Botchweed – Portal 2 Review

Botchweed: "The sequel to Valve’s quantum-tunneling puzzler is basically more of the same, only cleaner, more refined and a lot funnier than it’s predecessor. The original Portal started it’s life as an independent project called ‘Narbacular Drop’, and became one of Valve’s most beloved titles after they included it in their ‘Orange Box’ collection way back in 2007. It’s combination of theoretical science and minimalist humour made it one of the most unique, entertaining, games I’ve ever played. And when you factor in the jaw-dropping curveball of a final act, it’s hard not to hold Portal in high regard.

So that brings us to April, 2011, and the release of a full length sequel. One of my favourite things about the first game was it’s ‘short but sweet’ nature, the fact that it ended just as you reached what I like to call ‘Portal saturation point’ – the moment when your brain gives up on the puzzles before you do. That’s why I had a small cloud of wariness in my stomach when I began to play the sequel. Would the gameplay prove too exasperating to keep up for several more hours, or would Valve manage to cram enough variety and imagination into those hours that they fly by?"