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GLaDOS not only is "still alive", but also is "still a BItCH".

The short and sweet addition to the Orange Box was not only a surprise hit, but spurred a single release via download due to its overwhelming popularity. Portal, the mind bending puzzler, not only tied gamer's brains in knots, but created a new antagonist in the form of an overbearing CPU called GLaDOS. GLaDOS not only had some hilariously brutal one liners, but even a hit song that was so huge it received its own music track download for Rock Band. When Valve announced that a full fledged sequel was being created, one could only imagine the possibilities. Complete with both a single player story mode and 2 player co-op modes that can be done on or offline, with Portal 2, Valve has succeeded in giving gamers the follow up they were dreaming about in spades.

You wake up after you have successfully destroyed the Aperture Facility, only to find out that you need to still reach the surface and regain humanity. You are welcomed by a quirky little bot named Wheatley that not only helps to guide you to your hopeful destination, but up and out of the facility for good. Not long into your journey you trigger the re-awakening of GLaDOS, who is only so happy to see you. She ensures your progression back deep into the training facility to test for the rest of your days. So back to the drawing board, so to speak, as you are forced to utilize the Portal gun as well as objects that will assist you in the completion of each test. During such time you will be hilariously greeted and guided by GLaDOS in such a dark, yet hysterical manner that you will spend time grabbing your sides as well as scratching your head. The single player story will take a few hours to complete, and is about twice as long as the Orange Box original, this is of course dependent on your puzzle solving skills and your quickness to complete each test. There is a greater story in Portal 2, but I've given enough away and will let the rest of the game unfold before your eyes as not to spoil the experience, just know that it is a worthwhile one indeed.

Visually Valve has taken their Havoc engine and Half Life elements and has created a fresh and new world all its own that is very alive and the physics very impressive. While the game feels like a platformer at heart, there is very little in the way of failing when jumping as the puzzles are designed to work generally one way, with a few tweaks here and there. Thankfully, timing most of the obstacles aren't an issue as the tools that get you through each level guide you to your destination with very little adjustment to the flow of projection. The now rusty and deteriorating testing lab looks familiar from room to room, but has enough personality that you never feel like the game is growing tired on you. The lighting and textures of many of the items and rooms have that nice sterile hospital feel, but the wear and tear of the destruction you cause gives each room a particular age and rustic look to it.

The audio, from the music and sound effects, to the stellar and dark comedic banter from the robots make enduring each test and moving on more of a treat than a chore. I found myself more times than not wanting to succeed in each puzzle not only to move along in my progress, but the hear what was next. It's not many games that can take you from frustration and anger one minute, to a silly grin the next. This is Portal 2's greatest charm and why so many people have fallen in love with it.

Of course like many games like Portal, it has its own real shortcoming in the form that each test is destined to be completed one way, and with no randomizing of rooms, levels, or placement of obstacles, you have very little reason to return except to hear the quips one more time or try to reach that trophy or achievement you missed the first time around. Thankfully between the single and co-op levels you'll find roughly 15 hours of tests that once completed leaves you quite fulfilled. Of course there is always the DLC which was announced recently.

While Valve still refuses to give me closure to Half Life, it is games like Poral 2 that not only regains my love for this team of developers, but keeps my little fingers nimble for the infamous day when Dr. Gordon Freeman makes his triumphant return. Let's just hope that the Portal gun and GLaDOS find their way into my Half Life universe and not via mods on the PC. Whether you love Half Life, the original Portal, or have never played but wondered what the fuss was about, you owe it to yourself to play this wonder of gaming technology. Portal 2 has enough appeal to welcome any gamer no matter what type they claim themselves to be. The end result is a gaming experience you will not soon forget.