Test Chambers: Difference between revisions

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'''Test Chambers''' are a vital part of the ''Portal'' series. Thanks to the [[Security Camera]]s fixed onto the walls of Test Chambers at various points, [[GLaDOS]] can track a Test Subject's movements and progress. There are multiple Test Chambers throughout The Enrichment Centre. {{Spoiler text|However, in ''Portal 2'' they are instantly created by GLaDOS and [[Wheatley]] (using robotic arms carrying [[panels]] and combining them with other panels to form a ceiling, floor, and walls of a chamber) as one progresses through the tests. This new method of creation allows for an almost infinite amount of test chamber combinations within the Enrichment Centre}}. Upon entering a Test Chamber one acquires a bare (minimal) feeling, similar to a hospital with its sterile environment; this is due to the lighting used within chambers, and the colors of the panels as well.
'''Test Chambers''' are a vital part of the ''Portal'' series and the [[Aperture Science]] Enrichment Center. Thanks to the [[Security Camera]]s fixed onto the walls of test chambers at various points, [[GLaDOS]] can track a test subject's movements and progress.


== Bonus Chambers ==
There are hundreds and more test chambers throughout the Enrichment Center, which can be easily reconfigured and recycled to form another new test chamber. In ''Portal 2'', these chambers can be swiftly created by GLaDOS with the usage of robotic arms carrying [[panels]] and combining them with other panels to form a ceiling, floor, and walls.
In addition to the standard test chambers exist two forms of bonus test chambers; only test chambers 13 through 18 have bonus versions. Bonus chambers only exist within ''[[Portal]]'', and can be accessed from the [[main menu]].


=== Challenge Chambers ===
Aesthetically, these chambers bear minimal resemblance to a hospital with its sterile environment; due to the lighting used within chambers, and the black and white coloring of the walls, floors, and ceilings.
These chambers are identical to the standard versions, however they introduce an additional layer of goal-based puzzles. These include completing the map with the:
 
* Least amount of steps taken
== Challenge modes ==
* Least amount of [[Portals]] deployed
In ''[[Portal]]'', challenge mode test chambers can be found in the game's "Bonus Maps" menu option. In ''[[Portal 2]]'' however, the challenge modes can be played via selecting "Play Challenge Mode" in either single-player or co-op.
 
The chambers in the challenge mode are identical to the original campaign versions, only with the implementation of goal-based puzzles. These include completing the map with the:
* Least amount of [[portals]] deployed
* Least time elapsed
* Least time elapsed
* Least amount of steps taken (''Available in Portal only'')


=== Advanced Chambers ===
In ''Portal 2'', player stats will be saved into the {{W|Steam (software)|Steam}} leaderboards. This allows the Steam community to keep track of friends and other players who have beaten them in either least portals created, or least time taken to complete a test chamber.
These are variants of the test chambers which have been redesigned with an advanced difficulty curve, for instance by decreasing the number of portalable surfaces, or by increasing the presence of hazard water.


== Related Achievements ==
== Advanced chambers ==
=== Portal ===
Available only in ''Portal'', these are variants of the test chambers which have been redesigned with an advanced difficulty curve, for instance by decreasing the number of portalable surfaces, or by increasing the presence of hazard water.
 
Like challenge chambers in ''Portal'', advanced chambers can be played via the "Bonus Maps" section on the main menu.
 
== Related achievements ==
=== ''Portal'' ===
{{Achievement table
{{Achievement table
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== Test Chamber Mechanics ==
== Test chamber mechanics ==
{{main|Mechanics}}
{{main|Mechanics}}


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* [[Heavy Duty Super-Colliding Super Button]] - Can be pressed by the player or held with a cube, the button acts like a switch, turning on and off different things (opening doors for instance). Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]].
* [[Heavy Duty Super-Colliding Super Button]] - Can be pressed by the player or held with a cube, the button acts like a switch, turning on and off different things (opening doors for instance). Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]].
* [[Vital Apparatus Vent]] - The air vent delivering the cubes into the chambers. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]].
* [[Vital Apparatus Vent]] - The air vent delivering the cubes into the chambers. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]].
* [[Cube]] - A multipurpose object used to press buttons, block unwanted forces, or to stand upon.  ([[Cube#Weighted Storage Cube|Weighted Storage Cube]] introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]] & [[Cube#Weighted Companion Cube|Weighted Companion]] a special cube introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 17|Test Chamber 17]])
* [[Cubes]] - A multipurpose object used to press buttons, block unwanted forces, or to stand upon.  ([[Cube#Weighted Storage Cube|Weighted Storage Cube]] introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]] & [[Cube#Weighted Companion Cube|Weighted Companion]] a special cube introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 17|Test Chamber 17]])
* [[Material Emancipation Grill]] - A grid put at the end of test chambers used to stop players from getting objects out of the chamber. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]]
* [[Material Emancipation Grill]] - A grid put at the end of test chambers used to stop players from getting objects out of the chamber. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 00|Test Chamber 00]]
* [[Victory Lift]] - A vertical variant of the [[Unstationary Scaffold]] that automatically rises if a player is upon it, and descends if unoccupied. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 06|Test Chamber 06]].
* [[Victory Lift]] - A vertical variant of the [[Unstationary Scaffold]] that automatically rises if a player is upon it, and descends if unoccupied. Introduced in [[Portal Test Chamber 06|Test Chamber 06]].
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* [[Aerial Faith Plate]] - A launcher that throws the player and any objects at a fixed trajectory. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 5|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 5]].
* [[Aerial Faith Plate]] - A launcher that throws the player and any objects at a fixed trajectory. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 5|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 5]].
* [[Thermal Discouragement Beam]] - A laser beam fired in a straight line. Must be avoided or redirected using a Discouragement Redirection cube. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 1|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 1]].
* [[Thermal Discouragement Beam]] - A laser beam fired in a straight line. Must be avoided or redirected using a Discouragement Redirection cube. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 1|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 1]].
* [[Cube]] ([[Cube#Edgeless Safety Cube|Edgeless Safety]] & [[Cube#Discouragement Redirection Cube|Discouragement Redirection]]) - Cubes that can be used to hold down buttons for example (Discouragement Redirection introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 2|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 2]] and Edgeless Safety introduced in [[Portal 2 Co-op Course 1 Chamber 2|Co-op Course 1 Chamber 2]]).
* [[Cubes]] ([[Cube#Edgeless Safety Cube|Edgeless Safety]] & [[Cube#Discouragement Redirection Cube|Discouragement Redirection]]) - Cubes that can be used to hold down buttons for example (Discouragement Redirection introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 2 Test Chamber 2|Chapter 2 Test Chamber 2]] and Edgeless Safety introduced in [[Portal 2 Co-op Course 1 Chamber 2|Co-op Course 1 Chamber 2]]).
* [[Hard Light Bridge]] - A semi-translucent, solid 'sheet' of light that can act as a bridge or wall. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 8 Test Chamber 6|Chapter 8 Test Chamber 6]].
* [[Hard Light Bridge]] - A semi-translucent, solid 'sheet' of light that can act as a bridge or wall. Introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 8 Test Chamber 6|Chapter 8 Test Chamber 6]].
* [[Gels]] ([[Propulsion Gel|Propulsion]], [[Repulsion Gel|Repulsion]] & [[Conversion Gel|Conversion]]) - Can coat surfaces and apply different effects. Repulsion introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 6 Enrichment Sphere 2|Chapter 6 Enrichment Sphere 2]], Propulsion [[Portal 2 Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 5|Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 5]], Conversion [[Portal 2 Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 6|Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 6]].
* [[Gels]] ([[Propulsion Gel|Propulsion]], [[Repulsion Gel|Repulsion]] & [[Conversion Gel|Conversion]]) - Can coat surfaces and apply different effects. Repulsion introduced in [[Portal 2 Chapter 6 Enrichment Sphere 2|Chapter 6 Enrichment Sphere 2]], Propulsion [[Portal 2 Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 5|Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 5]], Conversion [[Portal 2 Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 6|Chapter 7 Enrichment Sphere 6]].

Revision as of 02:00, 26 November 2011

Test Chambers are a vital part of the Portal series and the Aperture Science Enrichment Center. Thanks to the Security Cameras fixed onto the walls of test chambers at various points, GLaDOS can track a test subject's movements and progress.

There are hundreds and more test chambers throughout the Enrichment Center, which can be easily reconfigured and recycled to form another new test chamber. In Portal 2, these chambers can be swiftly created by GLaDOS with the usage of robotic arms carrying panels and combining them with other panels to form a ceiling, floor, and walls.

Aesthetically, these chambers bear minimal resemblance to a hospital with its sterile environment; due to the lighting used within chambers, and the black and white coloring of the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Challenge modes

In Portal, challenge mode test chambers can be found in the game's "Bonus Maps" menu option. In Portal 2 however, the challenge modes can be played via selecting "Play Challenge Mode" in either single-player or co-op.

The chambers in the challenge mode are identical to the original campaign versions, only with the implementation of goal-based puzzles. These include completing the map with the:

  • Least amount of portals deployed
  • Least time elapsed
  • Least amount of steps taken (Available in Portal only)

In Portal 2, player stats will be saved into the Steam leaderboards. This allows the Steam community to keep track of friends and other players who have beaten them in either least portals created, or least time taken to complete a test chamber.

Advanced chambers

Available only in Portal, these are variants of the test chambers which have been redesigned with an advanced difficulty curve, for instance by decreasing the number of portalable surfaces, or by increasing the presence of hazard water.

Like challenge chambers in Portal, advanced chambers can be played via the "Bonus Maps" section on the main menu.

Related achievements

Portal

Aperture Science
Aperture Science
Earn gold medals on all Portal challenges.
Rocket Science
Rocket Science
Earn silver medals on all Portal challenges.
Basic Science
Basic Science
Earn bronze medals on all Portal challenges.
Cupcake
Cupcake
Beat two Portal advanced maps.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake
Beat four Portal advanced maps.
Vanilla Crazy Cake
Vanilla Crazy Cake
Beat all six Portal advanced maps.

Test chamber mechanics

Main article: Mechanics

Portal

See also: Portal

Portal 2

See also: Portal 2

List of test chambers

Portal test chambers

Main article: List of Portal chambers

Portal: Still Alive test chambers

Main article: Portal: Still Alive

Portal 2 test chambers

Main article: List of Portal 2 chambers