Portal is a unique game. It is an FPS of sorts, but without the shooting bullets.It could be classified as a puzzle game, but requires good reflexes as well. It is in a class of its own that we rarely see, but when we do it’s a wonderful sight.
The premise of the game is that you are a test subject in an experiment being run by Aperture Science. You are put in room and are required to reach the exit door. All you are armed with is your wits and a gun. Twist is this gun doesn’t shoot bullets. It shoots portals. You use these portals to get around, over and through obstacles and to solve the puzzles throughout the game. The obstacles range from the cliche button and box routine, to guiding a ball of energy to a socket using portals. The only live fire enemies are the turrets. The turrets fire at you if they see you, but if you knock them over they fire a few warning shots and deactivate. Most of the puzzles/obstacles require Quick reflexes and timing rather than straight up logic. Don’t take that the wrong way though. The game still involves a lot of logical thinking, but it’s not slow about it.
On to the mechanics and such.
Graphically the game is not as great as some of the other recent games, but it does a decent enough job on the things that you pay attention to as not to look bad. It’s largely a sharp, clean, sterilized feel to the game, so it doesn’t need a lot of graphic power. The ability to see through the portals is a big feature, as it give that distorted which-way-is-up feeling.
The physics engine is where the money is. The game revolves heavily around the fact that portals don’t affect momentum. Gravity plays a big role in giving the feel of the game with the portals as the gravity causes shifts in direction through a portal. It enables most of the puzzles to even exist. The Havok engine is the core of the whole game.
One of the major drawbacks to this game, however, is it’s short duration. The game can be completed in 5 hours easy. Even people who aren’t good at puzzles could do it in that time. It’s helped by the fact that 6 of the levels have advanced modes and 3 challenge modes, but it still ends up coming rather short.
Overall the game is a something new and original in a world of repeats, remakes and spin-offs and will give you a great time while it lasts. One thing to note: Don't play if you get motion sick easily.
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