a Place of Much Learning

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 62,619 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
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"Portal: The Flash Version" is a fan-made game inspired by the popular Portal series. It features 40 challenging levels that require creative use of portals and physics-based puzzles. Players control a test subject navigating through a mysterious facility, using a portal gun to overcome obstacles and reach the exit. This game provides a similar experience to the official Portal games, with its own unique levels and challenges.

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Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 62,619 reviews
story3,541 positive mentions
grinding55 negative mentions
  • story6,752 mentions

    The story of "Portal" is often described as intriguing yet minimalistic, serving primarily as a backdrop to the game's innovative puzzle mechanics. Players navigate through a series of test chambers while being guided by the sarcastic AI, GLaDOS, whose dark humor adds depth to the narrative. Although the main storyline is relatively short, typically taking around 2-4 hours to complete, it effectively sets the stage for the more expansive and developed story found in its sequel, "Portal 2."

    • “The soundtrack, the story, the gameplay, it reels you in and keeps you hooked, wanting more.”
    • “The story is outstanding and surprising.”
    • “The story, while initially seemingly lighthearted, takes a dark turn as you delve deeper into the bowels of Aperture Science laboratories.”
    • “It's like Portal 2 but with much less story and more gameplay.”
    • “The game narrative isn't a point of focus, and instead everything is told in very few environmental details, but even the story that it tries to tell is extremely low-stakes.”
    • “The story is minimal at first but really ramps up near the end, and makes you need to buy and play the second game.”
  • gameplay4,168 mentions

    Portal is widely praised for its innovative gameplay, centered around the unique portal mechanic that allows players to solve puzzles in creative ways. The game effectively introduces new mechanics gradually, ensuring a smooth learning curve while maintaining engaging and challenging gameplay throughout its short duration. Despite its brevity, the combination of clever puzzles, dark humor, and a compelling narrative makes Portal a timeless classic that continues to captivate players.

    • “Portal is a groundbreaking puzzle-platformer that combines innovative gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is incredible and like nothing I've done before, and the story had me jotting details down on a piece of loose leaf like a detective.”
    • “Portal is a triumph of game design, blending innovative mechanics, clever puzzles, and a memorable narrative into a compact and unforgettable experience.”
    • “The one thing about this game that bothers me is that it only lasts for 3 hours of gameplay.”
    • “I really love the gameplay and the lore, but it feels a bit too short.”
    • “While the game is short, lasting a few hours, the way Valve set up the mechanics in the game, and the way the puzzles are set up make for a very fun experience.”
  • humor2,748 mentions

    The humor in "Portal" is widely praised for its clever, dark, and often sarcastic wit, primarily delivered through the character of GLaDOS, the AI antagonist. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend challenging puzzles with genuinely funny dialogue, creating a unique atmosphere that balances tension and comedy. Many reviews highlight the memorable one-liners and humorous situations that keep the experience engaging and entertaining throughout its relatively short playtime.

    • “The puzzles are a lot of fun and the game has a great setting with some hilariously witty dialogue.”
    • “Glados, the artificial intelligence guiding you through the tests, delivers lines that are not only witty but also add a layer of dark humor to the overall experience.”
    • “The witty and humorous writing adds another layer of enjoyment, making the journey through the Aperture Science Enrichment Center an unforgettable experience.”
    • “Finally, after all these years, I can see for myself just how unfunny the 'cake is a lie' jokes have been.”
    • “The 'cake is a lie' is not funny anymore.”
    • “GLaDOS is cute but not funny, and the behind-the-scenes areas get repetitive.”
  • graphics1,673 mentions

    The graphics of Portal, despite being over 15 years old, have aged remarkably well, largely due to its minimalist art style that complements the gameplay. Many players appreciate the clean and sterile environments, noting that the visuals still hold up against modern standards, making it visually appealing even on lower-end systems. While some critiques mention that the graphics show their age compared to newer titles, the overall consensus is that they effectively enhance the game's atmosphere and experience.

    • “The graphics still hold up more than 15 years after release, in part thanks to the art style.”
    • “Absolutely incredible, stunning visuals still hold up today.”
    • “Portal is surprisingly good despite its relatively bad graphics.”
    • “The graphics are bad, I'd rather play Portal 2.”
    • “The entire game can be beaten on a first run within 2 hours, graphics are downright ugly, puzzles are fairly simple, music is good in the 5% of the game it exists, the lackluster story is only carried by the good dialogue, and the engine is so outdated my computer had trouble running it.”
    • “The graphics aren't amazing by any means, but I think Valve was aware of this when they made the game.”
  • music1,346 mentions

    The music in Portal is widely praised for its atmospheric and minimalist approach, enhancing the game's eerie and isolated setting. While the soundtrack is sparse throughout most of the gameplay, it culminates in the iconic ending song "Still Alive," which has become a beloved highlight for players, often evoking strong emotional responses. Overall, the combination of ambient soundscapes and the memorable final track contributes significantly to the game's lasting impact and enjoyment.

    • “The ambient soundtrack, composed by Mike Morasky, adds to the atmosphere, with the iconic 'Still Alive' by Jonathan Coulton serving as the perfect conclusion to the game.”
    • “The song at the end was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.”
    • “The music is great and especially that ending track; if this game didn't have that song at the end, I probably wouldn't like it as much.”
    • “The music is minimal, but provides a bit of ambiance here and there for certain levels and events.”
    • “The soundtrack provides only minimal ambiance and doesn't really signify rising or falling action until late in the game.”
    • “The music, while absent for 90% of the game, is still awesome, just because of the ending song.”
  • atmosphere735 mentions

    The atmosphere in Portal is widely praised for its unique blend of eerie isolation and dark humor, creating a haunting yet engaging experience. Players appreciate the minimalist design, ambient soundtrack, and the omnipresent AI, GLaDOS, which together enhance the sense of suspense and intrigue throughout the game. The juxtaposition of sterile test chambers with unsettling undertones contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps players immersed and curious about the unfolding narrative.

    • “The atmosphere is beautifully isolating, and the story is simple yet compelling.”
    • “The atmosphere, the puzzles, the mechanics... I really recommend this to anyone who has not played it yet.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is really unique, making you feel like a lab rat for real.”
    • “The atmosphere is very creepy and surreal.”
    • “The atmosphere really makes this game; you always feel like you're alone (because you are).”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is really neat and each unique course leads you closer to the truth of... I'll let you find out.”
  • replayability526 mentions

    Portal is widely regarded as a classic with significant replayability, primarily due to its engaging puzzles and the challenge of achieving faster completion times. While the main story is relatively short, players appreciate the additional challenge maps and achievements that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews note that once the puzzles are solved, the replay value diminishes, making it less appealing for those seeking extensive replayability compared to its sequel, Portal 2.

    • “Both the narrative and mechanical game elements were top notch, and the game has a surprising amount of replay value, partly thanks to the challenge and trial map modes.”
    • “The allure of discovering new and more efficient ways to solve puzzles encourages replayability, and the inclusion of advanced challenge maps extends the longevity for those seeking additional complexity.”
    • “Damn this game is so good, it has so much replayability and is a fantastic concept, it is just overall a great game that I along with many others will revisit for years to come.”
    • “Replayability is lacking, aside from trying to beat your previous playthrough time.”
    • “The only downside is, once you've solved the puzzle, there is little replay value.”
    • “Once you're done, you could play another save from start for some achievements, do some advanced chambers and the challenges, but once you're done, the game lacks replayability.”
  • emotional215 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with many players expressing strong feelings ranging from joy to sorrow. The narrative and character interactions, particularly with the companion cube and GLaDOS, foster deep emotional connections, leading to moments of laughter, nostalgia, and even tears, especially during the game's poignant ending. Overall, the combination of clever puzzles and a touching story creates a memorable emotional journey that resonates with players long after they finish the game.

    • “The ending literally made me cry so bad (I'm sobbing right now).”
    • “The weighted companion cube transcends its physical presence, becoming a symbol of the emotional engagement Portal achieves with its players.”
    • “I cried all the way through 'Still Alive'.”
    • “The story is not developed or absorbing; and that's kind of all there is with this game. Innovative puzzles and a kind of boring story—at least compared to other games.”
  • grinding213 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessive and often tedious, with many players feeling it requires an unrealistic time commitment, likening it to needing "a second life" to complete. While some acknowledge that certain achievements can be rewarding, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts from the enjoyment, making the experience feel frustrating and overly repetitive. A few reviews suggest that while grinding exists, it can be manageable if players focus on the main story rather than completionist goals.

    • “A good single player game that can be paused and saved at any time and isn't grindy.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “I personally hated doing the challenge maps simply because you will be grinding for hours to finish a challenge to gold only to realize later that some dude found a glitch that basically bypasses the whole map to the end.”
    • “Trust me, it is way too tedious and will make you hate the game.”
    • “Fully enjoyed the mental exercises the game provided, but the experience was overshadowed by the need for nauseously repetitive attempts at overly tedious, time-critical, coordination-intense tasks.”
  • stability155 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches that can enhance the experience, particularly for speedrunning. While some users experienced significant issues like freezing and crashes, others found the game to run smoothly on various systems, indicating that performance may vary based on hardware. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has its quirks, they often add to the charm rather than detract from the gameplay.

    • “Issues and bugs: the game runs 'straight out of the box' and appears to be bug free.”
    • “Its a classic, runs well on anything and has next to no glitches.”
    • “The graphics have held up surprisingly well over the years, and the game runs great on almost any system.”
    • “The game isn't starting for me; when I open it, my screen just freezes and I can't close it or do anything.”
    • “A game this old shouldn't have game-breaking glitches.”
    • “There is an issue with it running on Windows 7 64-bit; frequent freezes and audio glitches make it frustrating to play.”
  • optimization108 mentions

    Overall, the game is highly praised for its optimization, with many users noting that it runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including low-end PCs and even older systems. While some minor performance issues, such as stuttering on older hard drives, were mentioned, the general consensus is that the game is exceptionally well-optimized, making it accessible for casual gamers and those with less powerful machines.

    • “It's so well optimized that I'm pretty sure it can run on anything that turns on.”
    • “This game is incredibly well optimized just like CS:GO, runs effortlessly on Steam Deck and is just a great game in general.”
    • “The game is very optimized and the story, one of the best.”
    • “My only complaint is that this game seems to have a stuttering issue with older hard drives. While the game remains playable on them, it definitely doesn't like them. I just wasn't expecting my hard drive to struggle because this game is somewhat ancient.”
    • “I had to put map_noareas 1 in the console to stop the constant freezes with audio stuttering.”
    • “There are some performance issues, from regular screen tearing to occasional freezing, but I've never experienced a crash or anything like that, so there are just nitpicks.”
  • character development29 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and creativity, particularly through the character of GLaDOS, whose design and monologues enhance the narrative experience. While the main character, Chell, lacks traditional development and dialogue, this choice effectively immerses players in the story, allowing GLaDOS's personality to shine. Overall, the game is noted for its intriguing plot and character dynamics, despite some critiques regarding the brevity of the experience.

    • “I loved the character development throughout the game.”
    • “Intriguing story and interesting character development will keep you in; it's a short game but very well done.”
    • “Character development is strong and interesting.”
    • “The main character Chell has literally no character development or dialog, but that is arguably good because it makes it feel like GLaDOS is talking directly to you, not just a character you are controlling.”
    • “Little to no character development.”
    • “The sequel had better storytelling and character development, but the original is where it all started.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    Reviews indicate a mixed sentiment regarding monetization, with some players appreciating the game's evolution from a cash grab to a beloved series, while others criticize the presence of ads and perceive it as a money-making scheme. Overall, the game's initial charm is overshadowed for some by its monetization practices.

    • “After all I fought for, I just got more ads and acne.”
    • “Very unique idea especially for a game of its age, but in the end, it's a cash grab for the content that you get.”
    • “This game started as a Half-Life spin-off cash grab and evolved into one of the best series in gaming history.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
3-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 205 analyzed playthroughs

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