Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Valve created something quite magical with the first Portal, a unique puzzler that made us think outside of the box in the quest for freedom - and cake. Has Valve managed to keep that magic alive for the sequel? Let's take a look at how the gaming press is responding to Portal 2 to find out if it lives up to our lofty expectations:

• 1Up: "Valve has managed to create a game that bests its predecessor in nearly every regard, and has demonstrated to the world that they still have what it takes to create a game that deserves the hype surrounding it." - A+
• CVG: "Imaginative, challenging, hilarious and sometimes a bit exhausting, Portal 2 is one of 2011's most interesting, challenging blockbusters." - 9.3/10
• GameInformer: "The game’s simple, portal-based mechanics are so addictive that you’ll probably catch yourself placing imaginary portals all over your house" - 9.5/10
• Game Trailers: "Just like its predecessor, this sequel manages to wring every last ounce of enjoyment out of seemingly simple core concepts." - 9/10
• Giant Bomb: "...one of the most significant series in Valve's stable with a unique voice and an incredible level of quality that all developers should aspire to." - 5 stars
• IGN: "From the beginning of the single-player story to the end of the co-op mode, Portal 2 is a novel, unforgettable experience."- 9.5/10
• Metacritic: 94/100

So, it seems that even without the element of surprise which saw the original come out of nowhere to be heralded as an instant classic, Valve has taken what made the first Portal great and somehow improved on it in just about every way.

Portal 2 is out today in South Africa.