Review this Game!

[pennysticks]

I would rate 10s across the board.

Some give it a lower rating for replay-ability, I agree it is a little less of an experience once you have the solutions in your head for each puzzle, but the story, Glad0s and Wheatley and especially Cave Johnson's quotes are worth playing through the game over again to hear and experience. I have replayed this game twice already and will again this summer. Every time I listen to the soundtrack I itch to play again...but I have new games to get through - So i would rate replay at 8

but otherwise 10s all around

[dmsdq]

Story: Most people talk about how good the story in this game is ... but I tend to disagree. It doesn't really have a story, because it relies on the "found story" element. You go through the game and see hidden rooms and singing turrets, and you piece the story together for yourself. That's not to say the game doesn't have amazing characters. GLaDOS, Wheatley, and Cave Johnson are some of the best examples of character interaction in the last five years. The game is funny, but not story-driven.
Gameplay: The puzzles are imaginative, and expertly done (if not excessively long). There were a few points where I was stuck for a while, but nothing that a little brain grease couldn't fix.
Controls: Perfectly done FPS controls.
Graphics: A little bit rough, but it added to the charm for me.
Sound (Gameplay): Voice acting stood out among all of the games I've played in the last year, and the sounds of Aperture were definitely well-done as well.
Sound (Music): I loved the music in this game. Especially GLaDOS' song.
Wow Factor: The game's humor really upped the wow factor for me.
Replay Value: Moderate to low. With all puzzle games, the more you play them, the less mystery there is to be had. Sure, you can create arbitrary time trials and the sort, but once you can start solving the puzzles with your eyes closed, it just isn't the same.
Multiplayer Experience: Portal 2 has an excellent multiplayer campaign, but it suffers from the same issues listed in the replay value. You have to walk the fine line between having fun with someone and ruining the puzzle for them.
Rent or Buy this Game? I'd suggest renting this game.

Overall: I bought this game Day 1, but almost immediately wished that I would have rented it. Don't get me wrong, I love the game and totally think it deserved to be on (and win some) GOTY lists, but the replay value really killed this title for me. Especially because there were no in-game perks for time trials (like trophies, or extra Cave Johnson). A puzzle game like Ico which creates an entirely unique experience during its speed run is a much better puzzler buy.

7/10


[Edit]

So I picked this up again after not touching it for months and months, and I'm now really dedicating myself to grabbing the platinum. I'm still in love with Portal, and even though the same issues still hold true (mostly the lack of wonder after you know the solution to a puzzle), I can't stop having a blast with this game. The humor, the puzzles, the portals ... I keep playing this and thinking "Okay, now let me play Portal 3 already!" xD!!!

Because of the return factor, and that I still love playing this game as much as I did day one, I have to up my score to at least an 8/10. If only I could edit my poll choice. =P

[Xortin]

Story: The story is great and really funny. At no point was I bored with what was going on, it just kept getting more and more amusing!
Gameplay: The gameplay is easy to get used to and a lot of fun to play around with.
Controls: Easy to learn
Graphics: While there are no sweeping vistas to admire the rooms look good and fit the feel of the game.
Sound (Gameplay): Didn't really pay to much attention to this.
Sound (Music): Didn't really pay to much attention to this either.
Wow Factor: The story just gets better and better the further in you get, it never fails to impress.
Replay Value: I have played the single player three times now and the multiplayer five times, it's always fun.
Multiplayer Experience: I think it is better as a couch co-op as you can then mess around a lot more, killing your friends in surprising ways, or slowly dropping them into water
Rent or Buy this Game? BUY!
Your Personal Verdict & Your Final Rating: Use the Poll! I gave it a 10, definitely one of my best games!