Portal - Review

“The cake is a lie” – A review of Portal. 

In 2007, a new, modestly sized puzzle game was released, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Portal, released by a small dev team, is loved for its brilliant, witty writing, inventive and innovative gameplay and instantly recognisable minimalist aesthetic. Portal is the epitome of simple to play but difficult to master; you are a silent protagonist trapped in a sterile laboratory, armed only with a portal gun, which you must use to solve spatial puzzles by creating portals you can travel through on flat surfaces. It sounds simple, but this is a game which challenges players to think outside of the box and at times, pushes your patience to the limit.

Portal is challenging, but it has a brilliant learning curve. The first few levels introduce you to the game nicely, introducing mechanics in bite sized pieces and encouraging you to experiment. As the game progresses so does the difficulty – there is a section with a moving platform which frustrated me so badly I nearly quit the game – but it’s so satisfying to finally beat a section that it balances out nicely.

I really enjoy the storytelling of Portal. It’s very subtle, but this is what makes it effective. You’re completely isolated within what is essentially a sterile maze and are only guided by a disembodied voice – GLaDOS. GLaDOS is an artificial intelligence which initially seems helpful and almost calming, but before long it becomes passive aggressive or downright mean. The writing is brilliant – witty, dry and genuinely very funny at times, this style of storytelling is perfect for the puzzler.

The lore is fascinating when you find it, and the sound design of this game is also fantastic. From the hums of machinery to the pings of the portal gun, the atmosphere is unsettling but strangely calming at the same time.

I really do enjoy the atmosphere of the game. The isolation really lends itself to a feeling of dread, and as you play through cracks begin to show. You begin to realise that you’re not the first test subject that’s been through this, and you’re not just solving puzzles, you’re participating in an experiment against your will.

I must admit though, I am not the biggest fan of Portal. One of the joys of the game is the ability to be creative with solutions, are there are sections where there really is only one correct way to move on. I also find the unpredictability frustrating; if a portal is placed just slightly at an angle, you can end off being shot off to weird angles, meaning I replayed parts of this game multiple times just to get through it. I would also say that Portal severely lacks in replayability; once you’ve discovered the lore and solved the puzzles, I just don’t feel the need to return to it and given it’s a short game which you can complete in about two hours, I think this is a shame.

Portal certainly isn’t a bad game. It redefined what puzzle games can do, has a great design and atmosphere, brilliant writing and really is a unique experience. Despite my frustrations and criticisms, I have to admit that Portal is a must play for anyone who is a fan of puzzle games. It’s a great idea which is brilliantly executed, providing humour, frustration and challenging gameplay to fans. Just remember – the cake is a lie, but the portals are very, very real.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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