Portal 2 - A Unique Masterpiece:
I'm gonna try to do something that no one ever seems to do, which is write a serious reveiw. Of course, that means that its gonna look either really cheesy or cool, probably both...

I first got Portal 2 on the Xbox 360, and probably got a good 50 hours or so out of it, finishing the single player and multiplayer campaigns. Then, I saw it on computer, and saw that it had a level editor, so I bought it on sale, and essentially payed 5$ for the editor. And now I have over 200 hours on it. That alone speaks for how much I love this game.

Gameplay: The gameplay is incredibly unique, and very fun. Everything you do in this game revolves around portals. The game's tutorial doesn't feel like one at all, and teaches you the beginings of "Thinking with Portals". The tutorial is in 3 parts over the games first chapter, but its more like an exploration of the concept than a tutorial. First, you use buttons to activate preset portals, then you get a gun that can shoot one portals, then you get the true Portal Gun. The introduction is simple enough for beginners to understand, but engaging enough that series veterans won't be bored out of their minds. As you progress through the game, you will start to solve tests with test "elements". These elements are things like lasers and cubes, which all interact with portals, and each other in unique ways. Each test chamber uses an element in a new way, to keep them from being stale. You travel through multiple parts of Aperture, all unique in their own way. You explore much more than just Aperture and it's factory, unlike the original. However, the campaign is very short (5-7) hours, and once you beat it, there is really no reason to replay it. The multiplayer is also fun, if you can find a friend to play it with. Playing with random people can be very unpredictable, but if you can find a friend, you'll have a good time. It adds more hours to the game, which is very welcome. The good news is once you beat the game, there are an infinite number of Community puzzles to try out.

Story: This game has a way deeper story than the original. It surpases it in practically all ways. The plot is longer, has more twists, and is more exciting. The characters are more engaging and humorous. Although there are only three of them, they are all memorable and unique. GLaDOS ends up taking a back seat to the two new characters however, in humor and in design. The characters and dialogue are one of the most memorable things about this game.

Level Editor: The in-game level editor (PTI Editor) will be where most of the community makes their puzzles. This editor will be where all beginner mappers will make their first puzzles. This editor is very easy to use, but is also quite simple. You can design simple chambers with basic elements, but to do anything unique and visually impressive, you need to use Hammer. Hammer is the powerful map-making tool that all of the best mappers use. It is also very confusing to any begginers. It will probably take a while to figure out how to make simple room, and it is way more complicated to make lights or doors or cube droppers. I speak from experience, as a wanna-be-mapper who was tired of the lack of content in PTI. If you can master Hammer, you will be able to easily become a fan-favorite mapper. When it comes to other people's maps though, you will be hard pressed to find quality ones. There is a good amount in top-rated of all time, but once you have done a lot of those, you will find that 95% of the maps are incredibly easy, PTI maps, or just plain impossible.

Pro/Con Summary (For those who don't want to read):

Pros:
Hilarious dialogue
Fun multiplayer
One of a kind experience
Infinite amount of community chambers to play
Includes Hammer editor, in which you can make incredibly detailed and amazing puzzles
Great progression of test elements, never gets stale
Difficulty curve is not too steep or slow
Good visual diversity considering the setting

Cons:
Not much replay value
A very short experience
It can be hard to find quality community puzzles
The PTI editor is simple, but lacking in content, while hammer allows you to make anything, while being complex. espeically for beginners

Portal 2 - A Unique Masterpiece: I'm gonna try to do something that no one ever seems to do, which is write a serious reveiw. Of course, that means that its gonna look either really cheesy or cool, probably both... I first got Portal 2 on the Xbox 360, and probably got a good 50 hours or so out of it, finishing the single player and multiplayer campaigns. Then, I saw it on computer, and saw that it had a level editor, so I bought it on sale, and essentially payed 5$ for the editor. And now I have over 200 hours on it. That alone speaks for how much I love this game. Gameplay: The gameplay is incredibly unique, and very fun. Everything you do in this game revolves around portals. The game's tutorial doesn't feel like one at all, and teaches you the beginings of "Thinking with Portals". The tutorial is in 3 parts over the games first chapter, but its more like an exploration of the concept than a tutorial. First, you use buttons to activate preset portals, then you get a gun that can shoot one portals, then you get the true Portal Gun. The introduction is simple enough for beginners to understand, but engaging enough that series veterans won't be bored out of their minds. As you progress through the game, you will start to solve tests with test "elements". These elements are things like lasers and cubes, which all interact with portals, and each other in unique ways. Each test chamber uses an element in a new way, to keep them from being stale. You travel through multiple parts of Aperture, all unique in their own way. You explore much more than just Aperture and it's factory, unlike the original. However, the campaign is very short (5-7) hours, and once you beat it, there is really no reason to replay it. The multiplayer is also fun, if you can find a friend to play it with. Playing with random people can be very unpredictable, but if you can find a friend, you'll have a good time. It adds more hours to the game, which is very welcome. The good news is once you beat the game, there are an infinite number of Community puzzles to try out. Story: This game has a way deeper story than the original. It surpases it in practically all ways. The plot is longer, has more twists, and is more exciting. The characters are more engaging and humorous. Although there are only three of them, they are all memorable and unique. GLaDOS ends up taking a back seat to the two new characters however, in humor and in design. The characters and dialogue are one of the most memorable things about this game. Level Editor: The in-game level editor (PTI Editor) will be where most of the community makes their puzzles. This editor will be where all beginner mappers will make their first puzzles. This editor is very easy to use, but is also quite simple. You can design simple chambers with basic elements, but to do anything unique and visually impressive, you need to use Hammer. Hammer is the powerful map-making tool that all of the best mappers use. It is also very confusing to any begginers. It will probably take a while to figure out how to make simple room, and it is way more complicated to make lights or doors or cube droppers. I speak from experience, as a wanna-be-mapper who was tired of the lack of content in PTI. If you can master Hammer, you will be able to easily become a fan-favorite mapper. When it comes to other people's maps though, you will be hard pressed to find quality ones. There is a good amount in top-rated of all time, but once you have done a lot of those, you will find that 95% of the maps are incredibly easy, PTI maps, or just plain impossible. Pro/Con Summary (For those who don't want to read): Pros: Hilarious dialogue Fun multiplayer One of a kind experience Infinite amount of community chambers to play Includes Hammer editor, in which you can make incredibly detailed and amazing puzzles Great progression of test elements, never gets stale Difficulty curve is not too steep or slow Good visual diversity considering the setting Cons: Not much replay value A very short experience It can be hard to find quality community puzzles The PTI editor is simple, but lacking in content, while hammer allows you to make anything, while being complex. espeically for beginners