You're not just playing with portals

[bluegargantua]

Hey,

Finished up Portal 2 -- both single-player and co-op (thanks lucasthegray).

Fun stuff. Very fun stuff. Frankly, if you liked the first game, you'll love this one. Just more of everything and a startling amount of depth. There were only a few places I got stuck on, most puzzles were very satisfying in a "well, if I want to be there I need to be moving at speed out of here and that means...ah ha!". The game adds a raft of new test chamber elements to manipulate. From exotic-energy tractor beams and light bridges to various flavors of gel. Some gels reduce friction, others are flubber, others make non-portal surfaces portal-able. During co-op games, our iron-clad policy was that you cannot splatter enough gel on the test chamber surfaces.

The writing is top-notch, the voice acting a treat between mind-burning puzzles, and a lot more of Aperture is revealed (I'm still waiting for the implied collision with Half-Life. Also, Half-Life 3, isn't it about time you go that done before you guys all die?).

Co-op mode is almost as good as the single-player game. Working out these puzzles with a friend is a real treat. With your quick recovery, you feel empowered to take foolhardy chances because even if it means your utter destruction, your buddy might spot the missing link and then off you go.

It's all good stuff. I really want to go back and replay with developer commentary on. Should be lots of great details.

later
Tom