Portal 2

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 149,803 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Portal 2 Game Cover
A top notch puzzle game that reigns above any other with such a simple idea and such complex gameplay, Portal 2 should be a mist play.
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Sequel to the acclaimed Portal (2007), Portal 2 pits the protagonist of the original game, Chell, and her new robot friend, Wheatley, against more puzzles conceived by GLaDOS, an A.I. with the sole purpose of testing the Portal Gun's mechanics and taking revenge on Chell for the events of Portal. As a result of several interactions and revelations, Chell once again pushes to escape Aperture Scienc…

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Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 149,803 reviews
story13,665 positive mentions
grinding98 negative mentions
  • story22,210 mentions

    The story of "Portal 2" is widely praised for its depth, humor, and character development, significantly expanding on the narrative established in the first game. Players appreciate the engaging plot twists, memorable characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley, and the seamless integration of storytelling with innovative puzzle mechanics. The game is noted for its witty dialogue and emotional moments, making it a standout experience in both single-player and co-op modes.

    • “The amount of actual story itself in the game is amazing, especially for people like me who love lore.”
    • “The story picks up where the first game left off, and Chell is once again at the mercy of GLaDOS, the sarcastic AI that deserves its own stand-up comedy special.”
    • “The story in this game is also even better than the first game, which is an impressive feat.”
    • “The story is both hilarious and poignant, weaving a compelling narrative that adds emotional depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The story, filled with unexpected twists and a rich backstory, keeps you invested in the game world.”
  • gameplay8,683 mentions

    Portal 2's gameplay is widely praised for its innovative mechanics, particularly the use of the portal gun, which allows players to create linked portals for navigation and puzzle-solving. The game introduces new elements such as gels and excursion funnels, enhancing the complexity and variety of puzzles while maintaining a smooth learning curve. Players appreciate the engaging story, witty dialogue, and the seamless integration of humor with gameplay, making it a standout title in the puzzle-platformer genre.

    • “Building on the brilliant mechanics of the original, this sequel expands the world of Aperture Science with mind-bending puzzles and an engaging story.”
    • “The introduction of new gameplay elements like gels and excursion funnels keeps each test chamber fresh and exciting.”
    • “The gameplay surprises with new mechanics such as gels and light bridges, which add variety and make the game even more fun.”
    • “The one downside about it is there isn't enough levels and mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay gets boring after some time into the game.”
    • “The gameplay is fine, but the story is really where this game shines.”
  • humor8,630 mentions

    Portal 2 is widely praised for its exceptional humor, characterized by witty dialogue, dark comedy, and memorable characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley. Players appreciate the clever writing that seamlessly integrates humor into the gameplay, making even challenging puzzles enjoyable. The game's ability to balance comedic elements with engaging storytelling and intricate level design has solidified its status as a classic in the gaming community.

    • “The humor is top-notch, thanks to the witty writing and unforgettable characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley.”
    • “Portal 2 isn't just a game; it's a hilarious test of your logic, patience, and tolerance for smart-mouthed AI.”
    • “The writing is razor-sharp, blending dark humor with moments of genuine emotion.”
    • “Dear devs, that's not funny...”
    • “Not funny, destroys the immersion, just feels off.”
    • “Painfully unfunny.”
  • graphics4,492 mentions

    The graphics of Portal 2 have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up remarkably well even years after its release in 2011. Players appreciate the game's clean, minimalist design, vibrant colors, and detailed environments, which enhance the immersive experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant improvement over the original Portal, contributing to the game's engaging atmosphere and gameplay.

    • “The graphics for a game from 2012 look really good, and I must say I used to think Unity games were not able to achieve this quality.”
    • “The graphics are a significant upgrade, creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
    • “The graphics and textures in Portal 2 are magnificent - even without RTX technology, everything looks incredibly high quality and detailed.”
    • “Way too easy puzzles, bad plot, bad graphics (even for 2012), GLaDOS could never be redeemed, too short, not even half the game Portal 1 was, not enough turrets...”
    • “The graphics are nothing special, but like the original Portal, story and gameplay make it totally worth the money.”
    • “The graphics are a little worse, to be honest, and the little feature of the middle part glowing if you can shoot.. I miss that.”
  • music2,303 mentions

    The music in Portal 2 has been widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and emotional impact. Composed by Mike Morasky, the soundtrack features a mix of ambient electronic tracks and memorable themes that adapt dynamically to gameplay, creating a deeply immersive experience. Players particularly highlight the end credits song, "Want You Gone," as a standout moment, alongside the humorous and poignant turret opera, which adds to the game's charm and emotional depth.

    • “The music and sound design perfectly complement the gameplay, enhancing the immersion and adding to the overall charm of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Mike Morasky, is both catchy and atmospheric, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments.”
    • “The music is dynamic, changing depending on where you are and your speed, which adds a layer of immersion to the gameplay.”
    • “Everything is so bland as far as characters, environments, and music that I now realize why a Portal 3 was not made.”
    • “The music is even better than in the last game, with some parts having high-tempo electronic beats and others having swelling orchestral ambiance.”
    • “The soundtrack was also grating.”
  • replayability1,033 mentions

    Portal 2 is widely praised for its replayability, primarily due to its robust community support, including user-generated maps and a level editor that allows for endless creativity. The cooperative mode adds another layer of enjoyment, making it a great choice for players looking to solve puzzles with friends. While the main campaign may have limited replay value once the puzzles are solved, the availability of custom content and challenges ensures that players can continue to engage with the game long after completing the story.

    • “The addition of co-op multiplayer also introduces a new layer of complexity and teamwork, allowing players to tackle puzzles together and adding replay value.”
    • “The community-made maps are what really make this game nearly infinitely replayable with Steam friends.”
    • “With its unique challenges and collaborative gameplay, the cooperative mode adds even more depth and replay value to an already exceptional package.”
    • “The only downside is that it doesn't really have much for replayability unless you do some of the co-op stuff.”
    • “The only bad thing about the game is that, because it is a puzzle solver, its replayability value is limited.”
    • “Not much replay value as once you've solved a puzzle you already know the solution.”
  • atmosphere988 mentions

    The atmosphere in Portal 2 is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, blending humor with a sense of foreboding and decay. Players appreciate the detailed environments, dynamic sound design, and the contrast between the sterile test chambers and the overgrown ruins of Aperture Science, which create a unique and memorable setting. While some fans miss the eerie isolation of the first game, many agree that Portal 2's atmosphere enhances the overall experience, making it a standout sequel.

    • “The atmosphere completely draws you in, the mysterious atmosphere of the lab envelops you throughout the game.”
    • “The stunning attention to detail in the level design and the atmosphere is phenomenal and really showcases Valve's expertise.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible and the gameplay is incredibly smooth.”
    • “While I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi games, the dark humor and slow atmosphere of this game made me feel like I was watching a sex scene in a bad porn movie.”
    • “The only drawback for me is that the atmosphere is gloomy, so playing it sometimes makes me feel depressed.”
    • “But for me, this game falls short of its predecessor, simply because in this one the atmosphere of loneliness and discomfort are gone, and it feels more like a normal game.”
  • emotional557 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Portal 2 is widely praised, with players expressing a range of feelings from laughter to deep sadness. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create strong emotional connections with characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, especially at the game's conclusion. The blend of dark humor, poignant storytelling, and memorable music enhances the emotional experience, making it a standout title that resonates with players long after they finish.

    • “The story is both hilarious and poignant, weaving a compelling narrative that adds emotional depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The game's narrative, filled with witty dialogue between Chell, GLaDOS, and Wheatley, adds emotional depth to the experience.”
    • “Portal 2 is a wonderful puzzle game with a funny and heartwarming story.”
    • “The game focuses way too much on the boring story that you can't invest in easily past the first few levels.”
    • “Boring storyline”
    • “Boring story”
  • grinding390 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be quite extensive, with many players feeling it requires "a second life" to fully engage with the content. While some find the grinding tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the puzzle-solving aspect, noting that it can be enjoyable if approached as a challenge rather than a chore. Overall, the experience varies, with some sections being more grindy than others, particularly in the latter parts of the game.

    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The first half of the game is very enjoyable, but then the second part where they introduce the gels gets frustrating and tedious.”
    • “Some puzzles can be tedious, but just by playing around with the environment will sometimes open up a new perspective that can allow you to escape the test chamber.”
  • optimization257 mentions

    Portal 2 is widely praised for its exceptional optimization, allowing it to run smoothly on a variety of systems, including low-end hardware, without significant performance issues. Players report high frame rates and minimal lag, even on older machines, showcasing the game's efficient use of the Source engine. Overall, the game's performance is considered top-notch, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The game is very optimized and runs at 220-300 fps (max settings) on my RX 550 & FX 4300.”
    • “Portal 2 is optimized well enough that even low-end hardware can run the game without too many issues.”
    • “It is insanely well optimized, you can probably run this game on a toaster with stable 60 fps.”
    • “Out of nowhere, the game has started severely skipping and stuttering at the menu, and when it actually loads the save game, it continues to do the same thing, to the point that I have no choice but to close it down via task manager.”
    • “The only problem I have with it is that it runs slowly on older computers, and you have to decrease the graphics settings to the lowest settings.”
    • “I honestly have difficulty finding anything negative to say about this game; my only gripe is the slight stuttering when you enter loading screens and that some areas of the game are a bit dark, which makes it hard to know how to proceed.”
  • stability181 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with many players reporting minor glitches and bugs that do not significantly impact gameplay. While some users experienced freezing issues, particularly on Mac systems, others noted that the game runs smoothly on various devices, including the Steam Deck. Despite the presence of some bugs, many players found the game enjoyable and praised its overall performance.

    • “The game runs 'straight out of the box' and appears to be bug free.”
    • “I had no problems whatsoever — no lag, no glitches, and no crashes.”
    • “The game is well done, not buggy, and has a brilliant story.”
    • “I understand that if people buy a game and play it shouldn’t be refunded because the person even not enjoying the game, the game is working but on this case, the trilogy is broken, have to exit the game several times because cutscenes freeze the game, cars spawn everywhere and explode, kill the character even on a mission, and much more.”
    • “Game starts but after a few seconds in-game it freezes and I can't do anything.”
    • “Even though this game is fun I wouldn't recommend it if you own a Mac, the game freezes every few seconds on the Mac even when I don't have it in fullscreen.”
  • character development178 mentions

    Character development in Portal 2 is widely praised for its depth and complexity, particularly in the evolution of characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley, which adds emotional weight to the narrative. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend humor with significant character arcs, making the story engaging and memorable. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience and builds a strong connection between players and the characters.

    • “The character development is not a mere embellishment but an integral part of the gaming experience, establishing an emotional connection that deepens as the narrative unfolds.”
    • “Portal 2 is a masterclass of game design, character development, and world building.”
    • “The world is bigger, the story thicker, and the character development more surprising.”
    • “Some character development... well, about as much as you can have from a homicidal AI and a mute protagonist.”
    • “Disliked: character development of antagonists feels cliché.”
    • “With no character development whatsoever, Portal 2 fails to make the player become invested in the outcome of the characters, one of the main reasons Candy Crush was so well received.”
  • monetization40 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of microtransactions, particularly for cosmetic items in co-op mode. While some appreciate that these purchases are not mandatory and do not detract from the overall experience, others feel that the inclusion of microtransactions undermines the game's value, especially given its initial price. Overall, players are divided on whether the monetization strategy enhances or detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “Multiplayer is what everyone plays, and it's not profitable for companies to make games single-player since they can milk multiplayer games with microtransactions.”
    • “Only bad point in this game: there are co-op cosmetics that are not required but still act as in-app purchases if you are so inclined to buy them.”
    • “While it is good, there's something I really am not liking, namely microtransactions (yes, I couldn't believe it either) despite the game already costing a lot, as well as being short and not as inventive as it should be.”
    • “The downside is the huge amount of money you'll spend on cosmetics and loot boxes, like microtransactions.”
    • “The developers got addicted to microtransactions and did not release new games for the last 6 years; therefore, I cannot recommend this game.”
    • “While it is good, there's something I really am not liking, namely microtransactions, despite the game already costing a lot and being short.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

92% average critic score

Buy Portal 2

Play time

14hMedian play time
50hAverage play time
9hMain story
21hCompletionist
7-52hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 284 analyzed playthroughs

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