Portal 2 is both a computer game and a first-person puzzle game developed by Valve Corporation after the resounding success of the first part. The game's release was delayed multiple times, but finally, in mid-April 2011, it was launched to delight crowds of its fans around the world. In Russia, Portal 2 is published by "Buka."
The entire game is built around the use of a special device that allows players to create portals (or rifts in space). With their help, players can quickly move to places that would be nearly impossible to reach by conventional means. The story of Portal 2 continues after the events of the first game, transporting us back to the same ruined laboratory that studies the nature of portals. A girl named Chell remains the main character, while the computer GLaDOS serves as the main antagonist in Portal's second installment. The entire game revolves around their confrontation. By the way, Portal 2 now features a cooperative mode, and furthermore, there is a separate storyline branch designed for it.
According to the developers themselves, Portal was merely a platform for experiments, whereas Portal 2 is a fully-fledged game with refined gameplay and a myriad of innovations and enhancements.
As in the first part, the starting levels serve as a kind of "sandbox," where players are introduced to some of the less challenging puzzles available in the game. From there, things get tougher but more interesting. One of the distinctive features of Portal 2 is the interaction of various objects with each other through portals, including liquids. They flow peacefully through the pipes that are plentiful throughout the laboratory's rooms.
In its liberated state, the liquid can affect both the player and the objects around. For example, the so-called "propelling" gel is distinctly orange and possesses an amazing ability – it can increase the player's speed. A very handy asset for swiftly traversing hazardous zones. In turn, the blue gel has repulsive properties – this helps overcome chasms, dangerous pits filled with toxic waste, and other unpleasant areas. Meanwhile, the "conversion" gel can create portals wherever needed.
Additionally, new traversal options through the test chambers have been introduced in Portal 2. There’s a so-called "transport funnel" with passive player movement inside, "hard light bridges" – to cross dangerous areas or shield oneself from turrets, as well as the Aerial Faith Plate, or special airborne panels that fling the player with considerable force. Overall, the game is packed with innovations, and it would take a while to list them all – it’s easier just to play and see for yourself.