LO1 - Game Analysis - Portal 2

Portal 2 - Xbox 360

Genre

Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle platform game in which the player has to work out how to proceed using a portal gun. It’s got some conventions of the puzzle genre in that the player has to observe and think about how they’re going to complete the level. It’s a slightly unusual puzzle game in that it’s also a platform game simultaneously, which sets it apart from completely conventional puzzle games.

Narrative

The player is kept in a testing laboratory which is now ruled by robots. The gameplay shows the main character’s struggles to escape.

The story exhibits some plot twists towards the characters and the player’s attitude and interaction with them. It’s an interesting story that keeps the user engaged.

The story connects with the target audience by giving a thrilling storyline and continuing the story from the previous game with a sense of nostalgia and time that has passed in the game world.

Production process

Portal 2 began development almost immediately after the first Portal game. The design of the game was refurbished from the first game by replacing it with worn-down looking environments, showing just how much time has passed in the game since Portal. This gives an authentic, if not nostalgic feel to the game.

Game physics were probably tricky in Portal’s production as the game has to consider how the player would fall if, say, one portal was on the wall and one was on the ceiling and the player walked through the one on the wall. However, this problem was overcome and the physics and mechanics of the game work to make Portal 2 unique in the way it works.

Characterisation

The characters are ongoing in both Portal and Portal 2, meaning that players of the first game will recognize them. They seem like strong characters; however, I feel as if they don’t really match the puzzle genre as there aren’t many games like Portal 2 in the puzzle genre.

Gameplay

The challenge for the player in Portal 2 is to escape from Aperture laboratories. The levels engage the players who, assuming they are fans of the puzzle or platform genre, will be interested enough to continue playing. The unusual genre combination and the exciting storyline and narrative are what I think makes this game successful. There are moments in which the player needs to interact with the characters, engaging the gameplay with the narrative, and the story is full of twists that are what I think keep the player’s attention.

Target audience

The target audience are people who are fans of the previous game, and people who enjoy first-person platform games but don’t enjoy the combat side as much. There is no fighting in this game as it’s primarily puzzle-solving. There aren’t many other games that appeal to a target audience like this, so in effect, Portal 2 fit into its own niche, which is what I think made it successful.

Platform

This game is available for Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released on Windows and OS X simultaneously as the first platforms released.