Portal 2 Review

After releasing Portal, Valve received a lot of positive feedback about their concept — players enjoyed both the portal technology and the storytelling (not to mention the companion cube and the cheeky jokes of AI GladOS). With such a foundation, the developers went all out in the second part: the sequel is longer and more interesting than the original, and its plot is quite worthy of a book!

The gameplay of the game hasn't changed compared to the first part: we still create portals between two different points. But of course, that's not all Valve will delight us with. This time, the portal gun will be accompanied by three different types of "gels" — liquids that change the properties of surfaces in a specific way (for example, spilling orange gel allows us to speed up significantly, while spreading blue gel makes us bounce up to the ceiling). Additionally, we will encounter an anti-gravity field paired with a light bridge. The former allows transporting any objects "through the air," while the latter holds any objects in place.

Of course, these "devices" interact with the portal system, creating countless combinations for use. And although a level can be completed in a strictly defined way, the developers have prepared enough of these so that we can thoroughly test each option. Once familiar with the basics of portal construction, the player gradually moves on to more complex tasks, where the developers' new ideas are fully utilized. Solving such tasks may require much more time and some gaming "dexterity," to, say, land exactly in the right place during a jump.

It's unknown why Chell, the main character of the first game, didn't escape to freedom after the destruction of GLaDOS, but in the sequel, we play as her again. Initially, we will be accompanied by the goofy robot Wheatley, and after his "ascension to the throne," by GLaDOS herself. The game's plot is divided into three major chapters, so there will be plenty to explore. Notably, each chapter has a unique setting and environment. Portal 2 is also impressive in terms of the size of its locations: time and again, they grow in width and height — the first Portal pales in comparison, and if desired, you can return to the very beginning of a level from its end.

While traveling through the Aperture Lab complexes, we will receive information about this scientific complex, as well as listen to amusing banter from the artificial intelligence (which has already spawned several new internet memes). By the end of the game, the plot unfolds fully, captivating the player's mind so much that it's simply impossible to tear away from the screen, holding them until the very end of the game. The sound design is top-notch, so wandering through the semi-destroyed/half-flooded rooms, you literally feel the devastation and desolation that reign in them. Those who finish the game are in for a special treat from the sound director — the credits composition is a true masterpiece.

For cooperative play, Valve has prepared special robots — P-Body and Atlas, as well as (of course) a set of special maps. The cooperative mode is somewhat shorter than the single-player campaign but more engaging — after all, four portals are a formidable force! The levels are designed considering that the player will complete the story campaign, so they are more challenging and require coordinated work from two players. In multiplayer, the situation is much better than in other games, where experienced players get frustrated by the abundance of newbies. Here, that's not the case, and you can easily play with unfamiliar newcomers. Special thanks should be given for the system of simple and understandable commands like "On the count of three" or "Follow me."

Assessing the potential of the audience after the release of Portal, Valve spent four years working purposefully on creating a game with engaging gameplay and a magnificent storyline. At the same time, the developers didn't just copy the formula for success — they added new components to it, making Portal 2 a game of the highest quality, one that you can spend many evenings with.