Give Me Three – Portal Reloaded Review

Portal: Reloaded is a recently released fan-made mod to Portal 2 – created by a sole developer, Portanis. The mode introduces a third portal which allows the player to travel through the fourth dimension; time. Included with the mod are 25 new test chambers which utilize this new mechanic in interesting ways. After finishing it a few moments ago, I figured I’d make a small post with my thoughts on it.

Firstly, the fact that this was created by one person is downright mindblowing. It is easily one of the best Portal mods in terms of design, detail, and care. The time (square) portal is an excellent addition to the Portal formula and fits quite naturally with how test chambers are typically constructed. This new portal allows the player to go between the present and the future. It takes a few test chambers at the beginning to get used to how the new mechanics work, but after being eased in, you soon get used to how all the different moving parts work.

My one critique of the green portal is that a handful of the test chambers revolve around getting an extra cube from the future – with not much else in that time being used. Fortunately, towards the end of the game (particularly the last chamber), this isn’t the case. The final test chamber is easily the best one, and while I didn’t find it too difficult, (pretentious I know) I did find it very fun to figure out as it masterfully combines every element you’ve been learning throughout the entire game.

Speaking of difficulty, I feel it has a satisfying balance of hard and easy test chambers. I found some of the earlier ones quite challenging, while the later ones were quite easy. Whether this is because I got used to the time mechanic is anyone’s guess, but even so, it’s a good sign the developer taught me (the player) well on how the third portal works.

In conclusion the whole experience is designed in a Valve-esque manner and it honestly baffles me that we have gone ten years without a Portal 3, and this game only makes it all the more painful. Portal Reloaded successfully captures the essence of the Portal series, easter eggs included. After finishing the game I had only two thoughts – firstly, Valve, make Portal 3. And finally, Valve, unironically hire this man.