Portal Reviews

Portal for it's time remains revolutionary game with an unique concept and gameplay design even to this day. Although the game is on the short side and perhaps one can say it serves as a ''demo'' or an ''inside'' of what will be the sequel Portal 2, this game still has few additional activities after completion (the game can take approx 1.5h to beat).

[b]Portal – A Short but Genius Puzzle Masterpiece[/b] Valve’s [i]Portal[/i] is a masterclass in game design—tight mechanics, ingenious puzzles, and an unforgettable AI antagonist. Armed with a portal gun, you’ll solve mind-bending challenges that seamlessly teach mechanics through play. GLaDOS steals the show with dark humor and a slow-burn narrative twist that elevates this from a simple puzzle game to a cult classic. It’s short (around 3-4 hours), but every moment is polished to perfection. The cake may be a lie, but the praise for [i]Portal[/i] is 100% real. 👍 Brilliant puzzles, sharp writing, iconic villain 👎 Over too soon 9.5/10

Story is nice and i like there are bonus mapa and achievements after

This game is truly unique; I haven't encountered anything quite like it before. It was interesting and worth playing, although the mysteries were quite challenging. The machine voice was initially very annoying, but ultimately, you get a form of revenge. The ending was rather ambiguous, leading me to believe I should play Portal 2. The ending music, especially with the machine voice, was very satisfying and engaging. Overall, a solid 7/10.

I've had the Valve Complete Pack for years on Steam but I hadn't actually played many of them aside from the original [i]Half-Life[/i] and [i]Counter-Strike Source[/i]. Because of this, [i]Portal[/i] was a whole new experience for me. I had heard people talk about it, and I knew the general concepts behind it, but I had never even played a hint of it until more recently. So, how was my first [i]Portal[/i] experience? [h1]Puzzles for the non-puzzler[/h1] Well, first order of business: what, exactly, [b]is[/b] [i]Portal[/i]? Yes, it's a puzzle game, but unlike many puzzle games, this game doesn't expect you to use science/math logic, at least not beyond common sense logic that everyone should have. I always did really well in school but it has been a while and even in spite of that, I hated math (and advanced science); I've never been one to think with cold logic and numbers, I've always been more of a "see the paths ahead of you" sort of guy and I can safely say that [i]Portal[/i] is that kind of game. You are expected to get from one end of the map to the other, and you have to do so by evaluating the layout, knowing how the mechanics work, and sometimes you need good timing as well. A good example of this is a sequence where you have to open a portal on a platform, drop down a deep pit and open a second portal there. This flings you up into the air and while you're mid-air, you want to switch out the pit portal for a new portal on a higher platform. You continue this onward until the end of the sequence, which requires some good timing and continued momentum in addition to the logic. It also justifies these puzzles with story, stating that you're a test subject for Aperture Science, a company who developed wormhole technology and you're a tester for that tech. This justification is a huge part of what makes [i]Portal[/i] compelling to people like me, who usually play games for the story. [h1]Sci-fi intrigue and comedic goofiness[/h1] Speaking of the story, this game's plot is actually very interesting, though you wouldn't assume that from looking at it. You start off as the test subject, locked in a doorless cell with a bed, toilet, radio, coffee mug and notepad. This subtle setup does a great job at environmental storytelling, showing you your first hint as to what Aperture Science is like. This, combined with a female robotic voice you'll begin hearing, begins to subtly unravel story about Aperture, your role with them, and the world at large outside of the facility. It also has loads of environmental storytelling, starting with a few areas where you can go a little outside of the normal testing chamber grounds. In these offset areas, you'll encounter clues that show you that you're not the first subject, and that your precursor(s) may have been fleeing from something. This comes to a head when you reach the end of the test chambers: [spoiler]while that robotic voice is trying to kill you off, you have the opportunity to flee and this ends up taking you through loads of 'unapproved' areas of the Aperture facility[/spoiler]. What's funny is that all of this leads to a real sense of adventure and even a bit of a pulse-pounding adrenaline rush in some segments. All the while, as you're trying to progress, you begin to uncover more and more that really starts to paint a clear picture of what's going on. I won't spoil that, though; all I'll say is that if you're a Valve fan, you're going to like the story of these games. [h1]Timeless art[/h1] Despite releasing in 2007, this game still looks fantastic, even without the ray tracing version (a free DLC). The Source Engine still holds up quite well today. It's very difficult to have a realistic, sci-fi art style that doesn't age poorly as graphic tech advances but [i]Portal[/i] had no such difficulties. Sure, it doesn't look [b]new[/b], by any means, but it still looks appealing. I think part of this has to do with the fact that you never see any sort of human characters, aside from brief reflections of your character that you might see if the portals line up just right. Character design tends to age the worst in game graphics, so this worked out great in retrospect. However, the overall art design, color palette and graphics tech work together to give you a very, very good-looking game even in the 2020s. The funniest thing, though, is how it starts off deceptively monochrome. You see the sterile whites and grays of the test chambers, with a nice, subtle hint of bright blue and orange thanks to the portals you open. However, as the game goes on and you advance beyond the test chambers themselves, you get a really crazy palette shift toward dingy browns, rusty reds and oranges, yellowish lighting and so forth. This shift feels both natural and jarring, which I'm certain was intentional. All of that comes together to create a game that I'm comfortable saying is still [b]beautiful[/b] by today's standards. Oh, and let's not forget the simple elegance of Source Engine GUI design! It worked well in [i]Half-Life 2[/i] but it looks even better here because of the pseudo-utopian corporate aesthetics of the art design. [h1]A classic epitomized[/h1] Regardless of whether you're normally a fan of puzzle games, I feel like you really need to give [i]Portal[/i] a try. Not only should all of the above be reason enough, but it's also a total classic that I think everyone needs to try at least once. It's not a puzzle game in the sense of [i]Myst[/i]'s obtuse difficulty, nor is it a puzzle game in the sense of some cheap puzzle game you'd find in the Walmart electronics section for $3. It's more like a first-person adventure game centered around logic puzzles where it's easy to pick up but a bit more difficult to master. Besides, with the [i]Orange Box[/i] pack and the Valve Complete Pack, you can grab it alongside some other downright incredible games (including the vastly improved sequel) for an affordable price point. You owe it to yourself to collect those games and [i]Portal[/i] is yet another reason why!

Portal—an absolute masterpiece. Simple concept, genius execution. The puzzles are brilliantly designed, the physics feel perfect, and GLaDOS? Easily one of the best villains in gaming history. It’s short but unforgettable. The moment you first step through a portal and see yourself from the other side? Mind-blowing. A game that proves you don’t need endless content to be legendary. CUUUUDO.

Not a bad game but my only main issue with it, is the camera movement when it comes to fast teleportation while changing directions where u need to go and it can get yanky. i would like this game 10/10 but im at the middle of the liking it so its at 6/10. Game-play wise not very bad since its a very old game threw out it shows a story telling of a character nothing much on them just they were made as a test subject for their chambers of a robot voice. Slowly building up as the place does not what it seems to be "friendly". Obstacle view can be very challenging but sightly annoying to get threw all the chamber levels although it makes you use ur brain alot to remember what u really need to focus around ur surroundings. If ur aiming to complete achievements the difficulty i would say for them would be at a medium level. There are some of them that will take a lot of time to get even for the last 3 achievements that would require u to get bronze, silver and gold on the challenging section chambers. You think u got what it takes to 100% this game? (yes) Friendly reminder this game will make u crash out on different parts of the levels even on extra modes that will take a few attempts to get use to (This game made me crash out several times) Play this game at ur own risk!! it will make u rage D: Hope this review is useful for ya :3

This game will forever be a lifelong classic. Made in 2007 but beats so many modern day games in terms of quality and enjoyment. Sit back and enjoy some cake!

The mother of all first-person puzzle games, at this point Portal is a gaming classic. If you haven't yet played Portal, I think it is definitely worth trying. Despite how old it is, I think Portal will forever hold up (given that Valve keeps it running). I was fairly new to puzzle games when I originally played this, and at that time I considered it quite challenging. When you start, the portal mechanic is very novel and fun to play around with. It felt like such a smart and unique idea. But the puzzles start to ramp up slowly and things become more serious. By the end the novelty had worn off, and the puzzles had taken over. I was really rubbing those two brain cells together trying for a spark. Eventually I would figure things out, and it was rewarding to be able to move on to the next level. I do wonder how I would have fared now, given so many years of experience with puzzle games at this point, but it goes to show this game is accessible to the young and dumb as well as the older and slightly less dumb than before. You play as Mel, a test subject that wakes up from stasis, being overseen by an AI named GLaDOS. In Portal 1, GLaDOS as a character isn't as fully fleshed out into the icon that we see in Portal 2, in this game, she is much more robotic and matter-of-fact, but she still plays her role perfectly. If you play Portal 2 first and go backwards to this one, you might find her shift in tone a little weird, but you get used to it quickly. The story also isn't as in-depth as the second one, but again it serves its purpose. You build a relationship with GLaDOS and get to know the world of Aperture Science. Even if you are just playing this one to move onto Portal 2, with that being the main game in mind, I think it's worth it. This is one of those rare games that you could class as "unmissable", due to it genuinely being a good game, but also the legacy it has created. First-person puzzle games are one of my favourite genres of games these days, and it all started with Portal. A lot of the games in this genre are love-letters to Portal, heavily inspired by Valve's unique and iconic franchise. [quote][b]Achievements:[/b] Included There are a fair amount of missable achievements in this game, and honestly I think this one is a hard one to complete without peaking at a guide at some point. There are also achievements for completing all the "challenges" which are quite the pain as there are some difficult ones in there (I actually gave up on 100%ing the game once I got to the challenges). [/quote] [quote]For more reviews of this genre, check out my curator page [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45518898-The-Best-First-Person-Puzzle-Games/] The Best: First-Person Puzzle Games[/url][/quote]

🎯 Rating: 9.7/10 📜 Overview Portal is a first-person puzzle-platform video game developed by Valve and released in 2007 as part of the The Orange Box compilation. It quickly gained acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics, minimalist design, and dark humor. The game revolves around the use of a "portal gun," a device that allows the player to create linked portals on flat surfaces. The goal is to navigate through increasingly complex test chambers by creating portals to move objects, avoid hazards, and reach the exit. The game’s main protagonist, Chell, is guided (or rather taunted) by an AI named GLaDOS, whose quirky and sinister commentary adds an extra layer of intrigue to the experience. 🌟 Pros ✅ Innovative Gameplay – The portal mechanic is incredibly unique and offers creative puzzle-solving opportunities, providing a fresh take on traditional puzzle-platform games. ✅ Challenging Puzzles – Each level introduces new complexities, keeping the puzzles engaging and rewarding as players master the portal mechanics. ✅ Memorable Characters – GLaDOS, the game's sarcastic and often chilling AI, is one of gaming's most iconic characters, adding humor and tension throughout the story. ✅ Atmospheric Design – The sterile, clinical environment of Aperture Science combined with minimalist visuals creates an atmospheric and immersive experience. ✅ Brevity and Polish – The game is concise, with a perfect length that ensures it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The levels are designed to gradually ramp up in difficulty without feeling frustrating. ⚠️ Cons ❌ Limited Replayability – While the puzzles are satisfying to solve, the game's relatively short length and the lack of alternate gameplay modes may limit replay value for some players. ❌ Simplicity for Some – Although the puzzles can be tricky, some experienced players may find the game's difficulty to be on the easier side compared to other puzzle games. ❌ Lack of Deep Storyline – While GLaDOS's commentary is entertaining, the overall story is more of an atmospheric backdrop rather than an in-depth narrative. 💬 Player Sentiment Positive Reviews: Players appreciate the game’s innovation, design, and unique puzzle mechanics. The integration of humor with GLaDOS’s commentary has been widely praised. It’s also considered one of the best examples of a short, polished game that doesn’t waste the player’s time. Negative Reviews: Criticisms mostly focus on the game’s short length and lack of additional content beyond the main story, which leaves little incentive for replaying once the puzzles are solved. 🎯 Target Audience Fans of puzzle games who enjoy unique mechanics and strategic thinking. Players who enjoy a humorous, dark narrative experience. Those who appreciate high-quality, concise gaming experiences without filler content. 🏆 Rating Breakdown 🎮 Gameplay: 9.5/10 🎨 Graphics & Art Style: 9/10 🔄 Replayability: 7.5/10 ⚙️ Mechanics & Balance: 9.5/10 👥 Community & Support: 9/10 Overall Experience: 9.7/10 🎯 Final Verdict Portal is a groundbreaking game that takes a simple concept and turns it into a rewarding, engaging experience. Its innovative puzzle mechanics, humorous AI, and concise story make it a must-play for fans of the genre. While it may lack significant replay value and depth in its narrative, its puzzle design is unparalleled. It's a perfect example of a game that delivers a tight, impactful experience without overstaying its welcome.