How Bridge Constructor Portal Maintains Portal’s Legacy

Anyone talking about the many accomplishments of game developer Valve will eventually mention Portal. Whether it’s the expertly delivered dialogue from Stephen Merchant as Wheatley and the wonderfully evil GLaDOS voiced by Ellen McLain, or the fantastic application of the ‘portal gun’ to make every puzzle unique and interesting. Then, in late 2017 a new game sporting the infamous Portal brand was released, but not as we knew it. This new game, Bridge Constructor Portal, was an entirely different genre and concept to the previous two games. It was even made by a different developer, ClockStone Studio. So how does this new “Portal” hold up? Does it stay true to its roots or does it up-heave them to try something new?

The Pen is Mightier Than the Portal Gun

One of the best traits for the first two Portal games was the amazing comedic writing for Wheatley and GLaDOS. I am happy to report this has not changed one bit since the original games. Bridge Constructor Portal’s script is great, and most importantly doesn’t skimp on the devilishly dark humour that graced the first Portal games. GLaDOS is as manipulative and sarcastic as ever, and her lines allow that to shine through brilliantly.

Although Wheatley’s comic relief is missing from this installment, the ever-adorable turrets make up for his absence. When you are spotted by one of the machine-gun-wielding robots they will perk up and talk to you, as well as making a sad sigh when knocked over and killed. All in all the voice acting, direction and script for this game are well put together and stay within the context of the Portal universe. GLaDOS often pops up before each level start to demean you and remind you of your purpose. This adds an element of story missing in most construction puzzle games and respects Portal’s legacy.

Puzzling Puzzles

The puzzles are the other chief success of Portal Bridge Constructor. This game tackles puzzles and problem solving in a completely different way due to the change to 2D. However, the array of different elements and features used to make the puzzles interesting, yet suitably challenging are no different if not more diverse than before.

Blue ‘jump’ slime and orange ‘speed’ slime make a comeback as well as the obvious portals and turrets. On top of that we also see more blue energy barriers allowing some things through but not others. “Faith plates” which are just mechanical trampolines and companion cubes. New to this game are different kinds of platforms with which to make bridges out of, with rope/wire to support them and suspend things in the air. These new elements add yet another layer of diversity to an already elaborate library of items, and make up for the lacking z-axis.

One thing that has changed since the original two games is the amount of ways you can complete puzzles. In Portal and the following Portal 2 the way through a level was generally predetermined, with little flexibility. Going into Portal Bridge Constructor there are a lot more options. You can go through each level, making strong bridges at perfect angles, or you can make something that almost works and then falls apart just after you reach the goal. Either way is a fine way to pass each stage and it’s oddly satisfying to create something unintended by the developers that still works.

Sounds Good to Me

One of the key aspects to an immersive gaming experience is good sound design. While Portal Bridge Constructor does recycle most of its sound assets from the previous Portal games, they are as satisfying as ever. Portal usage still makes a delicious sci-fi wobble sound, explosions are crisp and loud and are like aural punishment for messing up. Turrets as I previously mentioned are back and are adorable as ever. If you’ve played the previous Portal games, you will recognise most of what’s happening sound-wise. This does add a nice feeling of nostalgia to the experience and makes me want more traditional Portal. 

Bang for Your Buck?

In the UK Steam store, this game sits at £7.19 ($9.15), which is a great price for this amount of game. The full title boasts 60 levels over six chapters. Each chapter begins with a small cutscene and in about 6-7/10 levels per chapter includes custom GLaDOS dialogue. Couple that with the incredible replayability and the multiple solutions each puzzle offers, and you have a bargain at that price. Even if you are totally new to the Portal world, or Valve games for that matter, I would recommend this game to all, especially for those who are a fan of puzzles or interested in construction.

All in all, this is a solid game, and it does the legacy of one of Valve’s most popular games proud. However, its main purpose was bigger than that. Valve knows how popular its games are. The commercial success of the Half-Life and Portal series is impossible to deny, as well as the ascendancy of CS:GO to the top of the competitive scene. One thing that Bridge Constructor Portal has accomplished is keeping fans of the series wanting for more.

Upon its release and many years after, Portal 2 was undoubtedly my favourite game. As the years went by other games caught my eye and Portal’s brilliance was forgotten to me. Bridge Constructor Portal reminded me of it, with its great mechanics, fun progression, and fabulous sound design. But now more than ever, I’m praying for even a whisper of Portal 3.

I’ve got high hopes. Valve likes trilogies, right?