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Portal 2 Preview

Scheduled release date:
April 20, 2011
Publisher:
Valve
Developer:
Valve
Number Of Players:
1-2
Genre:
Puzzle


In getting early glimpses of 2007’s Portal – packed in with The Orange Box – one might’ve assumed it was just another Valve shooter. But it really wasn’t: it was a puzzle game and the “gun” you were seeing would punch holes in the environment and act as doorways. You were trying to escape from the Aperture Science facility and the AI robot GLaDOS led you through a series of challenges. It wasn’t long but it was certainly fulfilling and quite unique, so when Gabe Newell announced at last year’s E3 that the “best version" of Portal 2 was coming to the PlayStation 3, we were excited. Given Newell’s history with Sony-related comments, we thought hell had frozen over. But nevertheless, the fact remains and the sequel will be “two and a half times longer” than the original; we’ll also have the benefit of a new co-op mode.

Valve has really stepped it up for this second effort, as we’ll have more ways of dealing with more complicated puzzles. New tools include this bouncy slimy stuff, light bridges and special jump pads. At the start of the adventure, it seems the entire facility has been abandoned and overrun by nature; trees and vines are infesting the once sterile laboratory and it seems you’re just a forgotten survivor. So right away, we see and hear something different. We’ll have the visual and auditory effects one might commonly associate with a forest environment, along with the futuristic elements from the first title. GLaDOS will certainly return but before you really dive in, Valve has made the sequel accessible for newcomers (probably a good idea, as the PS3 version of The Orange Box was inferior, and many gamers avoided it). Your portal gun will only be able to fire one portal at the start but as you progress, your invaluable tool will become more versatile.

Puzzle-solving involves all sorts of gameplay mechanics, and that includes transporting cubes through portals, hitting the correct trigger switches, and when involved with a partner in co-op, there’s even more fun to be had. …just try not to kill each other too often. It’s guaranteed to be a major draw for fans of the game but it’s highly recommended that you complete a single-player quest first; many of the complex challenges in co-op mode include mechanics found only in the latter parts of the story. Both of you will be a robot and GLaDOS will mock you like crazy if you continually mess things up. It’s inevitable that you’ll do something horrific to your teammate – accidentally, of course – simply due to the challenge within, and the fact that you always need to be on the same page. But the good news is that you’re not really punished when death occurs; you just respawn.

If you want to see what your friend is seeing, just press a button and you’ll get his POV. Active portals can be located by checking the simple icons that pop up on the screen, and you can place tags to indicate where a portal should go. This is one of those games where co-op play can really expand upon the base product, and it’s not just because the co-op mode is almost as long as the single-player adventure. It’s more challenging and will tax the both of you to the limits. At least, that’s what we’ve heard. Overall, the slick atmosphere, fantastic writing and dialogue, and unbelievably clever puzzles will carry the day, and don’t forget that if you pick up Portal 2 for the PS3, you’ll get a special bonus: a Steam Play copy of the game for free (obtained by linking your PSN and Steam accounts).

There’s little doubt that the originality and challenge fans adored in the original will return, and it’s obvious Valve has taken the next step. We can’t wait to give it a try.

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WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

First person hole punching at its finest I'm sure, but I think our corpulent new friend overstated things. I think the PS3 and Xbox versions will be identical.

FatherSun
FatherSun
13 years ago

I agree that game itself will be identical, Its the extra features that will only be available on PS3 that will make the difference. Steam integration like cross platform play, chat, frequent updates and the cloud saving features are definitely welcome. Maybe PS3 will have exclusive contents as well.

Kiryu
Kiryu
13 years ago

Yeah Steam Features are really going to be awesome on the PS3.If u buy the ps3 version u also get cd keys to activate the pc and mac versions.

But with Killzone 3
Yakuza 4
Ico collection
Infamous 2
Resistance 3
Uncharted 3
The Last Guardian

I don't know if i'll buy it now.


Last edited by Kiryu on 2/11/2011 2:54:29 AM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

yes I've heard this before, but when you say "best version" to a bunch of gamers, it's really only supposed to mean one thing.

Lord carlos
Lord carlos
13 years ago

This sounds like a lot o fun & being able to play with your PC buddies that haven't jumped on the PS3(was gonna say bandwagon but i prefer the sound of)DEATHSTAR will make it extra sweet.
And fair play to gabe newell for turning around and saying he was wrong about bad mouthing the PS3(even if he does look like jabba the hutt)

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Aww, The Orange Box got on my nerves, so I traded it in. I loved Portal though, it was the first thing of the compilation that I played, and I was amped to hear about the second. I'm sure that I'll get it at some point, but the clincher for me would be the inclusion of the first one. Not gonna happen though.
Peace.

FatherSun
FatherSun
13 years ago

Not a bad idea at all. I will call Gabe to suggest he include Portal exclusive with Portal 2 for PS3. Not thats a bonus.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Get KB to sharpen a few more things if he refuses…

Alienange
Alienange
13 years ago

Well the co-op sounds fantastic then. Nearly as long as the campaign? Taxing our minds to the limit? This just might be a worth the money.

Dridion
Dridion
13 years ago

Can't wait for this game. I just purchased it over the weekend on steam (P1 that is). It was such an innovative title, and though short, so fulfilling (best credit: I'm making a note here, HUGE SUCCESS ;)l).

I was just looking for a title for only $10 on steam being that they have a ton of great titles I've yet to play such as beyond good and evil….I now I now, I suck, but thank God and Sony for the HD Remake.

Anyway, I was skeptical at first, but man, one of my fave games ever…real talk! As far as the new one, well let's just say my expectations are sky high only because multiplayer is gonna add another layer of things that'll hopefully blow my mind again. Love the dynamic between skinny and chubby robot.

As a side not, does anyone remember a game similar to portal for the SNES. It didn't allow you to make portals but it DID augment the space in a sense. You could make the wall into the floor or the ceiling into the wall and continue on with the puzzle. The areas were somewhat bland but the gameplay was bad ass! Man I can't remember for the life of me but I really want to play it again and have been searching for AGES lol. If anyone knows what I'm talking about I'd be happy 😉


Last edited by Dridion on 2/11/2011 12:01:55 AM

___________
___________
13 years ago

finally got a chance to finish the original after sitting on the shelf for years!
such a fantastic game, only thing i hope they change is the simplicity of the puzzles.
there far too easy to figure out, and far too short.
the puzzles are create 1 portal here, another portal there, move this ball here, puzzle complete!
id be nice to see something a little more complex and longer than that, all the puzzles in portal can be finished in mere minutes, id be nice to see some longer puzzles like the elevator level from darksiders.
thats by far one of the best puzzles ever put into a game!
not exactly complex, but has many stages to it, much more than open a few portals and move a few boxes, requires quite a few steps.
the puzzles are far too short, and far too easy in portal they really need to make them much larger, longer to solve and more complex.
i really liked glados though, she was the perfect teaser.
so, the cake was not a lie after all!!!!!!!!!

Beamboom
Beamboom
13 years ago

So I have to add yet *another* promising coop-title to the list now? Full storyline coop in Battlefield, Saints Row 3 is a guaranteed coop-blast this autumn, Two Worlds 2, and now a true coop rarity, coop puzzle thanks to Portal 2. This gaming year is already legendary!

SvenMD
SvenMD
13 years ago

I just hope it's worth the full $60 price tag. It was one thing to buy this as an "extra" in the Orange Box….it's another as a stand alone title.

The first was tons of fun. Somehow I don't think I'll be able to co-op this with my wife though….I don't think the reaction time is there, haha.

coverton341
coverton341
13 years ago

I picked up Portal when they had it for free on Steam when they finally went to MACs. I loved it. I will definitely be getting Portal 2 the day it comes out.

somethingrandom
somethingrandom
13 years ago

You're saying that there is such a thing as a Mac that can play games? Well, I guess that makes them not entirely as bad as netbooks.

AbsoluteZer0
AbsoluteZer0
13 years ago

I also got the original Portal on steam for free when steam was brought to macs. It's an amazing game and I'm extremely excited for this follow-up. And the bonuses for PS3 make me remember that it's a great time to own a PS3!

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