaking of what's old but holds up amazingly well and plays like a dream.. i played Symphony of the Night for the first time in 2019.. yep that's right. It became one of my favourite games of all time that i replay almost every year. I couldn't believe how good it was. That is almost impossible for me with newer games let alone older ones. Truly a special gem.
The only one I’d disagree with is doom. It shows its age badly I think. After 5 minutes of play these days you put it down.
Jack writes: "Yet again browsing the latest offers in the Steam Spring Sale has led us to track down the very best. In terms of price to quality, we don’t think that it gets much better than this. Portal 2 is now less than a dollar, and if you haven’t got it already, now is the time to pick it up."
Portal deserves to be one of steams highest rated games... It's almost tetris levels of perfect game design.
Gotta love Steam. Just got Portal 2 for .97 cents CAD. Should have been $1.29, selected the bundle with Portal 1 and 2, which gets a 25% discount, already have Portal 1, so it removes the cost of that, and still applies the full 25% bundle discount to Portal 2. 90% + 25% discount.
That's sweet, I've been thinking about building a modest pc to play some oldies
Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.
I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.
Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1
Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.
I mean some sequels are objectively better and you don’t need to play the whole series.
But most of these games have a story to follow, sure you can catch up with a YouTube vid but where's the fun in that?
A list like this isn't telling you not to play the previous games if you want to. It's just giving you legendary games to play.
But tbh, you don't always have to force yourself to play every entry in a franchise to get to the better ones.
- The vast majority of Witcher 3 players never played the first 2 and had a great time. The first 2 games aren't in the same league.
- The GTA games are self-contained with the odd fun reference. You can easily jump into any of them.
- The Shadow Of The Colossus remake looks and controls better than the original (plus it has a 60fps option while the remaster is just 30fps). New players will enjoy it more.
- Portal 2 is a lot better than Portal 1 and takes the concept much further gameplay-wise. Storywise, Portal 1 is fairly light too. Not that you shouldn't play it but realistically ... you'd love Portal 2 whether you play it or not (at lot of Portal 2 players have never played 1).
Bioshock 1 is the only one I agree with you on simply because it's one the best games of all time and arguably better than Infinite. No other setting like Rapture.
Looking at the list, I'd recommend playing Uncharted 1 before 2 but no doubt, 2 is the legendary one you have to play.
I get it, but that's just my opinion on his opinion. I just think that before you play a sequel you should still play what came before it. Maybe it's just me but i find it fascinating playing through the first game in a series and seeing how it has evolved through its sequels. Like I said I don't disagree with the list, other than SoTC which I strongly believe the remaster of the original should be played above the remake.
Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.
Awesome. Thanks for the review. Good to hear the graphics are better! And glad they did some work on the story
Thanks for the review, much better than those other reviews cough cough metacritic.
That's great that there is commentary again, I really love listening to the designers and what their thought process was in crafting levels. Good review makes me eager to check it out.
I'm wondering how complex puzzles are a bad thing?