So Portal 2 released for Steam on PC yesterday, and although the official local retail release date is Friday, whispers abound that pre-order customers are being allowed to collect their games today. Reviews began surfacing earlier this week, and most major publications have agreed that the game is nothing short of excellent.

The game currently holds a Metacritic score of 96 on PS3, 96 on PC and 95 on Xbox 360.

Here are a few reviews from respected publications:

The Escapist 4/5

The best sequel we could have expected. The levels just plain aren’t as challenging, but the new toys and characters manage to distract enough from the cracks in the paint to keep the whole ride breezing along. It astounds in some ways and disappoints in others, which, while not perfect, is good enough for science.

Giant Bomb 5/5

Despite being so much bigger than the original, I actually felt a little melancholy once Portal 2 was over, simply because it’s so rare to find a game this smart, this funny, and this rich with detail. It elevates Portal from an odd, memorable experiment to one of the most significant series in Valve’s stable with a unique voice and an incredible level of quality that all developers should aspire to.

IGN  9.4/10

Makes the original look like the prototype it was. It’s filled with a larger cast of characters vividly brought to life through brilliant writing and some of the best voice acting in video games…From the beginning of the single-player story to the end of the co-op mode, Portal 2 is a novel, unforgettable experience.

Game Informer 9.5/10

The game’s quality stays consistently outstanding throughout; there isn’t a minute of filler content to be found anywhere in single-player or co-op.

The Guardian 5/5

Valve has created a masterpiece in Portal 2. The depth of content, the mind-bending mechanics and fantastic experience are almost certain to satisfy ardent fans of the first game; and to all newcomers to the series, it’s as simple as this: prepare to have your mind blown. Over and over again.

CVG  9.3/10

Imaginative, challenging, hilarious and sometimes a bit exhausting, Portal 2 is one of 2011’s most interesting, challenging blockbusters. Just make sure you take your sweet, sweet time with it – because you’ll probably feel a hole in your head once it’s done and dusted.

In other words, it’s fricken awesome, go buy it. EA has confirmed that local stock will be limited, so don’t dilly dally with this one.

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