Half-Life Episode 2 - Portal

I'm finally getting around to writing how I feel about Portal. I've played it through a number of times now and it hasn't gotten "old". The greatest thing about Portal, I feel, is the brevity. What Portal lacks in length, it makes up for in every other aspect.

The story is key in Portal. The twisted humor of GladOS is what keeps people talking about this experience. The writing in this game is "on point". I won't give away anything in the way of spoilers, because the story IS the experience in this, but all I can say is that VALVE has really kept the Half-Life experience cohesive. Portal exists in the same universe as Freeman and Black Mesa. After finishing Half-Life: Episode 2, it becomes clear of how much these two experiences relate, but again, no spoilers.

It is amazing at how compelled I was to re-play this so many times. The length of the game allows for this. Each time you learn more and pick up on things you may have missed previously. Its like watching a favorite movie over again. The developer commentary, a staple of DVD movies, is a wonderful addition. I love being able to hear the creators talk about the challenges, changes, and inspirations behind levels. This additional content, also, adds to the re-playability. The challenge levels are tough, but when you figure them out you feel a great sense of pride. The achievements are also a nice addition if you like obtaining "badges" for completing various requirements.

Remove the story, remove the "personality", and you essentially have a tech demo for this portal technology. That is why Portal is so great. It takes this concept of a portal creating device and engineers a compelling game play experience on top of it. Portal has a great amount of challenge with its thought provoking puzzles. The environment is stark and industrial. Almost hospital-like. The atmosphere that this sterility creates is claustrophobic and hopeless. There are no signs of life; no windows to the outside world. It is a prison. You feel like a mouse in a lab maze forced to try to find a way around these puzzles at the amusement of a disembodied voice.

All of Portal's parts combined make this one of the best examples of brilliant game design. The individual elements work together to make a statement. You are engaged in the story and not hindered by the gameplay. For something seemingly out of place in the Half-Life universe, it fits.

I can't wait to find out more in the next iteration of Portal and the relationship with Half-Life: Episode 3.
This game is a must play and I stamp it with a gold star.