Portal is FREE! (Until May 24th)

[lanux128]

if you have never played Portal, from now on to May 24th is the best time to play it because it's FREE!

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• http://store.steampowered.com/freeportal/

[Deozaan]

Wow!

Broadcast it to the world!

[Josh]

Just downloaded and installed. This is a fantastic game! It is reminiscent of the EchoChrome game on the PS3, also a great game. This is sure to bring me hours of fun! Thanks!

[p3lb0x]

If by hours you mean a maximum of 3-4 then you're right. The game is really short

[lanux128]

the main storyline might be quite short but there are some interesting mods to keep one occupied such as this one: Portal: Prelude.

[Innuendo]

The game is only 3-4 hours long?

Close one, Valve!!! You were -=><=- *THIS* close to getting me to finally cave and install the Steam client.

Ha! Narrow escape!

Seriously, though...the game is that short and they sold it for how much originally? Game publishers like that deserve to go under.

[Lashiec]

Although you could buy Portal separately on Steam (I think it was being sold for $15), most people bought The Orange Box, which apart from Portal, included a few trinkets, like Team Fortress 2 and the entire Half-Life 2 saga.

Also, I fail to see how come Valve deserves to go bankrupt just because they made a "short" (there is more than just one game mode), albeit well done game. Other companies sell you 60 hours of emptiness for $60, and instead of getting a bad rap, they sell millions of copies and get critical acclaim.

[Deozaan]

The game is only 3-4 hours long?

If you already know the solution to all the puzzles and everything, sure. Depending on your skill level and other factors (like if you get stumped on a puzzle for a while), I'd guess a more casual first-time playthrough could take up to six or seven hours.

The game stands very well on its own two feet and doesn't feel short to me. It seems to me like reading a book or watching a movie. One with a fun story that nicely wraps everything up but leaves a hint of a possible sequel (which has since been announced).

The beauty of it being so relatively short is that when, a couple of months later you're reminiscing about how cool the game was, you can play the entire story in an afternoon to get a nice refresher on it.

In contrast, I loved Final Fantasy 7 on the Playstation 1, but after investing probably over 150 hours into it, I doubt I'm ever going to play it again, even though it's one of my favorite RPGs of all time and I'd like to play it again.

And really, for free, it's not like you're not getting your money's worth. If you don't like it just uninstall the entire Steam client and be done with it. No money invested, only a few hours lost, and you're done and know better. If you do like it, then you've been given what may be one of your favorite games for free. The potential cons/risks are extremely low and the potential benefits are fairly high. There's really no reason not to give it a try.

[Innuendo]

Although you could buy Portal separately on Steam (I think it was being sold for $15), most people bought The Orange Box, which apart from Portal, included a few trinkets, like Team Fortress 2 and the entire Half-Life 2 saga.

I didn't know it was part of the Orange Box (Half-Life isn't my 'thang') or that it sold for just $15. I thought it was sold as a $40+ game and yeah...if they would have done that they deserve to be punished.

But...they didn't...so...nevermind.

[Eóin]

I played portal as part of the Orange Box a couple of years ago, always considered it one of the greats.

[f0dder]

That it's relatively short is actually a good thing - it would have felt too repetitive if it was longer. It's a great little gem

[Josh]

The cake is not a lie. Release date set for 9 February, 2011.

News update:
http://www.1up.com/news/portal-2-dated-stephen-merchant

Videos:

Part 1
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/64329/portal-2/videos/gc10_portal2_demo1_81810.html?show=hi

Part2
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/64329/portal-2/videos/gc10_portal2_demo2_81810.html?show=hi

Co-op multiplayer teaser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I7H_F6lPOU

[lanux128]

Portal is part of the syllabus at Wabash College, now one can play video games and get some credit hours.

Portal on the booklist

This year, for the first time, a video game will appear on the syllabus of a course required for all students at Wabash College, where I teach. For me - and for a traditional liberal arts college founded in 1832 - this is a big deal.

• http://www.brainygamer.com/the_brainy_gamer/2010/08/portal-booklist.html

[lanux128]

if for some crazy reasons you still don't have Portal 1, you can get it for free until Sept 20, 2011..

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• http://store.steampowered.com/app/400/

[Shades]

Steam does not even let me create an account, so downloading (till now) is out of the question.

Too bad, as the original game ignites a lot of positive comments on DC.

[lanux128]

Steam does not even let me create an account, so downloading (till now) is out of the question.

are you trying from your browser or the steam client?

• https://store.steampowered.com/join/

just to clarify, you only have to create an account and add the game to your library. you can download later, even after the offer is over.