Portal 2

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1295 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,147 out of 1295
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 1295
  3. Negative: 81 out of 1295
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  1. Crichtonrygel
    Apr 19, 2011
    8
    Awesome game but.....
    Does anyone else feel like they've already played this game before? The original Portal is easily one of the best games ever made: It was entertaining, had excellent puzzles, was short enough it didn't wear out it's welcome AND it was easy on the wallet. Now Portal 2, while just as engaging and hilarious with some great puzzles DOES wear out it's welcome around the    Awesome game but.....
    Does anyone else feel like they've already played this game before? The original Portal is easily one of the best games ever made: It was entertaining, had excellent puzzles, was short enough it didn't wear out it's welcome AND it was easy on the wallet. Now Portal 2, while just as engaging and hilarious with some great puzzles DOES wear out it's welcome around the three hour mark (where the original ended). The puzzles were still clever but i just wasn't as entertained as I was in the first part and the game felt more like work than a fun experience. Great game, but wait till it drops in price.    … Expand
  2. MEATHEAD
    Apr 22, 2011
    9
    I've changed my mind, the cost to value is way up. I've been playing this game since Tuesday and I haven't finished it yet. Now my frustration is ending the game, I'm loosing sleep. Fun is addictive.
  3. Scorn
    May 19, 2011
    7
    All in All, fun game. Unlike the first Portal, however it does not hold your interest as long. I liked Portal 2, but to go as far as scoring this in the 90's, leaves me to believe that most, if not all of these Publishers are looking for Advertising brownie points. The game is not bad, and you will keep testing away as you progress, for the sheer joy of seeing what comes next, but afterAll in All, fun game. Unlike the first Portal, however it does not hold your interest as long. I liked Portal 2, but to go as far as scoring this in the 90's, leaves me to believe that most, if not all of these Publishers are looking for Advertising brownie points. The game is not bad, and you will keep testing away as you progress, for the sheer joy of seeing what comes next, but after a few chambers, you start to bore quickly. I miss the old GlaDOS, as she was not over done. In Portal 2, there are times I wish she would stop with the sarcasm and stop acting so human. I do like the new puzzle concepts, but there aren't that many of them and unfortunately the game is much too short. The two play is a nice add-on, but even this doesn't have any replay value. I think I was expecting too much from this game.… Expand
  4. coldchaos
    Apr 21, 2011
    9
    Very much like its predecessor, Portal 2 story is full of dark humor and solid continuation of the story. The puzzles seemed slightly easier on the whole(granted there are a few thinkers); although this could be from having a good "think outside the box" mentality from playing Portal obsessive compulsively. The addition of co-op mode(along with a full unique campaign) changed the game aVery much like its predecessor, Portal 2 story is full of dark humor and solid continuation of the story. The puzzles seemed slightly easier on the whole(granted there are a few thinkers); although this could be from having a good "think outside the box" mentality from playing Portal obsessive compulsively. The addition of co-op mode(along with a full unique campaign) changed the game a lot more then I though. There isn't a lot of space for one person to slough off while your partner in science does all the work. Game length(for each campaign) will depend largely on how much/well you played the original Portal.Veteran(5+ hours)-----------------Amateur(10~ hours)… Expand
  5. Architoth
    Apr 21, 2011
    9
    While the criticisms regarding the length of the single player campaign may be valid, (to an extent, given that the oft touted length of 4 hours means theyâ
  6. Nichtus
    May 1, 2011
    10
    Now let it be said right now that this version of Portal 2 is not the ideal version. Frankly, it can be said the ideal version is the PS3 edition, which comes with a Steam copy for free and allows for cross-platform play. This complaint is only a minor one about the version- not the game itself. In terms of the actual game, there is little ill to say of Portal 2. My single biggestNow let it be said right now that this version of Portal 2 is not the ideal version. Frankly, it can be said the ideal version is the PS3 edition, which comes with a Steam copy for free and allows for cross-platform play. This complaint is only a minor one about the version- not the game itself. In terms of the actual game, there is little ill to say of Portal 2. My single biggest complaint is that the environments sometimes feel like puzzles when they are not, and it results in several absolutely needless deaths. Otherwise, Portal 2 is not only a worthy sequel but also surpasses the original in terms of absolute Aperture Science-style madness.

    The co-op mode shines through its use of something dubbed a "calibration course"- it allows two players to get used to each other and the game's movement style via a simple series of rooms. The actual co-op tests are fantastic in their effective mix of several simple little puzzles forming a much larger and more complicated mechanism.    … Expand
  7. imautobot
    May 15, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is a lot more fun than the original. I don't agree with reviewers claiming the graphics looked dated, it's definitely an upgrade from the first portal. Is it short? Well, it was longer than I expected so that was refreshing, but once you know how to solve the puzzles, you could probably beat it in 4 hours, but I guarantee you your first run through will not be so easy to pull off. Replay value is HIGH, I'm on my 3rd time through. Co-op is good if you have a friend physically by your side, but it's frustrating online. Gaming with strangers causes frustration and game drops
    The GLaDOS wit is back, and when she's not saying snarky/witty things, you get it from about 3 other characters/voices. The developers have added now portal elements like a light bridge, a anti-gravity tunnel, repulsion gel, acceleration gel, and a white portal enabling gel. These new game dynamics change the way you have to experience the game, and it's quite a fun experience as a result.
    The developer commentary wasn't as involved as the original portal commentary, and lacked observations from the voice over talent. But some of the commentary actually flew right over my head because of how technical it actually was.
    The ending seemed to eliminate the franchise, so that's a bummer. But I really enjoyed this game, and will continue to enjoy the game.    … Expand
  8. Gamer10442
    Jul 4, 2011
    7
    It was a little easy on the plat-former end of things but a fun game none the less. My Friend and I beat co-op in like 2 sittings on a weekend...He beat the game with achievements in about 2 days as well and we are not crazy gamers
  9. darky_the_hun
    Aug 15, 2011
    8
    Even though it's a very funny game, it's very short to keep me entertained, and forces me to play multiplayer to get the another half of the story. Still, it's decent.
  10. Freeziez
    Aug 25, 2011
    10
    It's almost embarrassing how people tend to criticize this game based on it's shortness. I think the critics tend to rush through games to give it the fastest possible time as its average. Obviously the graphics had flaws (I did find a couple glitches, including one in Wheatley's 15th chamber that kept me from an achievement), but I think they are still bright, the use of multipleIt's almost embarrassing how people tend to criticize this game based on it's shortness. I think the critics tend to rush through games to give it the fastest possible time as its average. Obviously the graphics had flaws (I did find a couple glitches, including one in Wheatley's 15th chamber that kept me from an achievement), but I think they are still bright, the use of multiple characters was clever, and the complex story, especially compared to the simple Portal, is absolutely brilliant. You can't go wrong with Portal 2.… Expand
  11. Mattar
    Oct 23, 2011
    9
    Amazing single player campaign and playing the co-op with friends was fun and a laugh. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect 10 is because there wasn't a lot to do after completing it several times.
  12. SwitSwat
    Sep 7, 2012
    10
    Here we go, another Portal 2 review... for Xbox 360 now. I actually played the Xbox 360 version before the PC version. But, anyway, it is basically the same as PC. Great graphics and great gameplay. With more levels, characters, dialogue, humor than the original Portal. And even a new multi-player mode, this is a rare gem in the gaming world. A masterpiece on it's own, I totally recommendHere we go, another Portal 2 review... for Xbox 360 now. I actually played the Xbox 360 version before the PC version. But, anyway, it is basically the same as PC. Great graphics and great gameplay. With more levels, characters, dialogue, humor than the original Portal. And even a new multi-player mode, this is a rare gem in the gaming world. A masterpiece on it's own, I totally recommend this game. 10 out of 10 from me.… Expand
  13. jdogginess
    May 27, 2011
    6
    Because we celebrated the innovation and mind blowing game play in Portal 1 doesn't mean we have to extend the honeymoon to Portal 2 and give it a free pass. I thought Portal 1 was a "10", but with as much time as Valve has had, I don't think Portal 2 deserves high praise. To do so would be just to encourage the lack of innovation and their milking an idea as a cash cow. What madeBecause we celebrated the innovation and mind blowing game play in Portal 1 doesn't mean we have to extend the honeymoon to Portal 2 and give it a free pass. I thought Portal 1 was a "10", but with as much time as Valve has had, I don't think Portal 2 deserves high praise. To do so would be just to encourage the lack of innovation and their milking an idea as a cash cow. What made Portal 1 so great is that nothing like it had been done before. Every new mechanic and piece of the environment was being seen for the first time as you played it. Portal 2 would have been more worthy of praise had it been a DLC add-on a long time ago. Now I just question why more wasn't done with it. Using such an intellectual property to claim $60 for one night of mildly entertaining hoop jumping seems not only disappointing, but perhaps even immoral. I feel like Valve really missed an opportunity here to have the community go"Wow! they did it again!...unbelievable!...no one would have expected them to introduce these types of (characters/creatures/guns/environments/online game types/droid customizations/gadgets...etc.)!" Bottom line...instead I am left saying rather wistfully...oh...they did it again.… Expand
  14. Rice303
    Aug 15, 2011
    5
    For starers I liked portal 1 it was an intresting experiance but valve wanted more money and came out with this. Portal 2 has a better story and good charicters but the experiance is stuffed but the aged engine and the repetitiveness which really harms the experiance. The liquid effect was a let down and the action was slow as well as the pacing. The voice acting was good and certanFor starers I liked portal 1 it was an intresting experiance but valve wanted more money and came out with this. Portal 2 has a better story and good charicters but the experiance is stuffed but the aged engine and the repetitiveness which really harms the experiance. The liquid effect was a let down and the action was slow as well as the pacing. The voice acting was good and certan puzzles were fustratingly hard which lead to portal 2 being more of a hard to get sequel trying to gain attention becasue it uses the title most people loved and played so much in 2007.… Expand
  15. robzy
    Jun 12, 2011
    5
    Portal 2 has a handful of new and interesting ideas but they don't alter the gameplay dramatically enough. The environments are the same as the first game but the puzzles feel fewer and aren't even a fraction of the difficulty of the first game.

    Having said that more of the same isn't necessarily a bad thing but with roughly 5-6 hours of gameplay it's perhaps worth a rent rather than a    Portal 2 has a handful of new and interesting ideas but they don't alter the gameplay dramatically enough. The environments are the same as the first game but the puzzles feel fewer and aren't even a fraction of the difficulty of the first game.

    Having said that more of the same isn't necessarily a bad thing but with roughly 5-6 hours of gameplay it's perhaps worth a rent rather than a purchase.

    Disappointing.    … Expand
  16. fo0k
    Apr 20, 2011
    6
    The first thing that really hit me was hearing Stephen Merchant's voice cut in at the beginning. This was the perfect choice from Valve for a companion throughout the game. Visually we still find ourselves in the still-current-just valve engine with a few new effects here and there which look good. The levels are far less generic than the first in what will undoubtedly now become aThe first thing that really hit me was hearing Stephen Merchant's voice cut in at the beginning. This was the perfect choice from Valve for a companion throughout the game. Visually we still find ourselves in the still-current-just valve engine with a few new effects here and there which look good. The levels are far less generic than the first in what will undoubtedly now become a series of sequels from Valve. However, the tests were too similar for my liking. It feels as if the original genius behind a game with portals was missing and instead the Producer has simple done more-of-the-same but placed it all in a HL2 level this time. It's very expensive for a game easily finished in long afternoon but it's here, and I enjoyed it. Just not blown away as hoped.… Expand
  17. Richie
    Jul 4, 2011
    4
    Portal 2 is way too short and super boring at times, it was a cool game a few years ago but certainly not today. Portal 1 came in a cool package called the Orange Box with several other decent games, and I thought that was a fair way to sell it for $60. I'm very surprised they released Portal 2 as it's own full retail game, it's NOT worth anybody's $60, it's more of a $20 title for puzzlePortal 2 is way too short and super boring at times, it was a cool game a few years ago but certainly not today. Portal 1 came in a cool package called the Orange Box with several other decent games, and I thought that was a fair way to sell it for $60. I'm very surprised they released Portal 2 as it's own full retail game, it's NOT worth anybody's $60, it's more of a $20 title for puzzle fans. This game should be picked up used and returned within a few days after you beat it, the multiplayer experience is just as dull. BORING!… Expand
  18. Jumper_351
    Apr 19, 2011
    5
    Negatives: Too short - took me 5 hours because it is too easy. Dated graphics. Price is too high for such a short game. It took them how long to develop the game and the graphics are the same as Portal 1? Positives: Humor was good and I liked the story. Rating: I'm only giving it a 5 because it is another game that could have been great, but has been rushed and dumbed-down for the masses.Negatives: Too short - took me 5 hours because it is too easy. Dated graphics. Price is too high for such a short game. It took them how long to develop the game and the graphics are the same as Portal 1? Positives: Humor was good and I liked the story. Rating: I'm only giving it a 5 because it is another game that could have been great, but has been rushed and dumbed-down for the masses. Also too expensive.… Expand
  19. zevind
    Apr 19, 2011
    3
    While the voice acting is top notch, and GladOS is creepy as ever, I feel as though I've been taken advantage of. I blasted through the single player campaign in about 5 1/2 hours, and while it was a joyous 5 hours I don't think it was worth $50. And while I have heard that the co-op will add several more hours of game play, I found it to be buggy, laggy, and overly complicated at best.While the voice acting is top notch, and GladOS is creepy as ever, I feel as though I've been taken advantage of. I blasted through the single player campaign in about 5 1/2 hours, and while it was a joyous 5 hours I don't think it was worth $50. And while I have heard that the co-op will add several more hours of game play, I found it to be buggy, laggy, and overly complicated at best. And if you're not a fan of having to play well with others, you've severely overpaid for the game. The sub-par graphics combined with short duration and high price cause me to tell people to stay away from Portal 2 until it hits the bargain bin.… Expand
  20. db899
    Apr 20, 2011
    0
    I really wanted to like this game as i enjoyed the first half of the last game until it got too hard and i had to quit, but unfortunatly portal 2 brings with it a strong sense of deja vu, it feels more like portal 1.5. The puzzles are mostly the same rehashed from the first, the humour is not good either, and if that wasn't enough then think : This game takes about 5-8hrs to complete, thatI really wanted to like this game as i enjoyed the first half of the last game until it got too hard and i had to quit, but unfortunatly portal 2 brings with it a strong sense of deja vu, it feels more like portal 1.5. The puzzles are mostly the same rehashed from the first, the humour is not good either, and if that wasn't enough then think : This game takes about 5-8hrs to complete, that is not very long, every review site has mentioned the the replayability is almost zero, other fps games have multiplayer to extend life, this has a boring co-op that no one would want to bother with, just pointless, only get when the price drops because otherwise people like valve are going to think it's ok to charge big money for a very short game with no point in replaying, a disgrace and a letdown. Dont fall into hype trap, i regret wasting money, dont put yourself in my shoes in a few days time when the game is done and your down money.… Expand
  21. ClashCityRocker
    Apr 20, 2011
    1
    If you have multiple systems, avoid the Xbox version, it's by far the worst of the bunch, the worst visuals, and many key features missing.

    The PS3 version comes with free user-content, steamworks, a PC/Mac copy, cloud saving etc..
  22. DrMordin
    Apr 20, 2011
    4
    To sum it up this game DOES NOT deserve all of the praise it's been getting. Not to say that it's completely undeserving but it should not be at a 94. Like other people have said this is a 10 hour experience, single player and co-op, it has absolutely no replay value so basically you go through everything once and your done, great way to spend $60. The game is also getting praised forTo sum it up this game DOES NOT deserve all of the praise it's been getting. Not to say that it's completely undeserving but it should not be at a 94. Like other people have said this is a 10 hour experience, single player and co-op, it has absolutely no replay value so basically you go through everything once and your done, great way to spend $60. The game is also getting praised for its story, the game should be getting no praise for this what so ever. The story sucks, it's paper thin and on top of that it's predictable. The critics reviewing this are absurd, they're grasping at straws trying to make it seem like the story has some profound depth and that the characters go through some deep emotional development, to say that the game has these qualities would be a lie. They also conveniently forgot to mention the length, any other game they would've more than gladly mentioned the 10 hour completion time but not in this case, the almighty Portal can't have any flaws can it? Overall this game is vastly overrated, it does have good design and it has personality, but does it represent the medium at its best? Hell no. I would've given it a higher score but the critics and Portal fanboys made me hate it. Food for thought, aren't critics essentially Portal fanboys?… Expand
  23. derSteffen
    Apr 22, 2011
    1
    Funny but nothing more - only less than 6 hours long (in singleplayer). Valve must be kidding! Even some of the features from the trailer were removed (the vacuum tubes). I will definetly not pre-purchase a game on Steam again. It was way too expensive - and not really worth the money. The gameplay is great, but not very challenging...
  24. Qwik
    Apr 23, 2011
    4
    As stated by many here the game is very short for the price. The graphics engine is old, it looks like Valve games from 10 years ago. The complexity of the puzzles are a disappointment. Given the time to release the game, and the limitations, I am surprised by the reviews. Clearly the name "Valve" contributed to influencing the reviewers. At the end of the day I am going through theAs stated by many here the game is very short for the price. The graphics engine is old, it looks like Valve games from 10 years ago. The complexity of the puzzles are a disappointment. Given the time to release the game, and the limitations, I am surprised by the reviews. Clearly the name "Valve" contributed to influencing the reviewers. At the end of the day I am going through the game simply for hte achievements.… Expand
  25. gnozu
    May 7, 2011
    9
    I think that this is pretty good stuff. It has nice graphics, an original storyline, and inventive gameplay. Ultimately it is just Lara Croft without guns though.
  26. DizzyBone2000
    Jun 14, 2011
    4
    what a complete disappointment..i absolutely loved Portal 1 and still to this day think it is one of the best puzzle games ever created...the advanced maps were fun as hell, the challenges (least steps, time, and portals) were all challenging and satisfying, and the end game was fantastic...Portal 2 strips away all the fun by forcing you to learn the new mechanics like the gels andwhat a complete disappointment..i absolutely loved Portal 1 and still to this day think it is one of the best puzzle games ever created...the advanced maps were fun as hell, the challenges (least steps, time, and portals) were all challenging and satisfying, and the end game was fantastic...Portal 2 strips away all the fun by forcing you to learn the new mechanics like the gels and bridges..it doesn't feel like I'm playing a game..it feels like I'm doing work and work is NOT FUN. It's one of those games that starts out interesting, but gets very tedious and very boring as it goes on..honestly, the 5 1/2 hours i played felt like an eternity...I felt it most around chapter 6 when the game just completely diverts from the formula that made Portal 1 so great..and that's the AMAZING AND SMART PUZZLES..no one cares about story in these types of game and I felt that Portal 2 tried to force the story on you..gamers want to be challenged, not listen to robots bickering about when you don't even know what they are talking about half of the time...I really wish Valve included some type of mode where it was just straight puzzles with advanced maps..similar to the way Portal 1 did it..only this time they could've thrown in the new mechanics to spice things up if they wanted to...I thought a mode like that would be first on top of their list..instead it was just focused on forcing a story down our throats...honestly, the end game was really predictable and wasn't as satisfying as Portal 1...when it was all over, I said to myself "wow I don't remember anything I did"..and I thought about it and I figured out why I thought that to myself..there were very few memorable moments in the game...who could forget in Portal 1 when you first picked up the portal gun off the pedestal, an achievement popped up,and you instantly started screwing around with it because it was so cool...who could also forget the first time you soared through the air to clear a gap and felt that feeling of being immersed in that moment...WOW that was incredible..Portal 2 u just slide on gel and cross light bridges in overly big rooms where it seems that only 1 solution can be found...whatever happened to multiple solutions like in Portal 1 where you basically need to do the faster solution to even clear some of the challenges..that's what made it so great, there were more solutions right in front of your face than you thought was possible...This review is getting too long, but I hope I made some good points and helped people out… Expand
  27. Sh0dan
    May 30, 2012
    6
    Good game, but if you played the original and thought it good but not great, then this is really just more of the same. There are a few new tricks to learn, but puzzle wise the game didn't feel as challenging as the original. Perhaps thats because I was already accustomed to the puzzle theme of using portals. In any case, I felt there wasn't enough new stuff there, and it got to be a bitGood game, but if you played the original and thought it good but not great, then this is really just more of the same. There are a few new tricks to learn, but puzzle wise the game didn't feel as challenging as the original. Perhaps thats because I was already accustomed to the puzzle theme of using portals. In any case, I felt there wasn't enough new stuff there, and it got to be a bit of a chore and felt like going through the motions just so I could seen the ending. Though I have to admit, the story and characterisation was much better this time around. Other than that I couldn't find too many other positive things to say about this game. It doesn't have much re-playability even when you take the coop mode into account. Overall if you loved the original then its more of the same, but if like me you really didn't see what all the fuss was about the original, and just thought it an okay first person puzzler, then you probably wont find your opinion has changed much with the sequel. So its good, but not a classic, at least not in my book. 6 / 10… Expand
  28. MrPositive
    May 11, 2011
    10
    Just an incredible experience. There are very few games released these days where you feel the love and compassion towards the material. It's almost as if they could care less if they made a dime on the game, as long as others get to experience it. I have no clue how they came up with the gels system, etc, but it's all just brilliant. Throw in some much needed humor with Wheatley and itJust an incredible experience. There are very few games released these days where you feel the love and compassion towards the material. It's almost as if they could care less if they made a dime on the game, as long as others get to experience it. I have no clue how they came up with the gels system, etc, but it's all just brilliant. Throw in some much needed humor with Wheatley and it just cherry tops it all. I love hearing about the 'geniuses' that got through the game in a few hours (walkthrough help much?). Oh brother, because I found the campaign relatively difficult and extensive. Regardless, bravo to another Valve masterpiece.… Expand
  29. fakuall
    May 23, 2011
    5
    Game is great fun with awesome voiceacting but like others have said it's way too short (5hours of singleplayer) for the pricetag and the graphics are just ok. Wait until you find it in the bargainbin, there is no replay value here. If people give it a 10 to boost the score ill give it a 5 to flatten things out.
  30. JamesMorrison
    Jun 13, 2011
    6
    As a puzzle game Portal 2 is incredible. But it suffers one of the main pitfalls of all puzzle games, it becomes repetitive and once you get into the later stages of the game the puzzles either become frustratingly difficult as you either have to find the tiny little solution in the massive puzzle room or the puzzle is just too easy once you figure out how the different gels work. ThoughAs a puzzle game Portal 2 is incredible. But it suffers one of the main pitfalls of all puzzle games, it becomes repetitive and once you get into the later stages of the game the puzzles either become frustratingly difficult as you either have to find the tiny little solution in the massive puzzle room or the puzzle is just too easy once you figure out how the different gels work. Though this game is entertaining, and somewhat of an intellectual feat the first run through, if you've graduated from high school and out of the main gaming demographic, you'll probably find the puzzles a little too easy and the humour a little too juvenile. A good rent, but save your $40 (depending on your system). Don't fall for the gaming critics, especially these days, most are bought and paid for.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
8
#8 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
11
#11 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 66 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 66
  3. Negative: 0 out of 66
  1. AusGamers
    Jun 6, 2011
    98
    Portal 2 is a triumph in every sense of the word, a wonderful experience from start to finish and one that you won't soon forget.
    Read full review
  2. Thunderbolt
    May 23, 2011
    90
    Indeed, this is both mathematical and storytelling art-work; it teams a gripping narrative with an inventive gameplay mechanic that makes for an excellent and unforgettable ride.
    Read full review
  3. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    May 22, 2011
    92
    A huge and stunning sequel, as witty as it is brain-bendingly challenging. [July 2011, p.98]
See all critic reviews »