Portal (2007)

Valve

Android · Linux · Mac · Nintendo Switch · PC (Microsoft Windows) · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

4.45 from 14289 ratings · #30 top rated on Grouvee

26143 members have it in their collection · 398 playing now · 3673 backlogged · 1484 wish listed

How long? Main story 5h · with extras 6h · 100% 11h (from 220 logged playthroughs)

Waking up in a seemingly empty laboratory, the player is made to complete various physics-based puzzle challenges through numerous test chambers in order to test out the new Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, without an explanation as to how, why or by whom.

Details

Developers
Valve
Publishers
Electronic Arts, Valve
Genres
Adventure, Platform, Puzzle
Themes
Action, Comedy, Science fiction
Franchises
Portal
Series
Portal
Steam
View on Steam

Release dates

  • Oct 10, 2007 (Full Release) (North_America) PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360
  • Oct 18, 2007 (Full Release) (Europe) PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360
  • Oct 25, 2007 (Full Release) (Australia) PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360
  • Nov 22, 2007 (Full Release) (Australia) PlayStation 3
  • Nov 23, 2007 (Full Release) (Europe) PlayStation 3
  • Dec 11, 2007 (Full Release) (North_America) PlayStation 3
  • May 12, 2010 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Mac
  • May 02, 2013 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Linux
  • May 12, 2014 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Android
  • Jun 28, 2022 (Full Release) (Worldwide) Nintendo Switch

Related

Bundled in

DLC

Expanded versions

Featured in lists

Rating distribution

5 stars
8056
4 stars
4747
3 stars
1321
2 stars
131
1 star
34

Community All Reviews Statuses

trayson

Status trayson Jun 30, 2020

Since I catch myself in analysis-paralysis when deciding on a game to play (and then feeling like I should play another game after I've chosen), I decided to start playing through all my Steam games in order of when I got them. That system consistently feels fair for me to stick with, mainly just as a way to prevent wasted …

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Since I catch myself in analysis-paralysis when deciding on a game to play (and then feeling like I should play another game after I've chosen), I decided to start playing through all my Steam games in order of when I got them. That system consistently feels fair for me to stick with, mainly just as a way to prevent wasted time stalling.

That said, with my first game being Portal, I've already played through it countless times. So I figured that the moment I'd be sick of it, I'd move on to the next game on the list. Instead tho, I ended up trying the radio achievement challenge... missing 1 radio in the end. Ah well, it was a nice excuse to play through it all again (only a couple hours). I just wish I could mute the dialog -- that's the least replayable aspect of this game imo.

Also, as inventive as this game is objectively, its style, themes, and focus don't really captivate my interests all that much personally. I come out of it feeling kinda gross tbh (as opposed to playing hours of any good NES/SNES or 2D-indie game).

Anyway, I'll probably continue making status updates for each game as I continue down my list.

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SunBr0ther

Status SunBr0ther May 25, 2020

Just finished a playthrough for steam's spring cleaning event. Still great.

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filmbeats

Status filmbeats Sep 3, 2019

This was an innovative game and probably still is. I can't think of another game that's similar to it (well besides Portal 2). Using a portal gun to solve puzzles was genuinely new and exciting to me. The premise and story was also well done and added nicely to the experience. The sequel is just as good if not better …

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This was an innovative game and probably still is. I can't think of another game that's similar to it (well besides Portal 2). Using a portal gun to solve puzzles was genuinely new and exciting to me. The premise and story was also well done and added nicely to the experience. The sequel is just as good if not better in some ways.

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Zorbak

Status Zorbak Jan 6, 2017

I can't criticize a game for being "too short", especially considering it was originally part of a bundle. This is a must-have gaming experience. Fun gameplay, hilarious monologue, an interesting story and very clever mechanics. The combination of first person ("shooter", loosely said), platforming and puzzle make this game as innovative as it gets. Even if this game had turned …

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I can't criticize a game for being "too short", especially considering it was originally part of a bundle. This is a must-have gaming experience. Fun gameplay, hilarious monologue, an interesting story and very clever mechanics. The combination of first person ("shooter", loosely said), platforming and puzzle make this game as innovative as it gets. Even if this game had turned out average, the concept alone would've made it important. It's so fresh, no one has even managed to copy it succesfully. Plus, the difficulty curve is very well achieved and extremely satisfying.

This is a game I had in my mental backlog (before I was on Grouvee) for like half a decade. I wanted to play it out of intrigue for the genre mishmash, but I was missing out on a true classic. Don't make that mistake.

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periahdark

Status periahdark Jan 16, 2016

Not exactly sure when I started and finished the game, but I do know it was near when it was given away for free on OS X. The time played probably includes more than one play through, but I can't be sure. I don't really remember if I played this game more than once. I might have? This is all …

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Not exactly sure when I started and finished the game, but I do know it was near when it was given away for free on OS X. The time played probably includes more than one play through, but I can't be sure. I don't really remember if I played this game more than once. I might have? This is all before I started tracking my play through information.

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surreal

Status surreal Jul 4, 2015

After hearing so much about this game, I've decided to purchase and play it.

Gameplay was amazing, but I think 3 hours to complete is pretty short... However, if it were longer, the puzzles might get boring at some point.

At least those were 3 hours I've really enjoyed... also very funny.

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b_n

Review b_n 5/5 · Nov 12, 2014

1001 Games - #783

Pros: clever puzzles that are fun to solve, great use of humour and voice acting

Cons: short length

Recommendation: a true not-so-modern-anymore classic, there's no reason not to have played Portal and/or its sequel.