Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle video game developed and published by Valve Corporation. It was released on April 19, 2011, for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Portal 2 is a sequel to Portal as well as the first game created by Valve to be rated E10+, compared to the M rating of all of their previous titles excluding the first Portal game and the original Day of Defeat, which were rated T.
Portal 2Release date
GenreModeRatingDistributionSpecificationsSystem requirementsPlatform
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360,[1]PlayStation 3[2]
Input
Keyboard and mouse, Xbox 360 Controller, DualShock 3, Sixense TrueMotion, PlayStation Move
EngineProduction informationDeveloperWriterComposer
Series information
Synopsis
First hinted in the update made to Portal in March 2010 as part of the Portal ARG, it was announced on March 5, 2010 to be released in fall 2010,[4] but was later announced on June 9, 2010, as delayed until an unspecified date in 2011,[5] until it was said to be released on February 9, 2011.[6] This date was again delayed to April 19.[7]
Portal 2 was previewed in the twelve-page cover story of the April 2010 issue of Game Informer, revealing some plot details and new gameplay features.[8] It was also confirmed that GLaDOS was indeed still alive, and would return as the main antagonist.[9] In addition, Game Informer and other sources confirmed a co-op mode for up to two players with its own separate campaign.[9] The co-op campaign was said to have separate credits and would take place after the single-player story.[10][11] Valve was also scheduled to unveil the Portal 2 World Premiere on June 14, at their E3 2010 press conference,[12] but later canceled the showing of Portal 2 on the 14th through a humorous e-mail, to be replaced with a 'surprise'. The game was shown in the form of a demo at Valve's own booth instead,[13] and on June 15, the first Portal 2 trailer was shown during the Sony press conference, with the 'surprise' apparently being its release on the PlayStation 3 console, which was originally not the case.
Storyline
Main article: Portal 2 storyline
Characters
Enemies
Gameplay
The gameplay of Portal 2 is based on its predecessor Portal, where the player, with the use of portals, solves puzzles. New gameplay elements such as Mobility Gels, the Aerial Faith Plate and the Thermal Discouragement Beam were implemented as means for the player to master in order to solve puzzles.
Chell no longer wears the Advanced Knee Replacement, but instead suited in the new Aperture Science Long Fall Boots. Combat plays a slightly larger role than in the last game, seeing as Chell is always meeting with enemies along the way.
Co-op campaign
Cooperative play is a new game mode introduced to Portal 2. The campaign features two characters, ATLAS and P-body. The two players must work together to pass tests and areas outside the test chambers. The developers implemented robotic characters in order to ease explanation of a respawning system, giving the story explanation that humans could not be trusted.
The gameplay is very similar to single-player mode, with the addition of object-specific buttons and tools to aid in cooperative play, as well as 8 gestures.
The Co-op campaign also contains whiteboards with writings found in images from The Potato Sack that are found in final test chambers and that are out of the testing track.
Development
Main article: The Final Hours of Portal 2
As mentioned in The Final Hours of Portal 2, Portal 2 stemmed from F-STOP, which originally was a prequel to the first game set during Cave Johnson's era. F-STOP was not to feature portals; what remains of it in the final game is the Enrichment Shafts.
In 2007, Kim Swift stated that future Portal developments would depend on the community's reactions, saying, 'We're still playing it by ear at this point, figuring out if we want to do multi-player next, or Portal 2, or release map packs.'[14][15] On January 31, 2008, Lombardi confirmed that 'more Portal' would be forthcoming, and promised that the additional content would not just be 'more puzzles';[16] an interview with Kim Swift on February 21, 2008, revealed that a full sequel, Portal 2, would be coming.[17] Swift also stated that the team creating the Portal sequel were deciding upon the design they should implement and that a multiplayer Portal 'from a technology standpoint is possible',[18] though Swift had previously stated they tried a Portal multiplayer deathmatch variant, but admitted that 'it's less fun than you'd think.'[19]
Turn off monitoring fl studio. On June 10, 2008, Kotaku reported that Valve was seeking voice actors for the character role of Aperture Science CEO Cave Johnson and suggested that the second game may be a prequel to the Portal events.[20] However, it was later suggested on Kombo.com it could be a sequel, with Johnson as another AI.[21]
On April 8, 2011, lead writer Chet Faliszek gave an interview to Beefyjack where he discusses a variety of topics, including allusions to how Portal 2's story will fit into the overall Half-Life universe and the secret to Valve's success when it comes to producing games being lots of playtesting.[22]
On April 13, 2011, Doug Lombardi, Valve's VP of Marketing, posted details of Portal 2's PS3 Steam integration on the official US PlayStation Blog. He noted that it will 'offer cross-platform matchmaking, gameplay, friends, chat, and achievements' and will also allow players to save their progress, in both the co-op and single-player mode, to the Steam Cloud, which means gamers can continue any saved game on the PS3. Achievements will sync up as well. All in all, these features will, according to Lombardi, make the PS3 version of Portal 2 'the best console version of the game.'[23]
Portal 2 Alive And Kicking LyricsAchievements and trophies
Portal 2 has 51 PC achievements,[24] 50 Xbox 360 achievements[25] with a total of 1000 Gamerscore points, and 51 trophies;[26] 42 bronze trophies, 5 silver trophies, 3 gold trophies and 1 platinum trophy.
Reception
Portal 2 has received universal critical acclaim and currently holds a 95/100 on Metacritic. Critics praised nearly every aspect of it, particularly its use of humor. Many also find the game's difficulty at just the right level, saying it's not so hard that it's frustrating, and yet hard enough that you get a sense of success after completing a level.
Bonus
Portal 2 features an interactive teaser for the at the time upcoming film Super 8 directed by J. J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg and released in 2011. In the teaser, the player starts in a train that soon derails (after about a minute). Following the accident, the player walks through the aftermath of the crash until arriving at a boxcar with an armored door. Something smashes the door open, then the teaser cuts to black, and is followed by the roar of an escaped creature, until the Super 8 title is shown, ending the teaser.
Downloadable contentSixense DLC
A level pack was made available for those that purchased the Razer Hydra motion controller. It consists of six normal chambers and seven advanced chambers. With the DLC installed, the portal gun gains several new abilities. The new features work in both the extra levels and the main campaign but are disabled in the co-op campaign. This pack was later released for the PlayStation 3's Move controllers, under the name 'Portal 2: In Motion'.
![]()
The first new ability is One to One, which allows the player to rotate a held object in three dimensions, as well as hold it further away through the use of an energy beam. The beam does not have infinite range, only allowing the object to be held about three or four panel-lengths away. This allows for precision aiming with the Weighted Pivot Cube and can be used to place cubes on buttons that would otherwise be out of reach.
The second ability is portal surfing. This ability allows the player to move their portals after placing them. Unlike One to One, this works at any distance. Portals can be tilted to either side and moved along walls, so long as the surface in question can support a portal. This is a necessary aspect of several tests, which have portal surfaces too short for a portal to form on vertically, necessitating that it be dragged there horizontally. Dragging portals also allows the player to move themselves or objects across a room while suspended in an Excursion Funnel. Tilting a portal connected to a Hard Light Bridge allows the bridge to be turned on its side as a shield if necessary, or moved along with the player to block a turret. The spreading of Mobility Gels can also be controlled with much greater ease.
The final ability is scaling, which allows the portal gun to alter the dimensions of a special Scaling Cube. The cube can be shrunk to fit through a tight space, stretched out and flattened to serve as a bridge or even enlarged to cover multiple buttons at once. In addition, the scaling cube's mass increases or decreases in proportion to its size. This allows a sufficiently enlarged cube to smash through panes of glass an ordinary cube could not, as well as crush turrets or the player if it lands on them.
Portal 2: Peer Review
Portal 2: Peer Review was developed for Portal 2 and was released on October 4, 2011. The DLC was launched across all platforms (Steam, Xbox Live, PSN) free of charge. It continues the story of ATLAS and P-Body as they assist GLaDOS in finding a mysterious intruder in the facility, and adds a challenge mode for both singleplayer and co-op maps, allowing a player to race certain maps, trying to place the least amount of portals in the shortest amount of time, as well as compare their scores with other users.[27]
The Perpetual Testing Initiative
Main article: Perpetual Testing Initiative
The Perpetual Testing Initiative is a level editing and sharing service for the PC and Mac versions of Portal 2, released by Valve on May 8th, 2012. It is free for all who purchased Portal 2 and is included directly in the game. Users can create levels, and play them, and also share them online for other players to play. The level editor features a simple interface, and the ability to test play the level. The storyline, while simple, involves Cave Johnson, the test subjects of Aperture Science, and multiple universes.
GalleryMenu background videos
nntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':'GLaDOS.','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Menu_act01.jpg','title':'Menu act01.jpg','dbKey':'Menu_act01.jpg'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/2/22/Menu_act02.jpg/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110703231143&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':'Turret Manufacturing.','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Menu_act02.jpg','title':'Menu act02.jpg','dbKey':'Menu_act02.jpg'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/b/b0/Menu_act03.jpg/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110703231147&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':'Tartaros.','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Menu_act03.jpg','title':'Menu act03.jpg','dbKey':'Menu_act03.jpg'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/b/be/Menu_act04.jpg/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110703231151&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':'Frankenturret.','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Menu_act04.jpg','title':'Menu act04.jpg','dbKey':'Menu_act04.jpg'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/7/74/Menu_act05.jpg/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110703231153&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':'Space.','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Menu_act05.jpg','title':'Menu act05.jpg','dbKey':'Menu_act05.jpg'}]'>
Loading screens
nntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Portal2_product_1_widescreen.png','title':'Portal2 product 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Portal2_product_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/b/b1/Portal2_product_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110706145436&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Portal2_product_2_widescreen.png','title':'Portal2 product 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Portal2_product_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/8/85/Loadingscreen_a1_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192421&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a1_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a1 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a1_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/4/4c/Loadingscreen_a1_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192421&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a1_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a1 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a1_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/3/3c/Loadingscreen_a1_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192422&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a1_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a1 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a1_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/3/3c/Loadingscreen_a1_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192423&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a1_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a1 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a1_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/b/b0/Loadingscreen_a1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192423&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/4/4f/Loadingscreen_a2_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192424&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a2_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a2 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a2_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/d/de/Loadingscreen_a2_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192425&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a2_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a2 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a2_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/d/d9/Loadingscreen_a2_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192426&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a2_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a2 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a2_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/f/f1/Loadingscreen_a2_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192427&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a2_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a2 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a2_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/9/9f/Loadingscreen_a3_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192427&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a3_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a3 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a3_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/2/25/Loadingscreen_a3_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192344&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a3_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a3 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a3_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/7/70/Loadingscreen_a3_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192344&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a3_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a3 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a3_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/0a/Loadingscreen_a3_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192345&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a3_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a3 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a3_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/e/e5/Loadingscreen_a4_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192346&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a4_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a4 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a4_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/8/89/Loadingscreen_a4_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192347&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a4_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a4 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a4_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/e/eb/Loadingscreen_a4_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192347&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a4_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a4 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a4_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/e/ed/Loadingscreen_a4_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192348&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a4_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a4 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a4_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/08/Loadingscreen_a5_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621185214&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_a5_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen a5 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_a5_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/2/2e/Loadingscreen_coop_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192349&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_coop_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen coop 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_coop_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/b/bb/Loadingscreen_coop_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192351&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_coop_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen coop 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_coop_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/3/3f/Loadingscreen_coop_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192351&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_coop_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen coop 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_coop_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/1/17/Loadingscreen_coop_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192055&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_coop_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen coop 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_coop_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/5/5c/Loadingscreen_default_a_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621185635&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_a_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default a 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_a_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/2/25/Loadingscreen_default_a_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192056&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_a_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default a 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_a_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/e/ea/Loadingscreen_default_a_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192057&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_a_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default a 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_a_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/02/Loadingscreen_default_a_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192057&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_a_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default a 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_a_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/7/73/Loadingscreen_default_b_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621185742&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_b_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default b 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_b_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/9/98/Loadingscreen_default_b_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192058&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_b_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default b 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_b_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/1/12/Loadingscreen_default_b_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192058&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_b_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default b 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_b_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/9/9c/Loadingscreen_default_b_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192059&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_b_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default b 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_b_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/d/de/Loadingscreen_default_c_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192100&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_c_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default c 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_c_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/7/7c/Loadingscreen_default_c_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192232&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_c_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default c 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_c_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/5/5f/Loadingscreen_default_c_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192233&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_c_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default c 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_c_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/3/3c/Loadingscreen_default_c_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621185938&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_c_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default c 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_c_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/c/c6/Loadingscreen_default_d_1_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621185957&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_d_1_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default d 1 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_d_1_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/0f/Loadingscreen_default_d_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192234&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_d_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default d 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_d_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/6/62/Loadingscreen_default_d_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192235&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_d_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default d 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_d_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/3/3d/Loadingscreen_default_d_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20120621190052&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_d_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default d 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_d_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/07/Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192237&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default e 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/4/4f/Loadingscreen_default_e_2_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192236&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_e_2_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default e 2 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_e_2_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/0b/Loadingscreen_default_e_3_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192236&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_e_3_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default e 3 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_e_3_widescreen.png'},{'thumbUrl':'https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/half-life/images/0/07/Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png/revision/latest/zoom-crop/width/240/height/240?cb=20110704192237&path-prefix=en','thumbHtml':'nnnntnttnntntnntntnntntnnn</picture>nntntnntnntnnn</a>nn','caption':','linkHref':'/wiki/File:Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png','title':'Loadingscreen default e 4 widescreen.png','dbKey':'Loadingscreen_default_e_4_widescreen.png'}]'>
References![]()
Portal 2 Alive And Kicking Videos
External links
Thinking with Time Machine
Besides having a really amazing single player story, the co-op mode in Portal 2 is what keeps you going back. It can be all about killing your partner in the most treacherous ways, or finding the sweet momentum of teamwork. Either way, being one of those funny robots is always worth it. This is even more so when taking into account the huge amount of user-made maps focused on cooperative gameplay. Nonetheless, if you donât want to play a story you already know and youâd rather still play alone, Thinking with Time Machine is the Portal 2 mod for you.
With this very popular mod, instead of being a robot and messing around with a friend, you are Chell⦠twice. In addition to having the portal device, you also get to use a time machine in order to solve rooms and be a perfectly efficient test subject. By pressing a button on said time machine (which looks pretty much like a tablet), you record your actions. Pressing another button will then trigger the creation of a twin Chell, who repeats everything you did. This way, you can do the rest of the work and become your best teammate.
Undoubtedly, thereâs a whole new level of strategy behind this mechanic. While playing Portal 2 with a friend would require real-time decisions and actions, Thinking with Time Machine requires planning and perfect timing so the interactions with your twin are actually successful.
Even though it lacks a bit of portal action, since itâs mainly focused on time travelling, Thinking with time machine does add a new twist to Portal 2âs gameplay. Additionally, itâs a great opportunity to check out how far a mod can change its own base game with a little bit of innovation. By the way, if everything above isnât enough, thereâs a lot of custom content: the time-machine pad, textures, and even an improved Chell model which allows players to see their own feet. Thatâs a huge detail and any Portal 2 fan will agree.
Above Aperture
Portal 2 is an underground adventure and even though every level is beautifully designed, sometimes you may have wondered how deep those labs actually were, and what Aperture looked like to the people in the non-test environments. Well, Above Aperture, a 4 part mod, is based on that idea. As Chell, you take a trip to unknown parts of the Aperture Center from which you can see the sky.
I know it may not sound like a really big deal, but being able to see the sky while trying to figure out the puzzles in Portal 2 does feel a lot more like freedom. Donât get me wrong, the whole underground facilities setting was extremely necessary in the story, but sometimes it got a bit too damp and dark. Definitely spirit crushing. In this custom-made extension, Chell gets to visit what looks a lot like an abandoned city, with open sky levels and outdoor transitions between tests. Even if itâs still Portal 2, it feels like a lot more. Besides cosmetic changes, Above Aperture does include pretty hard levels, which keep the Portal 2 spirit high and alive.
Portal 2 Alive And Kicking Download
All in all, Above Aperture is a risky effort. Taking a beloved world and completely changing its setting could have angered many Portal 2 fans. Nonetheless, itâs a great option for players who are actually willing to keep being a test subject. Additionally, this mod also includes custom textures, models and even music, which definitely become better with every new release.
The best part of Above Aperture is that it doesnât seem to be over. Its latest part was updated on December 14, 2014, which means we can still hope for more episodes in 2015.
Dilapidation
One of the great things about Portal 2 was how even though its levels were apart, and the game had numerous loading screens, it all felt part of one big thing. And this doesnât only include the Aperture facilities; making the gameâs events feel like one big story is a work of art, mostly supported by GLaDOS and Wheatley. Achieving all of this without such memorable characters is as hard as anyone would imagine.
Going back to Portal 2 and facing a lack of a proper story and individual maps with unproven quality isnât as charming as the gameâs devs may have thought. Luckily, there are mods such as Dilapidation. This series of 6 episodes is definitely a product of love.
In Dilapidation, players are now an unnamed test subject who awakens in a dilapidated Aperture facility, right next to the remains of a stasis chamber. Once again the objective is to escape, and the only way to achieve this is by being a successful tester. The great thing about this series of mods is that it feels like one big thing, it has a tangible continuity. As players progress and move between test chambers, the already ruined testing facilities keep deteriorating. Itâs a really great way to keep things spicy, especially when parts of the wreckage become essential objects in the next testing room.
Besides all of the above, thereâs yet another piece of great news about Dilapidation: it has a second series of three episodes in an additional mod called Reconstruction. As a direct sequel to Dilapidation, players will now have to keep their progress towards salvation while Aperture facilities are being reconstructed after GLaDOS becomes functional once again.
Gelocity
Among the incredible amount of mods available for Portal 2, it was only a matter of time before users became aware of how the gameâs mechanics could be turned into something completely different. Collective imagination should never be understated, especially over the internet. Gelocity is an incredibly fun example of how Portal 2 can be changed into something else.
This mod, as may have been guessed from its name, is a series of 3 maps (Gelocity 1, 2 and 3) which, instead of being puzzles, are huge racing tracks covered with the different experimental gels from Portal 2 (especially the propulsion gel, for obvious reasons). Each one of these mods allow racing against a friend along intricate and really fun circuits. Of course, portals arenât completely out of the picture: each track has its own set of tricks that require portals to be used in a rush and with considerable accuracy. Additionally, portals can also be used to deviate and even kill your competitor.
If youâd like a more individual kind of challenge, Gelocity also has its own time trial tracks, designed for solo racing and beating your own record.
Upcoming Mods![]()
Portal: Alive and Kicking
This is a very ambitious project which plans to recreate the whole original Portal game using Portal 2âs much more versatile and improved version of the Source engine. Portal: Alive and Kicking will not only allow new players to enjoy the first Portal, but also let long-time fans have a completely new approach to their beloved masterpiece.
The big highlight concerning this mod is the following impressive quote by Jeep Barnett, a software designer for Valve:
âIâm often nit-picky, but even with my intimate familiarity of Portal I can see that nothing has been overlooked. Every tile on every panel has been revisited with loving detail. Not only have the visuals been updated to match Portal 2, but the weaker puzzle cues have been improved. Iâm really looking forward to what theyâll do with the Behind the Scenes areas.â
Portal Stories: Mel
This mod tells a completely different story focused on a test subject named Mel. Just like Chell, Mel is supposed to survive by completing tests and will even have a completely new personality core as a companion. The events in this mod are said to be set between Portal and Portal 2.
Besides looking completely gorgeous, Portal Stories: Mel is also set to have a huge narrative component. Just take a look at the trailer: Is that Aperture during its prime time? Are we going to live its downfall? These questions should be enough to make any Portal 2 fan shriek out in excitement. Letâs just hope it gets released this year.
There are countless Portal 2 mods in Steamâs workshop and tons more being made as this text is being written. This feature offers but a small selection of some mods which have become popular enough to stand out. Nonetheless, itâs far from being an exhaustive list and I definitely encourage diving deep into whatever new and old options are available. Even if it sounds corny, imagination has no real limit and there are literally thousands of reasons to go back to Portal 2.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |