Just before their big “surprise” at E3 Valve announced that Portal 2 would be delayed to 2011. During E3 quite a bit of information regarding this hyped title made its way onto the Internet.
IGN published a preview which contained video demos of Portal 2 showing some of the new mechanics we can expect to see in Portal 2.
To justify a full-fledged sequel Valve can’t just update the graphics, include multiplayer, and rehash the mechanics of the original Portal. The videos published by IGN show a total of 6 new mechanics which promise a far more diverse assortment of puzzles.
Looking at the videos one by one, the new mechanics are as follows.
Portal 2 Demo
“Oh, it’s you. It’s been a long time. How have you been? I’ve been really busy being dead. You know, after you murdered me. Okay, look. We both said a lot of things that you’re going to regret. But I think we can put our differences behind us. For science. You monster.”
As the teaser trailer indicated, GLaDOS is back and not all to happy with you for dismantling her and burning her parts. As a result of your “murder” of Aperture Science’s central computer the lab is destroyed, but this has allowed Valve to show off some cool environmental effects.
Some time has passed so the ruins of the lab are overgrown and dilapidated. But! Spoiler alert: GLaDOS gets woken up and rebuilds the lab around you as you solve puzzles.
One notable addition is that GLadOS is no longer the only AI personality in the game. Notice that I don’t just say “personality,” for if there was ever an example of a rather bland-looking inanimate object with a personality then the (Weighted) Companion Cube is it.
You are introduced to Wheatley the personality sphere early in the game and over the course of your wanderings together (spoiler alert the second), little Wheatley inadvertently reactivates GLaDOS.
Excursion Funnel “Asbestos is harmless!” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. The first “Testing Element” is a tractor beam that pushes objects along the beam. As with many of the new mechanics that have been introduced this beam interacts with the basic portal mechanic by allowing portals to redirect the flow of the beam.
Aerial Faith Plate “Faith Plate” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. A spring-loaded panel that flings objects, or you, through GLaDOS’ playground. By far the least awe-inspiring of the new mechanics demonstrated.
Thermal Discouragement Beam “Thermal Discouragement” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. Laser beams! Laser beams that can be directed/redirected with prism cubes! As well as portals! LASERS! Hell yeah.
Pneumatic Diversity Vent “Diversity” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. This is a giant vacuum tube which works a lot like a more limited tractor beam. Except for its ability to suck up walls. That makes it stand out a little.
Repulsion Gel “Repulsion Gel” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. Bluegoo that makes you jump further. This is made far more interesting because it interacts with portals, allowing you to put goo anywhere you can point a portal at.
Propulsion Gel “Propulsion Gel” is a registered trademark of Aperture Science dba Aperture Laboratories ©1998 All Rights Reserved. Orange goo that makes you run faster, which in turn lets you jump farther. As with the Repulsion Gel this goo can be directed with portals.
The new mechanics are in addition to the co-op multiplayer feature leaked by GameStop (via Kotaku) earlier this year. Co-operative multiplayer was confirmed at E3 and was described as “its own unique story-driven campaign.”
But will there be cake?
From an interview conducted by Chris Remo at Gamasutra with Valve writer Erik Wolpaw it seems official that there will indeed be no cake (or cake references) in Portal 2.
“We didn’t jettison everything, but I absolutely do not want to try and resurrect a three-year-old meme,” said Wolpaw. “That seems like it would be kind of sad. It’s not a good idea.”
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