WSJ Review: Portal 2 Is A Hole In One
Techland(TIME) Gives it a Perfect 10
PC Gamer Scores at 94/100

The Early Launch Project — Potato Sack
– Players that purchased and played indie games on Steam fueled a launch ahead of schedule.
– Served to promote indie gaming, Steam, and PC gaming in general.
– Also probably made Valve a few hundred thousand dollars. And I have no problem with that.

Review Points (SINGLE PLAYER)

PROS
– ENVIRONMENT ART / ANIMATION
The intro is breath-taking. The environments built to re-introduce you are magnificent. And the way they grow and change throughout the game is brilliant. The environment IS a character, or at the very least a bodily extension of one (or … two …)

– RE-INTRODUCTION
Being a test subject “again” was fun because of how it was introduced. Also good for brand new players that didn’t play the first, or have taken a long break. A nice easy way to get you back into the swing of things.

– OLD FRIENDS
I’ve been worried for months now that the “soul” of Portal 2 would end up feeling bland and overworked, because Valve might put too much effort into making another landmark game, where the first felt like sort of an accident. Those fears have been put to rest.

– NEW FRIENDS
* Cave Johnson, the voice in many of the trailers released so far, is a ridiculous fossil of manliness from the 50s/60s. And he lampoons it with such efficiency that it becomes AWESOME. (think, “Mad Men”)
– “When life gives you lemons, invent combustible lemons and burn life’s house down with them. You don’t deserve lemons!”
* Getting to know GladOS on a more personal basis was worth the price of the game.

– LENGTH/DEPTH
Whereas Portal1 felt like nothing more than a clever puzzle game that could be beaten in a single sitting, Portal2 is an awesome ride through an incredible story, as it tells you the history of Aperture Labs without actually having to TELL you anything. Incredible storytelling.

– NO ENEMIES
I like having a sense of danger without actually having to kill anything. Too many puzzle games introduce enemies, when their gameplay could be designed in a way to do without it. (e.g., “The Ball”)

– AUDIO/MUSIC
* Some of the more complicated puzzles give you a subtle musical cue when you’re on the right track to solving it.
* Top notch ambient audio all over. Distant explosions, whirring machinery, etc.

CON
– Some REALLY tough puzzles, involving extremely fast hand-eye coordination. I may not be able to beat this game because of it.
– Did not like Wheatley. I know a lot of people did, but it’s tough to sympathize or enjoy interacting with him. I can’t put my finger on it.
– A few (VERY few) cut corners, it feels like. With so much attention given to the atmosphere, it was a minor moment of disappointment to see some missed opportunities (eg. the ‘intro movies’ playing near each lift, many were repeated dozens of times.)
– No explanation given (as far as I know) for your character’s reintroduction to the Labs. At the end of Portal1, you seem to escape to the surface. So why are you back inside at the start of Portal2?
– Few achievements. Or maybe I suck. Either way, it comes across as a negative to me. I’d like more badges for my efforts, even if they’re not uber leet..

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Co-Op Review

PROS
– Very easy to start up, well integrated into Steam network (obviously…)
– Communication is excellent, over Steam. Also with press F to point, use timers, etc.
– Incredible variation of maps. Some were just STUPIDLY awesome to complete. Aiming lasers using your partner’s mini-viewscreen, etc.
– GladOS’ commentary keeps it light hearted, even when you die repeatedly. Especially when you die repeatedly.
– Fully featured, completely time consuming. We finished the first 6 maps, thought that was it, and were still satisfied. Then found a dozen more, and there are probably even more after that.

CONS
– No chatting during load screens.
– Complicated. Requires a teammate with lots of patience. Not recommended for strangers.
– It can, at times, feel like playing pool with a friend. But both of you can only use one hand each, and you’re both using the same cue. At the same time.

Cast YOUR vote in our poll

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Downloads, & Show Notes:

What we’ve been playing:
Chris: Black Prophecy & STO Foundry Missions
Justin: Crysis 2
Alan: NBA 2K11

4-19: Mortal Kombat
4-19: Portal 2
5-17: LA Noire
5-17: Brink
5-31: Red Faction
6-7: inFamous 2
6-14: Duke Nukem Forever

What’s coming up – IGN’s big 2011 List!

Upcoming Games we’re looking forward to soon
Bulletstorm – 2/22 (Gameplay)
You Don’t Know Jack – 2/08 (Trailer)

For the rest of the year
LA Noire – 4/05 (Trailer) (mo cap)
Brink – 4/12 (Walkthrough) (Gameplay)
Portal 2 – 4/19 (Demo) (Co-op Trailer)
Rage – 9/13 (gameplay)
Uncharted 3 – 11/1 (trailer)
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – 11/11 (Trailer) (Supposed Leak Gameplay)

Stuff rikai is looking forward to soon
Dragon Age 2 (3/8) (Trailer) (Combat Gameplay)
Mass effect 3 (Q4/Holiday 2011) (Trailer)

Grab Bag:
Back to the Future – It’s About TIme
DC Universe Online – Gotham City Tour, End of Beta Event Recap DCUO Gameplay

OWL SACK IMAGE FOR ALAN:
https://www.sharnoffphotos.com/humans_nature/field%20biology/fby_img/boreal_owl_sack.jpg

Skyrim info (leaks – NOT CONFIRMED)
Combat:
– You can duel wield weapons, and/or spells.

Spells:
– You can combine spell effects on the fly by using one in each hand.

NPC AI:
– They’ve made the world more “alive” including NPCs that might murder eachother, hold grudges, steal from eachother, and much more.  You may also be able to have relationships with NPCs in this game.

Professions:
– You can hold a job in each village. Blacksmith, Herbalist, Enchanting, Woodcutting, etc.

• What were on the phones and computers?
• How can you sue Activision over a non legally binding agreement?
• The Call of Duty franchise has brought in over $3 Billion, $36 Million doesn’t seem to justify firing the two just to save a few ducketts.
• Let’s not forget that Activision CEO Bobby Kotick seems like total dick with his famous quote “The goal that I had in bringing a lot of the packaged goods folks into Activision about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games.” And he wants to instill into the company culture “skepticism, pessimism, and fear.” I don’t even know Activision’s side of the story because they’re keeping quiet, but I’m already thinking that they’re the bad guy just from this butthole CEO Kotick.

Your top 5 (or 10?) video games that have made the largest impact on you.

Justin:

5. Jedi Academy

4. God of War

3. Banjo Kazooie

2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

1. Prince of Persia: The Warrior Within

Alan:

5. Aero Fighters

4. Tetris

3. Mario Kart 64

2. Tony Hawk

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Chris:

5. Modern Warfare 2

4. Descent

3. Quake III

2. Star Trek: The 25th Anniversary

1. Flight Simulator 1.0