Portal

"Overrated and overhyped. Still a decent game."

A little history lesson.

Narbacular Drop was released in 2005 and developed by Nuclear Monkey Software. The gameplay consists of navigating a dungeon using a portal system in a third-person view. The same team was hired by Valve to develop Portal, released with the Orange Box in 2007.

Graphics - 8
While Valve continues to update it as each new first-party release comes out with such things as HDR or the Soft-Particle System, you can't help get the feeling that it seems all to familiar.

Not to mention, that it doesn't really take it to the next level. You are constantly seeing glass, walls, and well - portals. It's very bland.

That being said, the Source Engine still holds up to this day and age. It just that symptons of deja vu may overcome you constantly.

Sound - 7
From the clinks and bangs of the mechanical facility to the annoying voices of the turrets and cubes, Portal gives an ordinary audio standing in a Valve video game. It doesn't stand out - good or bad.

Gameplay - 7
The portal system is similiar to the one found in Narbacular Drop, with flinging as an addition

I'll admit, the trailers of Portal looked good and fun. That's what a game should be about, right? Sadly, that didn't exactly transfer into the product.

The puzzles at the beginning are the most interesting and then increasingly become dull. Instead of dropping items into portals, you find yourself hopping through portals constantly.

The game is quite short. It took me 2 hours and 30 minutes on the main game and then there are bonuses and achievements.

Humor - 2
People are constantly complementing Portal on its "dry humor", when it is exactly that. Dry.

Here are some examples:

Please be advised that a noticeable taste of blood is not part of any test protocol, but is an unintended side effect of the Aperture Science Material Emancipation Grill, which may, in semi-rare cases, emancipate dental fillings, crowns, tooth enamel and teeth. - GLaDOS

Ow ow ow - Turrets

There's many more to be heard, but I just wanted to give a taste. You might believe that reading the quotes may give some humor, but hear the quotes in a lifeless, robotic voice. Still funny with no emotion?

These quotes may give a chuckle, but they are no where near "LOLOL XDXD THIS IS HILARIOUS" as users on message boards may say.

When someone suggests bad comedians and people say Dane Cook, I'll say Portal.

Overall - 7 (not an average)
While Portal is a breath of air from ordinary first person shooters, it's not a breath of fresh air. Narbacular Drop, Prey, and even ExitE are similiar to Portal in ways. If you have played those, you might find yourself saying "Hey, this isn't very new".

Portal still feels like a mod, but it is worth the time to play.

+ Portals are fun to use.
+ Enjoyable.
- Too short.
- Repetitive enviroments.
- Repetitve gameplay.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 10/29/07