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It’s hard to imagine if the team behind the independent game ‘Narbacular Drop’ had any idea what was in store of them. The game they created as a final year project of their degrees (at DigiPen Institute of Technology) achieved that goal. What came next was astonishing. The magicians at Valve caught wind of the game and invited the students to visit their offices and pitch the idea. When they showcased ‘Narbacular Drop’ and the mind bending concept behind it, Gabe Newell told them to stop, and subsequently hired them on the spot. With the creative power of Valve behind them, they set out to create one of the most original, funny and charming games of all time; Portal. We didn’t know what to expect from Portal, and as a result the game has become the sleeper hit of The Orange Box. But what exactly makes it so special?
 Well for one thing, it’s not its graphics. They’re nothing new, just a slightly shiner version of the traditional Source engine. The average gamer on a glance wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Portal and Half Life 2. You can tell that the Source engine is starting to show its age, especially when compared to games like Crysis, but that doesn’t detract from Portal’s appeal. The visuals are sufficient for the game but they are definitely not its pulling point. Another aspect of Portal that isn’t doing it any favours is its length. The average gamer can finish it in just over two hours and the first 15 or so challenges only take half an hour. It’s short, but intense. It would have been nice for the experience to last longer, but not to the extent that it would feel drawn out. Luckily Portal comes with the bargain package, The Orange Box, so you won’t feel cheated out of your money. So those are its negatives (bar the fact that once you’ve cracked how the game works, the puzzles aren’t exactly difficult) but why exactly has it been granted so much acclaim? First off, it goes hand in hand with TF2 for its sense of humour. Intentionally riddled with black comedy, delivered in a dead-pan manner, it’ll make you grin long after you’ve stopped playing it. From the moment you meet GLaDOS, (Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System) her unique character and impeccable delivery of dialogue, will have you laughing uncontrollable. The obscure, almost haunting computerised voice, adds to her delightful wit and you can’t help but think she’s actually interacting with you. The game goes into overdrive when it grants the player a ‘weighted companion cube’ to help with puzzles. It’s a standard cube found throughout the game, but with cheery hearts on its side. GLaDOS gifts it to you, but at the end of the level orders you to destroy it, followed by the quip; "You euthanized your faithful companion cube more quickly than any test subject on record. Congratulations." The Companion Cube has been so popular within the game’s community that Valve has released a ‘plushie’ version to buy from their store (which it subsequently sold out within hours.) From the turrets that squeak when picked up to be put down, to the amusing instructions on the walls, Portal constantly surprises with its drollness and hilarity.  Luckily Portal isn’t just a one trick pony and has more to itself than just a sense of humour. Portal’s concept is actually quite simple but its execution is where its intelligence lies. You’re granted a gun that makes one blue portal and one orange portal and they’re basically gates which you can move between. Comprising of 19 official challenges and (subsequently once the plot develops) other puzzle filled ‘levels,’ the game places you with an exit with certain obstacles in the way. To progress you’ll have to employ the theories of physics, gravity and common sense to overcome what’s in the way. The puzzles aren’t particularly tricky, but their execution is precise and logical. The level design is top notch and it’ll often have you thinking quickly on your feet. There are more advanced challenges once you’ve finished the game which are more complicated but it’s only the in game achievements that actually motivate you to play through them. The game does tie into the Half Life universe and it doesn’t just revolve around being a lab rat, but its better left at that for your own enjoyment. From its unique sound design to its clever, well executed concept Portal will entertain throughout its journey. It achieves its aim, to delight and intrigue its player, to a high standard. As GLaDOS rightly says; “Now you’re thinking in portals.” Score: 8/10 (PC Version Reviewed)
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