Portal 2 : some concerns (Not Trolling)

[Dafttechno]

I have concerns, but they are not the same as the OP's. I don't think it is going to be just a cash-in. It seems to me like they are putting a lot of effort into the advertising campaign, and I really like the humor displayed in that.
Also, I really wouldn't mind if it was longer than Portal. The only thing to watch out for when you make a longer game is that it doesn't get too thinly spread.

The thing that I'm concerned about is that it seems really centered on co-op, and I will definitely be playing the game alone.

In one of the interviews they said that the reason the ad campaign is so focused on the co-op is so that they can show off the new gameplay mechanics without showing too much of the single player storyline. They're not sacrificing the single player mode for the sake of multi-player.

 

[WarCorrespondent]

Really, I would've been worried if Portal 2 featured multiplayer death match or team death match.

This is valve, they don't kill their sequels, they plant them and turn them in epic video game rutabagas! Think about the difference between Half life 1 and 2. I haven't played L4D2, but it certainly looked crazy fun. This game has had a long, healthy development period, probably got delayed for necessity (can you imagine getting an unpolished portal?)

I'm not worried, and neither should you be.

 

[TornadoFive]

I'm looking forward to it. I loved the original, and they're adding more features now. The co-op will be a nice addition, but I too will probably be playing alone.

In the end, they're not changing much gameplay. It's still the same basic idea, using portals to move around the environment, moving objects, etc. I liked that, so chances are I'll like Poral 2.

We shall see.

 

[Blend]

Consoles: Valve has already stated that the twitch gaming from the original will not be found anywhere. They say this is because gamers should not be disallowed to finish a game just because they are not fast enough with a mouse/gamepad, or something of the sort. This is just PR speak for: If we make the game as fast as the original only 5% if any of the console crowd will be able to finish it.

This is my biggest gripe, they make compromises in gameplay to sell the game to 3 platforms. The fast gameplay (at least in the later levels, and especially in the challenges) was one of the things I enjoyed in Portal 1. Finishing a chain throwing of myself through several portals and aiming that portal in the correct part of the floor/wall just as I was about to land...priceless. Now the game will be slowed down. This makes me a sad panda.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to start a concole vs PC war, I own an xbox360, a PS3 and a gaming PC and I use them all. I am simply sad Valve will "nerf" the gameplay to sell to more platforms, even though its perfectly understandable that they want more money.

Link please.

I can hardly remember any twitch stuff in the original anyway - stuff that was based on timing, yes, but not twitch.

And considering I've never seen anyone on consoles complain about it being overtly hard with the restrictions of a gamepad, I find it hard to believe that's exactly what they've said.

http://greyviper.com/2865/valve-comments-portal-2-puzzles-differ-game.html

There you go, straight from the horses mouth. Or however that saying goes

Fair enough, but:

Like he says, there were only a couple of truly twitch-based puzzles - and in a puzzle game, thinking and logic should take precedent over how fast you can move the crosshair, which is what they're promoting. I don't really see much of an issue.

This is exactly what Shamus was talking about in Experienced Points. We're dumbing our games down and not even noticing. Sure if anyone was asked how they liked a game overall they'll say they loved it but there were one or two bits that got really frustrating. So the developer goes off to make a game without these frustrating bits. But no one considers that the intense feeling of satisfaction when finally passing these frustrating bits added to the overall enjoyment.

So we end up with simpler but still fun games with zero challenge and ultimately far less rewarding.

I sincerely hope this won't be Portal 2 and from what I've seen it still looks rock hard. So fingers crossed.

 

[Denamic]

you make some good points

No he doesn't.
First he makes a wild assumption with a preconceived conclusion.
Then: "If it's one thing, it'll suck, and if it's not, it'll suck anyway."
And finally, it's a non-question, which he's already made up his mind about and only 'asking' as an argument against it.

 

[Woodsey]

Consoles: Valve has already stated that the twitch gaming from the original will not be found anywhere. They say this is because gamers should not be disallowed to finish a game just because they are not fast enough with a mouse/gamepad, or something of the sort. This is just PR speak for: If we make the game as fast as the original only 5% if any of the console crowd will be able to finish it.

This is my biggest gripe, they make compromises in gameplay to sell the game to 3 platforms. The fast gameplay (at least in the later levels, and especially in the challenges) was one of the things I enjoyed in Portal 1. Finishing a chain throwing of myself through several portals and aiming that portal in the correct part of the floor/wall just as I was about to land...priceless. Now the game will be slowed down. This makes me a sad panda.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to start a concole vs PC war, I own an xbox360, a PS3 and a gaming PC and I use them all. I am simply sad Valve will "nerf" the gameplay to sell to more platforms, even though its perfectly understandable that they want more money.

Link please.

I can hardly remember any twitch stuff in the original anyway - stuff that was based on timing, yes, but not twitch.

And considering I've never seen anyone on consoles complain about it being overtly hard with the restrictions of a gamepad, I find it hard to believe that's exactly what they've said.

http://greyviper.com/2865/valve-comments-portal-2-puzzles-differ-game.html

There you go, straight from the horses mouth. Or however that saying goes

Fair enough, but:

Like he says, there were only a couple of truly twitch-based puzzles - and in a puzzle game, thinking and logic should take precedent over how fast you can move the crosshair, which is what they're promoting. I don't really see much of an issue.

This is exactly what Shamus was talking about in Experienced Points. We're dumbing our games down and not even noticing. Sure if anyone was asked how they liked a game overall they'll say they loved it but there were one or two bits that got really frustrating. So the developer goes off to make a game without these frustrating bits. But no one considers that the intense feeling of satisfaction when finally passing these frustrating bits added to the overall enjoyment.

So we end up with simpler but still fun games with zero challenge and ultimately far less rewarding.

I sincerely hope this won't be Portal 2 and from what I've seen it still looks rock hard. So fingers crossed.

The game is being made more complex - that's not a dumbing down. Its not even being made slower, they're just eliminating the very few instances from the first where you were required to be twitchier for the sake of it.

(if I could read a book of the story of Gordon Freeman, I'd be happy. I think it's suited much better for non-interactive media).

In terms of first-person shooters (and many other games besides) I don't think you could pick a game less suited to becoming a book then Half-Life.

 

[DBlackny]

Most of the problems most people are currently having don't seem to make much sense to me... I doubt the game will be centered more around co-op than single player, the stuff I have seen about it is generally saying while co-op will have some more difficult puzzles, single player is still going to be very strong/atmospheric/funny/generally good. I agree that the length could be an issue, however with all the shiny new game mechanics to play with, I'm guessing it wont be a huge problem. Personally, the thing that worries me most about Portal 2 the most at the moment is actually Wheatley...

While he could be a good, humorous addition, part of me thinks that he might just end up getting in the way of things. With the game now apparently having 13000 lines of dialogue (Although half of that will probably be different tones of the turrets saying 'Hello'), I get the feeling I might end up saying something along the lines of 'Shut up and let me do my physics puzzle in peace'.
For me, and I assume several others as well, one part of Portal 1 that made it great was the atmosphere, & I can't see said atmosphere being improved if you have a robot following you for half the game that wont shut his mouth...

Either way, as long as the physics puzzles work and don't get tedious/boring, Portal 2 will still be a very good game... I think I'm probably nit picking, and really, this is Valve we are talking about... They aren't exactly stupid

 

[ShakyFiend]

Meh Valve have never let anyone down before, and the new content (multiplayer etc.) should make it worth it even if it just a cash in.(which I strongly doubt).

Plus the trailers valve are releasing are bloody hilarious so im hoping the humours gonna still be there.

 

[DEAD34345]

I have my own concerns about this game. Personally, I think the absolute best thing about Portal was its originality, coupled with its shortness. It wasn't trying to be the next big thing, it was just a genuinely fun little game. Creating a sequel kind of defeats the point of the original.

Secondly, it wasn't THAT good, yet it seems like people here are expecting this to be the best game ever made. Expectations like that always seem to result in disappointment, and then resentment. How many games have been hated simply because expectations were too high?

 

[Flamma Man]

Personally, the thing that worries me most about Portal 2 the most at the moment is actually Wheatley...

Oh, you don't need to worry about that, Wheatley...

Spoiler

dies near the very beginning of the game.

 

[sergnb]

>Portal 1 was underground. I love it
>Portal 2 is so mainstream. It even has TV ads and everything, and console gamers will be able to play with PC gamers in a coop mode. Fuck it the game will be a failure, I'll go play Killing floor while you guys buy more hats for TF2 and repeat the same L4D levels over and over

Seriously guys, Portal 2 will be awesome, these concerns are not to be worried about.

 

[MazeMinion]

I pre-purchased it a few days ago.

Just by watching the gameplay and trailers, all my fears were laid to rest. The humor isn't forced and feels like it goes with the game (ATLAS and P-body are just hilarious), the story looks interesting (I cannot wait to see what happens to GLaDOs and Chell), and the gameplay looks great.

 

[CoDzombieDude]

Just thinking, but doesn't Valve sort of have a good past experience of this?

Take Half Life, it was a great success and won a ton of awards and accolades. Then Half Life 2 came out, and that has been hailed as incredible.

Just throwing that out there.

I hope Portal 2 will be great incedently, and the 19th can't come around quicker

 

[Outright Villainy]

Have I any concerns for Portal 2?

No, none. And honestly this is probably the first game I can say that for.

Also, people have seriously got to stop ragging on Bioshock 2, or I'm going to be handing out some slaps.

 

[Secret world leader (shhh)]

As long as it has developer commentary I think it could be just as good if not better than the original. My only concern is that I end up wanting to chuck Wheatley into an incinerator.

 

[Seagoon]

" and if it is funny it will start another annoying internet meme ("The cake is a lie" is fucking annoying and everyone knows it)."

What does that have to do with the game? I'm quite sure people don't write things with the intention of them becoming memes (for the most part). There is actually a design reason behind the whole companion cube thing too.

"Another concern is about length of the game. Portal 1 was about a 2-4 hours long game which like Yahtzee said is a good length, it prevents it form outstaying its welcome. So How will making Portal longer be to its benefit?"

There are more gameplay elements. Portal extended to 8 hours is outstaying its welcome, Portal with other actual features and a more weighty narrative is why its longer.

I'm not really excited about it. But then again, I seem to be immune to the Valve infatuation that sorrounds these forums.

Not really sure why people seem to think its only these forums that so intensely love them.

The cake is a lie has no meaning other than the obvious... glados offers you cake... the cake is a lie! AKA - there is no cake - glados is lying! it has no deeper meaning and really doesn't deserve to be a meme!

 

[Therumancer]

I love the original Portal, but I don't think Portal 2 is going to be as good.
In fact I think Portal 2 is going to turn out like Bio-Shock 2 being a mediocre cash in at best.
I don't think it can live up to the original. I'm afraid the humor will be forced and if it is funny it will start another annoying internet meme ("The cake is a lie" is fucking annoying and everyone knows it).

Another concern is about length of the game. Portal 1 was about a 2-4 hours long game which like Yahtzee said is a good length, it prevents it form outstaying its welcome. So How will making Portal longer be to its benefit?

I honestly want to know if others share my concerns. I brought my concerns up to a good friend and he struck me upside the head and told me to NEVER blaspheme against Portal again.

Edited for Spelling, I had just woken up when I first posted this, Sorry.

The answer to this is the gameplay. At it's heart Portal is basically a puzzle game, with a fairly interesting mechanic. If your one of those players who really got into the "Still Alive" expansion, and wanted more puzzles to solve, your probably going to get into Portal 2. If you were primarily attracted to Portal due to the writing and humor, well, then without the surprise inherant in the first game it's unlikely your going to find this one as appealing since it's not new anymore.

I'm not a huge Portal fan, but that's my take on the subject.

 

[Woodsey]

" and if it is funny it will start another annoying internet meme ("The cake is a lie" is fucking annoying and everyone knows it)."

What does that have to do with the game? I'm quite sure people don't write things with the intention of them becoming memes (for the most part). There is actually a design reason behind the whole companion cube thing too.

"Another concern is about length of the game. Portal 1 was about a 2-4 hours long game which like Yahtzee said is a good length, it prevents it form outstaying its welcome. So How will making Portal longer be to its benefit?"

There are more gameplay elements. Portal extended to 8 hours is outstaying its welcome, Portal with other actual features and a more weighty narrative is why its longer.

I'm not really excited about it. But then again, I seem to be immune to the Valve infatuation that sorrounds these forums.

Not really sure why people seem to think its only these forums that so intensely love them.

The cake is a lie has no meaning other than the obvious... glados offers you cake... the cake is a lie! AKA - there is no cake - glados is lying! it has no deeper meaning and really doesn't deserve to be a meme!

I never said it did have a deeper meaning.

 

[TheFederation]

i'm probaly going to get it, if just for the multiplayer campaign

 

[kasperbbs]

First one was a nice bonus, it was fun and the ending credits made me lol hard, but it didn`t leave me craving for more, so ill wait for a review, if it turns out to be epic i will buy it.