Test Chambers: Difference between revisions

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(Added text about the level designs, will add pictures of every one of them soon!)
(Small section added to the designs)
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Every [[Portal]] chamber (not including the escape sequence) has a distinct and recognizable look - white, sterile rooms with the atmosphere that conveys  the emotions of loneliness. Most of the objects look a little bit blurry and maybe that's done on purpose because is makes the items look more dusty and immerse the player better into the Portal experience.
Every [[Portal]] chamber (not including the escape sequence) has a distinct and recognizable look - white, sterile rooms with the atmosphere that conveys  the emotions of loneliness. Most of the objects look a little bit blurry and maybe that's done on purpose because is makes the items look more dusty and immerse the player better into the Portal experience.
* '''"The remastered clinical" look/style ([[Portal 2]])'''
* '''"The remastered clinical" look/style ([[Portal 2]])'''
One part of the [[Portal 2]] chambers looks like the chambers from [[Portal]] but made to fit the theme of the game and looking more fresh and modern compared to the looks of the first game in the series. The panels are more reflective, polished and easily recognisable to the average player. Every item design is revamped to stick to the modernistic theme this game has to offer, and it's a welcome addition!
One part of the [[Portal 2]] chambers looks like the chambers from [[Portal]] but made to fit the theme of the game and looking more fresh and modern compared to the looks of the first game in the series. The panels are more reflective, polished and easily recognizable to the average player. Every item design is revamped to stick to the modernistic theme this game has to offer, and it's a welcome addition!
* '''"The decayed clinical" look/style ([[Portal 2]])'''
This type of level design can be seen mostly in the first few chapters of [[Portal 2]] where you'll explored the devastating designs of destroyed levels. Outgrown leaves and grass dominate over the ruined panels mostly missing ''the final touch'', just having the metal holder rim visible on the surface. These levels may be looking hard to navigate but it actually isn't. The ruins don't seem a big roadblock to the player, but they make the player seem nostalgic and maybe sad, because {{Spoiler|the destroyed parts are the players' fault, and}} they might find themselves guilty, even though they shouldn't be.
* '''"The 60's era" look/style ([[Portal 2]])'''
* '''"The 60's era" look/style ([[Portal 2]])'''
Trough the [[Portal 2]] storyline you will encounter very old looking levels with graphics pre-dating the 90's. They are, so called, ''the Cave Johnson levels'' and they have a distinct look no other level has. Its color use shifts more to the hues of green, yellow, brown etc., which is quite different to the color scheme all of the other [[Portal]] levels have - the hues of black and white. The contents of the test chambers' designs are more colorful and noticeable. Almost everything doesn't cut corners, other than the decorative pipes.
Trough the [[Portal 2]] storyline you will encounter very old looking levels with graphics pre-dating the 90's. They are, so called, ''the Cave Johnson levels'' and they have a distinct look no other level has. Its color use shifts more to the hues of green, yellow, brown etc., which is quite different to the color scheme all of the other [[Portal]] levels have - the hues of black and white. The contents of the test chambers' designs are more colorful and noticeable. Almost everything doesn't cut corners, other than the decorative pipes.

Revision as of 18:40, 31 March 2022

A Test Chamber door

Test Chambers are a vital part of the Portal series and the Aperture Science Enrichment Center. Via 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 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.

Test Chamber Design/styles

  • "Clinical" look/style (Portal)

Every Portal chamber (not including the escape sequence) has a distinct and recognizable look - white, sterile rooms with the atmosphere that conveys the emotions of loneliness. Most of the objects look a little bit blurry and maybe that's done on purpose because is makes the items look more dusty and immerse the player better into the Portal experience.

  • "The remastered clinical" look/style (Portal 2)

One part of the Portal 2 chambers looks like the chambers from Portal but made to fit the theme of the game and looking more fresh and modern compared to the looks of the first game in the series. The panels are more reflective, polished and easily recognizable to the average player. Every item design is revamped to stick to the modernistic theme this game has to offer, and it's a welcome addition!

  • "The decayed clinical" look/style (Portal 2)

This type of level design can be seen mostly in the first few chapters of Portal 2 where you'll explored the devastating designs of destroyed levels. Outgrown leaves and grass dominate over the ruined panels mostly missing the final touch, just having the metal holder rim visible on the surface. These levels may be looking hard to navigate but it actually isn't. The ruins don't seem a big roadblock to the player, but they make the player seem nostalgic and maybe sad, because the destroyed parts are the players' fault, and they might find themselves guilty, even though they shouldn't be.

Trough the Portal 2 storyline you will encounter very old looking levels with graphics pre-dating the 90's. They are, so called, the Cave Johnson levels and they have a distinct look no other level has. Its color use shifts more to the hues of green, yellow, brown etc., which is quite different to the color scheme all of the other Portal levels have - the hues of black and white. The contents of the test chambers' designs are more colorful and noticeable. Almost everything doesn't cut corners, other than the decorative pipes.

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, the stats will be compared to the goal, and if you matched the number of portals / steps / time to the goal (or got less than it), it will get harder and harder. 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 Goo.

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

The Portal 2 Sixense MotionPack DLC contains advanced chambers for Portal 2.

Related achievements

Portal

Basic Science
Basic Science
Earn bronze medals on all Portal challenges.
Rocket Science
Rocket Science
Earn silver medals on all Portal challenges.
Aperture Science
Aperture Science
Earn gold 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

Official Games

Portal test chambers

Main article: List of Portal chambers

Portal 2 test chambers

Main article: List of Portal 2 chambers

Portal: Still Alive test chambers

Main article: Portal: Still Alive

Mods

Portal Stories: Mel test chambers

Main article: List of Portal Stories: Mel chambers