@bellpickle:

I got Portal 2 for $40 on Amazon if that's a more reasonable price for you.

Only just played the first Portal recently. Though it doesn't seem like I'll be playing Portal 2 until there's a significant price drop. ._.

@Pleiades Rising:

Well, the "why does it have to be art" thing is that I think it adds some sense of legitimacy for gamers ... like, if games are seen as art, then people won't look down on gamers, or whatever. Personally, I don't really care about that. If a game has an artful story, then that's a nice cherry on top, but I'm playing a game to have a fun experience.

As for what encompasses the art ... I think it's the whole experience, really. Like, people often point to Shadow of the Colossus as an example of art in gaming. From what I understand (haven't played it), the story isn't spectacularly deep or complex, or anything, but the whole of the experience -- the gameplay, the graphics, how the story unfolds, etc. -- strikes a chord with people and creates an emotional connection, which some view as art.

@Shinmaru:

Cool, Shin. I'll add you. :)

My GamerTag is Morphic Monkey.

I know this isn't really related to the topic, but I never really understood that whole games-as-art thing. Seriously, I don't really know what the issue is: is it the entire game itself, or some aspect of the game, e.g. the graphics? Furthermore, why does a game have to be art? Are they missing something if they weren't art? Ah, but that's another topic for another day...

@Shinmaru:

Dude, portals?

@Miss Anonymous:

Just remember to use a portal whenever you're in trouble.

Well, my brother has the first Portal, so with any luck he'll eventually get Portal 2. I can tell you one thing, it's been advertised like crazy on billboards and buses all around Seattle, holy jeez.

@James:

Ah, cool. I'm Shinmaru007 on Xbox Live if you ever see me around.

@Shinmaru:

I play it on Xbox 360. But I'm thinking about also getting the PS3/PC version so that I can get the Hammer tools.

@James:

Which console do you use to play Portal 2, by the way? If we could ever swing it, it would be fun to play the co-op mode with you. :D

So happy to see the Portal 2 love! We might have some news about Portal 2 and the OB community soon, so stay tuned on that one. :)

@Shinmaru:

Chell even being in Portal 2 was the result of a bunch of playtesters complaining about her absence, so I'm sure there's plenty of potential to pick up the franchise from the perspective of another test subject. Heck, they even managed to do away with all but one cake reference thanks to how tired the joke got, and the script was funnier than ever.

Apparently the original plan was for an AI-resurrected Cave to be the main antagonist of Portal 2. I'd certainly love to see one more sequel, if only for a chance to let them use that idea.

But yeah, if they do make one more sequel, I hope they put every bit of effort into it as they did this one.

@Shinmaru:

I know, my friend said the same. But if they make a P3, it should be done like Kingdom Hearts. Do a game BEFORE portal 1. Like the story of Cave and Caroline.

@Romanos Vixen:

I dunno, much as I loved Portal 2, I hope Valve stops it here unless it's 100 percent certain it could make a sequel more fresh and exciting. The ending of Portal 2 seemed pretty conclusive to me, anyway.

Portal 2 was epicness! ^^ I bet they will make a 3rd game. Why? Because thare are still so many plot holes that need to be filled! I hope they make a 3rd! ^^

@SomeGuy:

Ahahaha, that corrupted sphere made me laugh so much during the final scene.

"Space... space... wanna go to space..."

"Dad, I'm in space..."
"I'm proud of you, son."
"Dad, are you space?"
"Yes son. We can be a family again."

I totally wanna do personality sphere cosplay . . .