Posted June 18, 2014
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Actually, Portal is the only Valve game I like. Portal 2 is the one I don't like. I felt like it squandered many of the opportunities a sequel could provide, was too self-indulgent and at the same time expanded the game in ways I think were the wrong direction to go. Instead of a nice, elegant package like the first, you got something that felt like it was trying too hard to capture the spark of the original.
And when it comes to the original, I just think it's a cool little game. I don't really mind if people claim Portal and Valve's games are gods among gaming, because even though I don't like the second and like Portal less than most people, it's easy to see that they are quality products.
I did actually enjoy what I played of Magrunner (though it was only for an hour or two so far, as I just got it from this promotion) more than Portal. I know it's not as original, nor as elegant in its design, but I also feel it has a humbler, more down-to-earth feel to it, ironically despite its otherworldy atmosphere. Whenever I play Valve's games, I feel like I'm being stuck at a party with the guy with the acoustic guitar who doesn't outright say he's a fantastic musician, but whose smug showmanship always feels like he's touting his own horn as he performs. That I don't get that feel from Magrunner is the primary reason I like it better.
This kind of variety in opinion must be the reason there's 7 billion or so of us humans. ;)