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Portal reviewKyle 'Dace' Brunette
Date added : 2009-11-14
Aperture Science... We do what we must, because, we can.
For the good of all of us, except the ones who are dead...
Portal is one of those games that stands out amongst the competition. Not just because of its unique puzzle-based gameplay, but also because of its dark sense of humour.
The basic premise of Portal is simple: you, >, are a test subject in the Aperture Science Enrichment centre programme. You are equipped with a 'portal gun' which can be used to open a portal between two locations. Using the portal gun, you must navigate through a series of test chambers, avoiding hazards, and generally using the environment to your advantage.
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Each test chamber is presented by GLaDOS (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System), the artificial intelligence which runs the Enrichment centre in the absence of her human masters. There are a few references in the game which make it clear that Portal is set in the Half-Life universe - for example, there are a few projectors still showing a presentation entitled 'Dollars and sense: competing with Black Mesa'.
The majority of the game takes place inside the test chambers. Eventually, however, you escape from the test chambers, leading to the second section of the game where you make your way through the rest of the 'Enrichment Centre'.
| At its heart, Portal is a puzzle game. Each test chamber presents new challenges which necessitate the use of the portal gun in various different ways. Momentum is preserveed between portals, which allows for some 'interesting' applications of the portal gun. In the words of GLaDOS: 'Speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out.' Many of the puzzles require creative thought, but none of them are overly complicated. Those seeking more of a challenge can find more advanced versions of the test chambers from the main menu. These advanced chambers are initially unavailable, but become accessible after beating their respective 'normal' version. Additionally, there are 'challenges' which involve time trials, using the least number of portals possible, and even the least number of steps.
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It should be noted that GLaDOS is an amazing character; she won several awards for 'best new character' from GameSpy, GamePro, and X-Play. Being one of two speaking characters in Portal, GLaDOS contributes most of the games story. GLaDOS, initially designed to automate the entire testing process, instead turned out to be quite dangerous - and not only to her test subjects. The other speaking characters (if you could call them 'characters') are the various turrets spread out throughout (and outside) some of the test chambers. These turrets are designed to make you, the player, feel guilty about 'killing' them. When knocked over (effectively 'killing' them), they cry out 'Why?' or 'I don't blame you...' before shutting down.
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If you haven't played Portal yet, do it. Do it now.
The cake is a lie.
| Pros |
Cons | + Unique gameplay
+ Dark humour |
- Short |
| | Review Score | 90 | | Gameplay | : | | 90 | | Story | : | | 90 | | Technical | : | | 95 | | Replayability | : | | 80 |
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Copyright © 2009 by Kyle Brunette.
