Portal

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 6390 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5,896 out of 6390
  2. Mixed: 369 out of 6390
  3. Negative: 125 out of 6390
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  1. RogerW.
    Oct 25, 2007
    1
    Don't understand all the 7 through 10 ratings. This game is simple and boring. Packaging it in the orange box made me think it was a add on to Half-Life from the portal there. Of course I much prefer an action shoot em up anytime.
  2. MattS.
    Oct 25, 2007
    10
    Absolutely amazing!!! i loved this game. it made me think, it was tough but not to tough funny. valve people are btrards haha CAKE! anyway i will play this game over to see how fast i can do it. challenge maps are good. awards?!! what more do you want? sound track is awesome! end song haha! THIS GAME ROCKS i hope they can make a sequel some how.
  3. TheCaptain
    Oct 24, 2007
    10
    I officially declare this one of my favorite games ever. It's only short coming, length, would be called bad if it were the opposite as well. If it were too long it might have pushed back Orange Box's release date just to add more of the same. It didn't over stay it's welcome and had every concept once to see it, again to fully understand it and then combined with I officially declare this one of my favorite games ever. It's only short coming, length, would be called bad if it were the opposite as well. If it were too long it might have pushed back Orange Box's release date just to add more of the same. It didn't over stay it's welcome and had every concept once to see it, again to fully understand it and then combined with others to make it as complex as it could get. Any more and it would have been boring and you might have given up before the absolutely amazing ending. By the way, the ending was amazing.… Expand
  4. TylerB.
    Oct 23, 2007
    9
    The only reason this is a 9/10 is length. Short but so funny and so good, it makes me wanna eat some moist, delicious, oh-so-good cake. The AI in game is quite funny in a serious tone which states that someone at Valve has witty humor to spare for a sequel. In the end, this felt like a physics tech demo with a good comedy routine added in, and is worth buying as part of the Orange Box. The only reason this is a 9/10 is length. Short but so funny and so good, it makes me wanna eat some moist, delicious, oh-so-good cake. The AI in game is quite funny in a serious tone which states that someone at Valve has witty humor to spare for a sequel. In the end, this felt like a physics tech demo with a good comedy routine added in, and is worth buying as part of the Orange Box. Alone it is a bit pricey at $20 for something that lasts a few hours. The only way to get better is a sequel with more maps and more humor!!… Expand
  5. ChrisC.
    Oct 23, 2007
    10
    The puzzles are engrossing and will test your logic in that area of the brain you've never touched before. The game is long enough to unfold some plot, and short enough to stay fresh all the way through. The humor from GLaDOS is spot-on, and darkly hilarious for truly anyone. It's mostly nonviolent. And, one of the best features of the game, the gaping, mysterious plot holes The puzzles are engrossing and will test your logic in that area of the brain you've never touched before. The game is long enough to unfold some plot, and short enough to stay fresh all the way through. The humor from GLaDOS is spot-on, and darkly hilarious for truly anyone. It's mostly nonviolent. And, one of the best features of the game, the gaping, mysterious plot holes which leave no doubt that Portal and everything with it, such as Aperture Science, GLaDOS, and the player character, Chala, are part of the unfolding Half-Life universe. Even the song at the end (absolute genius lyrics and tune) makes massive suggestions towards the plot. The atmosphere is at the same time lit up and perfectly dark and twisted, and story speculation is the name of the game as you replay a few of the game's phenomenal maps with the difficulty ramped up. Worth the price of admission to the Orange Box all on its own.… Expand
  6. LouisS.
    Oct 23, 2007
    8
    Good game, puzzles are fun, the talking in the background and strory are amusing. Main problem with this game is that it's way too short, barly took an evening to finish.
  7. MichaelU.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    What makes this game rock is the antagonist of this game. The AI with a penchant for cake and killing. The further I ventured through the game the more I wanted to hear what the AI had to say as it suffered more and more from a bipolar disorder. I hope Valve creates more characters like the AI in Portal.
  8. Z.G.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Great new concept. A welcome relief from numbing shooters.
  9. EricM.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Just plain brilliant. Awesome concept. Witty nerd jokes. What a game! I'm gonna wish all FPSs had portal devices now.
  10. JasonK.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    This game is outstanding, period. I don't have much time to play games anymore so the length of this game was perfect for me. Speaking of which, the game never loses its pase and it's extremly fun from the minute you start to the end of the credits (which is amazing as well). This game really captured the immersion factor. Needless to say I was on the edge of my seat when a new This game is outstanding, period. I don't have much time to play games anymore so the length of this game was perfect for me. Speaking of which, the game never loses its pase and it's extremly fun from the minute you start to the end of the credits (which is amazing as well). This game really captured the immersion factor. Needless to say I was on the edge of my seat when a new obstical was introduced or when the dialog kicked in.… Expand
  11. JasonR.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    This game is PERFECT! It's amazingly funny, quite fun, perfect length, and tons of replayability through achievements and soon to come custom maps. The critics who give this game less than a 95 can bite me.
  12. JonathanW.
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    Absolutely the most entertaining game I've ever played. From the innovative, mind-warping gameplay, to the side-splitting deadpan humor of GLaDOS, to the end credits - what a well-polished masterpiece. Yes, it's very short. Play through the advanced and timed rooms for some more fun. An instant classic!
  13. Benjamin
    Oct 22, 2007
    10
    An instant classic. I havn't seen a game this original since Descent, and that was 12 years ago! GLaDUS is hilarious and clever, the gameplay is unique and groundbreaking, and the replayability is tremendous! Right down to the credits this game keeps you coming back for more!
  14. ChristofferL.
    Oct 22, 2007
    7
    +: The terrian is great, computers voice sounds real, smart puzzles, when the boxes travels from portal to portal like a real hole is excellent! -: Too short game, when done this game its getting bored knowing the same trick, too few bonus levels, that its requied direct x9 to make the game looks great (doesn't have direct x9) 7 points.
  15. AnonymousMC
    Oct 21, 2007
    9
    I honestly think anyone who plays this game (gamer or non-gamer) will enjoy it. The concept of the portal gun is absolute genious. A bit too short though. Took me 2.5 hours. I guess this really was just a quick test of the portal physics, but it turned out extremely well. i'd give it an 8.5 for the great puzzles, nice enviornments, hilarious GLaDOS voice work, and the sickestI honestly think anyone who plays this game (gamer or non-gamer) will enjoy it. The concept of the portal gun is absolute genious. A bit too short though. Took me 2.5 hours. I guess this really was just a quick test of the portal physics, but it turned out extremely well. i'd give it an 8.5 for the great puzzles, nice enviornments, hilarious GLaDOS voice work, and the sickest end-credits song EVER. Play it as soon as you can. Short but very sweet.… Expand
  16. ChristopherS.
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Humour and puzzles are spot-on for an entertaining and fun game. Now all we need are some new puzzles created by the community and an add-on pack; who needs Half-Life 2? We've got all the physics puzzles we need in one game!
  17. LukeM.
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    I found this game to be fun to play and very replayable. The script is very funny and I can't wait to see what it brings to the half-life universe. I have so far played this game 8 times and will continue to play it again and again.
  18. BlakeB
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Brilliant.
  19. DavidP.
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Short but oh, so sweet. So very fun. The game manages to train you and make you feel clever at the same time, and they do a good job of not stumping you for too long. The ending has geeky brilliance. I haven't enjoyed the ending music this much since I finished Zelda 3 (12 years ago). The ending song has been in my head all week long. Almost continuously. Buy a cake and be prepared Short but oh, so sweet. So very fun. The game manages to train you and make you feel clever at the same time, and they do a good job of not stumping you for too long. The ending has geeky brilliance. I haven't enjoyed the ending music this much since I finished Zelda 3 (12 years ago). The ending song has been in my head all week long. Almost continuously. Buy a cake and be prepared to eat it when you finish the game! You deserve it! (By the way, you may enjoy an increased field-of-view. In console, type "sv_cheats 1", then "fov 95".)… Expand
  20. VICE
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    The Portal team certainly deserves a standing-O for their work on this game. This was a Triumph! I encountered no bugs. I could have finished it sooner, but I enjoyed taking time to search through each possible move. I hope Valve makes more maps for Portal, and releases a map editor. Hey how about 3 Portals at once... Thank You Portal Team, for this enrichment center activity. Now I'mThe Portal team certainly deserves a standing-O for their work on this game. This was a Triumph! I encountered no bugs. I could have finished it sooner, but I enjoyed taking time to search through each possible move. I hope Valve makes more maps for Portal, and releases a map editor. Hey how about 3 Portals at once... Thank You Portal Team, for this enrichment center activity. Now I'm going to have some Cake!… Expand
  21. Aegis
    Oct 21, 2007
    10
    Hail the Cake! Portal is the smartest game creation ever, with its witty level design and smart fun jokes. I like its humor, clean tone and the amazing concept execution. A classic!
  22. K.S.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    The first and most likely last game I will rate a game here, but I was so impressed with it I just had to push up the user score a bit more (like it needs it pfff). Portal is a breath of fresh air, after years of the same old (FPS type) re-done over hyped (Halo3 *clears throat*) crap they re-release over and over again. I'm happy to say to anyone and everyone that will listen, Portal The first and most likely last game I will rate a game here, but I was so impressed with it I just had to push up the user score a bit more (like it needs it pfff). Portal is a breath of fresh air, after years of the same old (FPS type) re-done over hyped (Halo3 *clears throat*) crap they re-release over and over again. I'm happy to say to anyone and everyone that will listen, Portal is a must have game. Buy it now!… Expand
  23. BlakeB
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Brilliant.
  24. Allan
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Highly addicting gameplay, and a truly awe inspiring physics engine. The newest concept I've seen in years.
  25. TiagoMag
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    The game does deserve a 10. It´s short but if you look at it as an extra to the entire HL2 collection you get on the Orange Box - I´ll say its a fantastic surprise.
    Plus, the game as a story, a really deep one.: there is obcessive passion from a machine with sentimental dislexia and you kill your best friend (I´m missing you crazy, Companion Cube...) THE CAKE IS NOT A LIE!
  26. AvaryC.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Greatest game ever created on this planet, period. The one flaw was it's laength but it's still the most fun, creative, and brain-twisting thing I've ever seen. I'm hoping for a second.
  27. DouglasH.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    The computer makes me laugh and the mind bending puzzles are a delight. The advanced are just that more advanced versions of the regular ones. Fun to play all around. Can't wait for the next one.
  28. JonnyM.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    This is simply the best narrated and designed game I've ever played, and I played damn many good games!
  29. CapnB.
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    Takes a great concept and really makes it work. Multiple solutions, visual cues, and a great autosave system make this unlike other puzzle games where you bash your head against the desk trying to figure out what the designer wanted you to do, or sets you back an hour when you mess up. I actually laughed out loud several times from the mater-of-factly humor of GlaDOS and those cute sentry Takes a great concept and really makes it work. Multiple solutions, visual cues, and a great autosave system make this unlike other puzzle games where you bash your head against the desk trying to figure out what the designer wanted you to do, or sets you back an hour when you mess up. I actually laughed out loud several times from the mater-of-factly humor of GlaDOS and those cute sentry robots. Including the commentary was also a great way to get me to play the whole game again, right after I finished it!… Expand
  30. Daggers
    Oct 20, 2007
    10
    An awesome puzzle game that keeps you thinking from start to finish, a great sense of humour in the game and a great addition to The Orange Box.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2007
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. IGN
    82
    The idea behind Portal ends up being more brilliant than Portal itself. Regardless, we definitely had a lot of fun with what is there and appreciate the level of polish and thought that went into the presentation.
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  2. PC Gamer UK
    92
    Portal is a magnificent puzzle game. The titillating wrongness of every solution and the wonky thinking required to get there make you feel like a space-folding genius, and yet you'll almost never get stuck.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    90
    One of the most interesting and delightful things Valve's ever done, but also one of its least fulfilling. If only we had our own portal gun to bridge the gap to the first infusion of new content, perhaps we could forget it.
    Read full review
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