Portal 2 review

I finally got to play Portal 2 this weekend.  I bought the PS3 version because it comes with a code for the PC version also.  I originally thought the game saves were saved in the cloud and cross platform.  It looks like PS3 saves and PC saves in the cloud are kept seperate :(  So the only thing cross platform is co-op - which I need to try.

I finished the PC version - got half way through the PS3 version.  The mouse makes this game SOOOO much easier to play.  So obviously I prefer to play it on the PC.  The Steam integration on the PS3 is pretty good.  I need ot try co-op and cross platform play.  I am curious as to how voice works if there is any.

Portal 2 make Portal 1 seem like a demo/beta.  It is a more complete game.  Better story line, better physics, better humor, and better graphics.  The biggest improvement, I think, is the physics and controls.  When putting a portal on a wall or floor they try to line up the portal to an invisible grid and they try to line it up in the direction you want.  For example, they willmake sure the bottom is always on the bottom so you don't come out upside down.  Some levels in Portal 1 I got motion sickness because how much auto-correcting the game had to do to keep you upright.

For those of you that get motion sickness easily this game isn't as bas as Portal 1.  Depending on how sensitive you are you might be able to stomach this one.

I like the story line.  It starts off many years after Portal 1.  It starts out like Portal 1 - the first levels run you through the basics and then you break out of hte complex.  What I loved was after you broke out of hte complex how you started going throug the 1970/1980 area of the facility learning the history of the project.  This also introduces the gels the materials that the portal gun originated from.  They also introduced the light brisge and vortex tubes - simple additions that add well to the puzzles.

The puzzle difficulty was satifying.  Most puzzles I figured out quickly.  I did have to look up a walk through on 1, and after I saw the walk through it was because I didn't see the little patch of surface in the far distance that a portal could go on.  Several puzzles I had to stop and reflect when I completed them because of the wow factor.  They were very creative.

Spoiler alert - skip this paragraph if you don't want to know the ending.  If you pay attention to the dialog throughout the game you learn the portal technology came from minerals found on the moon.  I instantly knew to put the final portal on the moon.  That was an awesome ending.

I give the game a big thumbs up.  Steam does such a good job of putting a good story together you keep wanting to play just to find out what happens next.  I need to run through the developer commentary now - best part of about Valve games.

Also, the interactive Super 8 trailer is cool - definitately going to see that movie.