Should I add Portal 2 to my christmas list?

[WindKnight]

ok, my familly usually expect me to write them a list of stuff i would like for christmas, and I usually include some games. Now, I'm in two minds over Portal 2.

In short, I loved the original portal. The gameplay, the art design, the humour, and the 'just right' length. Still love it and occasionally pop it into the xbox for a replay.

But.

The game struck me as very self contained with its story all told in itself, and my reaction on the announcement of portal 2 was 'uh... did this game really need a sequel?' I know they game has gotten a lot of good reviews, but I've also seen several qualify those reviews with it feeling unnecessary or at least not as good as the original, so yeah, I'm in two minds.

In case it makes a difference, I've been very careful about avoiding spoilers just in case, but the internet has still managed to make me thoroughly sick of the Space module thingy before I've even played the game.

 

[Shymer]

It's a really good game. It's a bit leggier and baggy than the original - not as tight - but still plays really well and the dialogue is well written. However it doesn't have a great deal of replay value - so once you've finished...

For me it makes an ideal rental choice because you can cruise through it in a weekend.

All my opinion, of course.

 

[BanicRhys]

No.

It's way too short.
Co-op sucks because you're either waiting for some idiot to figure out the puzzle or you're being rushed along by your partner who has beaten the co-op mode several times already.
It has almost zero replayability.

It's a pretty fun game while it lasts but totally not worth it compared to all the other titles that have come out this year. Rent it or buy it super cheap from Steam or a bargain bin.

 

[Wuggy]

Yes, you should do that. It's amazingly fun, and it's one of the funniest games I've ever played. It also has probably the best climax to any game ever, and the Co-op puzzles are complex and fun to figure out.

It's still on my top spot for the Game of the Year.

 

[Zhukov]

Personally, I still cant decide whether or not it's better than the original.

On the one hand, it's bigger and prettier in every way with new mechanics. On the other hand, it doesn't have the complete efficiency of design that the first one exhibited. Also, the humour is a bit different. Still funny, but not quite as sharp. However, any criticisms I make of the game pale to insignificance when I remember that it has one of the very best endings I've ever seen in a game.

At the end of the day, if you liked the original then I'd strongly recommend you check out Portal 2. At the very, very least, it won't "ruin" Portal for you or anything like that.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Honestly, it's pretty forgetable.

It's not a bad game at all, but everything about it feels like fan pandering and not like a real self-sustaining sequel.

 

[similar.squirrel]

No. Go out and buy it now. Trust me, it's currently the Sistine Chapel of our little medium.

 

[thom_cat_]

x...box?
Anyway, back to the topic it's a good game. Not as solid as the original, but it has a lot more meaty flesh to devour.

 

[GundamSentinel]

It's a good game, plain and simple. But it's short, and the co-op missions just don't really work unless you do them offline with a friend. If you liked the original, at least rent this one (if you're like me and replay games a lot, buy it). It has much of the same dark humor and excellent characters.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

I realllllly enjoyed portal 2.
If you liked the first you'll probably like the second.
There's alot of new types of puzzles that i think actually justifies its existance (plus the coop but i never really got into it)
Its longer than the first, but it doesnt outstay its welcome.

If you have to get it on the xbox then yes i'd get it but if you can get it on the PC, i'd wait til the steam christmas sale and pick it up when its half price.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

Personally I'd choose something else if you could. Not because its bad, its amazing. But because its so cheap now, you could just pick it p, that is of course if you had e money.

 

[Dense_Electric]

Probably not, because you can (and should) buy it right now for fairly cheap.

No, it's not quite up to par with the original, but that's because the original was fricking Portal.

 

[Alduin Silas]

Is Portal 2 a good game? Yes.
Is it as good as the original? No.
Is it worth buying regardless? Yes.
I've played it through about three times at an INTERNET CAFE, that game is so fun to explore around in.

 

[Use_Imagination_here]

Yes. The game Is very good at kicking you on the ass to get you forward. I don't normally even like puzzle games, but the minute you star even thinking about getting bored something alse happens. And than something alse.

 

[Continuity]

ok, my familly usually expect me to write them a list of stuff i would like for christmas, and I usually include some games. Now, I'm in two minds over Portal 2.

In short, I loved the original portal. The gameplay, the art design, the humour, and the 'just right' length. Still love it and occasionally pop it into the xbox for a replay.

But.

The game struck me as very self contained with its story all told in itself, and my reaction on the announcement of portal 2 was 'uh... did this game really need a sequel?' I know they game has gotten a lot of good reviews, but I've also seen several qualify those reviews with it feeling unnecessary or at least not as good as the original, so yeah, I'm in two minds.

In case it makes a difference, I've been very careful about avoiding spoilers just in case, but the internet has still managed to make me thoroughly sick of the Space module thingy before I've even played the game.

Yeah, the sequel isnt as good, sadly, but its worth playing. I wouldn't put it near the top of the list if I were you, there are many many better game out there that will give you much more gameplay for your money.

 

[Carboncrown]

Absolutely.
I mean it's really just more Portal for gods sake. It doesn't feel forced or anything like that and while the new car smell is gone it's well worth you're money.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

Portal 2 does not disappoint, but it is not what I expected ether. Now that Valve gave the game a load of cash the developers had the freedom to give the game a complexity the original lacked. More characters, a larger story, and far more complex puzzles just to name a few things. You said you played Portal 1? Portal 2 gives you a back story as well as quite a few scenes that will make you laugh and cry.

At the end of the single player I didn't feel cheated as much as I was disappointed it was over. Then I moved on to COOP and it was like playing Portal 3. Its an entirely new story. However, I would strongly recommend playing with a friend who has a mic. The COOP saves your progress (I believe) and took us about 6-7 hours to complete if your not rushing through it. Also there is a COOP DLC which was pretty good too amd was and was about 4-6 hours.

Its worth the buy, so your question shouldn't be "Should I add Portal 2 to my Christmas list?" it should be "Why didn't I buy Portal 2 when it was on sale?"

 

[OldNewNewOld]

Yes.
First of all, it's a great game. Single player is great, co-op can be sometimes frustrating, but there are many lulz moments when you see the fail of your partner.
Second, it's rather cheap.

22.50 Euro on steam. There will 100% be some HUGE discount until Christmas. Few weeks ago there was a mid-week discount and you got the game for ~6 euro. That's like giving it for free.

 

[everythingbeeps]

I feel sorry for people who feel like a game like this has "zero replayability". Does anyone remember the good old days when people replayed a game because it was FUN?

Now they need all sorts of unlockable gimmicky crap, or they need to be able to wander around aimlessly after finishing the game, or multiple paths, or whatever.

Portal 2 was amazing fun, and it's fun the second time you play it as well. It ain't $60 anymore, so that argument goes out the window too.

 

[Michael Omer]

Interesting. This thread seems to be split in the middle completely. It makes me think that it obviously depends on what you like in a game.
dialog/writing in portal 2 is one of the best ever created. As someone who calls himself a writer, this is something I put a lot of emphasis on.
The game itself is nice, the riddles are fun, it isn't as short as people claim, and I can play it with my three and a half years old son sitting next to me, which is a plus. There were better games, but it's definitely very good.
Here is an important point - it really isn't very costly, which might mean that you can give it to your cheap uncle to buy, but if you don't have a cheap uncle, you can easily buy it yourself and give your family more expensive gifts...