Title :

Portal 2 (2011) Videogame Review

Category: Video Game Reviews

The original game Portal came out a few years ago, and I just didn't get it. Now I know it had a fan base, and people raved about it. Well I decided to bypass the original completely and try the sequel called, you guessed it, Portal 2.

Available for the PS3, XBOX 360, PC and OS X.

VALVE has taken me by surprise with this inventive, yet simple game, just as they did with the Left 4 Dead series. Basically this is a First Person Shooter puzzle game where you use a portal gun to teleport throughout the level to solve each unique puzzle.

You awake after a few hundred years in stasis at the Aperture Science Facility and meet Wheatley played by Stephen Merchant (The Rick Gervais Show, Extras, An idiot Abroad) a nervous little paranoid self-conscious robot. It seems the facility is in major neglect and disrepair, and Wheatley wants to help you escape. Right at the beginning you awake GLaDOS, sort of like a mean mother system robot of the facility, who is not happy you are there, and makes you solve these puzzles all the while verbally tormenting of you.

Quick side note about the voice-over work, Stephen Merchant is brilliant as Wheatley. I don't if his dialogue was scripted or just improvisation, but it is hilarious. He seems to be so enthusiastic and having so much fun working on this game, that it fits perfectly to the character. All the dialogue throughout the game flows nicely and doesn't seem forced, as some games do. Also great V.O. work of J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson from Spider-man) as Aperture Science CEO and Ellen McLain returning as the cruel GLaDOS.

Stephen Merchant aka Wheatle

The graphics are excellent, deep and more richly detailed than they need to be for this game. The puzzles are inventive and addictive, they are also somewhat complex, but simple, and not at all frustrating when you look around in the game. At no point did I want to pick the game console up and throw it through a window, like I do with many others. You'll have to drop through holes on one end to catapult you to other areas, launch pads to other areas, so it's kind of a inter-dimentional game. I know my words are not doing it justice. But once you are able to wrap your brain around this game you will know what I mean.

Also another thing that is great about this game is that, kids and adults can totally enjoy this game. Your not running around blowing peoples heads off and spraying blood everywhere like most games out there today, I'm talking to you Call of Duty. It also as split screen & online Co-op missions, so this will also keep you 2 kids occupied for awhile. The excellent music and especially the ending credits song "Want You Gone" by Jonathan Coulton, fit the games sarcastic tone perfectly.

I have finished it and I just have to say something and spread the word one on of the most enjoyable games out there for everyone.

Overall I give this game a 5 out of 5, it's a blast.

For more information check out:ThinkWithPortals.com