Half-life 2 is the original game released for PC a couple of years ago. Episode 1 is the first episodic sequel to Half-Life 2. Episode 2 is brand new, however, and continues the journey of Gordan Freemon, the game’s main protagonist.Team Fortress 2 is an online multiplayer first-person shooter with many different classes to play.

Even though all four of those games look awesome on the 360 and PC, the real jewel in the compilation is Portal.

Portal is one of those sleeper hits and will be remembered as a classic for years to come. Although short, it offers so much in the way of fun, you’ll want to play it over and over.

You begin the game in a small room, just awoken from what seems like a long slumber. A digitized female voice greets you and explains you are to complete a series of tests using only your wits. Be assured all dangers present in the tests are only to motivate you. Any failure to avoid these hazards will result in a negative mark on your profile, and probably death.

Portal is a very funny game. Even the enemies, though sparse and not very threatening, will often apologize for shooting at you or even forgive you for deactivating them. Your “guide” through the tests will often be the subject of all the humor, but rooms hidden off the predefined path will reveal more chuckle-inducing moments.

Gameplay in Portal is the most unique aspect of the game and thankfully is the focus from start to finish. Your tool for solving each area is a portal gun. With it you can create portals on smooth surfaces, but there can only be two portals open at one time. When you step through one portal, you emerge instantaneously through the other.

This is where physics comes to play. Your momentum and trajectory when you enter a portal will continue through the other. Here’s an example. To cross a gap, fire one portal high on a wall above your head, then fire the second one into the bottom of the gap. Jump into the gap and fall through the portal there. You will then be thrown through the other portal on the wall and will safely careen over the gap. Fun with physics!

The mechanics of portal hopping never gets old. Even in puzzles where you’re stumped, simply playing around with portals may lead to the answer. I recommend Portal to anyone who is tired of the same mundane first person shooter.

I just want my companion cube back.

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