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timppu: Portal is quite good and original game, but quite short. Even for a slow gamer like me, I completed it practically in one day, including the extra levels with higher difficulty. I'm not sure if just having more levels would have made the game better, but just so that you're warned you will probably not be playing it for weeks or anything.

Too bad you missed it when Valve was offering it for free, that's when I got it.

By the way, IMHO Portal is another good example (along with e.g. ICO) of an end-boss fight done right. Ie., challenging at first, but when you get the gist of it, not so hard.

I might look into Portal 2 at some point.
Can you confirm that the experience was rewarding? I read many people saying that although it was short it still left you satisfied.

Thanks for the advice by the way ^_^.
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Niflmine: Can you confirm that the experience was rewarding? I read many people saying that although it was short it still left you satisfied.
Yeah, I felt it was a complete package and the time I played it was intense gaming. And I liked the humour.

But, if I had paid e.g. several dozen euros for it, maybe I would have felt I didn't quite get the longevity I'd expect for such a money, especially as the game is so linear that there isn't much reason to replay it I think.

Steam is currently asking around 9€ for it, maybe it is worth it, maybe not... I don't know how often it is discounted in Steam sales.
Post edited May 08, 2012 by timppu
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Niflmine: Can you confirm that the experience was rewarding? I read many people saying that although it was short it still left you satisfied.
As a matter of fact, Portal 2 clearly showed that if Portal were any longer, it wouldn't be as good as it is. It's just about perfectly sized for what it is, so yeah, I'd definitely say it's rewarding.
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timppu: Since I own it also from GOG, which is better, PS2 or PC version? I presume the PC version has better graphics, but does the PS2 version have e.g. better controls? I seem to recall someone complaining of slowdown problems on the PS2 version?
Only played it on PC and yeah, the controls are not exactly ideal, but it's manageable pretty well. Only the infamous Meat Circus level is a bit annoying partly because of the controls; jumping off wall holds is notoriously imprecise on the PC.

All in all, the platforming is admittedly crappy, but the rest of it is wonderful. I'm not even sure why it is a platformer, to be honest.
Post edited May 08, 2012 by bazilisek
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CaptainGyro: Also it's pretty easy to avoid ads using steam. Go to settings, then interface and turn off notifications, and also have it set so that it opens up your game library page, not the store page.
In addendum, the window that shows Steam ads (which can be easily disabled) never shows itself when you first start the client, or randomly while it's running. But every once in a while (about every few days, or when there's a really special event going on) it'll come-up after you close a game. This way, it doesn't annoy you when all you just want to do is just play a damn game, and it can even serve as a pleasant surprise after your session. I've snagged a few games that were on sale because of it, which I might've missed otherwise.

Now, was I coerced into buying games I normally might not have? Maybe, sorta, technically, yeah, I guess. But it wasn't obnoxious, and it feels like it informs me of things I might be genuinely interested in.

And in further addendum -- at the risk of seeming like more of a Steam fanboy and apologist than I already am -- their recommendations page is a page you have to specifically navigate to in order to view. Implemented like this, it makes Steam's recommendations something you see only when you specifically feel like it, and as such, it doesn't feel obnoxious, and actually becomes useful sometimes (for example, your recommendations page will recommend a game if it's on your wishlist, and is also on sale).

Edit: Also, I am still technically on-topic, as per the following:
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SimonG: And has no aversion to Steam?
I am immune to any and all criticisms of taking the choo-choo off the tracks.
Post edited May 08, 2012 by Bapabooiee
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SimonG: And has no aversion to Steam?

Just curious.
I have it on DVD (it was in computer games magazine once). Played the first level, thought "meh" and never played it again.
Post edited May 08, 2012 by keeveek
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timppu: Yeah, I felt it was a complete package and the time I played it was intense gaming. And I liked the humour.

But, if I had paid e.g. several dozen euros for it, maybe I would have felt I didn't quite get the longevity I'd expect for such a money, especially as the game is so linear that there isn't much reason to replay it I think.

Steam is currently asking around 9€ for it, maybe it is worth it, maybe not... I don't know how often it is discounted in Steam sales.
I see, to be honest I'm new to the steam and GOG market, and I don't know how much the price tag varies but hopefully it will be available on summer sales. I would have finished "the witcher" by then.

Thank you again.

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bazilisek: As a matter of fact, Portal 2 clearly showed that if Portal were any longer, it wouldn't be as good as it is. It's just about perfectly sized for what it is, so yeah, I'd definitely say it's rewarding.
It's good to have another confirmation, thank you.
This game is simply amazing. I'm sure lots of idea and creativity poured into it. Each stage featured different objective, scenario and settings. I like it.
Over here! :(

But it looks awesome :(
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Bapabooiee: snip
Now that the giveaway is done (thank you Simon!) I'll respond to this.
I'm glad that your experience with Steam is a pleasant one, much like mine, but let's not get disillusioned here.
The always online requirement for many of the games that don't have offline mode is about as intrusive as it gets.

Also, need I mention in-game advertising? INSIDE THE FUCKING GAME?! This is something that I find intrusive, appalling and absolutely unacceptable.
And it certainly doesn't conform with your:
"Steam can just be that thing you use to play your games, with nothing shoved in your face to encourage you to spend more."
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FraterPerdurabo: Also, need I mention in-game advertising? INSIDE THE FUCKING GAME?! This is something that I find intrusive, appalling and absolutely unacceptable.
Citation needed. I'm not aware of any game with in-game ads delivered by Steam, but I'd love to hear your examples.
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FraterPerdurabo: Also, need I mention in-game advertising? INSIDE THE FUCKING GAME?! This is something that I find intrusive, appalling and absolutely unacceptable.
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bazilisek: Citation needed. I'm not aware of any game with in-game ads delivered by Steam, but I'd love to hear your examples.
http://kotaku.com/220620/in+game-ads-coming-to-counter+strike-16
That story is five years old. Did it actually happen?
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bazilisek: That story is five years old. Did it actually happen?
Yes, the official maps are riddled with massive, wall-sized ads. There's also one on the scoreboard. Granted, it's only ads for Valve games, but it's intrusive and immersion breaking nevertheless.
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bazilisek: I'm not even sure why it is a platformer, to be honest.
Probably the only way they could get a publisher to back it.

"An adventure game? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha. Make it into a platformer, that shouldn't be too hard right?"
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Stevedog13: HA HA HA HA HA HA.. AAAH HA HA HA HA... Ha Ha Ha Ha... ha ha ha ha ha ha. ahhh!

Snip.
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Bapabooiee: As I detailed earlier, one's tolerance of Steam's DRM is closely tied into whether or not the Steam platform actually gives them any value. In your instance, it did not, so your stance is entirely justified - but please don't mock me for thinking contrarily.

And as far as the problem you encountered at the store, I'd say the fault is with the publisher for not properly labelling it as a Steamworks game, not with Valve or Steam.

Regarding more and more games being Steamworks-based: In Valve, We Trust.
I apologize for my mocking tone. It was not meant as a personal insult towards you.

I do, however, find the caricature of Steam as a good and kind benefactor that has nothing but its customers interest in mind (In Valve, We Trust?) to be laughable as their entire business model is based on indenturing its client base. I'm also very bitter as someone who years ago was ready to buy just about any game, even if I had no idea what it was, just because it bore the name Valve; but now I have to to pass up almost every new release I have been looking forward to because they have Steam.

And for what its worth I did get my money back from the store in my earlier anecdote, it took a lot of yelling on my part to finally get the manager involved but I did get the issue resolved. That was Half-Life 2.