Portal?

**Buck** · October 17th, 2007

I don't think many here actually game on their computer, but has anyone heard of this game? It is a mini add-on for Half Life 2. The story part of the game is only about two to three hours long, is amazingly fun, and the ending is well ... cute to say the least (spoiler free).

It is fast becoming a classic. Everyone who's played the game loved it. Anyone here heard of it at least?

I can't get the silly end credits song out of my head. Damn you Jonathan Coulton!

*shakes fist*

**sir archely** · October 17th, 2007

yeah, i've heard of it. looks really intriguing to me. i like the mechanic idea, and for whatever reason it makes me think of the old Lode Runner game, which i played to death. (both the original version and the updated Sierra version.) haven't had the opportunity to play it though. i may have to look into getting the orange box.

**LaughingTurtle** · October 17th, 2007

I've thought about picking up the Orange Box (Half-Life 2, Episode 1 & 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2) but it'd kill way too much of my little free time at the moment. The only two downsides I've heard about portal is that it's way too easy and very short. But it's loads of fun while it lasts. Sort of like the Half Life episodes...

I know I'll eventually get it but a must have it is not. TF is what tempts me most but that is also what would kill the most of my free time. One other nice thing about the Orange Box is that if you already own HL2 and/or Episode 1 you can give the ones you get in the set deal to a friend for free from Steam. When I do get it if anyone doesn't have one or the other and wants em PM me.

**Buck** · October 17th, 2007

Yes, portal tests your ingenuity more than anything. Most of it is pretty straight forward, only and certain times did I actually get stumped enough to stop and think about how to get to the next part. Most of the difficulty comes from performing certain feats of acrobatics and chaining portals to gain just the right amount of momentum to get on to some ledge.

Like I said, it is a very short game. From beginning to end it shouldn't take more than 2 to 3 hours. If you dont have much time LT, I'd definitely look into this game. It is not the most ultimate game in the universe. Just very fun despite how short it is. Much of the fame is caused by the fact that among everything in the Orange Box, this was the most downplayed or completely ignored.

ohhh and there are bonus maps that are much more difficult. I'm going to work on the first one later tonight after dinner.

**JEDIWAN** · October 25th, 2007

O.K. I'm one the people with Half Life's 1 and 2 sitting on the desk that hasn't played them yet
~dodges tomato thrown by Buck~

However, are all the games sold only in the set?

**Buck** · October 25th, 2007

Don't worry about me throwing any tomatoes.

I played through HL 1 and 2 and stopped there. The series is ok at best, to me. The main reason I loved HL 1 was the mods, specifically CS and TFC. I was hoping for fun mods with HL2, but nothing has delivered. Portal is cute and fun, but fairly short, it's great for what it is but it isn't something I can turn on for a couple hours here and there. Yea, there are bonus features like *extreme* versions of a level, timed completions, and other fun achievements.

So yea, I'm not the HL fanatic. Looks like LT is though, hehe
~dodges LT's tomato toss~

HL 2's stuff is (un)fortunately available mostly through STEAM. Load it up and check out what is for sale and just download it. I bought Portal separately cause I had no interest in the Orange Box and heard lots of praise about it - I wasn't disappointed.. I don't have episode 1, don't care for getting episode 2 nor TF2. Ignore the *package deals*, like the Orange Box and pick whatever you want, if it's worth the money to you, buy it.

The only enjoyable shooter I play now a days is Gears of War. Everything else just seems like more of the same, so it never holds my interest.

**JEDIWAN** · October 25th, 2007

Yeah. At the risk of turning this into a multigame thread, Gears is pretty stand alone where shooters are concerned (taking nothing away from HALO, bit that's already established from the two previous ones).
Maybe I'll check out Portal down the road...after I finish God Of War II [which will allow me to go back to Halo3 (legendary. And I technically finished it (albeit in co-op)], Bioshock and Transformers (Apoc! Not One Word!)...