How much gameplay does Portal provide? [closed]

Question

I've heard from many people that Portal is a great game, etc.

I have a few questions about the game:

• How long does it take the play through?
• Is there a reward for playing it after beating it once?
• Is there a "freestyle" mode or other way to just mess around with the portal gun?
• Can Portal be modded or can I get additional community created levels, and if so - where?

Answer 1

• How long does it take the play through?

I would say a dozen.

• Is there a point to playing it after winning?

Yes. The mechanics are interesting and different enough that there is (limited) replay value.

• Is there a "freestyle" mode or other way to just mess around with the portal gun?

None built in. I guess player maps, mods and/or the Valve SDK would enable you to do so however. Check out Team Portress (SPOILER ALERT: play this video without sound), for example.

• Can Portal be modded or can I get additional community created levels, and if so - where?

Yes. Check out Portal: Prelude.

Answer 2

1. It only offers about 6-10 hours of gameplay
2. There are plenty of achievements and time-trial levels to add replay value
3. No, not really - not other than the time-trial levels

Answer 3

1. 10hrs on first playthrough, 2hrs or less on subsequent playthroughs
2. yes, speedruns and advanced versions of the same maps =)
3. not that I know of
4. not that I know of

Answer 4

It's quite a short game. I got to the boss battle after only a couple of days of non-intensive play.

There are the achievements and challenge levels to complete after you've finished. The challenges are complete the level in the fewest steps, with the fewest portals etc. Not all levels have challenges.

There's no freestyle mode.

Answer 5

1. This depends on you - I think you can finish the game in about 6/7 hours
2. I don't think there is - it doesn't offer any extra gameplay unless you want to accomplish all challenges or achievements
3. There is no freestyle mode to mess around

Three facts;

1. This game was created as a demo of sorts and lated decided to be included in the Orange Box release
2. Is not a that expensive - sometimes Steam offers it for free
3. It is really a good game anyways

Answer 6

I really liked Portal. It's not a long game, but it's also pretty cheap. I bought the whole orange box for it, back when it was $50, and I thought I got a pretty good deal. Good puzzle mechanics. It made me think. I literally played the whole game in one playthrough. I was just going to do one level, but that first level was easy, and over very quickly, so I just kinda played. Finally, I beat it at 3:00 in the morning. I don't remember what time I started. Very enjoybable.

Answer 7

There's a demo available, called Portal: the first slice

1. 10-14 hours, depending on your will to discover hidden rooms
2. see 4
3. see 4
4. yes. levels at e.g. http://www.thinkingwithportals.com/ and http://www.myaperturelabs.com/

and especially the "mod" http://portalmaps.wecreatestuff.com/ after playing the flash version

and there's also http://www.portalprelude.com/