Portal

           I was very skeptical when my friend recommended this game to me. "Greg, this game is like, one of the best games I've ever played", he said. Now I'm not the type of person who just straight up likes games. I'm very picky. Also, in general I've found that puzzle games have not been for me-so when my friend told me that Portal was essentially a puzzle game I was kinda turned off it. I went out and bought the Orange Box simply because it was the (is?) the best deal in gaming.  But then I didn't play it. So one day as I'm getting extremely frustrated at Call of Duty 4 (which is also a great game--not bagging on it) I decide to try out this "wonder game" my friend had been raving about. 4-5 hours later I dropped my controller to the floor with my jaw wrenched wide open as I sat in amazement at what I had just experienced.

           Saying Portal is a puzzle game is the worst way I could possibly describe it. But I can't really think of anything else to call it, so I'm just gonna go with Portal is a puzzle game. But its the best fuckin' puzzle game in existence! You are essentially told to get from point A to point B, but given normal means there is absolutely no way to do so. You are then left to navigate through the level with the aperture science handheld portal device that allows you to..well shoot portals to cross the level. And the game mechanics allow this to pull it off perfectly. The levels are fun and intresting, and best of all, challenging. But that's not even the best part.

           What elevates Portal to gaming gold is the storytelling and humor that comes with it. You don't really know much about where you are or why you are there. If you are not at least a little bit confused throughout then you're not getting the best experience. I can't do the story justice by explaing any of it in a review, but my suggestion would be to PLAY THIS GAME!! It's short but fantastic and there is no reason not to play it. Believe me, you WILL be glad you did.