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. Przemek
    Jul 27, 2008
    10
    Wow. That was amazing, maybe to short but still amazing.
  2. MaxP.
    Aug 11, 2008
    9
    Very, very good game. Slightly short, though it does contain plenty of bonus material to keep you entertained after you've won. Also very funny, especially at the end.
  3. DerekP.
    Aug 20, 2008
    10
    Been meaning to do this since I was given the Orange Box last Christmas. Portal is an outstanding game, easily one of my top 10 ever. It is extremely innovative and I cannot wait for #2, #3.... !!!
  4. MattM.
    Aug 2, 2008
    10
    Great game, If you want a challenge, and want a FPS, get this game. Valve, you have outdone yourself with the game, and the humor you put in it.
  5. MaxJ.
    Aug 29, 2008
    10
    This is an amazingly well made game. Although it is a bit short, it definitely makes up for quantity with amazing quality.
  6. DavidS.
    Aug 5, 2008
    10
    Awesome game; great writing and amazing gameplay. Full marks.
  7. JohnB.
    Sep 20, 2008
    10
    Greatest game of all time, and I don't say that lightly. Beats out Chrono Trigger, Metal Gear Solid, Knights of the Old Republic, Ocarina of Time, and Final Fantasy 7, knocking 7 off my top 5 when it came out. So what if it's only 2 hours long? I've never had a better 2 hours in any other game.
  8. BlakeC.
    Sep 29, 2008
    10
    Portal is AMAZING, Valve defiantly struck gold here. The only letdown, it was too short! This could easily be a full length game, alike half life etc.
  9. MattT
    Sep 9, 2008
    10
    VERY high graphics, even on the lowest, amazing plot, gameplay is not bad, just the lag... Somewhat confusing in some areas, feels like I wanna cheat, GOOD GRAPHICS though.
  10. Tribor
    Dec 2, 2009
    9
    Can't agree with you there Lee W., because the thing is many puzzle games have only one linear path. Most if not all puzzles only have one solution, but it is how you get there that matters. There were many subtle and inventive ways to solve the portal levels, which was pretty much the point of the extra challenges that come with the game. It tests out your skills and pushes you to Can't agree with you there Lee W., because the thing is many puzzle games have only one linear path. Most if not all puzzles only have one solution, but it is how you get there that matters. There were many subtle and inventive ways to solve the portal levels, which was pretty much the point of the extra challenges that come with the game. It tests out your skills and pushes you to think outside the box. As for the plot, although it can seem a bit cliché, the great voice acting makes up for it and will keep you entertained. GLaDOS really makes the game stand out. The Portal turrets, even if they are simple duplicates of the Half-Life 2 ones, become distinct when they turn out to be just as scary as Poison Head Crabs : it is the absolute worst thing ever when they pop out. Excellent game which has some great potential. The short game span only leaves you wanting more.… Expand
  11. DanielP
    Dec 9, 2009
    10
    First of all, for you shoot-em-up people. THIS IS NOT A ACTION BASED GAME. Its purpose is to provide a good story line, new ways of thinking, less violence. All bundled up in to a nice presentation. Granted the game is short but you can still get stuck. But if you have a good computer and you have good internals than this should be a worthwhile game to get. Besides you people that give First of all, for you shoot-em-up people. THIS IS NOT A ACTION BASED GAME. Its purpose is to provide a good story line, new ways of thinking, less violence. All bundled up in to a nice presentation. Granted the game is short but you can still get stuck. But if you have a good computer and you have good internals than this should be a worthwhile game to get. Besides you people that give this game zeros because it can't play it, you should invest on a better computer not a high graphics game.… Expand
  12. AnonymousMC
    Apr 4, 2009
    9
    The negative comments actually amuse me. They say that it is too short, there's no plot, it's too easy, it's unoriginal. You need to remember that this was included as an extra for Orange Box, and that even if you buy it seperately it costs less than a cellphone top-up. Of course it's short. And if you find it easy, then KUDOS, but even once you understand it it can beThe negative comments actually amuse me. They say that it is too short, there's no plot, it's too easy, it's unoriginal. You need to remember that this was included as an extra for Orange Box, and that even if you buy it seperately it costs less than a cellphone top-up. Of course it's short. And if you find it easy, then KUDOS, but even once you understand it it can be frustratingly (but wonderfully) difficult to get through the later levels, and if you found it TOO easy there are enough challenges in the Advanced Maps and Challenge Maps to keep you amused, adding replay value. The change after Room 19 marks a change in the game, and this is absolutely brilliant because it's similar enough to the first half to keep you playing on and working through the puzzles with jolly curiosity, but is different enough that it doesn't let the game become repetitive. The plot is wonderful, developing slowly as it does, from the first awakening from stasis and being thrown into a challenge you appear to know nothing about, to the final few levels when your suspicions about the benignity of GLaDOS come to fruition. The fact that so much is left unanswered only adds to this, leaving you to draw your own conclusions. (Personally, I think GLaDOS secretly loves her test subjects, but is completely batshit insane and tests them to show they are worthy of it.) As for unoriginal... That's just a lie spouted by idiots who couldn't work out the momentum mechanic. Of course it's the same as every other game if you use a walkthrough for every game... ;p.
    In conclusion; Portal is one of the best short games I have played, and if you have the patience and the mental skills it is well worth the money. But if you're the kind of person who doesn't like it unless you asplode a fays every 5 seconds, then don't bother; Portal doesn't need you. It will thrive despite your failures, and fans will always recruit their friends to it. It will survive your failure.    … Expand
  13. valve.
    Jun 27, 2009
    9
    The game was great the levels were fun and original it was a little short of a game but it was only 10 bucks. and to al the idiots complaining about itYOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN MAPS or download maps at halomaps.0rg!! so stop complaining and ahve fun with a great game engine also thers a mod called portal prelude (google it) its 90 times harder and a very different game.
  14. JosefH
    Jan 21, 2010
    10
    This may very well be the greatest game I have ever played. No incredibly complex one-hundred commands, and five powers for each of them. You have the ability to walk, jump, push buttons, carry things, and make a portal that links to another portal on most walls/ceilings. The puzzles are all very fun, and once I completed the first half of the game, I was about ready to class it as my This may very well be the greatest game I have ever played. No incredibly complex one-hundred commands, and five powers for each of them. You have the ability to walk, jump, push buttons, carry things, and make a portal that links to another portal on most walls/ceilings. The puzzles are all very fun, and once I completed the first half of the game, I was about ready to class it as my favourite puzzle game, which I could come back to at any point. Then the story kicked in. I can tell you that in all honesty, it is a brilliant execution of a brilliant story. It may very well be th shortest game I've ever played, but for the hour or two I was inside it, I was living it, and I enjoy reliving it over and over. Simply put; if you enjoy simple ideas being executed with challenging puzzles, then buy The Orange Box/Portal. You will not regret it.… Expand
  15. MarcoA
    Jan 21, 2010
    10
    The game is great. Very well designed, very nice puzzles, this new gameplay is marvelous. I had (and still have) great time playing it!
  16. Ian
    Nov 10, 2007
    10
    Brilliant Witty Fantastic Silly Inventive Smart Mind Blowing Exciting Edge-of-your-seat Otherwise - A revolution in the FPS Genre.
  17. BlakeB
    Nov 1, 2007
    10
    Brilliant.
  18. JasonW
    Nov 11, 2007
    9
    Beautifully designed and easy to grasp. But hard to master. Any reviews here complaining about play time (the main campaign) have missed the point. The game gets truely challenging once you unlock the extras and try to get the achievements. Fun, very replayable and nicely slotted into the Half Life mythology.
  19. VernonR.
    Nov 12, 2007
    10
    One of the best games ever. Great game-play with outstanding plot and comedy!
  20. J.L.
    Nov 13, 2007
    10
    The best game, and funniest, I have played in a long while -- and without having to shoot anything... Great game and with an ending promising more. Hopefully more of the same!
  21. WilliamM.
    Nov 15, 2007
    9
    Game was completely different totally unexpected i really enjoyed playing it i only found that the game ended short but then again there is advance mode and more to unlock.
  22. J.J.
    Nov 16, 2007
    9
    Easily the cleverest thing in the Orange Box.

    As a long time HL fan (10 years now? Dear God!), I was seriously disappointed in Episode 2. Valve, however, apparently accomplished their mission to make it a hit for new players and console owners. But enough of that. TF2 is beautifully rendered, in a NC-17 Pixar sort of way. Not a lot of new gameplay, but for what it is, it's    Easily the cleverest thing in the Orange Box.

    As a long time HL fan (10 years now? Dear God!), I was seriously disappointed in Episode 2. Valve, however, apparently accomplished their mission to make it a hit for new players and console owners. But enough of that.

    TF2 is beautifully rendered, in a NC-17 Pixar sort of way. Not a lot of new gameplay, but for what it is, it's fully realized.

    Anyway, Portal isn't perfect. It could be longer. It could be more complex. It is, however, fun. Clever, capricious, and fun.
    Did I mention fun? Portal gives clear signs of the new blood at the Valve offices.

    How many Valve games have an ending we can all agree is good?
    How about a dessert-obsessed genetically modified DOS machine singing an archly comic ditty while the credits roll? Excellent? You bet.

    The cake is a lie!    … Expand
  23. Libra
    Nov 18, 2007
    8
    Interesting concept, but gameplay gets repetitive after a while. I didn't enjoy the gameplay all that much, but I loved the rest. The use of suble humour and hints of backstory was nothing short of genious and the general atmosphere of the game is perfect. It does lack replayability, but oh-so amazing that firs time round.
  24. RobertB.
    Nov 18, 2007
    10
    Was a fun game and a challenge to think of what to do next. Was short but fun and somewhat addicting. At least there is cake at the end :D
  25. StevenH.
    Oct 12, 2007
    9
    Really fun and polished looking game, althought would have been nice to be a little longer.
  26. RyanP.
    Nov 29, 2007
    10
    This was my favorite game in the orange box even though they are all very fun to play. I thought this game was challenging but not to difficult. While the game focuses on solving puzzles there is a lot of subtle but hilarious notions throughout the game. This game is very addictive as well.
  27. NateC.
    Oct 13, 2007
    9
    Very innovative and even humorous. The robotic dialogue had me laughing every few minutes. The 19 missions do go by fairly quickly, only taking 3 hours to complete. However, there are some "advanced" courses that Im still having a difficult time completeing. But it was an amazingly fun addition to the Orange Box and I can't wait to see what they'll do with the portal series next.
  28. DyingW.
    Nov 30, 2007
    10
    Fantastic game, full of personality and light on plot. As soon as I heard about Portal, I immediately got a copy of Narbarcular Drop, just to try out the idea, and it made me want it even more. Can't wait for a Portal 2 to come out, or some kind of integration into a new Half-Life plot! ...because everywhere I go, I find myself thinking with Portals.
  29. MikeG.
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Portal is a great game for a challenge of the mind and skill of the hand. The extra levels to be unlocked were also quite challenging. Valve made another great product and it will even make you smile or even laugh a few times. If you do not yet have Portal, I would suggest at least giving it a try. Patience is a good quality to have! That is if you plan on having "cake"!
  30. WN
    Oct 14, 2007
    10
    Fun, innovative, extremely humourous, and Stimulates the mind. Alot of fun and the possibility of hours of repeat game play. I got a HUGE kick out of the end.
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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

All reviews »
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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