“I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster.” The return of the monstrous (yet absolutely riotous) GLADoS is just but one of the big highlights that comes from Portal 2, Valve Software’s long-awaited sequel that hits the Xbox 360 this week. The last we saw of the freakish test-conducting robot, she was being blown to bits by Chell, the unseen hero from the original Portal, available through both the Orange Box compilation and as a download on Xbox Live. After finding out the cake is a lie (damn it), we were wondering where the adventure would take us from there. But if we’ve learned anything from this latest experience, it’s that you should never – ever – doubt Valve. The game begins with you being awoken from a deep sleep, only to find that Aperture Laboratories, where testing from the original game took place, has gone to crap. Infestation has taken over most of the building, and everything is literally falling apart around you. After being guided by a clumsy yet likable droid named Wheatley, you run right smack into GLADoS, who is less than thrilled to see you.
However, instead of returning the favor by killing you, she simply throws you back into Aperture for more crazy testing; the levels are much bigger this time around, with even greater challenges that lie ahead. So, yeah, Portal 2 follows the sequel formula of “bigger is better”. But considering how ingenious the original Portal was, this is an absolute compliment. The single-player campaign is absolutely splendid, with new and unique challenges introduced around every corner. You still have access to your Portal gun, which shoots two connecting gateways wherever you can stick them on walls, so you can conveniently travel to places you couldn’t reach otherwise. But there are also other tools introduced in the fray, including acceleration gel, which speeds up your progression once it spreads out onto platforms; lighted gateways that help you reach otherwise inaccessible areas (think Star Wars); and transporter tubes that let you float across treacherous areas. There are other tools as well, but we dare not spoil them for you here. The gameplay in itself is still quite wonderful, as you’re challenged to solve each area and occasionally dig deeper into Aperture’s crudded walls to see what’s going on.
Wheatley pops up to occasionally give advice and help you escape, while GLADoS continues to torment you, with your maliciousness still fresh in her computerized mind. Each stage section introduces something new, and challenges you to do your best, even if it occasionally gets maddening trying to figure something out. Just remember – physics are your friends. Single player action would be enough, but Valve wisely throws in a new component to the game – cooperative play. Here, you’ll work as one of two droids, working together between four portals to get through each stage. The levels here are completely different from the single player mode, though GLADoS still bugs you as she would in those stages. It’s fun working with a friend through Xbox Live in these stages, and the communication works well, whether you’re using a convenient headset (“Hey, stupid, fire your damn portal on the wall!”) or through simple gestures, such as a countdown or a portal indicator. The ability to high five and laugh with your buddy is a huge plus as well – especially when they do it back. Or, hey, you can kill them. For science. (You monster.)
This feature review continues on the next page, please click Page 2 below to see the rest of our thoughts on Valve's masterpiece Portal 2.
