It will be at least a year and a half before I start playing Portal, but the concept already has me hooked. It’s inexplicable in 20 words or less, so I’ll point you to Wired, who is glad to clarify the iconoclastic storyline for you.
The music ain’t half bad, either. In fact, I find myself listening to the last song on the soundtrack, ‘Still Alive,’ on loop. The song is a lighthearted spin on the Half-Life universe (science kills people, then makes cool guns for killing more people, end of story) rendered by a heavily audio-filtered female singsong voice. It’s Valve’s best effort at music not meant as background texture. It also contains their best humour.
Listen and download the song here. (Warning: as the lyrics and YTMND image seem to suggest, there are numerous spoilers in the form of game in-jokes. I don’t feel spoiled yet, so I recommend indulging yourself.)
I’m making a note here: ‘HUGE SUCCESS.’
It’s hard to overstate my satisfaction.
‘Aperture Science: We do what we must because we can.’
For the good of all of us (except the ones who are dead).But there’s no sense crying over every mistake.
You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.
And the science gets done
and you make a neat gun
for the people who are still alive.
I’m not even angry.
I’m being so sincere right now.
Even though you broke my heart and killed me
and tore me to pieces
and threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because I was so happy for you!
Now these points of data make a beautiful line.
And we’re out of beta; we’re releasing on time.
So I’m glad I got burned.
Think of all the things we learned
for the people who are still alive.
Go ahead and leave me.
I think I prefer to stay inside.
Maybe you’ll find someone else to help you.
Maybe Black Mesa?
That was a joke. Ha ha, fat chance.
Anyway, this cake is great. It’s so delicious and moist.
Look at me still talking when there’s science to do.
When I look out there, it makes me glad I’m not you.
I’ve experiments to run; there is research to be done
on the people who are still alive.
And believe me, I am still alive.
I’m doing science and I’m still alive.
I feel fantastic and I’m still alive.
While you’re dying I’ll be still alive.
And when you’re dead I will be still alive.
STILL ALIVE