Do you miss Portal? I know I do. Every year or two I go back to replay one of the games, marvel at how perfect they are, cry into a pillow thinking about how there will never be another one, and try to find something to fill the void. Every once in a while, aid can be found in the Portal fandom, which is producing new content for the second installment even thirteen years after its release. Their newest offering, Portal: Revolution by Second Face Software, might be the best one yet.
With a modified branch of the Source Engine, Portal: Revolution has the air of newfound freedom. Boasting over 40 test chambers (around the same amount as Portal 2), this campaign introduces new elements at a consistent pace, all the while utilizing and expanding upon mechanics and ideas found in Valve’s oeuvre. I don’t mean just Portal, as the game also references their other works both openly and discreetly. Thanks to years of collective experience, the team has managed to perfectly recreate the visuals of these old gems, while also adding some personal and modern touches. This is hands-down the prettiest Portal has ever looked.
Just like Portal 2, the game begins with a test subject waking up, before being released by a core attempting to fix up the Aperture Science facility following its catastrophic malfunction at the end of the original Portal. The first two hours or so are spent with only half of the portal device, which is typically a part I try to get through as fast as possible in these games. Here, however, it is viewed not just as a training phase for new players. As any good mod, it knows its audience, opting out for a deeper look at possibilities provided by chambers with pre-placed portals. It impresses right from the get-go, with wonderful, intentionally annoying voice-over and a deeper early-game experience, but it isn’t until reaching the surface, something that seemed forbidden in the original games, that this experience truly comes into its own.
A little glimpse of the outside world was always the very last thing players got to see in both of the original titles. Here, it comes as soon as the third chapter. The peeking blue skybox and the trees, though seemingly non-specific, immediately brought back memories of White Forest from Half-Life 2. As I progressed through one captivating test chamber after another, revisiting my memory of gels, lasers, cubes, and emancipation grids, the time of day was progressing as well. When I reached my destination, the facility’s color palette changed, alongside an evening orange hue. From blue to orange, how curious, eh? Soon, however, I would be plunged into the dark depths of Aperture, following the structure of Portal 2 closely, to delve into its secrets once more. The experience is thankfully not without its share of fun twists on the formula. It never intrudes on the original, while also not being afraid to put its foot down on interpretations that make the whole thing feel genuine and cohesive.
Saying any more would be a disservice to the story that kept me entertained throughout my six hours with Portal: Revolution, but I hope it’s enough to drive home just how engrossing of an atmosphere this mod has built through clever use of elements that always were the most fascinating aspect of Portal’s worldbuilding. Mechanically, on the other hand, the mod relies little on familiar formulas. One or two very enjoyable throwbacks aside, all of the puzzles have a distinct voice, while keeping the spirit and immaculate pace of innovation the series is known for.
The new elements are all fantastic and taken to extremes fairly quickly before moving on. I was thrust into this glorious state of trying to figure out how each one would interact with elements I thought I was fully familiar with. From water that clears gels to cubes that store lasers, and my absolute favorite addition, which were the power switches, I was always surprised to see ways in which the developers twisted my expectations. This is not to say everything is perfect. Yet. Some things could use a quick explanation, maybe a pointer or two. Certain maps would benefit from ways of moving between areas quicker, while others could do with more blocking. Not to mention an occasional bug, such as the disappearing Portal gun. Nothing that the free price tag for some of the best content to come from all of Portal won’t beat though, and I am sure the team is listening carefully to all feedback now that thousands of people can play and break their work apart.
If you want to join in on this early stage of what is already one of the best pieces of Portal content out there, Portal: Revolution is free for all owners of Portal 2 over at its Steam page. At the time of writing, the game already boasts a Very Positive rating based on nearly two thousand reviews. I had an absolute blast with it. It is amazing to experience a fresh perspective on all of Portal’s elements, from its visual style to puzzle design. If you haven’t yet checked it out, be sure to start 2024 the right way: with some quality Portal time.
