Gaming: Ask the Internets

[beetiger]

So, if I have not actually played Portal, but am already familiar with the basic concept and the overall plot and spoilers...will I have trouble going straight to actually playing Portal 2 now? Or do I really need to go back and play through the original first?

Comments

Yes

[kobolds.livejournal.com]

Although you may know the basic plot and spoilers form the first, you are missing out on getting to know some of the characters from the first. Properly at least.

I found there to be a lot of atmosphere in the second one due to the knowledge I had of the characters and levels from the first, that simply wouldn't have amazed me as much, or left me to see the developments that had gone on.

On the other hand, no matter which way you do it, you'll still be playing a truly awesome game that is thoroughly enjoyable. I just think it will be that little bit better if you play the first one.

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

You'll certainly want to play the first Portal. Not only does it do a very good job of getting you used to the basic mechanics of the game that'll be needed in Portal 2 but the narrative is kind of integral to the first.

One good thing though is that most digital copies of POrtal 2 came with a free copy of Portal 1, so odds are pretty good that some one can gift one to you for free. I know pathia has a free copy of the PC version she's been looking to give away.

[shatterstripes.livejournal.com]

Portal 2 is the subject of an immense advertising campaign, attracting zillions of people that never heard of the first one. So hell yes you can pick it up if the last time you thought about Portal was when the original game came out.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

In terms of gameplay, Portal 2 does a good job of introducing you to the concepts without assuming you already know how to use portals. So if you are looking to jump into cooperative play with someone, and need the 'crash course', you should be able to do okay.

[cowboy-r.livejournal.com]

Game manufacturers know that a lot of their business comes from first-time players, and they arrange things in such a way that you can pick right up and play from the beginning, whether you've played previous games in the series or not.

[hermitgeecko.livejournal.com]

One of the first things I said when I stepped into Portal 2 was "Whoa, I'm so glad I played the first one."

The first Portal is very very clean and it's easy to find your way around because there's nothing to look at or interact with save exactly what you should look at or interact with. Portal 2 is not very very clean and it can be quite disorienting as you're both sorting out the environment and how your equipment works.

My recommendation: play the first one at least partway through before trying the second one.

[yunafonfabre.livejournal.com]

Worse comes to worst I've jumped into sequels before after watching a full playthrough of the first one on YouTube.