So... Portal 2

[Pepperidge]

I seem to recall you hating first-person shooters, though, but your liking for Portal suggests you should at least give Half-Life 2 a try. They both employ similar level design and narrative tricks and an emphasis on setting and strong art direction; there's a sense of shared authorship. They're built using the same engine so they feel very similar, too - I consider Portal and HL sister franchises.

Personally, I hate first person games, yet the Half-Life and Portal series' consist of what are likely my favourite games of all time. I'd argue that Half-Life 1 has aged decently, though, and is absolutely worth playing through. I still feel that it has the ideal narrative structure for a game, perhaps moreso than HL2.

[Esrever]

I think they're both worth playing, although much like the Uncharted games, I'd suggest playing them in reverse order.

Is there a console version of HL2 that isn't horrible, though?

[Crowbar]

Dammit, I've been putting off playing the Half-lifes and portal properly for years (only ever played a bit of HL1 at a friend's house), but all this talk is making me want to finally get round to them. I already have too much other stuff to be wasting my time with though!

[Green Gibbon!]

Yeah, I don't like FPS games either, but Portal isn't an FPS, it's an... FPP?

[Farmer]

Don't bother with Half-Life 2, though. It's dull and boring

It's all personal opinion.. It's all personal opinion..
*Deep breaths*

As for the original Half-Life, I haven't played it in many years. I remember it being decent, but certain parts were lengthy and seemed to outstay their welcome, a bit like some parts of Portal 2.

[Popcorn]

Is there a console version of HL2 that isn't horrible, though?

The 360 version of the Orange Box is fine. I played Episode 2 for the first time on that.

[Farmer]

Second volume of the OST is out.

[Pepperidge]

Of course, they're saving all of the good stuff for the final release.

[gr4yJ4Y]

For those of you who don't have it for some reason, Portal is free until September 20 on Steam.

[Brazillian Cara]

Again? I wonder if there's any special reason this time or something. I'm betting they'll make it free for a limited time sometime next year, too.

[gr4yJ4Y]

It might have to do with the 7th grade field trip.

[Crisis]

So, how's that summer DLC coming along, Valve?

[Neo]

Actually someone from Kotaku asked Valve about that over at Gamescom and they said it's scheduled for September, which is still technically summer. Source.

[Neo]

So, I kinda wanna play the 2P campaign. Anyone here still an Aperture Science Cooperative Testing Initiative virgin?

[The Doc]

Can't help but notice that September ends in two days and there's still no DLC.

[Farmer]

Valve Time™.

[Neo]

Can't help but notice that September ends in two days and there's still no DLC.

I know, right? It means that either the DLC is going live smack dab on the 30th, or that Valve are filthy liars. Oh, the suspense of it all!

[Neo]

Well what do you know? Filthy liars it was! The free DLC, "Peer Review" has been pushed back to next Wednesday, October 5th. But as a consolation prize the last part of the soundtrack is now finally available for download. Relevant blog post.

Still looking for a co-op mate, by the way!

[Farmer]

It's out.
I've completed it, with my brother. It's only about two hours long, so slightly shorter than the original Portal.
It's very, very good.

EDIT: Volume 3 of the soundtrack is also out now.