Portal 2 Review

Put on your thinking caps and prepare for science! Portal 2 is here and it does not disappoint on any level. The game returns with more mind-twisting puzzles and more purely simple gameplay that will keep you begging for more.

If you’ve played the original Portal (and if you haven’t, get out from under your rock!) you’ll be happy to see that the concept and themes remain intact and are even upgraded. You’re still guided through a series of puzzles, requiring the use of two-way portals to solve. And you’re still led along by disembodied sarcastic voices. The dry, dark humor still feels fresh and never tells the same joke twice. The sadistic GLaDOS is back, accompanied by a few new faces who are just as hilarious.

Valve manages to keep the gameplay fresh by throwing in new items and obstacles to the mixture of already elaborate puzzles. In other words, you’ll need to use more than a few cleverly placed portals to escape the Aperture Science facility this time. Now, you’ll have to use bouncy gel or re-direct lasers to open doors in addition to your clever brain. You also have a co-op campaign, which is a whole new way to play Portal. Now, you have to coordinate with your partner to win your way through several chambers, all of which are just as fun and challenging as a solo experience.

The visual artwork is top-notch. The setting looks just like the science facility you know and love after decades of neglect and degradation. Familiar polished white chambers are overgrown with green vines and weeds; doors and elevators malfunction; delivery tubes are throwing debris all over the place. But despite the misuse, the inhabitants are very much alive. Computers continue their operations despite the state of the building “for science!” It’s all a hilarious contrast between cold destruction and warm humor and it makes the game that much more appealing.

The music is reminiscent of Daft Punk. Think the Tron soundtrack with a little science mixed in. One very creative aspect is the way more tracks are added to the background music as you solve the puzzle. For example, the bass will come in when you press a button, a harmony will play when you open a door, etc. It’s a very entertaining and fun soundtrack that never gets old.

It was a long shot, but Valve was able to polish a perfect game. While it may not be as fresh or new as the first, Portal 2 expands on all the elements that made the series such an overwhelming success. It’s a worthy buy for anyone, even if you’re new to the series. So come out and enjoy the sunshine that is this masterpiece! We’ve even saved some cake for you…

 

Other Great Stuff: