Narrative: The game was narrated by several characters as you move through the levels, The sarcastic AI GLaDOS will comment on your actions, mock and deceive you, and possibly manipulate you.
Characters: Wheatley is funny and well acted by Stephen merchant. GLaDOS is a funny as it is evil. Chell is almost underdeveloped, everything you learn about your character is from Wheatley and GLaDOS. The cores are funny.
Gameplay:The gameplay is challenging a puzzling as the game starts you are taught the reasonably simple main mechanic of the portal gun which allows you to create 2 portals between levels. Manipulating objects and liquids with it to progress. All environments inside but are still varied (apart from exceptions)
Visuals: Dated but still very good, Sci fi setting holds up well, Visuals is very good, Graphics are ok. Runs very well. You start in A dated and dilapidated labs, (Overgrown) (Chapters 1- 4) and the test facility rebuilds itself. Then it's clean and new onwards (apart from exceptions).
Sound/music: Music is extremely good and sound is atmospheric and funny. Ambient and changing with situation. ending song.
Difficulty: The game progresses in difficulty using mechanics to develop the difficulty. No Difficulty settings. Mechanics - Cube, Companion, Laser Cube, Turret, Moon liquids, jump pads, bombs.
Replayability: I've played it 3 times but for most people it's not hugely replayable, linear story, Co op makes it a lot more replayable. WORKSHOP adds a lot of replayability, more mods and player made campaigns e.g Portal Stories: Mel (more difficult)
Genre : Comedy, Puzzle platform, Sci fi,
Target audience: All ages, Older due to difficulty and humour. some jokes more adult (e.g adoption). P-C.
Personal review/response: I love this game because of its simplicity of mechanics, well
developed theme. The levels are always fun with commentary funny, at least for the first playthrough. Characters and backstory is deep with a good lore. Co Op is best locally split screen and control input doesn't matter. A game every gamer should own. Cheap now. WORKSHOP
