Portal 2

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 299,613 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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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 299,613 reviews
story27,330 positive mentions
grinding196 negative mentions
  • story44,421 mentions

    The story of "Portal 2" is widely praised for its depth, humor, and character development, significantly expanding upon 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 clever writing and voice acting, making it a standout title in the puzzle-platformer genre, with many reviewers recommending it as a must-play for fans of both story-driven and puzzle games.

    • “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 is surprisingly well written and has both elements of comedy and drama.”
  • gameplay17,369 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 frequently interrupted by the story's narration, and that wouldn't be a problem if the story weren't so stupidly written.”
  • humor17,264 mentions

    Portal 2 is widely praised for its exceptional humor, characterized by witty dialogue and memorable characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley, whose interactions provide a constant source of entertainment. Players appreciate the clever blend of dark humor and absurdity, which enhances the engaging narrative and challenging puzzles, making the game both thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. The game's writing and voice acting are highlighted as standout features, contributing to its status as a beloved classic in the gaming community.

    • “The humor is top-notch, thanks to the witty writing and unforgettable characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley.”
    • “The writing is razor-sharp, blending dark humor with moments of genuine emotion.”
    • “Portal 2 is a hilarious continuation of Portal 1, with the AI monologues/dialogues being great and funny.”
    • “Not funny, destroys the immersion, just feels off.”
    • “Good game but the jokes GLaDOS makes before you get to the first fight are just painfully unfunny.”
    • “It's basically an excuse to try to inject as much unfunny wannabe corporate humor as possible.”
  • graphics8,984 mentions

    The graphics of Portal 2 have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting that they still hold up remarkably well even over a decade after the game's release in 2011. Players appreciate the game's clean, minimalist aesthetic, detailed environments, and vibrant colors, 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 2011 are stunning, with beautifully detailed environments and character models that are both realistic and stylized.”
    • “The graphics are a significant upgrade, creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
    • “Portal 2 is a unique game with a captivating story and stunning graphics that still hold up by today's standards.”
    • “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 bit dated but it still looks pretty good.”
  • music4,606 mentions

    The music in Portal 2 has been widely praised for its dynamic and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Composed by Mike Morasky, the soundtrack features a mix of atmospheric electronic tracks and memorable themes that adapt to player actions, creating a unique auditory experience. Players particularly highlight the emotional impact of the end credits song, "Want You Gone," and the charming turret opera, which contribute to the game's memorable conclusion.

    • “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 soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience and evoking a range of emotions as you navigate through the Aperture Science facility.”
    • “🔲 just filling noises/no music”
    • “Everything is so bland as far as characters, environments, and music that I now realize why a portal 3 was not made.”
    • “Music: 4/10”
  • replayability2,066 mentions

    Portal 2 is widely praised for its replayability, primarily due to its robust community support and the inclusion of a level editor that allows players to create and share custom test chambers. While the main campaign may have limited replay value once puzzles are solved, the cooperative mode and user-generated content provide nearly infinite opportunities for new experiences. Overall, players find the game highly replayable, making it a favorite for both casual and dedicated gamers.

    • “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 puzzles in the workshop give this game some much more replayability.”
    • “The cooperative mode adds depth and replayability, offering a distinct yet complementary experience to the single-player campaign.”
    • “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 is replayability which it has many mods so you could just download mods and it's fun again.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game doesn't have much replay value.”
  • atmosphere1,976 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, dilapidated areas 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" enhances the overall experience with its rich storytelling and character interactions, making it a standout in atmospheric design.

    • “The stark contrast between the pristine test chambers and the dilapidated, overgrown areas of Aperture Science creates a striking atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The atmosphere had that classic Valve spookiness to it.”
    • “The intricate details of the environments, coupled with the atmospheric soundtrack, create an immersive experience that draws players into the world of Aperture Science like never before.”
    • “But if you care about atmosphere and ambience, this game is a big step down.”
    • “The only drawback for me is that the atmosphere is gloomy so playing it sometimes makes me feel depressed.”
    • “I just can't get over the way they butchered the atmosphere of portal however, considering that the atmosphere was one of the things that made portal so good.”
  • emotional1,114 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Portal 2 is widely praised, with players expressing a deep connection to its characters, particularly GLaDOS and Wheatley, leading to moments of laughter, frustration, and tears. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with poignant storytelling, resulting in an emotional rollercoaster that leaves players feeling both smart and vulnerable. The ending, in particular, resonates strongly, often evoking tears and a sense of nostalgia, making it a memorable experience that lingers long after gameplay.

    • “The story is both hilarious and poignant, weaving a compelling narrative that adds emotional depth to the gameplay.”
    • “The game's witty dialogue and dark humor inject levity into the proceedings, while its underlying themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption add depth and emotional resonance to the experience.”
    • “The story is emotional and thought-provoking, and it will stay with you long after you've finished playing.”
    • “The game focuses way too much on the boring story that you can't invest in easily past like the first 4 levels.”
    • “Boring storyline”
    • “Boring story”
  • grinding780 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be quite extensive, with many players humorously suggesting that "you'll need a second life for grinding." While some find the gameplay enjoyable and engaging, others describe certain puzzles and exploration as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the latter parts of the game. Overall, the experience can be rewarding, but it may require significant time investment, especially for completionists.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “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.”
    • “I never beat it because the last 2-3 levels were so tedious and there is no possible end to the game that could justify how long and boring the rest of it was.”
  • optimization514 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 and immersive experience.

    • “Still playing through the game, but it's incredibly well optimized; the game itself is awesome. I know it's 12 years old, but who cares, it's still great.”
    • “The game is very optimized and runs at 220-300 fps (max settings) on my RX 550 & FX 4300.”
    • “Portal 2 is one of the best optimized games for low spec computers you can find on Steam.”
    • “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.”
    • “Trying to play it again today and it seems to be stuttering every 3-5 seconds.”
  • stability362 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, 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. Overall, most players found the game enjoyable despite its occasional quirks, with many considering the glitches to add a layer of fun rather than detract from the experience.

    • “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 great thing about this is that it runs great on nearly any machine.”
    • “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.”
    • “Now, you can play online coop, but it's very buggy and prone to freezing upon clearing a test chamber.”
  • character development356 mentions

    Character development in Portal 2 is widely praised for its depth and complexity, significantly expanding upon the foundations laid in the first game. Players appreciate the rich storytelling and emotional connections established through characters like GLaDOS and Wheatley, whose arcs are filled with humor, surprises, and poignant moments. The game is noted for its well-executed character interactions and the way it enhances the overall narrative experience, making it a standout feature that resonates with players.

    • “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 character development for the few characters it has is extraordinary as well, letting you know constantly how they feel and how your actions affect them.”
    • “Some character development... well, about as much as you can have from homicidal AI and a mute protagonist.”
    • “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.”
    • “Disliked: character development of antagonists feels cliché.”
  • monetization80 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of microtransactions for cosmetics and loot boxes, which they feel detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the game's depth and quality, others criticize it as a cash grab, especially given the game's initial price. Overall, players wish for a balance between enjoyable gameplay and less reliance on in-game purchases.

    • “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.”
    • “Its always real cheap, and even cheaper during sales, and even has microtransactions!”
    • “Finally, community-made mods (with no microtransactions) provide a lot of replay value.”
    • “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, as well as being short and not as inventive as it should be.”
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 568 analyzed playthroughs

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