FUNside

Can you imagine a video game without a gun? It’s really hard these days isn’t it? If you’re like me and are eager to play something other than killing your opponents I suggest you try this game, released by Valve:

The concept is simple. You play a human trapped in a research facility, being tested and observed – pretty much like a lab rat. The activity “they” are testing you on is the use of a portal device you carry along with you. Portals are like holes in the walls that transfer you from point A to point B instantly.

This is where the “fun” kicks in. You actually have to use your brain to solve logical puzzles so you can move on from one room to the next. I know – thinking is hard – but this game makes it very interesting…

Technically, the game runs on the Source engine which is good but a bit outdated. So, don’t expect anything special on the graphics side – most of the time you’ll be walking through corridors and small rooms (it kinda reminded me of an old game called “Marathon” in that sense). Special attention was obviously paid to the audio that really builds the atmosphere and keeps you on the tip of your toes. And the puzzles themselves weren’t half as bad – just kidding – they where great, very entertaining and rewarding.

I probably shouldn’t spoil you too much but I had to include the ending credits song as it has already become a pop culture reference by itself:

Don’t worry – with your uber skillz you’ll finish the game in no time. This brings forward the only “bad” issue I had with the game. This game is too small. I only spent 4 hours of casual gaming with my girlfriend at that was it.

I know it was created by students and most likely it was rushed for release but come on! I still remember the days of the first Unreal, where there where tens of BIG levels. You played one world after the next until you hoped that was the last one – and then you played some more, and some more…

Portal is truly a phenomenon and it was one of those anticipated titles that didn’t let us down. Let’s hope that there will be more games like this in the future and it won’t end up being an “experiment” in video game history.

Now that I’ve competed this game I can honestly say it’s one of the finest yet shortest games I’ve ever played.

6 hours to complete the story mode and a couple more to consume in the challenges doesn’t seem enough. But don’t get me wrong – this is not a bad review. In fact everything else is top notch about it. The graphics are superb, the gameplay is exhausting (that said in a good way), the characters are “likable” (even those horrific monsters) and the quest are surely self-engaging.

If I had to make a comparison with other popular games, I’d say it’s a breed between “Prince of Persia” and “Devil May Cry”, with a Greek mythology twist.

I noticed a few innovations though – some cut scenes have used an interesting technique with layered 2d renders to fake a 3d environment (probably to speed up their completion compared to doing them in full 3D) and at the end credits there where some highlights of gameplay action that I thought they were recorded from my game (although I’m not absolutely certain about that).

All’s well, it’s just that I wanted MORE! That’s why the short length bugs me so much. Perhaps the developers are hoping the users will have another go in God mode after they complete the game once, which I will probably be doing (will you dare??).

But that seems more of an excuse than a real reason. Probably it’s too time consuming to create such stunning graphics and animation sequences that they had to cut the length in half of most other shooters.

Anyhow, if you are a gamer and don’t know about “God of War – Chains of Olympus” (LOL, that must be a contradiction in terms) go out and look for it – it’s certainly the best game for the PSP you can buy off the shelves these days.

I’m not particularly into RPGs but this video game drew my attention straight away.

Could this be the best game created for the PSP?

I mean you can only play a handful of games in a protable console that don’t look downsized or even stupid. And this mythological type of games (along with the much awaited God of War) could be one of the few.

I personally am sold – will be looking to buy this on eBay soon

Watch a preview here: