[Intrepid Homoludens]

"I can't do it if you're watching."

title - Portal 2
developer - Valve
platforms - PC, X360, PS3
category - adventure, puzzle
releases - 2011

Portal 2 gameplay footage | Valve

Preview: Portal 2 | Joystiq

"Oh, it's you. It's been a long time. How have you been? I've been really busy being dead. You know, after you murdered me. Okay, look. We both said a lot of things that you're going to regret. But I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster."

Both Portal and its slightly unhinged antagonist GLaDOS are back in a sequel that hopes to do more than "just extend the original game" according to Valve's Erik Johnson. "If you ask fans what they wanted, they'd say they want more Portal 1," Johnson said. "But we felt like what they're saying is that they want to be surprised again." While the addition of a co-op experience may surprise you, there's a lot of comfort food here. Not only is GLaDOS back, but so is protagonist Chell, the (slightly worse for wear) Aperture Science facility, and the game's now trademark sense of humor....

OMG, that little blue eyed sphere named Wheatly, with his English accent! I AM MADLY IN LOOOOOOOVE!!!!

That one is Wheatly, pictured above. "He's this little personality sphere and he's been trapped here for all this time also and he's going to help you escape the testing facility," Johnson says. In the short segment with Wheatly that we saw, the English-accented ball cracked wise while helping you advance. After inserting Wheatly into a module on the wall and turning around – "I can't do it if you're watching" – he opens a "secret passage." When an automatic turret says "hello," Wheatly responds, as if addressing a beggar, "No. No thanks, we're good." That injection of humor and unique characters creates a much different, less solitary feel.

Oh, and...

Portal review | Adventure Gamers

Whether or not you leap, Portal is a one-of-a-kind experience that's well worth every gamer looking into. Just take your time and enjoy, because "speedy thing goes in, speedy thing comes out" and it's over all too soon.

[Steve Ince]

Shades of Joey there?

Actually, this is so cool I may have to replay Portal to control my excitement.

[Lee in Limbo]

Waiting to see this... c'mon, download faster!!!

ETA: That was fantastic! Can't wait for it to be released.

[D.C.]

I'm not a huge fan of Steam, but the free Portal promotion last month gave me the opportunity to fall in love with this game. It's going to be tough to resist buying the sequel.

The gameplay footage looks all kinds of awesome.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

More E3 demo clips (possibly released earlier but still):

PORTAL 2: Excursion Funnel and Aerial Faith Plate | Joystiq

[Kazmajik]

Exceeds all expectations! I am honestly beyond impressed. I can't wait for this!

[Roper Klacks]

I'm trying to ignore all of those videos, with the delay to 2011 its bad for my sanity to even think about portal 2. Its a Valve game so i know it will be amazing, thats all i need to know for now.

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by Roper Klacks

I'm trying to ignore all of those videos, with the delay to 2011 its bad for my sanity to even think about portal 2. Its a Valve game so i know it will be amazing, thats all i need to know for now.

Then its also Valve. Watching the videos now will make your life instantly brighter.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Yet another couple of gameplay clips...

PORTAL 2: Thermal Discouragement Beam and Pneumatic Diversity Vent | Joystiq

[D.C.]

It seems today's the day! Portal 2 is already available on shelves in Australian stores and is imminently going to be unlocked on Steam. I've got to say, I'm really looking forward to this game and I'm sure I'm not alone there. I'm going to get the PS3 version. (Which apparently unlocks a copy of the PC edition too!)

[Weare6]

Originally Posted by D.C.

It seems today's the day! Portal 2 is already available on shelves in Australian stores and is imminently going to be unlocked on Steam. I've got to say, I'm really looking forward to this game and I'm sure I'm not alone there. I'm going to get the PS3 version. (Which apparently unlocks a copy of the PC edition too!)

It sure is... I'm picking up my copy today from JB hifi!! AWESOME

[terhardp]

All right!! Before I've played the original game, despite its great reviews, I'd never thought that "Portal 2" will be one of the most anticipated new games for me this year.

[Psykryph]

I hope it's good. I've already heard some initial reviews from people who have played Portal 2 saying it wasn't that great. fake watches Rolex replica replica watches replica handbag

[Pinchpenny]

Originally Posted by Psykryph

I hope it's good. I've already heard some initial reviews from people who have played Portal 2 saying it wasn't that great.

Really? Pretty much everywhere all I've been hearing is positive things about Portal 2. Can you recall any criticisms that were put forward? I personally thought it was superb in almost every aspect and a vast improvement over the already great original through the introduction of things such as new characters, environments, mechanics and co-op mode. If you ask me the game is an absolute must buy.

[marvio]

Quite frankly I never got the hype about portal...

It would've been a good flash time killer, but nothing earth shattering.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good game, just not amazing in any way

[Terabin]

There were a bunch of trolls that flooded places like metacritic with bad user reviews on Tuesday. Perhaps Psykryph is referring to that.

My brother played through it on Tuesday, clocked in at about 8 hours, and said it's one of the best games he's ever played. Incredible new game mechanics, tight story line that builds, frequently hilarious script and great voice acting.

[D.C.]

I've finished the single player campaign and freakin' loved it.

The elaborate mythology and humour alone is reason enough to play through, not to mention the clever head scratching puzzles. The kind of challenges that look impossible at first, but leave you feeling satisfied when you finally work out the solution. A game hasn't made me laugh this much in the longest while. Actually cliche or not, Portal 2 reminds me of a roller coaster -- once you get on you can't help but to sit back and enjoy the crazy ride until the very end. (Not to mention the fact that as soon as it's over you want to experience the whole thing again. ) It's fast paced with good times a-plenty all the way through to the credits.

Don't read until you've completed the single player campaign:

Spoiler:

I particularly liked seeing the layers of Aperture Science through out the ages and fully expected to see another layer on top at the very end.

I loved the new characters as well. They all added something unique and I genuinely looked forward to playing through a new section with these different perspectives. It was incredibly generous for Valve to offer an unlockable PC edition with the PS3 version too.

I can't wait to get started on the co-op campaign...

[Kurufinwe]

"Finally a nemesis worthy of my vast intellect! Holmes versus Moriarty... Aristotle versus... mashy spike plate!" *mashes you with spike plate*

This game is awesome.

[Panthera]

I loved it! Watched my bf play through on the PS3, and the atmosphere, story and characters where so good and fleshed out.

I especially loved the more historical places, and learning about the ages and GladOs.

Squee!

Now we just have to stumble us through the cooperative levels, as I'm crap at maneuvering with a controller, and killed my bf three times on the "stand on boxes and move containers" mission in the tutorial..

[D.C.]

I've just finished the co-op campaign and once again freakin' loved it.

I preferred the single player campaign overall, but this was pretty damn unique all by itself. I especially loved when GLaDOS periodically attempted to turn Atlas and P-body against each other. Their gestures were all kinds of awesome too and it was fun to bounce puzzle solution ideas off one another. It was also amusing to see how GLaDOS treats robots in comparison to humans. Would've been nice if it had a more cohesive story like the single player campaign, but it's still the most fun I've had with a co-op game by far.