Fun gameplay, black humour and portals!
A new take on the puzzle game genre where the player uses portals to try and navigate their way through various levels full of hazards and problem solving moments. Players assume the role of Chell, a test subject in the Aperture Science facility and the game picks up slowly introducing the player to how the game works in a very tutorial like manner and gradually becomes more difficult as they progress. Which ties in well to the very "mouse in a maze" style of gameplay.
Throughout the entire game the player gets to listen to the ramblings of an AI computer by the name of GLaDoS who gives taunts, goads and insults the player as they progress. The pitch black humour and briliant voice acting have made GLaDoS almost a cult like figure within the gaming world and the dialogue itself is some of the best in a game i've ever come across.
Gameplay length clocks in at around 3 hours or there about depending on how fast you are at solving the puzzles on each level. While it might seem short its the perfect length for a puzzle game and most definately means the game doesn't drag on with more endless puzzles than you'd like.
Other than the single player campaign there are bonus puzzles to solve if you want more of a challenge and like many of Valves games there are achievements available for Portal aswell which add some extra fun to the game if thats your thing.
Overall Portal is an excellent game that achieves what it hopes to set out. Deliver a solid puzzle game thats not only challenging but also fun and unique. And i definately suggest sticking around to the credits, quite possibly the funniest ending song to any game ever.
