The original Portal was a unique twist on the first person shooter/adventure genre. Bundled with "The Orange Box", Portal used a unique blend of storytelling and puzzle solving to become a critical success. Portals successor, the aptly named Portal 2, introduces new characters to the series, intriguing new ways to solve puzzles, and a one of a kind, cross platform co op experience. All of these elements add up to a sequel that not only meets, but surpasses the bar set by its predecessor while simultaneously vaulting to the top of the 2011 game of the year discussion.
In the original Portal, you played as Chell, a test subject who ran through a maze of puzzles put together by an A.I. called GLADOS, who was dilligently "testing" the players ability to get from one side of a puzzle map, to the next. These puzzles were solved by using a weapon, so to speak, called the portal gun. Weilding this gun allowed the player to shoot up to two portals, each forming a window by which the player could instantly teleport through to the opposite portal. Using this formula, the player is able to move around a series of maps to get from one side to the other using boxes, avoiding turrets, and clearing a myriad of obstacles to reach their destination.
Portal 2 keeps this same formula mainly intact. You still wield the same gun, and can only shoot up to two portals, however, this time you are afforded some different tools for completing each stage. The biggest addition is that of new gels. There are two main kinds of gel found in Portal 2, red and blue. The red gel increases speed while the blue gel turns the ground into a super bouncy floor of fun. When combined, both gels add to the complexity of Portal, without making your endeavors seem frustratingly impossible.
The apparent ability to seem more complex without becoming a headache is an area where Portal 2 shines. The puzzles start out rather easy and the difficulty ramps up at a slow, but fair pace. This places the player feeling an astonishing sense of accomplishment when a puzzle is bested, without making them pull their hair out after multiple failures.
Another great addition is co op. This mode can be played online, or in a split screen format, and puts two people in control of a set of testing robots. One of the more unique items surrounding the co op is the ability to log into your Steam account, which previously could only be done on the PC. The player can create a Steam account at the main screen of the Playstation 3 Portal 2 menu or simply log into their existing account from the same screen. When logged in, the player can quickly access a list of their Steam friends, and invite them into a session of Portal 2, regardless of whether they are playing the Playstation 3 or PC version of the game. The players each have two portals (making four total), that must be used in conjunction to solve a similar set of puzzles as in the single player. There are dedicated buttons that are used to communicate to your partner, such as a marker to explain where you would like a portal placed, and a count down timer to keep the two players working at the same time. These buttons are a perfect fit for the co op, and help move the game along without feeling obtrusive or unnecessary. With everything that was added, the ability to create custom stages would have set the title apart even more than it already is. While not imparative, we do have level editors in games such as Halo, and the upcoming Infamous 2, and this would have given Portal 2 an even greater sense of replayability.
Portal 2 expands on an already great formula by adding depth, story, complexity and a unique co op experience The game expands on what the original Portal did best, throwing puzzles at the player that are unique and challenging while also being fun and intuitive. The increased emphasis on the single player story is a great addition, and the co op mode is a solid joy to play with a buddy. The inability to create custom stages is one of the few shortcomings in an otherwise exemplary title. With all the additions that were made, Portal 2 makes its case as a strong contender for an early game of the year nomination.
5/29/2011
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.
Hybrid games that combine multiple genres are becoming more and more common these days but the concept has been around for ages. Here are some of the best hybrid games ever made.
What genres does that combine? I haven't started it yet, but I've been under the assumption that it was going to be a straight WRPG.
The concept of time plays a huge role in the story and imagery of Portal 2.
SCIENCE FTW