Review: 71203 Level Pack: Portal 2
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Dimensions has gathered a wide range of properties but few are more surprising than Portal 2, the critically acclaimed video game released in 2011. It's puzzle-based mechanics are perfectly suited to a LEGO video game and many aspects of the game have been transferred into the LEGO universe with minimal changes. Identifying these familiar features is a source of great enjoyment during gameplay. Nevertheless, its presence in Dimensions was rather unexpected and I would be interested to find out how the deal between Valve and LEGO was struck.
This is not the first time that LEGO has had some association with Portal 2 as a LEGO Ideas project based on the franchise reached 10,000 supporters but was subsequently rejected in the Autumn 2013 review. I suspect discussions about its integration with LEGO Dimensions began around that time. Whether this single level pack will blaze the way for a range of sets remains to be seen, but for now we must make do with 71203 Level Pack: Portal 2 containing Chell, a Sentry Turret and a Companion Cube.
Box and Contents
All three level packs share the same box size and shape with a trapezoidal cardboard backing which features some attractive artwork showing Chell in action while GLaDOS watches from the background. The lower half of the packaging shows off the minifigure and models included and also includes a shot of the Sentry Turrets from within the Portal 2 video game, allowing a direct comparison between the source material and the LEGO model.
The back of the box demonstrates the system of upgrades which are available in the game. These are earned by spending studs and allow you to use a range of abilities in order to access certain parts of each level or the free roaming worlds.
The instruction booklet included is predominantly devoted to advertising for some of the other packs which are available. It seems illogical to include a manual like this one but leave out instructions for the models, only to subsequently post them online, but at least they are available without the need to purchase the game if you don't want to.
Minifigure
Chell is the protagonist of the Portal series and this minifigure is a superb representation of the popular character. The hair piece chosen is a good approximation of her hairstyle in the game while the white shirt and two-tone legs also closely resemble the onscreen character.
The Aperture logo printed on Chell's chest looks great and I hope to see it appear on a tile at some point so we can create testing rooms in the physical realm like those we see in the digital. The head includes an angry expression on one side and a grimace on the other; hardly surprising for somebody whose life consists of solving puzzles, putting up with Wheatley's antics and being insulted by an artifically intelligent computer.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the set is Chell's Portal Gun, a brand new piece which almost exactly replicates the weapon in the game. This is made from a rubbery plastic to ensure that the prongs flex when put under pressure rather than snapping off. An unfortunate by product of this is that placing the accessory in the hands of a minifigure is a bit tricky, but it's a worthy compromise in my opinion and the resultant element looks brilliant.
Each LEGO Dimensions minifigure comes complete with a unique toy tag base which contains the electronics used to transfer the character from the toy pad to the game. Chell's base is decorated with white and orange designs in addition to the Aperture logo, acting as a superb display stand for the figure as well as an integral part of the video game.
The Completed Model
Two models are included to accompany Chell, the first of which is a Companion Cube. This item helps the player in the game and it is represented nicely here, although the lower half is only present to provide additional pieces for making alterations to the model.
Although this is inaccurate it looks fine in my opinion, giving the impression that the cube is floating, but you can easily remove it so the Companion Cube is more faithful to the game if you wish. The five tiles which form the exterior are printed and closely resemble the design seen in Portal 2, complete with little pink hearts in the centre of each one.
The model can be reconfigured into a laser deflector or gold heart emitter and they both look like decent creations, but I will be keeping mine assembled as the Companion Cube, at least in the physical realm. Each model is set on a programmable toy tag which the game will associate with the particular item.
The second model is a Sentry Turret, a constant threat in both Portal video games. In LEGO Dimensions it is instead a vehicle which can be controlled by the player and its rapid-fire machine guns are used to heat up panels and assist in solving puzzles.
Pieces are oriented in almost every direction on this model and its shape is quite faithful to the source material, using several curved white slopes to capture the sleek technology of Aperture equipment. The machine gun barrels are represented using light bluish grey 'apollo' studs, five of which are included in this pack. These are always very useful but this colour is particularly appealing.
Gameplay
While the basic controls are like those of any other LEGO game the addition of the toy pad introduces a variety of new functions. Each Keystone encountered during the game relates to an interaction with the toy pad which usually involves following a colour pattern or trying to match a series of colours on the pad with those in the game.
The Portal 2 level makes use of many such mechanics, but its greatest appeal for me was identifying the functions which are retained from the original games and have been altered to fit into the LEGO universe. These include springboards, buttons which must be weighed down and constantly moving panels, as well as the obligatory portals of course. While portals can be created just about anywhere in the original Portal video games only certain surfaces can be used in LEGO Dimensions. This limits access but makes perfect sense as it keeps you on task as you play through the level.
Although the gameplay is entertaining, I was disappointed by its length. It took me just under forty minutes to play from beginning to end, admittedly without finding all of the minikits and secrets, less than I was anticipating given the cost of each level pack. On the other hand, those forty minutes were hugely entertaining. The attention to detail is clear to see as the level proceeds, with references to the plot of both Portal games as well as cameo appearances from Atlas and P-Body! The gameplay is good, but it is these little details included to satisfy the fans which set it apart in my opinion.
There are many more references to be discovered in the adventure world which can be accessed with the Portal level pack. This area allows the player to roam freely through the many levels of Aperture Science, finding Chell's 'relaxation vault' from the very start of the first game as well as a huge number of other familiar locations and images.
Here there is a healthy spread of gold bricks to be found as well as a stud meter to fill. In true Portal fashion GLaDOS will berate your every move as you explore and you can also find Wheatley, several Cores and even hear the recognisable voice of J.K. Simmons as Cave Johnson, the owner of Aperture Science, in recorded messages which boom through the story level and the adventure world.
Overall
I think this is one of the best packs released as part of the first wave. If you have an interest in the Portal video game series then you will absolutely love playing through these levels in LEGO Dimensions and the fun of finding so much familiar material is well worth the price of £29.99 or $29.99. It is unfortunate that the level following a linear story is not longer, but the adventure world is large enough to explore for hours and still not find every hidden secret. The physical aspect of the set is also excellent, offering a character few would have expected in minifigure form.
If you are purely interested in LEGO Dimensions and have not played Portal before then I still think this pack is a worthy addition to your collection, although you might favour some of the other packs if you are a fan of The Simpsons or Back to the Future.
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23 comments on this article
I don't have a console and am unlikely to get one for just this game, but I'm tempted by this pack alone... sadly the price is insane for one minifigure and two small models. I expect it to heavily discounted on special later, though. I will keep an eye out and try to pick up one then.
Nice review... but will there be cake? :)
If I recall correctly, the ideas set wasn't exactly rejected- more of a "Not at this time."
So sad that a medium Lego set was never released as part of them Lego Cuusoo.
Whoa, P-Body and Atlas appear in the game? Anyone have a picture?
I'm not a fan of the absurd price. It's not worth it for me.
Throwing in another hat for vaguely interested in the figs/build but not the game itself. $30, holy mackerel.
EDIT: Great review though, thanks for the in-game screenshots as well.
This is the biggest draw to dimensions for me as I love Portal. But the price is rather off-putting. I'm sure I'll get it eventually, but not at the current price
This was very cool to read and see. This pack seems like the most purely-interesting one in the Dimensions stable, from a 'LEGO+game' standpoint, and is very attractive. I also wouldn't mind having the parts on the cheap.
Not sure if I will ever dive into Dimensions. $30 is very steep for a tiny LEGO set, but $30 for another video game isn't too bad, plus the special physical elements. Depends on your viewpoint, I suppose. That said I will be waiting for a discount to pick this up, if at all.
I want this! Love the portal gun. This really convinces me to purchase Dimensions.
I want to see Benny and the Space Core meet.
SPACE! SPACESHIP! SPACE! SPACESHIP! SPACE! SPACHIP!
Anyways, only moon rock surfaces can have portals placed onto them, so to me the restricted usage of the portal gun is justified because in a game like LEGO Dimensions where you free roam and have to unlock certain areas to access them, it could easily break the game in levels that aren't designed for use with it.
Great review! I'm glad I picked this up and will most certainly plop 'ol Chell onto the portal and let it carry the wife and I on the story. We both really enjoyed Portal 1 and 2 and were excited to see this pack released.
REALLY like this game so much more than any of the other toy-to-game ones. The interactivity with the portal is awesome and we are having a blast playing through the base game.
Look forward to your reviews of BTTF and The Simpsons.
I've never heard of Portal. But this looks like fun.
@Renegade007cjh: Yes there is cake! But in the main game, which also has a portal level. It should be noted that even the base game's story level themed on Portal is probably the best one! And that's without traditional Portal games (It's more based on the toy pad). I've completed both base and extra levels and they are both great, and I now have some lovely Lego Portal models.
If anyone else that does have the game has completed the story Portal level in 25 minutes on their first try without seeing anything about it beforehand - bravo! I thought I was solving the puzzles quickly but probably got lugged with 28 mins.
Nice review. This has been my favorite of the three initial level packs as well, and feels the most substantial to me. The BTTF level felt disappointingly short and just didn't feel like it had as much to it as this one. The Simpsons level recreates a show as the level so that was interesting, but I still feel the Portal set is the one to beat at the moment.
> If I recall correctly, the ideas set wasn't exactly rejected- more of a "Not at this time."
I think there's still a major difference between rejecting a licenses and a project concept. Doing this pack doesn't mean the previous project is done, just like the HQ set wouldn't automatically appear along with Dimensions the game. So still hopefully LEGO would make good use of the license they have now in the future.
@Yuffle get them both... they are great games - wait for a Steam special.
This does look good, but since I would need to buy the platform and the games, unfortunately I suspect it will be a miss.
However, it would be great if Lego use the licence for other sets later on... I suspect that a set would be a definite purchase for me.
It was a really interesting review.. thank you...
Although.. surely the cake is a lie????
^ definately get a copy of portal2. One of the best games ever made.
I'm a huge fan of the Portal series and this actually convinced me to shell out for Lego Dimensions in the first place. I'm not a huge fan of the Lego games as they get boring really quickly, so I wouldn't have gotten into this otherwise.
GLaDOS truly steals the show against the many more famous characters in the game, and be sure to play all the way through to the end credits. No spoilers here, but GLaDOS pretty much turns it into her game by the end.
Portal is $10 on Steam, Portal 2 is $20. Wait for a sale (next one is either Halloween or Thanksgiving) and you'll likely be able to get them both for under $10. The second one is one of my all time best games.
Id be surprised if we dont get a proper Portal set soon - same applies to the other licenses in Dimensions that dont currently exist in other Lego forms.
This is an excellent Level Pack to buy for Lego Dimensions. My daughters love playing the Portal 2 level in the Lego Dimensions video game. They say it plays "just like" Portal 2 and had a blast with it.
The figure and weapon look good. I know as much about Portal as Jon Snow...that is nothing.
The mini builds are neat. I'd welcome this into my collection since I like new figures and pieces/prints. But I agree, not at this price. I won't be buying the base game, so I will have no use for the game component of any of these.