GLaDOS Online, Resume Testing...
There's something really special about the Portal franchise, and it's not just because of the dark humor or brilliantly-designed puzzles that escalate the experience. It may be the fact that with each time the game is played someone, somewhere is having a good laugh and enjoying the unique atmosphere that the game creates. Portal 2 is the continuation to 2007's game, a true gem in modern gaming, and one that contributed to the success of Orange Box. Valve Software has really stepped it up in the sequel with an even richer back story, new characters, and more complex puzzles. The new game also features local and online cooperative play, which features a separate campaign and the now iconic playable robots "Atlus" and "P-Body."
In Portal 2, players are plunged back inside the mysterious walls of Aperture Science Enrichment Center and are forced into more testing with the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (i.e. portal gun). This time, the facility lies in ruin as the result of the ending events in the original Portal, and the rogue AI GLaDOS has awakened to provide further harassment and instruction. Players are not alone however, as an ally appears from the start of the game in the form of a British-accented AI core, Wheatly. This talkative little bot accompanies you through the opening sequences of the game and helps to get you back on your feet. These actions are of course frowned upon by the facility's sociopathic AI which leads to more indirect means of assistance.
Portal 2's gameplay is not much different than its predecessor, and for good reason. Jumping around and making portals in which to traverse obstacles works in the same exact way it did before and the physics seem to be mostly untouched. The style is a bit different, and not only because the place is a wreck, but because the Test Chambers and traveling between them don't exactly follow any specific order. Basically, getting around a broken Enrichment Center is full of ups and downs and frequent detours. It's hard to specify if some of the chambers have been recycled, because a lot has been added to make the game look... well... busted. GLaDOS will constantly provide status updates on the wreckage and usually follow up with some sort of insult or other words of discouragement.
Overall Portal 2 is probably the easiest game to recommend, for anyone. It is not only fun to play but forces you to think outside the b... with portals! Completing challenges is still as rewarding as ever and with the addition of some neat new elements such as laser beams, moving panels, and light bridges the game is even more enjoyable than its predecessor. Plus, the new cooperative mode makes solving puzzles even more challenging and offers a unique experience of its own. In Co-op players are only able to create one type of portal, which correspond to each bot, and will need to work together in order advance through the test chambers. This is a great way to experience Portal with a friend and works really well. The only drawback is the game may be easier for those who have played the first game, but is not by any means difficult to pick up. Needless to say if you enjoyed playing the game up until now you should have no problem liking the sequel.
