When the original Portal was released in 2007, it was kind of hard to describe. So, it's this game where you run around with this gun thing, but it's not a first person shooter. You go around solving puzzles, but it's really action oriented. One thing was for sure though, however you described it, you were sure to include words like fun, original and inventive as Valve's unique puzzler quickly became one of this generation's biggest cult hits.

Now, almost four years later, Valve is attempting to recreate that magic with Portal 2 and in a word - it's brilliant. In a lot more words, it's a fascinatingly addictive and incredibly fun experience that easily sits at the top of this generation. Like any good sequel, Valve resists the temptation to make the sequel a retreading of where the franchise has been before, but expands upon it greatly. Sure, it's a bit short but the inclusion of an addicting co-op suite makes up for it in spades.

"Portal 2 is full of new and fun features."

As you'd probably expect, Valve stuck with the “if it's not broke, don't fix it” motto and kept the bulk of Portal 2 much similar to its predecessor, you're still going to be charged with solving puzzles using your portal gun (for those uninitiated, the portal gun creates a portal you can pass through to another separate portal already in the level), but it's where Valve did choose to make additions that Portal 2 truly makes its biggest strides.  Featuring new mechanics like a new fluid system that allows you to either run or jump better and a few new other tricks, Portal 2 is full of new and fun features. The puzzles in the sequel are much deeper and much more extravagant than what came before, and you'll find yourself having to do much more to solve a number of the puzzles, especially in the beginning of the game.

Amazingly though, Valve didn't mistake the word challenging for frustrating. Not once throughout my entire time with Portal 2 did I feel like the puzzles were insensible. Did it take me a bit to get some of them? Of course, but solving these puzzles is what makes Portal 2 such a rewarding experience. Valve has done a great job finding the right balance of giving you the necessary clues without holding your hand too much.

In Portal 2, you play as Chell, the protagonist from the original game who's wound up back in the Aperture Science labs with the menacing robot GLaDOS. It's not long before you're introduced to Wheatley, who pretty much steals the show. Voiced by Stephen Merchant (most known for his work on The Ricky Gervais Show and as a writer on The Office), it's clear from the get-go that it's a role the actor is excited about, as every line of dialogue is delivered spot on and incredibly entertaining. The character is undoubtedly at his best when verbally sparing with the murderous GLaDOS, so much so that you're more than likely to find yourself taking a break from puzzles just to listen.

"...incredibly polished and the attention to detail is nothing short of jaw dropping."

With Portal 2, Valve does what every sequel should and expands upon the world of the original wonderfully. Everything here is remarkably bigger and deeper than the original game and most importantly it's incredibly polished and the attention to detail is nothing short of jaw dropping. This isn't the Aperture Science you'll remember, instead it's in a sense of disarray - and what a wonderful sense of disarray it is. You're encouraged to explore the world and its decrepit nooks and crannies and doing so will reveal some cool Easter Eggs. It's important to note that Valve has done a great job with the pacing in Portal 2, as every time you think the game is starting to lag it twists and you're in a whole different area of the game.

While the single player campaign of Portal 2 can be considered a bit short - most play-throughs should take between 8-10 hours, that's all excusable when you take into account that the truly impressive co-op campaign lasts another 7-9 hours on its own - and it's one of the game's best features. Playing with a friend opens up a brand new way to play Portal 2, and you're going to have to change the way you think to get through it. Be prepared to be frustrated, but you know - the good kind of frustrated.

There's no real way around it, Portal 2 is simply one of the best games of this generation. It's creative, wonderfully detailed and most importantly, a complete blast to play. Valve has taken the formula from the original game and expanded upon it with a great follow up. To put it most simply, Portal 2 is not to be missed.